I can use momentum, gravity, and body weight to propel a spin bike (I've yet to try a fixed gear road bicycle) more easily and efficiently than it happens on a geared bicycle. It's a whole different feel, and a bit hard to describe. But as soon as I tried a spin bike, I understood how several people I know can ride long distances and tours on fixed gear bicycles.

Would you mind explaining what you mean by a "spin bike"? My only familiarity with the phrase is for stationary indoor training bikes that are definitely not fixed gear.

what a senstive wee man you are, lighten up there buddy or you'll get all your gears in a knot .

i suspect your experience has deadened you to the differences. the first time i rode a fixed gear, as i was being unceremoniously lifted over the front bars, i realized i had just been reacquainted with the law of conservation of momentum.

I have a S3X . I like a regular track hub touring ,fixed free 1 tooth less on the free side. When I get tired I like to coast I guess. :0)

Thom

just reading through your post again you give the impression that fixed is most certainly the way to go , and yet you come back with a slimey remark to me because i made what i though was a humorist comment at least it was meant that way. a wise man once said ,if you can't be nice, be as nice as you can.

Now who's being the senstive wee man. Lighten up there buddy or you'll get all your gears in a knot.

Try reading Rowan's post again ... Could it possibly be that he gives the impression that fixed is one viable touring option, and that he feels that way because he has done it?

Spin bikes are the bikes which are used in spinning classes. Quite different from the usual stationary indoor bikes.

Fixed Gear Touring ...

Our bicycles along the canals in France in 2007 ... on our way to Strasburg ...

[QUOTE=Machka;13691472]Now who's being the senstive wee man. Lighten up there buddy or you'll get all your gears in a knot.

Try reading Rowan's post again ... Could it possibly be that he gives the impression that fixed is one viable touring option, and that he feels that way because he has done it?[
no you read it again the impression is go fixed as theres no maintanance no problems climbing and whatever ,but why am i talking to you is your name rowan

that doesn't sound like a "wise man", it sounds like Red Green.

The Brits were big on touring with fixed gears up until the 1960s or so. Apparently, there were two major cycling factions in Britain: the British League of Racing Cyclists, and the National Cyclist's Union. The former were into Italian style bikes with derailleurs, while the latter were into more traditional "classic" British bikes (Hetchins, etc.) and used the fixed gear for everything. Certainly those who preferred fixed did not seem handicapped by it; I've read stories of folks taking extended tours of hilly country, packing their camping gear, and using only a single fixed gear.

It's also worth noting, though, that most of the touring done in Britain at the time was very lightly loaded touring, with just a large saddlebag, carrying enough supplies to see the rider between hostels or B&Bs. While I have not done any loaded touring with my fixed bike, I have done quite a few 200 kilometer days in the hills with it, and would be perfectly happy doing extended "credit card tours" with just the saddlebag in place.



The gear, BTW, is 65 inches, which I personally find to be the best compromise for long rides in the hills. And yes, I wear rubber-soled touring shoes for walking up the steep bits!

(And sharp eyes will note that by the time this picture was taken I had moved into the true mountains, and started cheating by adding a 24 tooth freewheel to the other side of the hub.)

Just tell us, here, after the fact about your fixed gear tour after you have done it.
Expecting people to universally support you and encourage your choice,
is apparently just not going to happen..

there was some guy who in the last 10, or so, years toured on an Ordinary,
a high wheeler.
if that matters.
he doesn't read this site, either..

That was back in 2003 ... he turned up at the PBP to see us all off.

Maybe. I do remember an arrogant French student who came out to one of our bike polo games back in the early '90s. He didn't want to risk his bike in the game so I sat out for a while while he rode my fixed gear bike. I tried to warn him about what would happen if he tried to coast, but he scorned my advice by saying, "I am French. I know bikes." His girlfriend and I had a gut-busting fit when he went over the bars five minutes later.

I guess I'm saying that I am aware of the differences, but they don't seem any greater to me than the differences between a bike with handbrakes and one with a kick-back brake. I suppose some of us need to learn by experience. I've used that technique a time or two and have the scars to show for it.

Slimey, eh? That is a new insult I've not experienced before. Pity you can't heed your own advice.

Have you ridden a fixed-gear tour? Have you ridden fixed at all?

At least I can make sound and decent comments on the subject rather than posting material that isn't relevant... like you.

B.Carfree, I hope I don't get to the place where you are. I appreciate many forms of cycling, and love doing it, and experiencing what each brings. For me, the "perpetual motion" of fixed gear is part of its beauty.

But getting back to the OP (and as antokelly seems to have lost sight of, that is the context of my comments), I am advocating he can do a fixed tour in the regions he plans without issues, with the now additional provisos that he has sound knees and suitable gearing for the weight he is carrying.

nice one just the response i thaught you would give
as a matter of fact i'm about to go for a 50 mile spin on my fixed i can safely say i was riding fixed before you knew it even existed.yep i certainly come to the conclusion your not a nice guy obviously you learned nothing on you jaunts around the planet .can't give you any more of my time i don't like wasting time on people like you .

I ride a 46x16, & 50 miles a day with a large saddle bag is very do-able over rolling terrian, almost leasurely. As others have I'd suggest front and rear brakes to save your knees. Sounds like a fun adventure for sure.

I would definitely have at least a front brake and free wheel for coasting. I like the idea of a flip - flop rear wheel so you can have 2 gears to choose from. If I remember right there is even a 3 speed rear hub with some sort of control mechanism attached to the handlebars. Three gears would really help when carrying all the things you need for touring. In fact, if memory serves, think I've seen some bikes with even more gear choices, which would really make sense for touring, but those bikes are rare and really hard to find. (control / Alt / Sarcasm / Off) Have fun, whatever makes you happy is the right bike for you.

gear low, use brakes... learn to descend with your feet off the pedals

youll be fine. Ive done it around england.

If you're gonna run a freewheel dual brakes are necessary, especially with a load!