The point of a fixie...

[mikesbytes]

I have a carbon road bike and a fixie. Each has its purpose.

[backofthebunch]

has anybody said to ride track lol

[jaseyjase]

I dissagree with that.
I have no intention of riding fixed, but i am interested to know why people do.
It is interesting to see why, and knowing this helps me understand why they ride them so much.
O.k. this doesn't change my interest levels of riding fixed, but stil interesting.

Just for argument sake, because i am happy with my current bike, (carbon-road) does this mean according to your logic i am not 'allowed' to understand ;
unicycles /tandems/recumbrents/downhill bikes/MTB's/titanium frames/touring/trikes/ and other type of bikes ???

Just wondering.....

I dont think its about being 'allowed' to understand, i think its simply easier to 'understand' what the fuss is about if you actually go out and ride a fixed gear bike as opposed to trying to 'understand' other peoples personal opinions and experiences.

[il padrone]

Mind though, if you need to carry a load of gear, the fixie will lose it's appeal.

Why?

Because trying to haul an extra 20-30 kgs of camping gear up an 8%, 15 km climb, or across a roller coaster of smaller hills, with a 65" gear is hard, slow work

Your 'buddies' sound soft (with all due respect)

You have no idea! These are people who ride 200-300 kms in a day, have ridden multiple Audax Alpine Classics, one who has done two PBPs (Paris-Brest-Paris 1200 kms in 4 days). I wouldn't call them soft . I am nearly as fit as them, maybe fitter (over short steep riding), but haven't been tested at that endurance yet.

[aaron]

^ my post was a stupid one. Sorry forget it.

[il padrone]

No problem. Not stupid, just a bit light-hearted.... you weren't to know, so don't worry

[Alistair]

I asked for some advice when i was building up a single speed and got talked into trying fixed. I thought it would be like a road bike without gears, but it really isn't. I find hills easier on it than my mtb and it gets a really nice momentum going so it is cruises effortlessly on the flat.

I was going to reluctantly switch to single speed as i'm finding it a bit hairy not being able to coast through tight gaps in traffic on my new route to work, but i would feel like i was stealing its soul... so i'll just find a better way in or save it for chilled out rides along the beach.

It is definately worth trying and i'm the least fixieesque person ever. The real challenge is riding one without looking like a douchebag.

[aaron]

The real challenge is riding one without looking like a douchebag.

+1

[Alistair]

I got on mine over the weekend at home in st kilda just to go around to the shops... was coming back along the beach and realised i was wearing tightish jeans and a knitted (non-ironic) jumper. I could feel the hate from the beach road guys at the traffic lights.

Usually my uniform is mtb shorts, spds and the helmet with the light mount, battery and visor for minimum fixie cred

[brauluver]

realised i was wearing tightish jeans and a knitted (non-ironic) jumper. I could feel the hate from the beach road guys at the traffic lights.

Wow..I think you've just come out on a public forum

[mikesbytes]

i was wearing tightish jeans and a knitted (non-ironic) jumper.

Mate way to hipster for the Melbourne'ites..... as long as the chick dig it

[Alistair]

realised i was wearing tightish jeans and a knitted (non-ironic) jumper. I could feel the hate from the beach road guys at the traffic lights.

Wow..I think you've just come out on a public forum

My girlfriend buys the country road knits!

My jeans aren't that tight, although it can appear that way on the bike... when i grow an ironic moustache i will agree that there is a problem!

[hartleymartin]

Just promise us that you're not going have bum-crack showing and a cigarette hanging out of your mouth.

I rode fixie in Canberra for a little bit. When you hop on and try it, you start to see the sense in it. The momentum of the bicycle keeps your feet moving and all you have to do is add a little extra effort on the down-stroke of your pedals. I just had to remember that my usual dismount technique (one foot on the pedal and one off to touch the ground) does not work on a fixie.

[mikesbytes]

Come on Alistair, we know your the dude in this vid

[alex]

the point of a fixie is to fit in with all your mates who happen to live the unique ironic knitted jumper lifestyle, just like you

[aaron]

^ what crap!!

[Mulger bill]

Aaron, much as many of us would agree with you, IMO that post did not deserved to be dignified with a reply.

Some get it, some don't. Their problem.

[Verbs & Nouns]

Because you can go faster and further than on a skateboard.

[.isaac.]

Fixies are Fun!

[brauluver]

Fixies are Fun!

I didn't think you had one yet

[nathann]

Fixies are Fun!

I didn't think you had one yet

Awkward.............

[Lark2004]

Fixies are Fun!

I didn't think you had one yet

Awkward.............

Not really, He's 12 years old....
He knows everything.

[brauluver]

I didn't think you had one yet

Awkward.............

Not really, He's 12 years old....
He knows everything.

Apparently so
This from another thread

KMC are one of the best Fixie chains.

[.isaac.]

ALOT of my friends have Fixies and I ride on them after school and they give me advice like about parts and that...
I might be a tad over confident also and I don't mind admitting it.

[Thoglette]

I have no intention of riding fixed, but i am interested to know why people do.

As always, the answer to any bike question is Ask Sheldon