The Trouble With Fixies

[hartleymartin]

I'm thinking of going fixed gear with a large frame and a roadster style bicycle. That way people won't joy-ride off with it. Two of my bikes got pinched from college last semester.

[G-rig]

I really can't see the sense in fixed wheel. But I ride one anyhow.

Same, because its cool. Although it feels like you are getting a little workout resisting the movement to slow down, but would be better hitting some mountains or leg presses at the gym.

[ColinOldnCranky]

I really can't see the sense in fixed wheel. But I ride one anyhow.

Same, because its cool. Although it feels like you are getting a little workout resisting the movement to slow down, but would be better hitting some mountains or leg presses at the gym.

I thought just riding to and from freo every day was a workout. But next week it's flat rides to perth, perfect for fixies.

[munga]

I'm thinking of going fixed gear with a large frame and a roadster style bicycle. That way people won't joy-ride off with it. Two of my bikes got pinched from college last semester.

security skewers and a better bike lock. seems a heck of a compromise to go fixed to deter theives.
'oh no, its a fixie! how will i ever throw that in the back of my ute?'

[Jonboi1978]

bA HAHAHAH...
but on the plush side it is getting much easier to colour match your stolen fixi in the back of the ute with ya pink fuffy dice.

[elStado]

Pedal, strike, scares the absolute brownies out of you when it happens.

+1

Pedal strike is scary. Always seems to attack right when you are not expecting it.

[scrubnbash]

I've only 'tickled' the ground every so often on the fixed. Shaved a bunch of alloy off my pedals but no brownies have been lost as yet.

[mikesbytes]

Yeh, I've only touched down once on the fixie, though I've done it numerous times on the road bike. The reason being is that the fixie has a higher BB

[suff]

Nothing wrong with fixed gear, but I agree with "fixies" being stupid as in no brakes, stupidly narrow bars and aerospokes. That is retarded.

Sorry, have to whole heartedly agree... Aero spokes are just stupid IMHO!!!! Happy to be proven wrong, but I see them serving no benefit on a fg on the road? Track maybe a different story...

[munga]

aerospokes look cool. like tuffs on your bmx when you were 9.
10" wide bars, on the other hand..

[BRLVR.v2]

. Aero spokes are just stupid IMHO!!!! Happy to be proven wrong, but I see them serving no benefit on a fg on the road? Track maybe a different story...

Yeah, but they are fashionable, and that always over rides sense and taste.

I just think they are heavy and cumbersome for stop start urban cycling, but the cool factor is obviously worth more to the kids.

[BRLVR.v2]

ya know what shits me about riding fixed?
When you get an itchy ankle,and you can't stop pedalling and coast with said ankle at 12 o clock position and scratch the bastard.
instead you have to dab at it as it spins past or completely stop,and that sucks.

[elStado]

ya know what shits me about riding fixed?
When you get an itchy ankle,and you can't stop pedalling and coast with said ankle at 12 o clock position and scratch the bastard.
instead you have to dab at it as it spins past or completely stop,and that sucks.

Haha true. Imagine how funny that must look as well to some pedestrian walking past.

I had similar issues getting my water bottle out/in for the first few months, still do occasionally. It's hard when you're going faster and trying to put the bottle back in the cage and your legs are banging your arms around. I normally just stop on the side of the path/road and have a drink and then go on my merry way.

[Wayfarer]

Get on my level!

Mine isn't quite as colorful as that, but you can be sure nobody's taking off on a ride that color. Alot of new science goes to show that the eccentric braking action improves neuromuscular (and possibly improve muscular) strength. Can't say that's a plus though when I've just finished cranking hard so a dude ready to turn right across my path won't have to wait much longer, sitting down for a rest - then forgetting I'm on the fixie..

[paolo_ski]

pretty keen to swap my roadie to a single speed, just need to acquire the required knowledge and parts..

[mikesbytes]

pretty keen to swap my roadie to a single speed, just need to acquire the required knowledge and parts..

Why not keep the roadie and get a fixie as well

[paolo_ski]

Why not keep the roadie and get a fixie as well

To cut a long (but cliche) story short: Money.

But yes one day I do plan on getting a fixie because they look quite fun. Been trying to get my girlfriend into riding and I was going to make her get a fixie, just so I could ride it

[drubie]

Cost doesn't need to be an issue - you can build a fixie for about $100 if you are stuck buying a brand new chain and track cog. The rest of the parts can be had from your local dump for $5-$20 (just need a frame, bars, wheels and a crank you can grind the outer ring off). It's possible to build a single speed pretty much for free if you use a 27" mens bike and parts from a busted BMX.

Having said that, my ghetto fixie owes me about $120 because I spent $50 on a proper single speed crank.

[HappyHumber]

ya know what shits me about riding fixed?
When you get an itchy ankle,and you can't stop pedalling and coast with said ankle at 12 o clock position and scratch the bastard.
instead you have to dab at it as it spins past or completely stop,and that sucks.

I'm always a bit nervous about letting one rip.... something doesn't feel quite right about farting with your legs spinning at 90+ RPM

[paolo_ski]

Cost doesn't need to be an issue - you can build a fixie for about $100 if you are stuck buying a brand new chain and track cog. The rest of the parts can be had from your local dump for $5-$20 (just need a frame, bars, wheels and a crank you can grind the outer ring off). It's possible to build a single speed pretty much for free if you use a 27" mens bike and parts from a busted BMX.

Having said that, my ghetto fixie owes me about $120 because I spent $50 on a proper single speed crank.

We have a really old roadie sitting out the back, still in working order. Methinks this would be the perfect project bike... the gears and brakes are already shoddy so I might as well take them off. I'm going to go suss it out in the shed right now