FIXIE: What's the deal

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andione1983
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FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby andione1983 » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:28 pm

So why the popularity with fixies these days... What makes them the thing to have for city folk... Compared to geared bikes what's the advantage or disadvantage or riding a FIXIE vs a Roadie

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rustychisel
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby rustychisel » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:32 pm

most city riders are on single speed, not fixed gear. Go to the FG forum and ask your question (& discount any answer which includes the phrase 'zen like').

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MattyK
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby MattyK » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:36 pm

...and what is the deal with those tight jeans they wear?

/seinfeld

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andione1983
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby andione1983 » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:37 pm

MattyK wrote:...and what is the deal with those tight jeans they wear?

/seinfeld
didn't you know that's Lycra for hippies

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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby mikgit » Thu Aug 22, 2013 11:39 pm

No, I know loads of people that think fixies atre the best thing ever/ only bike to ride, personally I don't get it, single speed I could understand, but not do, but the whole front brake (if that) 2 inch wide bar and fixed gear, seems crazy to me!
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DavidS
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby DavidS » Fri Aug 23, 2013 12:04 am

Each to their own but I've never liked riding fixed gears. Single speed I can understand as it clearly weighs less, but I choose gears for me. Fixed gear, no thanks.

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Pedaling
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby Pedaling » Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:44 am

I ride a single speed occasionally when I commute, although I have never flipped the rear wheel to use the fixed gear. A lot of hills here, I think it would kinda hurt my knees.
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vander
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby vander » Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:09 am

People use SS for commuting because. Cheap, easy to maintain (also cheaper to maintain), lower risk of getting stolen (cheapness factor), good practice for high cadence (goes for fixies also). These are the reasons I have heard and why I want to get one.

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bychosis
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby bychosis » Fri Aug 23, 2013 7:15 am

I tried a fixie, using some of the uber cheap Reid wheels and an old frame. I liked it, but not for all my riding. I like the simplicity, no noise, smoother riding style(it forces you to ride smoother I think) but don't like the crazy cadence on descents or for high speed. Nw I'm building up a prettier fixie and intend to use it for at least one commute per week and probably some other riding too.

Check here for some more comments: http://bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic ... 28&t=57158

PS: I use brakes on mine (so far)
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jonbays
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby jonbays » Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:29 am

Fixed gear bikes have a great feel to them to ride. The lack of any gear noise and the smoothness of the cycling cadence feels good. Riding in a training bunch the ability to just speed up AND slow down without having to touch the brakes or even think about it is also nice. For commuters though single speed is better as the simplicity and lack of noise is similar but they are easy to stop and start on and get your feet quickly back on whether o the flat or on steep hills or curbs and ramps and so on that are tricky to do with a fixed gear where you can't flip the pedals backwards. In Australia though a single speed or fixed is really only suitable for the flat city's like Melbourne and Adelaide with Brisbane and Sydney being a bit hilly for anyone who is not 100% riding fit to manage with a single gear.

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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby Mulger bill » Fri Aug 23, 2013 1:06 pm

I was a confirmed, dyed in the wool sight unseen mocker of the whole Fixed Gear idea. Then I tried one.

IMO, it's impossible to explain simply because so much of it is a visceral thing. Ignore the fashion side, I run full brakes (and use 'em) and NO spoke cards or any other hipstah gubbins.

I've got two, the Reid Harrier(56cm) will be available for a test run for you or anyone anytime we can make the calendars line up.
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TMjpn
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby TMjpn » Fri Aug 23, 2013 1:28 pm

I doubt i'll own one anytime soon, but I have had a good gawk at a few of the more extreme track-bikes that somehow end up as commuters - they look pretty boss.

Someone in my office building a few weeks back put a nice alloy LOOK tracky completely decked out in black in one of the cages - That was porn. Although with no brakes at all I had to wonder how the hell they survive the down-hill component of North sydneys hilly roads!

Also the Giant omnium as a fixie... Hot

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andione1983
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby andione1983 » Fri Aug 23, 2013 1:44 pm

There is a really sweet looking pinarello mmm... Lol got a classic /retro look

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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby lucky7 » Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:58 pm

If I can't sell my old carbon TT frame (damaged internal cable guides) I will have a supremely aero, lightweight fixie. Have had one in the past - and found it better for commuting as I didn't care about grit, mud and road grime in the running gear. Most of the rebuilt/repurposed ones fit in this category I guess, while the European former road bikes and more purpose built fixies are a fashion thing. Having grown from bike couriers using a cheap, throw around bike for their work, it's developed from sub culture to very much popular culture.

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herzog
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby herzog » Fri Aug 23, 2013 3:03 pm

In Sydney most fixies are within a 2km radius of Taylor Square.

The riders are always blokes and most commonly have skinny jeans and wear Buddy Holly style glasses

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Mugglechops
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby Mugglechops » Fri Aug 23, 2013 3:21 pm

I love my fixie but don't ride it enough :(


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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby TTar » Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:02 pm

As a hipster fashion statement, haven't they had their day?

They stopped being cool when Big W started selling 'em, I reckon.

These days, belt drives with hub gears seem to be the happening thing in the hipster scene.
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby dalai47 » Fri Aug 23, 2013 6:12 pm

I commute and do my easy training days on a fixed gear conversion running drop bars and both brakes. Great for commuting in that drivetrain replacement is super cheap, so can run it longer and replace for little cost.

Not ideal if lots of hills (grind up and spin like mad down) or tight corners (pedal strike if going fast) though.

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ldrcycles
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby ldrcycles » Fri Aug 23, 2013 9:39 pm

TTar wrote:As a hipster fashion statement, haven't they had their day?

They stopped being cool when Big W started selling 'em, I reckon.
Definitely, but I think it happened long before the Repco Preset came out, the heyday of the fixie was back round 08-09.

I really like my single speed, mainly as it's set up really well for climbing on moderate grades but it can be very frustrating spinning out on the flat. I haven't got round to doing a proper test of a fixed gear, though I've had one built up for more than a year, it hasn't got brakes fitted and I don't want to learn any lessons the hard way on the road.
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velocopedant
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby velocopedant » Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:13 am

Fixes allow the hipster rider to cover a vast amount of territory. According to Laurence Leung, he's able to use his to travel all the way from Fitzroy to North Fitzroy.

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andione1983
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby andione1983 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:18 am

velocopedant wrote:Fixes allow the hipster rider to cover a vast amount of territory. According to Laurence Leung, he's able to use his to travel all the way from Fitzroy to North Fitzroy.
lol cracked me up

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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby warthog1 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:35 am

Mugglechops wrote:I love my fixie but don't ride it enough :(

What is the music you have running on that clip? :D
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby AP81 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 1:29 pm

I don't know about other guys here, but I find commuting on a fixie at > 30km/h is not at all confidence inspiring. I gave it a crack and found it rather unnerving. Single speed if far more practical and safer.
Now riding in a Velodrome, that's a different story and a heap of fun.

Why I don't like riding fixed:
- I can't coast and position my feet to navigate over bumps (this is very important to me).
- I can't bunny hop well on a fixie
- Defensive riding is harder
- Downhill just flat out sucks balls
- Timing a slow speed turn to avoid toe overlap also sucks balls.
- Given the above, if I had to commute my whole way < 30km/h, I would catch the tram to work instead.

The only time I'd ride fixed outside of a velodrome is if i was riding with children at slow speed.
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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby trailgumby » Sat Aug 24, 2013 1:58 pm

A guy at work who lived near me used to commute on a fixie sometimes.

I remember flying past him as he was spinning out down the hill to Spit Bridge thinking that was the last I'd see of him.

The bugger caught and passed me at the top of Battle Bvd. That was the last I saw of him! :oops: :lol:

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Re: FIXIE: What's the deal

Postby AP81 » Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:01 pm

trailgumby wrote:A guy at work who lived near me used to commute on a fixie sometimes.

I remember flying past him as he was spinning out down the hill to Spit Bridge thinking that was the last I'd see of him.

The bugger caught and passed me at the top of Battle Bvd. That was the last I saw of him! :oops: :lol:
Just means he's fit!
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