Fixed wheel bikes

Alain Quay
Alain Quay Posts: 534
edited May 2008 in The bottom bracket
What's the verdict on the revival of these?

Comments

  • robbie the roadie
    robbie the roadie Posts: 423
    The bad

    Riding around busy town centres with no brakes is deffinately pretty stupid and if you end up under a bus I have no sympathy. sorry.

    The good

    I have a single speed, not fixed, and use it a lot for winter training and for whipping about to places on. The lack of parts to go wrong, break or need constant servicing on a SS/Fixed makes them a very attractive proposition for winter/commuting bikes so I can see why they have become popular again.
    Cycling - The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.
  • spen666
    spen666 Posts: 17,709
    robbie the roadie wrote:
    The bad

    Riding around busy town centres with no brakes is deffinately pretty stupid and if you end up under a bus I have no sympathy. sorry.

    ...
    There is no more reason for a fixed wheel bike not to have brakes than a geared bike

    In fact every fixed wheel bike has 1 brake- the one operated by your legs.

    The fact some people choose not to fit a front brake is not a fault of the bike. If it is a fault it is a fault of the rider
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  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    Only a nutter would ride one on the road with no brakes - besides being non-legal it's just stupid. Get a front and rear brake as there will be times you need to brake going downhill and if it's icy you don't want to touch the front one.

    Generally I'd say they are a bit of a fad, but they are fun to ride and just that bit different. As to whether there is any training benefit to riding fixed..........I'd say it has certainly made me stronger and more fluid pedal action.
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • graeme_s-2
    graeme_s-2 Posts: 3,382
    I have a front and rear brake on my fixed. When something unexpected happens it's very reassuring to be able to grab two big fists of brake lever :)
  • method
    method Posts: 784
    Bit of a fad, but I'm growing to like mine. I personally wouldn't ride one without two brakes.
  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    See "Single Speed Why?" over in Special Interests. My take on the subject

    "Single freewheel OK - especially for mild off-tarmac in winter, so much easier to keep clean - but single fixed different really. Though obviously the cleaning/maintenance attractions the same!

    Why fixed? Well, I can't be doing with the karma-connected-to-road (and even the universe!) thing, just simpler. And I at least fine it better exercise.

    I may not be in the *right* gear very often, but I can never be in the *wrong* one. OTOH it's becoming such a fad thing I may have to give up. Or get a frame sticker that says "honest I first rode one of these in c.1962"."
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
  • McBain_v1
    McBain_v1 Posts: 5,237
    I'd really like one of those bikes that allow you to switch between single-speed (fixed) and single-speed (freewheel). Having only ever ridden a fixed wheel single speed on the track (Manchester Velodrome) they really do require a lot of strength in your legs to get moving (and to stop) and they force you to pedal smoothly, or the bike boots you up the ass...

    ...but, sometimes when you are just plain knackered you need to be able to free wheel when you are on the road :)
    What do I ride? Now that's an Enigma!
  • Rookie2
    Rookie2 Posts: 1
    McBain - A true track bike will be pushing a gear inch of somewhere in the high 80's / 90's wheras you'd probably find a road fixie as a high 60/ low 70... Making the whole acceleration / stopping bit a lot easier, just limiting the top speed versus a track bike.

    Of course, a true track bike on the road (as is the fad) is a differant matter! :)
  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    McBain_v1 wrote:
    ...but, sometimes when you are just plain knackered you need to be able to free wheel when you are on the road :)
    No - that's why riding fixed is "better" training (for the same ride duration) than riding free - a 3-hour steady ride on fixed leaves me fit to drop (unlike a geared bike)
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    I don't know but my Goldtec hub just arrived and project StealthFixie should be taking to the road soon - I'll let you know!!
  • Mark Alexander
    Mark Alexander Posts: 2,277
    robbie the roadie wrote:
    Riding around busy town centres with no brakes is deffinately pretty stupid and if you end up under a bus I have no sympathy. sorry.

    I have front and rear brakes. end of statement
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  • meagain
    meagain Posts: 2,331
    Mark Alexander wrote:
    robbie the roadie wrote:
    Riding around busy town centres with no brakes is deffinately pretty stupid and if you end up under a bus I have no sympathy. sorry.

    I have front and rear brakes. end of statement

    Ditto to both. I did occasionally ride with just a front until one day....shan't repeat the story!
    d.j.
    "Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."

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