Fixed/Single Speed Commuting

lost_in_thought

Welcome Topspin!

Well, I've had mine for a fair while now, about 10 months I guess, and have left it locked up in all sorts of places and it hasn't been nicked.

Mind you, mine isn't shiny any more, and has a pannier rack!

TopSpin

Thanks for the welcome!

Just took it on its first long ride and needless to say it's now filthy! Fingers crossed it should be safe, the locks weigh a ton. I think I'll give panniers a miss however!

_Brun_

Can't stop to chat, been persuaded to go out and watch the rugby nonsense (probably due to the promise of a curry after) however, I just wanted to pass on the happy news that I'm the proud owner of a shiny new Genesis Flyer. I love steel, me.

Bought a bloody big lock too in the hope that I will still own it after an evening in Angel.

lost_in_thought

Good stuff Brun!

Fixed or freewheel? GI? Hmmmmmm?

_Brun_

Freewheel only, fixed side of the hub is quite naked for the time being. I'm quite curious about the fixed thing but certain aspects of it rather frighten me, so I'm not in any rush to add a fixed gear.

So currently 48:18 and therefore 70.1 according to Sheldon. I'm gonna have to get down Richmond sometime and do that hill aren't I?

Got a handy saddle security tip from the bloke in Cycle Surgery: Superglue a ball bearing into the seat clamp's allen key hole. Seat clamp has been carefully oriented to be hacksaw-able if I have to remove it.

Anonymous

I'm thinking of getting one of those specialised tricross fixed bikes in April, not much maintenance compared to my damn main bike and good value, but I cant help thinking that fixed is going to totally destroy my knees!

homercles

willhub wrote:

I'm thinking of getting one of those specialised tricross fixed bikes in April, not much maintenance compared to my damn main bike and good value, but I cant help thinking that fixed is going to totally destroy my knees!

With the latest run of our C2W scheme about to open, and having spent another hour today cleaning my poor, bedraggled Italia (inc a chain replacement), I'm thinking of doing the same. As I understand it, the Tricross Singlecross has a flip-flop hub with a freewheel rather than fixed cog as standard, so some potential to 'progress' to fixed after getting used to SS.

_Brun_

Assume everyone knows what a Genesis Flyer looks like, so I shot this gratuitous close up instead.

lost_in_thought

_Brun_ wrote:

Freewheel only, fixed side of the hub is quite naked for the time being. I'm quite curious about the fixed thing but certain aspects of it rather frighten me, so I'm not in any rush to add a fixed gear.

So currently 48:18 and therefore 70.1 according to Sheldon. I'm gonna have to get down Richmond sometime and do that hill aren't I?

Got a handy saddle security tip from the bloke in Cycle Surgery: Superglue a ball bearing into the seat clamp's allen key hole. Seat clamp has been carefully oriented to be hacksaw-able if I have to remove it.

Wowsers, that's possibly a touch enthusiastic on the security! Nobody's ever tried to steal my saddle... have you put a fancy one on or something?

You are going to have to do that hill, yes indeedy! Which hill? Enjoy it! You'll love it, and soon move to a bigger gear...

Honestly, I don't know why people make such a big deal about riding fixed. I didn't have any trouble. And I'm a girl. :twisted:

redddraggon

willhub wrote:

I'm thinking of getting one of those specialised tricross fixed bikes in April, not much maintenance compared to my damn main bike and good value, but I cant help thinking that fixed is going to totally destroy my knees!

It'll affect your average speed by loads........what would you want one for?

_Brun_

lost_in_thought wrote:

Wowsers, that's possibly a touch enthusiastic on the security! Nobody's ever tried to steal my saddle... have you put a fancy one on or something?

Nope, but I know of more than one person who's lost their saddle from where I play 5s a couple of times a week.

lost_in_thought wrote:

You are going to have to do that hill, yes indeedy! Which hill? Enjoy it! You'll love it, and soon move to a bigger gear...

The one in Richmond Park, of course. Dark Hill, is it? If I make it up I'll get a two-tooth smaller sprocket for next time. Incidentally, the fella in Cycle Surgery Kings X who looked after us commuted on SS between there and Highgate which is a good effort, as anyone familair with N London would know. Have also noticed that the fgss lot have a social meet in Highgate which is equally impressive.

lost_in_thought wrote:

Honestly, I don't know why people make such a big deal about riding fixed. I didn't have any trouble. And I'm a girl. :twisted:

Only physiologically, as far as I can tell.

steve-m

_Brun_ wrote:

The one in Richmond Park, of course. Dark Hill, is it? If I make it up I'll get a two-tooth smaller sprocket for next time. Incidentally, the fella in Cycle Surgery Kings X who looked after us commuted on SS between there and Highgate which is a good effort, as anyone familair with N London would know. Have also noticed that the fgss lot have a social meet in Highgate which is equally impressive.

Time to join in this thread, I've been commuting on my fixed since about September - maybe two weeks on SS before I took the plunge, I do Old Street to Finchley, used to just do Archway hill but then switched to Highgate last month

lost_in_thought wrote:

Honestly, I don't know why people make such a big deal about riding fixed. I didn't have any trouble. And I'm a girl. :twisted:

Which reminds me of my reason for switching, coming up the Holloway road someone was giving me a run for my money, when crossing over at Archway I noticed she was heading in the direction of Highgate hill so I had no choice but MTFU.

TopSpin

I took my new Bowery out to Richmond Park yesterday. Still on the freewheel and probably will be for the forseeable. I went round the easy way (anti clockwise) from Roehampton. The first hill just before Richmond exit was ok, almost easy! Couldn't manage the steep hill after Kingston exit though. I had to stop twice mainly due to cars being behind me but I could hardly turn the cranks at all. I reckon I'd have fallen off if I'd been on SPDs. I don't think there's anyway I'd have made it up the hill you get to going clockwise.

I'm not too far from Highgate West & Muswell Hill so had been thinking about giving them a go but they're much longer than richmond so maybe not quite ready for it. My commute is a flat 2 miles though so the bike should be ideal for that. It certainly accelerates very quick.

steve-m

TopSpin wrote:

I took my new Bowery out to Richmond Park yesterday. Still on the freewheel and probably will be for the forseeable. I went round the easy way (anti clockwise) from Roehampton. The first hill just before Richmond exit was ok, almost easy! Couldn't manage the steep hill after Kingston exit though. I had to stop twice mainly due to cars being behind me but I could hardly turn the cranks at all. I reckon I'd have fallen off if I'd been on SPDs. I don't think there's anyway I'd have made it up the hill you get to going clockwise.

I'm not too far from Highgate West & Muswell Hill so had been thinking about giving them a go but they're much longer than richmond so maybe not quite ready for it. My commute is a flat 2 miles though so the bike should be ideal for that. It certainly accelerates very quick.

Guess I ought to take the Langster to Richmond sometime.

I'd say Muswell Hill is harder than Highgate hill, but haven't tried west hill on the Langster yet though (nor Swains lane), though when I do Muswell HIll - like just now, I am laden with two panniers having been to the market at Ally Pally. Have to be carefull with the knees too building up sensibly (Is that word allowed on this thread/forum)

lost_in_thought

I don't know what all the hills are called, but all I have to tell you is that (before I tore my achilles in december) I made it all the way round going the easy way on my bowery in fixed... 88" gear...

It's hard work... but do-able.

Clearly, MTFU

steve-m

lost_in_thought wrote:

I don't know what all the hills are called, but all I have to tell you is that (before I tore my achilles in december) I made it all the way round going the easy way on my bowery in fixed... 88" gear...

It's hard work... but do-able.

Clearly, MTFU

Those hills I wrote of are in the heights of north london, all pretty much going up the same face. Rarely been to Richmond park as I normally head for Hertfordshire on the road bike but it does sound like a plan to head over on the Langster (42x16 / 69.7") and do the hard way round. Not today though, done the handicapped (2 panniers for fruit+veg) col du Muswell today, walked the hounds and next a hilly 10 mile run.

Next of course, replace the free sprocket with a 14 tooth cog since I can't see me needing the free - unless I do the Dun-run on it.

TopSpin

Steve-M I don't reckon Richmond Park the easy way would be much of a challenge for you at all then! Muswell hill on a fixed with panniers is pretty impressive! I've only ever done it on the granny wheel on a geared road bike :oops:

Would definitely favour Hertfordshire over Richmond if you're in North London as there's so much traffic to get through to get out west.

Anonymous

redddraggon wrote:

willhub wrote:

I'm thinking of getting one of those specialised tricross fixed bikes in April, not much maintenance compared to my damn main bike and good value, but I cant help thinking that fixed is going to totally destroy my knees!

It'll affect your average speed by loads........what would you want one for?

Commuting....

Less maintenance....

itboffin

Yep adjusting chain tension after and sometimes during every ride doesn't bother me at all :P

hondafanatic

willhub wrote:

redddraggon wrote:

willhub wrote:

I'm thinking of getting one of those specialised tricross fixed bikes in April, not much maintenance compared to my damn main bike and good value, but I cant help thinking that fixed is going to totally destroy my knees!

It'll affect your average speed by loads........what would you want one for?

Commuting....

Less maintenance....

Why have fixed?
I've just bought a Spesh Tricross SS for my commute for the same reason; less maintenance. But i' wouldn't alter it to Fixed, it works well as a SS.

Clever Pun

Ok I think it's best I get some chain tensioners... is there tartiness I can buy into here?

thanks

wgwarburton

hondafanatic wrote:

Why have fixed?
I've just bought a Spesh Tricross SS for my commute for the same reason; less maintenance. But i' wouldn't alter it to Fixed, it works well as a SS.

It's fun.

There are other reasons- supposed to be good for your technique & fitness, makes you look hardcore, even simpler than SS but mostly, it's just more fun... :-)

Cheers,
W.

hondafanatic

WGWarburton wrote:

hondafanatic wrote:

Why have fixed?
I've just bought a Spesh Tricross SS for my commute for the same reason; less maintenance. But i' wouldn't alter it to Fixed, it works well as a SS.

It's fun.

There are other reasons- supposed to be good for your technique & fitness, makes you look hardcore, even simpler than SS but mostly, it's just more fun... :-)

Cheers,
W.

I can understand your point, but I was refering to the chap that thinks fixed may be damaging to his knees...why does he need to go fixed....

Clever Pun

Clever Pun wrote:

Ok I think it's best I get some chain tensioners... is there tartiness I can buy into here?

thanks

anyone?

Littigator

Two things

On Friday I rode out to Southend on Sea and back. My longest ride ever at 90 miles roud trip.

Secondly, I did it on my fixed :shock: which I'm still in shock about!

ride_whenever

the surly ones are pretty nice CP

itboffin

Littigator wrote:

Two things

On Friday I rode out to Southend on Sea and back. My longest ride ever at 90 miles roud trip.

Secondly, I did it on my fixed :shock: which I'm still in shock about!

nice one, how long did it take? or have you only just gotten back

lost_in_thought

Nice one Litts! Did you like Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahfend? Lovely, isn't it? Charming little seaside town

I've been riding around on the old commuter today... 5 people have told me it's a nice bike! Nobody likes the Bowery...

il_principe

Clever Pun wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

Ok I think it's best I get some chain tensioners... is there tartiness I can buy into here?

thanks

anyone?

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/userimages/procart2.htm

Clever Pun

ride_whenever wrote:

the surly ones are pretty nice CP

yeah?
will go nicely on the mills... cheers


Cheers as well Jash, that one will go nicely on the pista

Edit: Mmmm beer