I need a fixie!

Belv

This morning my rear brake cable had frozen and I only had 2 of 24 gears to use. It's not THAT cold and i don't remember it happening in previous winters. Perhaps it's the off-roading i've been doing this year that's got 'stuff' in my cables, but i am not happy.

I've been trying to come up with an excuse, er, reason to buy a fixie, now i have one!

Snodgrass

I must confess , I have a similar yearning

cougie

They are fun. Completely different bike to normal - the feeling of being 'connected' is great. I love riding my fixie - and yeah - lot easier to keep clean and lubed !

Clever Pun

do it.... great for riding tecnique and makes you more aware of what's around you as you have to think about slowing down

Littigator

Beware though, it's an addiction. I bought one 3 months ago and love riding it. I already have another in bits hidden in various cupboards around the flat and am ALREADY casting my eye around sizing up further options!

ps it's 'fixed' not 'fixie'

biondino

It's "fixie-wixie-woo", not fixed.

roger_merriman

Fixie/fixed is not worth the argument it's being used and thus no lines in the sand will make any change.

woodyonthebeach

ive had a need to or an urge for a Fixed SS for a while.

Whats peoples advice. Buy a frame and build your own. or where can you buy a nice one for about 400ish

il_principe

woodyonthebeach wrote:

ive had a need to or an urge for a Fixed SS for a while.

Whats peoples advice. Buy a frame and build your own. or where can you buy a nice one for about 400ish

Buy a Pearson Touche!

I love mine, now sporting lovely white Halo wheels. Blingtastic.

greg66_tri_v2.0

I just don't get this fixed thing.

In London I only use one of my 20 gears which might make me an ideal candidate for a SS, I suppose (although even then I still subscribe to the view that SS is like a broken watch - useful for a second twice a day).

But fixed?

Proper fixed - not rear brake, nominal if any front brake. Jellifies your legs on a steep descent or you stay in and get the rear wheel skipping. Have to clip/unclip into a moving pedal.

No thanks.

And one further thing, which might just the petrol on the fire this needs.

FIXED RIDERS MAKES UP THE GREATEST PROPORTION OF RLJers.

There. I've said it. I've wanted to say it for ages, and now I have.

I'm quite sympathetic to why this is: it's for easier if you're on a fixed to keep moving than to stop. So stop lines, red lights, and obstructions in general all become things that are to be negotiated without stopping. Of the fixed riders I see, very few track stand at a red light. Most meander through it somehow.

Littigator

Dude, if your back gets any worse you'll be riding a fixed whether you like it or not

lost_in_thought

Greg66 wrote:

I just don't get this fixed thing...

All of the above is true - but having been on a fixie-wixie for a little over a year now, I don't find any of it bothers me.

I now have a rear brake, where I didn't in the past, but the only notable difference is that I can now signal both ways without having to brake with my legs. Which is nice.

Fixed riders RLJ-ing, I agree with you, but I think it's because there's a lot of hipster prats out there on them rather than a characteristic of the fixed gear itself. However, it is fair to say that you do have to learn how far one pedal revolution takes you in order to have your pedals positioned for moving off *and* not RLJ.

Or you can just not have panniers and do the 'push'n'spin'.

As for the keeping moving vs not, I think that applies for any bike, not just FG. And I can't bl**dy trackstand. I'm going to take the fixie-wixie home with me over xmas and learn.

Don't quite understand what you're on about on the descents, although I agree that very fast ones are tricky and not as much fun as on a SS/geared bike. However, there's not a lot of them about in London.

As for the unclip/clip from a moving pedal, that's fine as long as you don't accidentally pull your foot out of your shoe... :oops:

I have one for fitness and building strength in my legs, because it's easy to maintain, and because I like it.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Littigator wrote:

Dude, if your back gets any worse you'll be riding a fixed whether you like it or not

Don't like fixed. Want gears.

cjcp

Greg66 wrote:

I just don't get this fixed thing.

In London I only use one of my 20 gears which might make me an ideal candidate for a SS, I suppose (although even then I still subscribe to the view that SS is like a broken watch - useful for a second twice a day).

But fixed?

Proper fixed - not rear brake, nominal if any front brake. Jellifies your legs on a steep descent or you stay in and get the rear wheel skipping. Have to clip/unclip into a moving pedal.

No thanks.

And one further thing, which might just the petrol on the fire this needs.

FIXED RIDERS MAKES UP THE GREATEST PROPORTION OF RLJers.

There. I've said it. I've wanted to say it for ages, and now I have.

I'm quite sympathetic to why this is: it's for easier if you're on a fixed to keep moving than to stop. So stop lines, red lights, and obstructions in general all become things that are to be negotiated without stopping. Of the fixed riders I see, very few track stand at a red light. Most meander through it somehow.

+1.

Except: (a) I don't have the sympathy because they chose to ride it and (b) I 've seen a helluva lot of all sorts of bikes go through red recently, so don't know who does it most anymore (but I'm ou in the sticks more than you where there are perhaps less fixed-ers).

lost_in_thought

Actually, why don't they make wheelchairs with gears? Surely that's a good idea.

wgwarburton

Greg66 writes:

> I just don't get this fixed thing.

For me it's a combination of things:

1. I like the "connected" feeling
I love the sensation of spinning along the road, wind in your face, tyres humming, travelling quietly at the right speed to enjoy the world around you without getting bored, senses heightened by the exercise and actually going somewhere. The fixed gives you more of this feeling, because you're more closely connected to everything, it's simpler and lighter.

2. No faffing
You don't think about gear selection when you're riding and you don't have to fix the things when you're not. The simplicity appeals.

3. I'm fitter and faster.

4. It's still kinda cool.
I'm not, so I like that :-). I think there's some sort of mid-life crisis thing going on here with me, but I'm not going to let that stop me: it's cheaper than a Porsche (ask me how I know...) and less cliche'd.

5. I like having a bike that's a bit different
There are other fixies about, but I built mine myself. They may not be anything special but they are the right balance between what I want and what I'm prepared to pay for.

I have, and use, both brakes. I don't buy your RLJ hypothesis- it's easier (for an experienced rider) to stop a fixed, cos you can trackstand more easily. It's also easier to dismount (slow down, lock right leg, left foot down behind rear wheel, walk.. you don't even need to stop). It's not even that much harder to clip in again, with a bit of practice.
I think it's just a subculture thing- there's a group of fixie riders who reckon they are rebellious hotshots and stopping at red lights is just way too boring for the likes of them...

Cheers,
W.

Clever Pun

Greg66 wrote:

I just don't get this fixed thing.

In London I only use one of my 20 gears which might make me an ideal candidate for a SS, I suppose (although even then I still subscribe to the view that SS is like a broken watch - useful for a second twice a day).

But fixed?

Proper fixed - not rear brake, nominal if any front brake. Jellifies your legs on a steep descent or you stay in and get the rear wheel skipping. Have to clip/unclip into a moving pedal.

No thanks.

And one further thing, which might just the petrol on the fire this needs.

FIXED RIDERS MAKES UP THE GREATEST PROPORTION OF RLJers.

There. I've said it. I've wanted to say it for ages, and now I have.

I'm quite sympathetic to why this is: it's for easier if you're on a fixed to keep moving than to stop. So stop lines, red lights, and obstructions in general all become things that are to be negotiated without stopping. Of the fixed riders I see, very few track stand at a red light. Most meander through it somehow.

woah there I'll bite... bulsh!t on the fixed riders rlj'ing... they are a small percentage of the cycling community as a whole... it's reflective vest wearing lot who rlj the most...fact

il_principe

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

I just don't get this fixed thing.

In London I only use one of my 20 gears which might make me an ideal candidate for a SS, I suppose (although even then I still subscribe to the view that SS is like a broken watch - useful for a second twice a day).

But fixed?

Proper fixed - not rear brake, nominal if any front brake. Jellifies your legs on a steep descent or you stay in and get the rear wheel skipping. Have to clip/unclip into a moving pedal.

No thanks.

And one further thing, which might just the petrol on the fire this needs.

FIXED RIDERS MAKES UP THE GREATEST PROPORTION OF RLJers.

There. I've said it. I've wanted to say it for ages, and now I have.

I'm quite sympathetic to why this is: it's for easier if you're on a fixed to keep moving than to stop. So stop lines, red lights, and obstructions in general all become things that are to be negotiated without stopping. Of the fixed riders I see, very few track stand at a red light. Most meander through it somehow.

woah there I'll bite... bulsh!t on the fixed riders rlj'ing... they are a small percentage of the cycling community as a whole... it's reflective vest wearing lot who rlj the most...fact

Seconded. IME the more lights, bright yellow and Hi Viz on show the more they're likely to RLJ.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Clever Pun wrote:

woah there I'll bite... bulsh!t on the fixed riders rlj'ing...

:? Just wander round central London around lunchtime and watch the messengers (not fakengers) fly by...

Jen J

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

I just don't get this fixed thing.

In London I only use one of my 20 gears which might make me an ideal candidate for a SS, I suppose (although even then I still subscribe to the view that SS is like a broken watch - useful for a second twice a day).

But fixed?

Proper fixed - not rear brake, nominal if any front brake. Jellifies your legs on a steep descent or you stay in and get the rear wheel skipping. Have to clip/unclip into a moving pedal.

No thanks.

And one further thing, which might just the petrol on the fire this needs.

FIXED RIDERS MAKES UP THE GREATEST PROPORTION OF RLJers.

There. I've said it. I've wanted to say it for ages, and now I have.

I'm quite sympathetic to why this is: it's for easier if you're on a fixed to keep moving than to stop. So stop lines, red lights, and obstructions in general all become things that are to be negotiated without stopping. Of the fixed riders I see, very few track stand at a red light. Most meander through it somehow.

woah there I'll bite... bulsh!t on the fixed riders rlj'ing... they are a small percentage of the cycling community as a whole... it's reflective vest wearing lot who rlj the most...fact

As a reflective vest wearing fixed rider can I just say that I don't RLJ. :P

greg66_tri_v2.0

lost_in_thought wrote:

Actually, why don't they make wheelchairs with gears? Surely that's a good idea.

Because if they go too fast the - ahem - "waste" bags will rupture and spill everywhere.

FACT. I read that on the internet.

Clever Pun

lost_in_thought wrote:

Actually, why don't they make wheelchairs with gears? Surely that's a good idea.

shop mobilities might have them... you see a few people as old as Greg66 hammering around on them

Clever Pun

Greg66 wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

woah there I'll bite... bulsh!t on the fixed riders rlj'ing...

:? Just wander round central London around lunchtime and watch the messengers (not fakengers) fly by...

yes true messengers are an idiot bunch... but you're looking at a small amount % in the cycling community. come on you must have done stats o level.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Clever Pun wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Actually, why don't they make wheelchairs with gears? Surely that's a good idea.

shop mobilities might have them... you see a few people as old as Greg66 hammering around on them

You young whippersnapper! I didn't fight in wars (at all) just to let yobbos like you ruin this country, [etc, etc, continue deranged stream of consciousness rant until nurse comes back]

greg66_tri_v2.0

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

woah there I'll bite... bulsh!t on the fixed riders rlj'ing...

:? Just wander round central London around lunchtime and watch the messengers (not fakengers) fly by...

yes true messengers are an idiot bunch... but you're looking at a small amount % in the cycling community. come on you must have done stats o level.

Ahem - further maths S level, actually Lies, damned lies and statistics. How very true.

They are a small (and unappealing) part of the community, but I still think of those who RLJ, fixeds account for the majority, principally because these peckerheads ensure fixeds are so well represented.

lost_in_thought

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

woah there I'll bite... bulsh!t on the fixed riders rlj'ing...

:? Just wander round central London around lunchtime and watch the messengers (not fakengers) fly by...

yes true messengers are an idiot bunch... but you're looking at a small amount % in the cycling community. come on you must have done stats o level.

+1 - I revert to my point that there seems to be a slightly higher concentration of idiots (messengers, hipsters) on FGs than other bike types, however as CP says FGs are such a small proportion that they can't possibly do most of the RLJing. That crown goes to the pavement-riders, usually on hybrids or MTBs, and the hi-vis brigade, again usually on hybrids/MTBs.... the ones who know no better...

Greg T

WGWarburton wrote:

4. It's still kinda cool.
I'm not, so I like that :-). I think there's some sort of mid-life crisis thing going on here with me, but I'm not going to let that stop me: it's cheaper than a Porsche (ask me how I know...[/]) and less cliche'd.
.

How do you know?

I'm hoping that your answer isn't I looked in Autotrader and a Porker will set me back loads more than 400 quid.

Hopefully you'll say that following your mid life crisis you sold the house and went on a six month sports car, class A drugs and high class call girl bender before finally seeing the light and getting a job in insurance and buying a fixed gear.

Don't care about the bike tell me about the bender.

Clever Pun

Greg66 wrote:

Ahem - further maths S level, actually Lies, damned lies and statistics. How very true.

They are a small (and unappealing) part of the community, but I still think of those who RLJ, fixeds account for the majority, principally because these peckerheads ensure fixeds are so well represented.

AS level or just S level??? I think they still had the same text books when I did maths A level

When I'm travelling it's mtb's and hybrids with the occasional roadie doing all the rlj'ing I don't cross the path of many couriers. I see (for the sake of argument) about 10-15 rj's a day... maybe 1 is fixed...

lost_in_thought

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Ahem - further maths S level, actually Lies, damned lies and statistics. How very true.

They are a small (and unappealing) part of the community, but I still think of those who RLJ, fixeds account for the majority, principally because these peckerheads ensure fixeds are so well represented.

AS level or just S level??? I think they still had the same text books when I did maths A level

When I'm travelling it's mtb's and hybrids with the occasional roadie doing all the rlj'ing I don't cross the path of many couriers. I see (for the sake of argument) about 10-15 rj's a day... maybe 1 is fixed...

That's the problem with S-Levels - few people know what they are. Waste of my time, they were, I tell you.

And CP is right. I reckon MTBs are the worst if I had to pick one bike type.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Clever Pun wrote:

Greg66 wrote:

Ahem - further maths S level, actually Lies, damned lies and statistics. How very true.

They are a small (and unappealing) part of the community, but I still think of those who RLJ, fixeds account for the majority, principally because these peckerheads ensure fixeds are so well represented.

AS level or just S level??? I think they still had the same text books when I did maths A level

When I'm travelling it's mtb's and hybrids with the occasional roadie doing all the rlj'ing I don't cross the path of many couriers. I see (for the sake of argument) about 10-15 rj's a day... maybe 1 is fixed...

S! The one above A (wasn't AS between O & A?). And a tough examining board (back in the days when there were different examination boards). Let me tell thee, lad, when I did m'A levels, they were right proper 'ard 'uns. And we had to fit work around the bloody Kaiser's Zeppelins bombing us.

<Nurse, nurse, I dropped my blanket!>

Must admit that I don't see many fixed messengers during my commute. I assume they've all already started/gone home. It's the daytime ones I see at lunch that p!ss me off.

Cantdosleepy

All your points are totally reasonable except this one:

Greg66 wrote:

FIXED RIDERS MAKES UP THE GREATEST PROPORTION OF RLJers.

Regardless of the validity of that statement, "I dont want to ride a fixed bike because other people who ride fixed often jump red lights" is an argument without an argument inside it.

Are you saying that:

a) you're worried that if you ride fixed you'll start to jump red lights;
b) you don't want people to see you cycling along with your one gear because they might be thinking, "Bet that fixie knobend is a RLJer"?

I imagine 'b' rather than 'a', but either way it's a silly point. If you're on a bike in London, 90% of people already hate you. If you're SCRing, 90% of people plus all the cyclists you scalp hate you. If you don't want people thinking, "Look at that silly man with his plastic hat and funny shorts and humourless expression" cycling is the wrong passtime for you.

A minor quibble, though. Your other reasons for not wanting to cycle fixed (Jellifies your legs on a steep descent or you stay in and get the rear wheel skipping. Have to clip/unclip into a moving pedal etc) are perfectly sensible and you don't need to defend your position to anyone.