Now that's why fixed can be scary...

always_tyred

Littigator wrote:

biondino wrote:

Litts what's the problem? AT's provided a very well reasoned argument, he's not saying people or indeed he) shouldn't ride fixies, and he's being a bit mischievous into the bargain! Calm down dear

There is no problem BD, I simply disagree with AT that fixed are not suited for urban riding, I think they are and so do a lot of people.

Which is not what I said - I said they weren't ideal in comparison to the alternatives. This in the context of people clipping out and nearly getting themselves killed.
Now, I pointed you in the direction of both flat pedals and/or single speeds, but you didn't take the bait. Far harder to argue that a single speed isn't a good tool for the job (it takes out the down hill and revolving blunt instrument issues, you see).

always_tyred

Littigator wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

Littigator wrote:

You're trolling a lot actually which is nothing but annoying

Raw nerve.

I'm trolling a little - but also, I hope, being a little challenging. Like I say, you haven't actually disagreed with me, other than the fashion thing, which you haven't commented on. I'm here to be knocked down if my reasoning is incorrect.

What that I bought a fixed cos it was fashionable? Yes I did...sorry I forgot to confirm that in earlier posts, I thought it was obvious. But so what, what's your point...is there one?

Well, yes. If they are so great, why wasn't everyone using them anyway? Answer, because they have many significant disadvantages, such as not being as safe (aparrently).

That's not to say they can't be fun, challenging, or that they aren't a useful training tool (although that's questionable, unless you are training to ride fixed).

Honestly, I thought I'd rattle the cage a bit, because it seems to me that the problems with them are brushed under the carpet a little at the moment.

lost_in_thought

Damn it I did not buy mine because it's fashionable.

In a revelation for you all, I bought Gollum in feb 08 because the old commuter (also a SS) kept breaking, and I thought a FG would be very similar to a back-pedal brake. I wanted a SS, one like all those people who kept overtaking me with their curly handlebars. I didn't even know what it was called. Turns out I was wrong about the brake, but I liked it so I kept it.

I bought it because I wanted a SS faster than this:



And I think they're a great bike for a city with basically no hills.

Oh and AT your post was too long, so I only read bits.

always_tyred

Note to self - troll briefly.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Always Tyred wrote:

4x4's can be interesting and fun, and they have good traction and better visibility (unless you are behind a bigger 4x4).

That's why it is foolish to buy anything but the largest 4x4 available.

Or a lorry. A big one.

lost_in_thought

Always Tyred wrote:

Note to self - troll briefly.

And succinctly. You'll annoy more people. I read it in my 'trolling for dummies' book...

biondino

And you applied it admirably with dennisn!

lost_in_thought

biondino wrote:

And you applied it admirably with dennisn!

Yeah, until he like totally busted me, I'd sucked the rest of you in with my ultra-super-stealth trolling...

always_tyred

lost_in_thought wrote:

biondino wrote:

And you applied it admirably with dennisn!

Yeah, until he like totally busted me, I'd sucked the rest of you in with my ultra-super-stealth trolling...

Its not really trolling though, if I kind of believe what I am saying.

There needs to be a different word.

"Spenning"?

always_tyred

jashburnham wrote:

I love my SS and it is perfect for London and training. Basically you need to MTFU and give it a go, or perhaps your legs have atrophied to the point that you're permanently stuck in the granny ring (all that lurking under bridges can't help)

I ride in the granny ring because it helps my pedalling technique. I have installed a triple for my commute and I try to use the 31x29 as much as possible. I can now pedal smoothly at 400rpm, which I find really useful training for cycling normally at 95rpm. I try to keep my brakes on all the time as well. If I pedal harder, I can go just as fast as when they are off.

il_principe

What would AT make of the tweed ride I wonder.

always_tyred

jashburnham wrote:

What would AT make of the tweed ride I wonder.

I just had 5 minutes' amusement googling the tweed ride. If its what I think it is, I completely agree. Things have just gone downhill since the advent of steam. The hackney cab was a perfectly adequate solution to urban transport, and the stagecoach an efficient means of getting from one end of this mighty country to the other in a matter of days, providing the driver was adequately armed.

UnworthyPapaLazaru

jashburnham wrote:

What would AT make of the tweed ride I wonder.

From what I gather on the forum he has just bought 'over shoes'.

Ha ha ha overshoes. ha ha ah ah ha ha ha ah ha ha ha, overshoes. ah *cough* ha ha ah ah ha ha. I dont care how fucking cold or wet it is! ha ha ha overshoes.

Im making a fixie by the way. It's a fashion thing, it will complement my Vandals.

always_tyred

UnworthyPapaLazaru wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

What would AT make of the tweed ride I wonder.

From what I gather on the forum he has just bought 'over shoes'.

Ha ha ha overshoes. ha ha ah ah ha ha ha ah ha ha ha, overshoes. ah *cough* ha ha ah ah ha ha. I dont care how ******* cold or wet it is! ha ha ha overshoes.

Im making a fixie by the way. It's a fashion thing, it will complement my Vandals.

Look, since stiched leather hobnail boots became harder to come by, I've had to make do with lorica imitation leather (in celeste) and 5 independent fastening mechanisms, covered up by overshoes merely to hide my shame.

I got the thinnest pair I could and I've scuffed them up a bit.

UnworthyPapaLazaru

2tired2ride

bikesdontfloat wrote:

At the top of the pedal stroke my right foot pops out of its cleat. Freezing with terror for a second or two, supported by my pretty much straight left leg that is still clipped in, means that I'm bobbing up and down like some demented toy. My brain finally catches up, instructs me to sit back down on the saddle (more difficult than it sounds when you're being bounced up and down at about 100rpm), apply the brakes and try to get the right foot clipped back in (again tricky at 100rpm).

I did exactly the same when I used to track cycle at Newport, I was at track race meet, in my sprint race on my final lap (and I was in the lead) from how hard I was pedaling my foot unclipped very imbaressing when racing needless to say I now tighten my SPDS super tight!