Joining the dark side of fixed gears...

hilza

http://www.missionbicycle.com/gallery
This site is one of my bikeporn sources, 'Civic Centre'- SO beautiful *drool*

I'm buying a road bike, have a mountain- surely it's the logical step to get a fixie? they're so sexy.

Can anyone give me some websites that'll sell these babies, pref. in chose your own colours? But I know the moment I get out onto the road I'll be stared down by any other cyclist- why does everyone hate fixies?

EKIMIKE

Those bikes are NICE. Maybe a bit too 'pretty' for me to ride :roll: .

Maybe the whole fixie hate thing might be the whole red light jumping, pavement riding, curb hopping thing. Search bike messenger race on youtube (you must have already though?). Can admire the skills but 1) I wouldn't/couldn't do it and 2) As a driver it would sh*t me up massively, although everything does at the moment because the law is evil to young drivers :twisted:

EKIMIKE

http://www.missionbicycle.com/about/new ... bicycle-uk

Looks like you've got to go to San Francisco to get one...

skyd0g

I used to have a fixie. 8)

...well more accurately it was a Sturmley-Archer three-speed, but only one gear ever worked. It was green in the places it wasn't rusting, weighed a ton and had lovely steel rims that pointed in several directions at once... ...and no brakes.

IMHO a fixie is a waste of time other than as a pub bike.

...when you get your road bike you'll see.

EKIMIKE

I'd much rather have a better road bike than a not so good one plus a fixie. They're not really that cheap either. £400? That's Campag Centaur/Shimano 105 or some nice wheels. I know what I'd do.... well, I got some Ksyrium Elites.

hilza

Yeah I'm spending all my money soon on a Specialized rb, but how I dream of fixies... one day.

EKIMIKE

hilza wrote:

I'm spending all my money soon on a Specialized rb

Good choice. My sister's got one. Perfect for her. Make sure you get it fitted for you though, hers is set up so much different to my bike.

hilza

mattward1979 wrote:

I saw a Asian guy on a lime green fixie ( I mean everything down to the chain and wheels...) and he was wearing mostly purple and lime green clothing.... My first instinct was to whack him repeateply whilst screaming in his face... but ultimately it just led to my complete despisal of fixies =P

Love your roadie and it will love you back

Surely the fact that he was looking like a packet of Haribo should mean you only hate him, look though- when good colours they're so wonderful and don't get me started on their cool...

EKIMIKE

Sure it wasn't Barney on a bike?

skyd0g

...possibly Bertie Bassett?

mattward1979

haha I actually deleted that post as I didnt want to derail your thread into a Fixie Bash =P

skyd0g

..well, it takes Allsorts.

redddraggon

I've got a fixed

But gears are so so so much better.

hopper1

Nothing wrong with fixies, Hilza. Specialized do a really nice one, called a Langster, too.
IMHO, if I were you, I'd buy the road bike you want. Then, keep scouring the papers/ebay/gumtree/wherever, until you find a frame, then build your own fixie as and when you can afford the bits required.
I don't think fixies are scorned upon by roadies, but the modern 'off the peg' type is met with a certain detriment by the die hard breed of 'build it yourself' fixies... :roll:

You're doing well, Hilza. You've been a member for a couple of weeks and started to controversial posts :shock:

mkirby

I like the Bianchi Pista http://www.bianchiusa.com/569.html

Probably too nice for me but at £425 from Triangle its a steal.

strodey

Would have to be one of these!

http://www.chargebikes.com/products/bik ... ingleSpeed

Charge Plug Racer in silver, NICE!

Velonutter

In the 70's I used to ride my fixed wheel Geoffrey Butler Track bike everywhere, I loved it, did some very quick TT's on it as well.

I would love another fixed bike, but those mission bikes are not what I would call proper fixed wheel, they aren't close clearance, short wheel base frames, the head tube angle is far too sloping,

The missionbikes appear to just be any old frame painted with track ends (if you look the clearances on the frames are different) with some bling bling rims and handlebar tape.

To me a proper fixed bike should be: -

1. Quality Columbus Track frame with close clearance and short wheel base.
2. Campag Large Flange Hubs. Fiamme Rims, Chrome Spokes.
3. Campag Pista Chainset and Headeset.
4. Cinelli Bars and Stem.
5. Campag Record Pedals and clips.

Oh if I could only dream about finding another one. Mine was white with red GB lettering, cutout bottom BB, just gorgeous.

A proper track frame made you feel invincible at traffic lights when sprinting, hills became a challenge, just loved it.

hopper1

Slow-N-Old wrote:

In the 70's I used to ride my fixed wheel Geoffrey Butler Track bike everywhere, I loved it, did some very quick TT's on it as well.

I would love another fixed bike, but those mission bikes are not what I would call proper fixed wheel, they aren't close clearance, short wheel base frames, the head tube angle is far too sloping,

The missionbikes appear to just be any old frame painted with track ends (if you look the clearances on the frames are different) with some bling bling rims and handlebar tape.

To me a proper fixed bike should be: -

1. Quality Columbus Track frame with close clearance and short wheel base.
2. Campag Large Flange Hubs. Fiamme Rims, Chrome Spokes.
3. Campag Pista Chainset and Headeset.
4. Cinelli Bars and Stem.
5. Campag Record Pedals and clips.

Oh if I could only dream about finding another one. Mine was white with red GB lettering, cutout bottom BB, just gorgeous.

A proper track frame made you feel invincible at traffic lights when sprinting, hills became a challenge, just loved it.

Just put me right off building one! :shock:

Velonutter

Each to their own Hopper.

Just seen this on GB cycles: -



http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/eshop.asp?wci ... INGLESPEED

That's the way we used to have our brake levers when we rode on the road, except I had mine on the right.

For me that is a proper road fixed bike. 8)

John.T

What the hell is a 'Fixie'?. A cross between a pixie and a fairy. Real men ride 'fixed wheel' bikes or just 'fixed'.
As for all these bikes with no brakes. Silly, dangerous and illegal.

mankybianchi

Gears are fine but really, who needs 11 at the back?

A fixed wheel is about rhythm and flexibility. Wonderful things

hilza

hopper1 wrote:

You're doing well, Hilza. You've been a member for a couple of weeks and started to controversial posts :shock:

Well what can I say? It's just what I want to know

markos1963

I joined the Dark Side last year with a Boardman SC fixed/single. Not as cool looking as some other stuff but it was bought as a winter trainer/commuter so I don't mind. However, I find myself looking at all the bling on here:-
http://www.velosolo.co.uk/index.html
and thinking about jazzing my bike up a bit.

Skippy2309

you can also check out www.tokyofixedgear.com very nice bunch, small shop with on-site workshop.

they got loads of different stuff, very helpful and happy to help. They love there fixed gear track bikes

mattward1979

I just could never justify spending MORE on a bike with no brakes, no gears, no hoods etc than you would on a fully functioning geared bike...

That and the fact looking like a scene kid seems to be the only acceptable uniform for riding them (dangerously).

Also, arent non-freewheeling brakeless bikes illegal on UK roads?

HillClimber101

mattward1979 wrote:

Also, arent non-freewheeling brakeless bikes illegal on UK roads?

a fixed wheel counts as brakes but it will need a front one aswell to be legal, so one front brake on fixed is allowed.

but if it is on a freeweel side off a flip flop hub it needs a front and rear brakes.

but it dosent mean you must use the brakes if you prefer to stop in the fixed size.