fixie or geared

mollypig

Thinking of buying a road bike for my commute to work each day approx 4 miles each way,had my mind set on a geared racing bike but have recently read lots of articles on this forum and others that lots of people are now choosing single speed or fixed speed bikes for commuting, i quite like the idea of single speed (less parts to maintain etc) can anyone add any comments to help me choose which bike to get,there are a few hills on my journey but not too steep.

markos1963

Go for it, I got a SS and I commute(when I can) 18 miles on it.

Bar Shaker

Does your ride have any hills?

Dmak

Geared. Want it fixed? Don't change gear. A Fixie is so limited, why waste the money?

If I had the space and every other bike type I wanted, I'd buy a fixie for a bit of fun or specific training.

markos1963

Dmak wrote:

Geared. Want it fixed? Don't change gear. A Fixie is so limited, why waste the money?
.

It doesn't work like that. Riding a SS/fixed is very different than riding a geared bike without changing gear. The drive is far more direct with a much more chain friendly chainline. The wheels have less dish and are stiffer.

cougie

Fixed is great for low maintenance for commuting or winter rides.
If its your only bike it might be a bit limiting - but I love mine. I've even done 80 mile sportifs on it - but that may not be to everyones taste.

bilsea159

Fixed is definately good for cadence practice and there are some very well price bikes out there, but with my experience I found that when I bought a fixed for a rural commute I had the fitness to get up the hills but my knees began to suffer because of the added stress I was putting on them pulling round a tough gear, going back to gears was a better option for me because of the up and down nature of my riding.

stevec205gti

Don't lump riding SS and riding fixed as similar - they're worlds apart!!! SS is like riding a normal bike but not changing gear, but without the cost, maintenance, weight and complications of a geared bike. As already mentioned, riding a fixed gear improves your pedalling technique, gets you fitter (there's just no rest - first few times you ride one you'll be amazed at how much rest you get on a bike that'll freewheel) and will also get you used to spinning at a higher cadence. My sprinting's improved a lot after commuting on a fixed wheel machine, just because my legs are now used to not easing off and just pushing round quicker and quicker. The biggest mistake people make when going for fixed wheels is stupidly high gearing - the commuting sections full of 'hard nuts' pushing stupid giant gears, and I'd be surprised if their knees hold up. Lower gears and quick legs - it'll get you up the hills, and after a while you'll be spinning along at a decent pace for the rest of the ride

pinnaclered

My commuting and leisure bike for the past year as been the charge plug freetyler, i love it. It has made me fitter, stronger and improved my bike skills.
A few days ago i decided to go and try an hill that on my road bike I always failed at, mostly because I dropped to my lowest gear and tried to spin my way up. Because I have one gear and the cranks are always turning I had no choice but to attack the hill with brute strength, and i made it to the top. Riding fixed has def taught me better pedalling technique and how to climb hills.

I use mine on my daily commute, i love how nippy it is and how high the track frame geometry sits me up I can see over most traffic, before on my road bike i couldn't see over the tops of cars.

I am buying a new road bike next month, mainly just to do distance. i stuggle after 30miles of yorkshire hills on my fixed gear and really want to go further.
i sold my old road bike because it was too big for me, but when i took it out last month for a spin i was shocked at how unstable i felt and i couldn't coast, something i have to relearn on my new bike.