Fixie

[4F]

But an everyday commuter bike it is not!

I think you will find there are many on here that would disagree with that statement.

 

[4F]

I just fancy a fixie - Pearson Touche with Halo track wheels and guards - for work...... the scheme comes in soon, and that discount just has to be used......

I have to agree, the pearson looks a nice bike

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I have had my Pearson for a year now and its been great. Been using it to ride to work, for general transport and for some club runs. My experience is that they make a great commuter/run about, the pearson has a 72" gear which is a bit big for the club runs. I had my first fixed in the late 80's early 90's, I converted an old Pollard touring bike and used that for transport for several years until one of the threads in the bottom bracket shell expired and it wasn't worth repairing. In those days the fixed parts weren't as available round here as they are today so I didn't build another one.

 

[Noodley]

I am also looking at a fixed bike on Bike to Work. I am quite a picky bugger. Condor Tempo is what you need.

 

[Fab Foodie]

If you are either heavy or strong, I would seriously advise against a fixie or singlespeed. Pushing big gears will knacker your knees, and they don't repair easily!

Gears allow you to spin the cranks at a cadence that suits your level of strength and fitness, whatever the road conditions at any given time. This is the key to fast, efficient cycling.

Gears don't really add that much weight and in my experience, once set up, hardly ever go wrong. I don't see the desperate need to get away from them, particularly not when I see single-speeders heaving around as they try to pick up speed after a junction, or spinning like crazy as I cruise past in top gear...

And this stuff in a previous post about the rear wheel on a fixie helping you pedal... With respect, it is not possible for a rear wheel to help you pedal. Momentum, or gravity, or a passing bus can help, but a rear wheel is just an arrangement of inert matter. A fixie is a fantastic training bike because it forces you to pedal the whole time, plus in the specialised conditions of an indoor sprint it gives an experienced rider tremendously precise control and allows you to save precious grams into the bargain. But an everyday commuter bike it is not!

The fixie/singlespeed fad is great because it is bringing lots of beautiful old steel frames back into circulation, but seriously, geared bikes are much more versatile and efficient.

Sorry, but I take issue with much of this.

We all hear the big gear/bad knwees story, but does anybody have the evidence?
A fixed/Single does not have to be a big gear, mines 73" which is probably higher than many, but it's hardly a big gear. Fixed riding helps you develop a smooth pedal action at a variety of cadence rates.... that's actually a useful capability. So, you can overtake a fixie rider on a geared-bike... well done I've overtaken many multi-geared road-bikes on a 60 year-old fixed, many up hills, so simple comparisons mean nothing.


Your 4th paragraph is just bollocks IMO. Very few people can pedal smoothly, most people have a dead spot towards the top of the pedal-stroke. When the cranks are directly coupled to the rear-wheel, the momentum of the bike helps carry the legs round this dead-point and produces a more fluid and effective pedalling action. This is apparent especially climbing hills as nearly all fixed riders will testify. This also explains why a fixed wheel is more effective than a single-speed of the same gear size. The precise control of a track bike is even more pertinant on the rtoad than on the track. Fixed-wheelers have the benefit of being able to use the legs to slow progress as well as accelerate/maintain speed. This extra level of control is very useful, in fact I's say highly benificial in heavy traffic. Add-in the fact that you can easily come to a complete standstill and remain on the bike for a smoother get-away compared to gears makes the fixed-wheeler the ideal commuting bike. I recently ran (on my TCR) the route I used to commute fixed 25 years ago, I'd have swapped my 9spd Ultegra for my 73" gear fixed I used in the '80's any day for riding in the traffic.

An everyday commuter bike it certainly is.

Yep, there's no doubt that fixies are fashionable, but many who've tried-em, like-em... with good reason. There are plenty of old-timers who've taken fixed-bikes pretty-much everywhere without issue. Many do PBP and LEL in decent times.

The only way ypou'll find whether fixed is for you, is to try it. maybe not everybodies cup of tea, but you never know.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I am also looking at a fixed bike on Bike to Work. I am quite a picky bugger. Condor Tempo is what you need.

But, on a lesser budget, The Pearson and the Ridgeback Cro-Mo with full Guards look great every day commuting Irons... But the Tempo is an object of desire...

 

[HLaB]

But, on a lesser budget, The Pearson and the Ridgeback Cro-Mo with full Guards look great every day commuting Irons... But the Tempo is an object of desire...

I don't think there's a condor or pearson dealer near to me in cyclescheme but there is a ridgeback dealer cheers and they do two bikes I'd be after the Genesis Skyline (single speed) and the Genesis Vapour (cyclocross). I'v just got to decide what avenue I want to go down (fixie/cyclocross)

 

[Noodley]

I don't think there's a condor or pearson dealer near to me in cyclescheme but there is a ridgeback dealer cheers and they do two bikes I'd be after the Genesis Skyline (single speed) and the Genesis Vapour (cyclocross). I'v just got to decide what avenue I want to go down (fixie/cyclocross)

I thought cyclescheme allowed you to get any bike from any dealer?

 

[HLaB]

I thought cyclescheme allowed you to get any bike from any dealer?

Unfortunately it doesn't appear so, the shop have to be a partner in the scheme and you can get any bike they can source for you.

 

[Noodley]

Unfortunately it doesn't appear so, the shop have to be a partner in the scheme and you can get any bike they can source for you.

That's a bugger. Even my little non-cycling specific shop is signed up for 'any bike from any place'. And one of my clubmates tested this.

 

[goo_mason]

Just think - back in the early years of the TdF, they all rode fixed-gear (according to a book I read recently).

To see pictures of them riding up in the mountains when the route was just a rocky track really does make you think about how tough those guys were (or how doped up they were !)

 

[joebe]

Two simple reasons why I don't like commuting on a fix, both to do with control in traffic when filtering.

constant pedalling upsets low speed balancing and the danger of catching a pedal on a kerb.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Joebe, how does constant peddling upset low speed balancing? I haven't come across that one yet, on fixed or gears. As for the kerbs, if the gap is that narrow that theres danger of catching the kerb its usually best to stay out of it.

 

[joebe]

Joebe, how does constant peddling upset low speed balancing? I haven't come across that one yet, on fixed or gears. As for the kerbs, if the gap is that narrow that theres danger of catching the kerb its usually best to stay out of it.

Because your weight is constantly shifting as you pedal, it might not make a huge difference but sometimes it's the difference between a bit of a wobble and smooth change of direction.

Its far easier to shift the bike around (e.g lean it to one side, or shift your hips, to avoid a wingmirror) when you're coasting.

 

[Madcyclist]

Another vote for the Pearson Touche, an excellent well designed frame for commuting and club runs. Mines kitted out with full guards and rack, hate a sweaty back when commuting, with a 66' gear which i might drop to 63 shortly. As long as you match the gear to your regular rides it is no harder on the knees than a freewheel and the ease of maintence is a real bonus.