What is the point of fixed or single speed ?

[noodle]

I think this sums it up quite well
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVmmYMwFj1I


However on the plus side it has made cycling cool amongst a demographic which might not have tried it

hmm just watched it
i have facial hair, long hair wear what could be considered 'retro' clothes one has to assume tweed could be retro, just given up camels and rollies (still smoking my pipes though (yes you read that correct pipes made of briar with proper tobacco cant beat dunhill and peterson on both scores)) dont work in media well actually i do its paper if that helps i supply all you who shop at asda with an essential form of paper...... mind you i do do some safety elf stuff at work risk asessments safe systems of work etc
oh i like music that almost got a dig in that.
make your own mind up
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fiRPBCiJg2c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eELH0ivexKA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

i feel like iz bein got at

 

[confusedcyclist]

I'd love to give a fixie a go, but don't know anyone who has one

 

[noodle]

I'd love to give a fixie a go, but don't know anyone who has one

just superglue your freewheel..........

 

[Amanda P]

I'd love to give a fixie a go, but don't know anyone who has one

If you're coming anywhere near York-ish, you're welcome to have a borrow of mine.

 

[fossyant]

I'd love to give a fixie a go, but don't know anyone who has one

Got a very fast one In south Manchester you could scare yourself on.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Got a very fast one In south Manchester you could scare yourself on.

How do you make a fixie faster? Lighther?

 

[fossyant]

Legs. Heh heh. Its basically a road bike, no silly flat bars, two brakes, 23mm tyres, lightweight kit etc etc and it wasn't cheap for a fixed.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Legs. Heh heh. Its basically a road bike, no silly flat bars, two brakes, 23mm tyres, lightweight kit etc etc and it wasn't cheap for a fixed.

Pictures please

 

[noodle]

See this is where I get a bit lost
Silly flat bars? Please talk to me about them and drops and risers for that matter I'm very much a wide bars drag my weight around the bike tips. Drop bars look to me and from memory meant a stable ride but when it came to manoeuvring I was on par with a big ship trying to avoid the ultimate ice cube
With a fixie.drop bars and me would be good to have a sweep on how long before I came off

Legs. Heh heh. Its basically a road bike, no silly flat bars, two brakes, 23mm tyres, lightweight kit etc etc and it wasn't cheap for a fixed.

 

[kloeshuman]

I have not gone fixed yet....but I'm not far away. I have been riding single speed for just over a year and love it. It does make you work harder, but also makes you stronger. I am thinking of going fixed on a old Schwinn conversion I am doing.And I really think thats how it will end up. I worked my way up by not shifting into lower gears on my other bikes and just pushing throw it. soon it got easier and easier as time went on. Now its noting but Fixed or SS for me. As others have said..its all a mind thing

 

[3narf]

I do about 2000 miles a year on average using a freewheel singlespeed; I also have a s/s mountain bike. I have no bikes with gears.

You can inhabit the moral high ground - very few cyclists overtake me, and I'm never beaten away from the lights. On the rare occasion I am overtaken it's on a long, straight bit or downhill, and they're always on a carbon race bike with hundreds of gears, so it doesn't count.

Nothing will improve your fitness as quickly as s/s commuting. In my first six months doing 35 miles a day I lost 1 1/2 stone and my body shape changed visibly. After a year I was six inches taller (<- that bit was a joke).

a s/s bike is simple and (relatively) light so it makes a good year-round commuter.

Aesthetically, a nicely-put-together singlespeed bike just looks spot on.

I don't know what the point of a fixed gear bike is; fashion, I suspect.

 

[steveindenmark]

Thanks for asking this question. It was something I didnt know but was afraid to ask.

So now you all know Im thick, here is my question.

I assume one gear does not suit all so how do you put the correct gear on your bike?

 

[Trickedem]

I'm about to join the ranks of fixed riders. Just waiting for some parts to arrive, so i can put my bike together. I will report back soon

 

[vickster]

New to single speed and done under 50 miles but I really like the simplicity...just pedal, steer, brake not sure my orthopaedic specialist would approve so shhh I've not really been near any real hills and it is much easier with a tailwind than a headwind!

In terms of the one gear, I need something that won't over stress my knees on hills so I'm prepared to sacrifice some speed on the flat and downhill...legs out to side and wheeeeeee

 

[3narf]

Finding the right gear is part of the fun! On my road bike I use 46 x 17 and I can get up hills OK as long as they don't go on too long.

On short, sharp climbs such as railway bridges always try & keep accelerating uphill and over the apex if you can. It does get easier.