Why shouldn't i go fixed?

KMKS

So yesterday when i get home from work I realize that I only shifted gears once during my 8 mile round trip commute. I live in the city and use my bike for commuting and transportation during the week. And training rides and transportation on the weekends. There aren't any serious hills and for some reason going fixed or single speed just kind of appeals to me. Is there any reason for me not to pick up a ss/fixed beater if i can find one on the cheap? Mostly I probably just want a new toy and this is a cheapish way to get one, but honestly, what are the drawbacks? It seems the benefits are simplicity and greater fitness training, but what's the flipside?

hippy

Sore knees.

hippy

fixed

the sore knees will go away if you work on them hard enough


try rubbing sesame seed oil into your knee joints and what not, esp. where it hurts. and lots of stretching

everyone should ride fixed

KMKS

what about singlespeed?

any opinions on that?

climbo

SS or fixed, whatever you prefer. The only decision is do you want to be able to coast or not? If your route is mostly flat you probably won't coast a lot anyway so go fixed, it's totally fun and a great workout when you do get those hills.

I commuted fixed in NJ for 5 years on a 80's Falcon road bike converted, geared at 42x15.

Now I live in Australia and commute to the train, it's much hillier and I still ride fixed but on a 38x15 ratio. I have several hills to climb, a couple are close to 15% slopes for about 200 yards, it's not easy but fun. Plus, if anyone tries to steal your bike, they cannot ride it and would hopefully leave it behind (unless they carry it of course).

Shift 4 Brains

Riding a fixed gear will change the way you think about riding. I really enjoy it. It's such a fun way to commute to work (to the train in your case). If you want a cheap but cool bike, look for an older road frame that has horizontal or semi-horizontal dropouts. A friend of mine bought a late 1970s era Raleigh for $25 that he had repainted and built up fixie and it is a fine bicycle with a lot of soul. I've got a Bianchi Pista that I bought for about $500 and I've loved it.

Single speeding in general is great. I love not having to think about gears and just focus on the ride. It's me against the mountain. The only drawback is that now I have a hard time sitting down on climbs on my geared bikes because I'm so used to the larger gears on my singles.

As for the knees, I just try choose a sensible gear for the terrain I'm riding and stretch. I've also found a few supplements that have really helped. Look at Cartilage formula and MarineOmega by Pharmanex (http://www.pharmanex.com/corp/produ...e_formula.shtml and http://www.pharmanex.com/corp/produ...rineomega.shtml)

Anyway, i don't mean to ramble. I just have really enjoyed converting to fixed/single and would encourage anyone to try it.

Shift 4 Brains

Riding a fixed gear will change the way you think about riding. I really enjoy it. It's such a fun way to commute to work (to the train in your case). If you want a cheap but cool bike, look for an older road frame that has horizontal or semi-horizontal dropouts. A friend of mine bought a late 1970s era Raleigh for $25 that he had repainted and built up fixie and it is a fine bicycle with a lot of soul. I've got a Bianchi Pista that I bought for about $500 and I've loved it.

Single speeding in general is great. I love not having to think about gears and just focus on the ride. It's me against the mountain. The only drawback is that now I have a hard time sitting down on climbs on my geared bikes because I'm so used to the larger gears on my singles.

As for the knees, I just try choose a sensible gear for the terrain I'm riding and stretch. I've also found a few supplements that have really helped. Look at Cartilage formula and MarineOmega by Pharmanex (http://www.pharmanex.com/corp/produ...e_formula.shtml and http://www.pharmanex.com/corp/produ...rineomega.shtml)

Anyway, i don't mean to ramble. I just have really enjoyed converting to fixed/single and would encourage anyone to try it.

donhix1

steep hills both going up and coming down

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10timesbetter

i can't think of any reasons, your knees will be sore for a day or two, the worst mine got was when i took the brakes off, but i put one back on just for worst-case-scenario's sake, but it's so much nicer to not worry about gears or anything,

I tried flipping the wheel around to the freewheel side once, it just felt weird to me, the only two times i can see a benefit of single speed over fixed, is when you get your pantleg caught in the chain, and when you're in the city, and wanna stop and hop up on the sidewalk real fast,

i've got a 39/14 combo now, i'm looking to go up to a 44 as soon as i can get a better crank arm that'll let me switch chainrings, as mine is now the stock double, just with the larger sprocket hacksawed off, I'm a little worried about hills, cause there are a couple i've gotta go up, but i figure, i spend a lot of time in traffic and if it's not too busy, i'll be topped out with me legs spinning as fast as they'll go, i wouldn't mind knocking my top speed up a few mph, if figure my legs will get used to it after a few weeks...

victorthewombat

Everyone has made good suggestions. Yes - your knees will hurt for a day or two...its normal ride a freewheel or alternate fixed - freewheel days if you can't deal with the pain.

Don't be a schmeel and ride too high a gear. Once again....don't be a schmeel and ride too high a gear. I don't know what ride now but if your like most people you are riding somewhere between a 70-80 that is too freaking high on a 700c or 27 1/4 wheel. The idea is work on your spin, not mashing. I am a firm firm believer in this. I personally ride a 63 ro 65 depending on tire size. Thus, in my opinion, start at 36/17 ~58 and work up or down from there. Don't systmatically assume you gotta ride a 70 because every other shome does. Speaking of tire size: its best to measure it yourself...don't believe the manufacturers listing.

endcat

Just in case you were starting to freak out about the sore knees thing - I never had a problem with it. Also, if you decide to go fixed gear remember that going downhill is just as hard as going up. Because of that a lot of riders try to push as hard of a gear as possible, otherwise the rpm at the crank gets too high and can cause loss of control. But since you mentioned a lack of big hills, fixed gear is more fun than single speed. I recommend running a front brake. Although going brakeless earns coolness points, you can't stop as fast in a skid as you can with a brake.

dale ditzler

No reason at all.

I started out by converting an old mountain bike to a single speed. It's the best for just mindless carefree transpo. Since then I've built two fixed conversions and just bought a new track bike. Fixies are great for smoothness and cool, but they will never let you forget they're fixed. You can never wear anything that might get caught in the chain, never get your fingers near the drive stuff while spinning the wheel, and if you try to coast in a momentary lapse, the pedal will still come around and remind you by trying to lift you off the seat. They're great, you'll never be bored and you'll wonder why you ever needed all those gears.

wasabiboys

Once you ride a Single Speed you wont want to go back. It is amazing and fast. Look for a Raleigh Grand Prix very easy to do it to! I would also find a good cassette rear wheel and space it out.

Good Place for ideas
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

dale ditzler

funny.....i just passed off my raleigh grand prix to my girlfriend. great to watch her ride it. was too small for me anyway, and she loves it.

what kind of setup did you run on yours in terms of crank and freewheel?

yeah...sheldon's inspired me for several projects.