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What is it about riding fixed gear that attracts people and they enjoy?I've not tried it, but I like the idea.
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Another Faceless User
Yahoo User
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 Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject: What is it about riding fixed gear that attracts people and they enjoy?I've not tried it, but I like the idea. |
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| For some reason, probably because it seems harder, and more like you are doing the work than the bike, I imagine it can be quite rewarding. Quite a lot of people seem to do it, cycle messengers, etc. So if you do, why do you, and would you recommend it to other people? Also, do you have any tips on how to go about learning, and anything I really shouldn't do?Road bikes, by the way!Good answers so far. What about pedals? Clipless, or not? I'd have thought you'd need SPDs to spin, but starting off with SPDs might be tricky if you miss when you go to clip in? |
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crazydave
Yahoo User
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Personally, I don't think I would like it. There are quite a few hills where I live and I need the lower gears for most of them, especially one particular ride I do fairly regularly; about 1700 feet elevation gain in about 5 miles.The "fixies" seem to have gained a lot of popularity lately though, one guy even completed RAAM last year on one.One thing to know is that you can't freewheel on a fixie; you have to keep pedaling all the time. |
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Grandpaboy
Yahoo User
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject: |
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| For myself, fixed gear riding is attractive because of two aspects -- the simplicity of the bike, and the training benefits I receive from riding it.The simplicity of the bike is pretty much self-evident. There's no derailleurs and shifters to worry about.The training benefits are that your legs get used to spinning and you also get a forced strength workout on the hills. Going downhill you can easily get your legs spinning at 200+ rpms. Going uphill you might be working the bike at 40 rpms. In the same workout you can work on form and strength.Starting out you should definitely have a front brake on the bike. You'll learn how to stop without brakes in time, but safety should be a top priority. And you should undergear to start with, which depends on your terrain. |
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McG
Yahoo User
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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| To add to the other answers and address your question of spd's.Yes I would have spd's on it instead of toe clips with platforms or sl's. Getting in and out of spd's seems the easiest to me. It also helps to have them for the power degrees of rotation on your crank that can be achieved by having clipless pedals on the hills by me. I still engage in the old school technique of "ankling" and spd's make it a breeze. |
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madmac13
Yahoo User
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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| i ride a single speed with a flip flop hub. fixed on oneside free wheel on the other. it allows me to go back and forth as the situation requires. fixed for all of the reasons above and it just feels different. the drive is direct there is little to no play at the ctank that you get from a free wheel or cassette. you have more contoll over the drive train of the bike rather than accelerating at the pedals and braking at the wheels you do it all at the drive train. i ride the free wheel side on longer runs or when i dont want to have to "think" as i have not yet mastered fixed riding.a note on pedals i run a set of time atack z pedals because they alow me to clip in with the same shoes i use on my other bikes but provide a stable plattform for riding in street shoes for quick trips to the shop. with a little machining i could even ad a set of toe clipps and straps if i wanted to,good luck |
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damian
Yahoo User
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Join a track club, hit the velodrome. If you thought all the tactics and camaraderie of road racing were interesting, wait to you get on a track bike.If just blatting around the streets, definitely do as the dude said and bang a front brake on until you learn to stop. Also fully ride SPD, Clip in both feet by propping against someone or something before you start. Taking your foot of the pedal and trying to put it back on while in motion is not easy and you just don't have any control over the rig. |
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cousin jack
Yahoo User
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| Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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| simplicity.ask far as pedals, clipless or otherwise its up to you, stopping without a brake is easier clipped in.there isnt anything you shouldn't do, but keep pedaling |
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