RR: Fixie versus geared ride

[0gravity]

First up, I'm not trying to spark a big geared bike versus fixie bike war/argument, but I suspect that's where it might go.

I did a night-time road ride with a crew out here in LA recently in which I was the only geared bike among maybe 30 fixies. After the lukewarm welcoming I got rolling up, I figured I'd have to stick it out and prove myself on the road if I was going to make any friends in this group.

By that group's account, that was one of the fastest rides they've done. We did about 35 miles and stopped twice during it. I really had to try and not be that dick who shows up on a geared bike and smokes everyone else. But seriously, geared bikes are so much faster and more efficient. I found myself craving a real work-out after the ride. I have to wonder if fixie riders just get hung up on the cool factor and forget that there are more hindrances to a fixie than advantages (do they know this?). I also noted the kids talking the most about their fixies, and that had no helmets, were the first ones to get dropped.

My personal highlight was after seeing a whole group do brakeless skidstops down a hill, I locked up my rear wheel and slid out just as far and with with more tail-whip than any of them did. I got some good-natured laughs on that one.

I genuinely have a lot of respect for the talent and balz it takes to ride fixies, do skid-stops, and the bikes are gorgeous, bare-bones road machines, but I just can't figure out why everyone is so crazy about actually doing significant mileage on them. I tried a fixed wheel on my single speed commuter and just didn't care for it. Not a shocker here but if you want to cover some mileage quickly, safely, and efficiently, gears and brakes are the way to go.

[Pain Freak]

Couldn't agree more.

I just can't get behind the fixie thing.

[Zippy]

Word.
I had a track bike for a year with a flip-flop hub and rode it a few times, but got little enjoyment out of it.
I traded it two weeks ago for a SS 29'er MTB.
So far, more fun than the track bike.

[roadkillross]

fixed gear riding doesnt usually entail 35+ rides. i think thats kinda assumed when gettin into that game. long rides are better suited for geared bikes. where-as fixed gear is for short- around town rides. but props to not being that dick.

[katonk]

Originally Posted by roadkillross

but props to not being that dick.

Or maybe he was just afraid of being beat up by 30 guys wearing girl-pants?

My vote is for neither! It appears that I am the extreme minority on the road riding singlespeed.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by katonk

My vote is for neither! It appears that I am the extreme minority on the road riding singlespeed.

Oh hey, I'm not the only one!
But it's true: Either it's full-on roadie, or full on-fixie, but I've seen only a small handful of other SSers on the road, even at those giant rides.
I like it a lot, myself.

[katonk]

Yup. The geared riders don't know what to make of you, and the fixed gear riders look down on you.

[Albacore]

I have a fixie and use it as my primary road bike. I've had full zoot road bikes before and loved them. For speed and distance I agree a geared bike is where it is at. Although, I used my fixie as a commuter for my previous job. I had an 8 mile (each way) trip through rolling terrain. The fixie was great because this ride was basically a sprint to work. I love hopping on it to run to the store for a few groceries. The simplicity and responsiveness is ideal. The cool factor is a plus. I enjoy hammering a geared roadie off the line at stop lights. However he blows by me 100 yards down the road. Yes, you won't be as fast on a fixie. I wouldn't want to attempt some of my favorite long distance road rides on a fixie either. But for pure joy of riding nothing matches a fixed gear. Oh yeah, I get a better workout by using my fixie on my rollers. No props to those sacrifice safety for "coolness." ALWAYS wear a helmet, throw on a hand brake for those unforseen emergency stops in traffic, and if you are gonna talk smack, be able to back it up.

[roadkillross]

hmm that could have been it. ... plenty of guys ride ss with us fixed at the events here in eugene. i try to keep the mindset" if their riding a bike, they must be good" only been proven wrong once(very random story).

[Pain Freak]

Damn Ross, that college thing seems to be workin for you. I can read almost all your posts nowadays.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by katonk

My vote is for neither! It appears that I am the extreme minority on the road riding singlespeed.

SS is the way to go esp for commuting. Way less stuff to break.

[jinks]

I commuted on a fixed gear for a bit over two years (13 miles one way). It was fun, but not nearly as utility oriented as a geared bike. I really got turned off of fixed gears, when it became a bazaar fashion show. I could care less if my rims matched my bar tap that matched my belt. And what's with the tight clothes? Anyways, I built myself a nice commuter with 1x9 gearing and am more than pleased with it. No more fixed for me. Although, I do miss the simplicity and ease of maintenance.

[roadkillross]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

SS is the way to go esp for commuting. Way less stuff to break.

fixed gear doesnt have brakes or a freewheel to break?
but maybe some bones if your not careful

thanks pain freak. im glad you find my posts worthy

[lkn2ryd]

My fixie likes Trader Joes. I never need to lock it up cause any j@ck@$$ that tries to ride it gets thrown to the ground. It is a beater. But sexy as hell. I've done 30 and my legs ached for two days - I ride a geared bike usually, however, the fixie works the muscles differently, no down time, no coasting - pedal up to speed, pedal to a stop - repeat. Training professionals claim the use of a fixed gear on long endurance rides is a great tool. I would agree, but I have not gone more than 30 on the steel toy. I run a front brake and wear a helmoot cause I don't want to be tube fed through a hole in my neck.

[andy aka rut]

Interesting read

I like the fixed gear because it is a great training tool for the mountain bike. On the fixed gear, I have to pedal. No options. When I get on the mtn bike, I find I stop pedalling less often if I have been riding fixed. Even descending, I find I pedal.
I have also done a century ride or two on my fixie. Sure other geared bikes are faster, but as far as a work out goes, nothing beats pedalling the whole 100 miles.

[uno-speedo]

I enjoy riding fixed at times. I'm just not into the whole 'fixie, fakenger' culture.

[0gravity]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

Interesting read

I like the fixed gear because it is a great training tool for the mountain bike. On the fixed gear, I have to pedal. No options. When I get on the mtn bike, I find I stop pedalling less often if I have been riding fixed. Even descending, I find I pedal.
I have also done a century ride or two on my fixie. Sure other geared bikes are faster, but as far as a work out goes, nothing beats pedalling the whole 100 miles.

Interesting point about how riding fixed affected your mountain biking. I guess that's why I thought this might be an interesting topic because we're all mountain bikers too . A lot of the fixie riders around in the city ONLY ride fixed. But as a mountain biker and road biker myself, I find it a challenge to switch in my mind from freewheel to fixed. That's why I think I never quite latched on to it. It's annoying to have to consciously make the mental adjustment/awareness for each style of riding.

I guess to be a truly well-rounded rider, I could switch between the two easily. Maybe something to shoot for.

[station]

Fixies are the new skateboard. You don't want to ride you skateboard for 35 miles. THey are super fun and tricktastic but not really a "road" bike. I think of them more as large freestyle bikes. just my 2 cents.