Any fixed-gear/single-speed fans? - Page 3

As I said, I don't currently have a fixed gear and there aren't really any consequences to riding a bike with gears. Fixies just give you an absolute purity to the experiance and are great for training things like a smooth pedal stroke.

The bike I ride the most (errands/to class before graduation) is a vintage internal hub 3-speed that I restored. It doesn't have the solid feel of a good fixie but it has the easy maintenance advantage and I don't have to worry about pant legs.

I have a 93-94 Bianchi Asprey frame in fair shape (good enough to get looks, but nothing bike thieves will lust) that I might build into a SS commuter/beater, but I'm also checking garage sales for a potential fixed gear conversion. I'd also like a Soma Rush for fixed purposes. The Soma Juice also has appeal with the bent top tube. Actually, I need a job and a bigger shed.

I rode a Detel Marathon 2000, the company was based out of Green Bay and only made bikes for about 7 months. It's nothing great, its just a basic steel frame roadbike, but I love the story behind it. I was planning to turn it into a fixed gear but I instead gave it to my dad.
This is what I want now;

I have a specialized langster, and I absolutely love it. It's quick, light, nimble, and just plain fun to ride. I don't miss clunking gears at all.

However, it does have a flipflop hub that's always been set to freewheel, so I do get to coast. I am nowhere near hardcore enough to ride fixed all the time. And if there were any significant hills around, I'd probably want some gears.

I've tried both. I wasn't a fan of fixed. Of course I only rode one once, but it just seemed like it would be hard on my knees after awhile, especially when "braking." I have an old Schwinn and I've thought about making it a single speed --for all practical purposes it IS a single speed because I never need to shift gears...Chicago is very flat. However, the 2 pounds(?) in weight I'd save from doing the conversion would really mean little as I'm not looking to race.

Yes that's the fixed gear I have. I couldn't remember the name. Changed the handle bars to a more traditional bar you might see at a velodrome. I used to like near Kissena BLvd and raced a few times. Those guys are crazy and I stopped before I broke my leg. I give credit though. Those guys have major balls.

I have a cyclocross brake instead of the stock one. It's 5 minutes to take on and off.


Getting back to the langster. The frame is so hard it give the roughest ride I have ever felt. You don't realize that frames have a flex to them until oyu ride something that has none.

I am a big fan of watching guys on fixies get hit by taxis.

here's mine. no brand name.

Great way to deter thieves.

i modified this, it has bar tape and some minor cosmetic changes now, this was from a year ago: other frame is a miyata 110 i'm building into a touring-inspired rain bike with fenders and mustache bars. i may get a sturmey archer or some sort of internal hub but i'm not really sure yet.

all right, dumb question, why do you guys want bike with just 1 gear? Is there such an optimal gear ratio that really just work out in every single way for you, no matter you're flat out or going up hill?

I picked up my Fuji Track yesterday. The LBS asked me if I wanted brakes. I told her that I owuld come back to get one if I ever hit a pole. After an afternoon of riding, I think I should get the front brake until I learn how to skid.

1) easy to maintain
2) fun to ride, especially in cities.
3) a lot of people can work out an optimal gear ratio using a gear calculator, sheldon brown has a really good one and i went with his basic, well-rounded ratio of 42/14, although i run 48/16. still the same ratio though. if you take into account the basic terrain you'll usually be riding in it makes it easier to figure out your proper gains, etc.

Also, I noticed that I had to be more strategic. Early braking, watching traffic, and looking around for potholes. We have TONS in Toronto.

Also, it should be noted that there is a differance between fixed and single. With a fixed gear bike, you only have one gear but you also cannot coast. This changes the experience.