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Any fixed-gear/single-speed fans?

otc

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Originally Posted by Ludeykrus
I've got a multi-gear bike and while I have nothing against them, I don't get the hype for fixed gears. Having gears makes life much more convenient, and I haven't really experienced any consequences to riding one...

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.
 

mondayc

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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.
 

Seanallen

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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;
schwinn-cutter.jpg
 

Flambeur

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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.
 

Mauby

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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.
 

turboman808

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Originally Posted by Flambeur
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.



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.
 

Douglas

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

ctrlaltelite

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i modified this, it has bar tape and some minor cosmetic changes now, this was from a year ago:
2461767479_08ef820bc2.jpg
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.
2435005311_4480aaf1a3.jpg
 

clee1982

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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?
 

CityConnection

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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.
tounge.gif
 

ctrlaltelite

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Originally Posted by clee1982
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?

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.
 

CityConnection

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Originally Posted by ctrlaltelite
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.
 

otc

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Originally Posted by clee1982
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?

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.
 

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