[Closed] Riding fixed in traffic - tricky?

I find it easier to ride slowly fixed as you don't need to be on the brakes all the time.

Fine do it most of the time, can be a bit awkard filtering up the inside of traffic alongside kerbs if it's a bit tight space wise. Learn to get your pedal in the right position for starting at lights - front brake on lean forward slightly and lift rear wheel with clipped in pedal and revolve to right position for an easy start -easier in practice than on paper. Carry a 15mm spanner if required

The first time you attempt to freewheel up to a junction will surprise you. After that it'll be just fine.

It's no problem, once you are accustomed to riding fixed commuting in traffic is one of it's best uses. It's a very nice and smooth way to ride and very relaxed.

If it's your first time riding fixed have a quick practice somewhere quite so you are aware of the kick you will feel if you forget to pedal!

Fine do it most of the time, can be a bit awkard filtering up the inside of traffic alongside kerbs if it's a bit tight space wise.

If you are riding in a gap that narrow next to traffic the gap is too narrow, filter up the middle.

I'd not fancy 6 miles in rush hour traffic for my first go at fixed...

It's fine. Tryin to freewheel to get your pedals in the correct place to corner is an interesting one though.

Its fine, but probably not for the first time!

I ride fixed as a manchester commuter, it's fine. don't overdo the speed and try to stay relaxed if it's your first runs on a fixed gear (ideally an evening/weekend ride or similar is best but the OP looks like that isn't an option)

Thanks all. I'll try it out, can always mince in at a slow pace I guess. I rode fixed a bit years back, but never in serious traffic. I was thinking an emergency stop would be the difficult bit - how do you break instantly if a car cuts across you etc?

Fine do it most of the time, can be a bit awkard filtering up the inside of traffic alongside kerbs if it's a bit tight space wise.

If you are riding in a gap that narrow next to traffic the gap is too narrow, filter up the middle.

It's more when you see that little gap and think oh that'll be fine I'll just keep the inside pedal up - Doh!!!

Fixed in traffic is good fun!

how do you break instantly if a car cuts across you etc?

Well, you will certainly break.

you use your brake(s)..

it's much better than freewheel for winding in and out of stationary stuff and no need to keep feathering the brakes.

how do you break instantly if a car cuts across you etc?

You use the brakes? Well, thats what I do anyway...

for the first week I was very nervous about filtering due to pedal strike on the left hand curb. Also filtering down the middle was hard to get used to as I would freewheel and dip under wing mirrors. I'm used to it now though.

Nearly got caught out pounding out of the saddle, went to freewheel and wend up on the front wheel c20 mph. lesson learnt there.

All in all I like riding fixed, my commute is flat but as you always get a headwind one way it forces you to work which I like in an odd way!

I still use both brakes and dont wear my sisters jeans though.

how do you [s]break[/s] [i]brake[/i] instantly if a car cuts across you etc?

I use my brake.

There'll be the inevitable buckaroo moment, then all will be fine.....

DrP

Yeha fixies are good, while we're at it, anyone here use something a bit more climbing friendly than a 44/18...? Would a 41/18 or a 40/18 do?

Buying a new rear cog will be cheaper than a new chaining. Rough guide is 5 GI per tooth rear 2 GI per tooth front.

aP - Member

The first time you attempt to freewheel up to a junction will surprise you. After that it'll be just fine.

Or wet manhole covers on bends 😉

Just keep your front brake. Its slightly uncool, but not quite so much as having two brakes....

anyone here use something a bit more climbing friendly than a 44/18...? Would a 41/18 or a 40/18 do?

I have a 38 - 16 = 63 inch gear. I live on top of a series of 12% hills, It's the only way I can get up them.

Just keep your front brake. Its slightly uncool, but not quite as uncool as ending up under a truck

FTFY.

Is being "cool" [i]that[/i] important?

it took me maybe 3 or 4 commutes to get used to riding fixed through London.
I had a pedestrian walk out in front of me on the first day and I instinctively slammed on the front brake and stopped pedalling - result was an epic stoppy and a tirade of expletives.

I took delivery of a shiny new fixed pompino at 4 friday afternoon by 5 i was sitting in A&E with a broken collarbone and smashed face 😳 warning take it slow cus the instinct to freewheel is unconcious which is what you will be if your not carefull...don't know what hurt more my head,my shoulder or my pride 🙄 😆

Fixed + front brake is OK, you just have to remember not to stop pedalling but that very soon becomes second nature. A bit like the first time you use SPDs, you [b]will[/b] fall off sideways - riding fixed you will try to freewheel but usually only the once. 😉

Brakeless fixed is a whole different ballgame and frankly I consider anyone doing that in traffic to be insane. Brakeless you really need to plan ahead and stay smooth. It's actually slower than riding with brakes; you can't go flat out cos you know you need 10x extra room to stop.

Although this is an entertaining video of how to be a complete idiot and still survive...

6 miles of repeating the mantra 'don't stop pedalling, don't stop pedalling' should see you through the first ride. You'll still try and freewheel over the first speed bump but you should be fine.

These days I'd prefer a coaster brake 🙂

I just can't keep up with the pedals on steep downhills anymore.

second that, I tend to scrub the brakes going downhill

try not not overcook it on corners as you don't want to pedal strike but you'll be ok

I live in prestwich and I get up bury old rd and bury new rd on 49/16 ok but it's a bit on the big side... 44/18 is pretty spinny so stick with what you have and then make a call once you've ridden the gear for a bit

what's your route?

I commute daily fixed, about 25 miles.

Two tips;

1) When you are learning go for spds if you have them - clipping into Look KEOs on a fixed in traffic takes some practice 😳

2) If you can't track stand (like me), the preferred method to reset pedals is to apply the front brake and lean the bike forward lifting the rear wheel.

And of course you will get the inevitable jolt to remind you to pedal. In fact out yesterday on my road bike, I was worried about coasting!

You'll be fine, just leave enough time to get there and keep your front brake on the bike.

Make sure you have brakes, and don't try to draft me, cos when I brake suddenly, you will have to swerve and end up in the gutter looking like a complete tit. 😐

That was pretty good, all in all - a wee circuit of the park early doors got a few jolts out of the system. General riding was a lot easier than I thought, guess I didn't grasp how much easier the front brake makes things. Slow manoeuvres round cars etc was a bit of a nightmare tbh but managed to keep it to a minimum.
Take a while before I could ride fast, I reckon - I went pretty slow.

having two brakes is actually a better way to learn to be honest.
That way in an emergency (and trust me, even experienced riders do this), you will stop pedalling and assuming you're also touching the back brake you'll lock up the back wheel rather than getting a kick back.

It's just another level of security.

Riding fixed without any brakes anywhere apart from on the track is just plain stupid IMO. I've been riding fixed for a long time now and I'll still not do it without brakes. There's no way on earth you can stop as quickly and as safely on a fixie as you can with brakes.

What samuri says, imo fixies and brakes are the absolute weapon for traffic 😉
I'll try the route to work tomorrow (it(s bank holiday) and see if I can get to the top of the hill.

Riding fixed without any brakes anywhere apart from on the track is just plain stupid IMO.

This. Lots of this.

grizzer - Member
I took delivery of a shiny new fixed pompino at 4 friday afternoon by 5 i was sitting in A&E with a broken collarbone and smashed face warning take it slow cus the instinct to freewheel is unconcious which is what you will be if your not carefull...don't know what hurt more my head,my shoulder or my pride

Ouch!

Had some classic moments myself. Including the above mentioned buckaroo and kerb strike (in my case on the very busy Park Street in Bristol!)

Can't do the link (from work) but I'm surprised no-one's posted a link to that YouTube vid of the London couriers alley cat race