What's the point of a Fixie?

I don’t know; South America?

Why? I would consider a lot of the brakeless riders I know to be far better/safer urban riders than most cyclists. Taking one’s brakes off somewhat focuses the mind to read the road.

It’s simply based on what I see around Bristol, which is poor observation followed by a locked back wheel.

I would consider a lot of the brakeless riders I know to be far better/safer urban riders than most cyclists.

I wouldn’t consider any of the idiots who think it’s ‘cool’ to ride without brakes in heavy traffic ‘better/safer’ than anyone else on a bike. I would, especially based on witnessing such numpties come a cropper a fair few times (surprisingly because they didn\’t actually have the full control of their bikes they like to claim they do), think that they were quite stupid.

I would consider someone who has the intelligence to fit decent brakes to the bikes they use on public roads to be ‘better’ cyclists than those who don’t.

She’s just very pretty

She is. and she does seem to be suitably dressed for a cycle ride in warm conditions, which it appears tobe given the attire of others in the photo. Obviously an intelligent and sensible young woman. A fact borne out by the fact that her bicycle has brakes.

got to agree with alex222 on this subject.

fixfixfix anyone?

A fact borne out by the fact that her bicycle has brakes.

A coaster brake and a front brake no less

You sound a bit like some of the commuters I encounter, who can’t bear to be overtaken and have to ‘race’ me. I’m just plodding along at the pace my gearing allows me to ride comfortable. I just laugh and let them bust a gut ‘dropping’ me.

What would you do if you were dropped by someone? Would you cry?
Sorry to disappoint but the only time I bust a nut is on a club TT or a hill climb or some such. SCR is SCR.

Do I cry? Well, I might, depending on who was going the dropping. But if they had an attitude like yours, all joyful and friendly like? Probably not.

A coaster brake and a front brake no less

No less indeed. good to see such thoughtfulness and consideration for her own, as well as others’, safety.

But if they had an attitude like yours, all joyful and friendly like? Probably not.

I’d leave you simling and filled with joy.

I’d leave you smiling and filled with joy.

That is indeed what she whispered in my ears when she sailed past me like a beautiful Godzilla.

who is winning?

Hard to say….

This reads like the SS Vs gears arguments of years ago. IME people are fast/fit because of their training regime regardless of the bike they’re riding.

This reads like the SS Vs gears arguments of years ago. IME people are fast/fit because of they’re riding bikes, not having pointless internet arguments

FTFY

I ride a fixed for commuting because it’s way more fun than on a hybrid, quicker than a mountain bike and more relaxed/ less expensive than on a road bike.
It is basically a drop bar road bike with a front brake.
80″ gearing according to Sheldon, and my commute regularly takes in high cadence loops of Regents Park and very slow grinds up the North London Alps of Highgate, Hampstead and Alexandra Park.
It has definitely improved my fitness and particularly my hill climbing ability on both road and mountain bikes.
It is really helpful for mountain bikes because it makes you pedal everywhere that you might normally be inclined to coast. It is detrimental to freewheel bikes because when you go back to them it makes you think that there is something wrong with your cranks – like they’re sticking.

that fat guy wearing lycra on a bike is winning by the sounds of it. 😆

who is winning?

I hadn’t realised a race was going on.

I love it when someone passes me, like red rag to a bull. I like to say something like ‘oh you’ve got a race on now’ – espicially love it when a roadie passes me and then when/if I get to pass them, feel like ‘yeahhhhhhh in your face roadie’

Hey, who would have thought this thread would have turned out so shite? it’s like watching rats trapped in a maze that they cannot get out from. Keep up the good work.

^^^ proper reason?

You’re overthinking this far too much. Either give it a go, or forget about it. It’s the only way you’ll ever decide.

Sounds like there isn’t one. There’s either a reason, or it’s just more fun.

I think what’s really being asked is:

“Is riding fixed like riding with gears or suspension in the way that it has demonstrable physical advantages, or is like riding a unicycle, which is only worth it if the fun outweighs the physical disadvantages?”

smell_it – Member

Hey, who would have thought this thread would have turned out so shite? it’s like watching rats trapped in a maze that they cannot get out from. Keep up the good work.

agreed – yet another topic to add to the list of people arguing to the death to try to convince themselves that their judgment is correct, justifiable and well thought out. and that they matter.

to be filed next to apple/android, ford/holden, cars/bikes etc. it’s quite pathetic when you take a step back and observe.

agreed – yet another topic to add to the list of people arguing to the death to try to convince themselves that their judgment is correct, justifiable and well thought out. and that they matter.

remind me again what one should expect on a STW thread about something that a majority of the protagonists know very little about?

What should one expect on any online discussion board regarding anything at all?

expect – people doing the above.

hope – people discussing topics they are inevitably not experts on with an open mind.

i realise the odds are vastly stacked in favour of the former, but the reduction to insults and willy waving is still pathetic.

It’s because it’s a very wooly question about questionable and subjective advantages.

If the question was “I’m going racing, will I be faster with suspension/29er/slick tyres or not?”, there’d be a good slice of decent, objective advice regarding equipment vs conditions. Along with a liberal sprinkling of bullshit, obviously.

But here, it seems there’s no concencus on where there are any demonstrable advantages, so the argument just somes down to whether people like it or not. Hardly surprising it’s all got a bit silly.

http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/8249298/Laura-Trott-happy-to-be-back-in-the-saddle-ahead-of-Glasgow-Track-World-Cup

and the fact that there’s no concencus vindicates the OP for having asked the question “Is there a point, other than it just being nicer if you like it?” because it’s a decent question, and the answer, based on this thread, seems to be resoundingly “No, not really.”.

Thanks everyone, you’ve opened my eyes quite a bit to fixed wheel bikes. Looks fun doing those type of skids but I’m not sure I could ride brake-less!

Thanks for posting a vid!

Guess you’ve all seen Chris Akrig on a fixie?

Can I achieve the same effect (just to try it out) by just constantly pedaling and not letting up? Minus the cool skids of course. 😉

Right, picture break…………..

Somafunk, is your charge plug a 2013? Been waiting since mid sept for mine, gettin fed up!. Where’d you get it?

I want that Surly. Here’s mine, if we’re posting pictures…

Eeeeh, that’s not the most beautiful bike I’ve ever seen…

I love those Cinellis
not cheap though

this is my commuter, I have ridden a fixed gear since I was a teenager (the 80s), because my dad had one.
Fixed gear for commuting is super cheap. I have a 48/16 gear on it and it gets up and down most sensible hills

If I lived somewhere with nasty steep hills I would use a geared bike.

I’ve only ever struck a pedal really badly once and that was a long time ago on an unsuitable frame with long cranks and was caught out with the change in camber on a roundabout – I was flicked right into the air but held onto the bars and landed back on the bike and managed to not hurt myself too badly… with a SS or fixed specific frame you’d have to lean a really long way over to get pedal to tarmac

Ooooh picture time… Here’s mine. A road bike, with mudguards, normal brakes, look keos and nice Harry Rowland Miche/Mavic Open Pro wheels. Oh and it happens to be fixed. Not that you would notice when I ride it.

And here’s my other one, that mildly shouts fixie. I’ll be hill climbing on this on Sunday, but not in this gear.

Jim fixed it for me……coat fetched 😳

This was fixed for the first few weeks, whilst I was waiting for a hub. And that was fun on the techie trails at puddletown. My normal fixie is a surly steamroller with surly open bars and a pdw takeout basket, sprung saddle… It’s a gents ale hunter.

Double post

Hurrah for pictures!

Touring / commuting:

Roading:

Mountain biking:

Riding:

Had a couple of hours free this morning, went over to Ashton Court, rode the fixed KM, spent the rest of the day smiling like a loon….for me that’s the point…………

no idea but this is way too clever:

How come all the mtb fixies don’t have suspension?