Riding fixed??
#1
not the hair stuff
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: brisbane, australia
Posts: 17
Bikes: Norco Corsa, Repco High Sierra, Peugeot PR 10 & U08
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Riding fixed??
Out of curiosity how many of the Fifty Pluses are riding fixed??
With a potentially false belief that I will improve spinning and overall capabilities and maybe recapture some of my youth I am looking at converting a Peugeot PX10 (variant not the real thing) to fixed.
Undecided on gearing but it will be conservative, hilly around here and knees are getting on perhaps 42X18; any opinions?? And, yep, will be keeping at least the front brake!
With a potentially false belief that I will improve spinning and overall capabilities and maybe recapture some of my youth I am looking at converting a Peugeot PX10 (variant not the real thing) to fixed.
Undecided on gearing but it will be conservative, hilly around here and knees are getting on perhaps 42X18; any opinions?? And, yep, will be keeping at least the front brake!
#2
Jim Shapiro
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Posts: 104
Bikes: Bianchi Imola (road), Bianchi Axis (general), Centurion Elite RS (fixed gear), Centurion Elite GS (lunch rides at work), Miyata (work in progress), Trek 7000 (mountain biking)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by rogaine
Out of curiosity how many of the Fifty Pluses are riding fixed??
With a potentially false belief that I will improve spinning and overall capabilities and maybe recapture some of my youth I am looking at converting a Peugeot PX10 (variant not the real thing) to fixed.
Undecided on gearing but it will be conservative, hilly around here and knees are getting on perhaps 42X18; any opinions?? And, yep, will be keeping at least the front brake!
With a potentially false belief that I will improve spinning and overall capabilities and maybe recapture some of my youth I am looking at converting a Peugeot PX10 (variant not the real thing) to fixed.
Undecided on gearing but it will be conservative, hilly around here and knees are getting on perhaps 42X18; any opinions?? And, yep, will be keeping at least the front brake!
Jim
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 172
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ride fixed with Speedplay clipless pedals and haven't had a problem.
As far as gearing is concerned, the easy way to determine what you need is to ride a geared bike on a few rides that you'll do fixed and see what combo will work for you. Remember an easier gear for climbing spins faster going down.
I recommend keeping the rear brake initially. You don't have to use it and can always take it off later.
As far as gearing is concerned, the easy way to determine what you need is to ride a geared bike on a few rides that you'll do fixed and see what combo will work for you. Remember an easier gear for climbing spins faster going down.
I recommend keeping the rear brake initially. You don't have to use it and can always take it off later.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 118
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ride fixed as well, I'm geared at 46X18 and it's difficult climbing at times. I would use a front brake for sure and maybe a rear until you get your feet wet, better safe than sorry. I really like fixed when I'm short on time, I can get a pretty good workout in without spending too long in the saddle. Good luck
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 217
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
2 years now on fixed after being inspired by Sheldon Brown's site.
Converted both bikes, both 80's vintage steel-one racing and one touring, to fixed.
I interchange one fixed back wheel between both bikes, with a 19 tooth cog.
Chainring on one is 50, on the other 49.
Observations:
1-I expected the legs to tire more, but they don't. I attribute this to fatigue effect of stopping and starting on a geared bike.
2-Flatland riding is easier and overall faster. Brown refers to the geared habit of pedaling/coasting/pedaling as "pernicious"; by eliminating the coasting phase, riding technique improves.
3-It is alot quieter since the freewheeling chatter is eliminated.
4-Climbing is not necessarily harder. You have to choose the combination to be both sustainable on the uphill and the downhill. The approach to the hill is more proactive; you tend to size up the hill as you approach it, and take a run at it, knowing what you have in the bank, instead of aiming at maintaining cadence by gearing down at the base of a hill. Some prefer the non-mechanical approach to a problem.
5-Downhills completely change. Rather than being a time to reward yourself for completing a hill, you instead have to increase focus to maintain control. In most cases you loose some speed on most of the downhill, but come off the bottom a little faster since you are already at wheel speed on the pedals. The downhills are the biggest change which could be considered negative. You do not get the reward for doing the hill, by the extended buzz on the way down.
6-Riding against the wind is much better on fixed. The pedal/coast/pedal negative habit is accentuated in this situation on a geared bike. That feeling of stopping pedaling and then falling back, and then expending energy to catch up again is gone.
7- Pay attention to the moving chain, especially when cleaning on a stand. The chain, chainring and cog should be considered one piece of machinery, without the intermediary of freewheel which allows the chain to stop with pressure. Your fingers can be carried into the chainring by the moving chain. The chain should be cleaned when stopped in most cases. And do not clean a moving chain in the nude-this is especially important for men.
Converted both bikes, both 80's vintage steel-one racing and one touring, to fixed.
I interchange one fixed back wheel between both bikes, with a 19 tooth cog.
Chainring on one is 50, on the other 49.
Observations:
1-I expected the legs to tire more, but they don't. I attribute this to fatigue effect of stopping and starting on a geared bike.
2-Flatland riding is easier and overall faster. Brown refers to the geared habit of pedaling/coasting/pedaling as "pernicious"; by eliminating the coasting phase, riding technique improves.
3-It is alot quieter since the freewheeling chatter is eliminated.
4-Climbing is not necessarily harder. You have to choose the combination to be both sustainable on the uphill and the downhill. The approach to the hill is more proactive; you tend to size up the hill as you approach it, and take a run at it, knowing what you have in the bank, instead of aiming at maintaining cadence by gearing down at the base of a hill. Some prefer the non-mechanical approach to a problem.
5-Downhills completely change. Rather than being a time to reward yourself for completing a hill, you instead have to increase focus to maintain control. In most cases you loose some speed on most of the downhill, but come off the bottom a little faster since you are already at wheel speed on the pedals. The downhills are the biggest change which could be considered negative. You do not get the reward for doing the hill, by the extended buzz on the way down.
6-Riding against the wind is much better on fixed. The pedal/coast/pedal negative habit is accentuated in this situation on a geared bike. That feeling of stopping pedaling and then falling back, and then expending energy to catch up again is gone.
7- Pay attention to the moving chain, especially when cleaning on a stand. The chain, chainring and cog should be considered one piece of machinery, without the intermediary of freewheel which allows the chain to stop with pressure. Your fingers can be carried into the chainring by the moving chain. The chain should be cleaned when stopped in most cases. And do not clean a moving chain in the nude-this is especially important for men.
#6
Newbie
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Springboro, OH
Posts: 4
Bikes: Several Gaansaris, Kona Unit, Schwinn Racer 3spd, Bontrager BMX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oftentimes, the best gearing is 42x16T. Always use the narrowest bottom bracket possible, and if you're able, swap out the crank with a 110BCD, which allows more choices in wider, stronger chainrings.
https://www.gaansari.com/scorcher.htm
https://www.gaansari.com/scorcher.htm
#7
Senior Curmudgeon
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Directly above the center of the earth
Posts: 3,856
Bikes: Varies by day
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Barnaby
..And do not clean a moving chain in the nude-this is especially important for men.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 217
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by FarHorizon
OUUUUUCH! Is this a recommendation from experience, or just common sense?
Of course there would be one advantage of the mishap should it happen-it would enable you to stand alot closer to the urinal. So there are always pluses and minuses.
#9
not the hair stuff
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: brisbane, australia
Posts: 17
Bikes: Norco Corsa, Repco High Sierra, Peugeot PR 10 & U08
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks all. I will keep the back brake for a while. Need to spend a bit more time as "ss" to select gearing - the downhills concern me more than up, dunno how
I'll resolve that - still leaning to the 42 X 18.
Currently travelling so it will be a few weeks before I get at it.
I'll resolve that - still leaning to the 42 X 18.
Currently travelling so it will be a few weeks before I get at it.
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I converted an old, light-weight steel Nishiki criterium bike to a fixed gear last year after reading Sheldon Browns articles on the benefits. However, I only ride it weekends on the flat roads of Delaware and take it on vacations to relatively flat areas. At 57 I'm a little concerned about overstressing my knees on the short-but-steep hills around here in SE Penna. However, I do enjoy the change and agree with most of the reasons that others give for riding a fixed. I especially love the quiet ride and the feeling of being one with the bike. Also, I hadn't thought about it before, but I certainly agree with what was said here about riding more efficiently into the wind. The seemingly ever-present winds on the Easten Shore can make you long for windless hills, even mountains! If you have the opportunity to try a fixed for at least a few weeks, I would highly recommend it.