Think I'm over fixed gear riding
09-02-20, 07:14 PM
#26
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Look at the photo of my bike above. You will have to school me on chain slack. That bike flunks your test.
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09-02-20, 07:38 PM
#27
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Different bikes for different things. Sometimes riding a fixed gear is the last thing I want to do. Other times, it's the only thing I want to do.
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09-02-20, 08:05 PM
#29
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Yes. I think I can move the hub about 1-3/4". Chain is set up for either 42 or 43 chanring and can use all those cogs. (1/2 links are very useful for dialing in chain length.) You can see the dropout in my post above. Like a more horizontal regular road dropout at the back end. Runs further forward, then opens down like a vertical dropout so I can pull the wheel without jammina a big tire against the seat stay and having to deflate when running a big cog.
Messing with chain length and/or chainrings to do the gear changes messes up the whole point - to be able to do 1905 racer style gear changes. Stop, flip wheel, tighten up and go. Yes, the mountaintop cog change is slower, but getting that big gear for the descent puts such a big grin on my face it''s worth it. (You can see the chainwhip in the same photo.
Ben
Messing with chain length and/or chainrings to do the gear changes messes up the whole point - to be able to do 1905 racer style gear changes. Stop, flip wheel, tighten up and go. Yes, the mountaintop cog change is slower, but getting that big gear for the descent puts such a big grin on my face it''s worth it. (You can see the chainwhip in the same photo.
Ben
It’s different here. The hills aren’t long enough or tall enough to justify a gear change. Our hills typically have 100 foot elevation change.
I could probably handle downhills OK on a 42-16 FG. Meanwhile, I’m pretty happy with 42/16 for SS.
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 09-02-20 at 08:54 PM.
09-02-20, 10:14 PM
#30
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I own six fixed gear bikes (5 track, 1 mtn) none of them have brakes. No coasting and I sail past folks who do. I've learned to accelerate on turns. I do use shorter cranks. Everyone hopefully finds what works for them. I started riding single speed years 15 years ago and after about 5 years I started riding fixed gear only. I ride a flat paved 'track' for non-motorized vehicles (except of course e-bikes). I have no trouble passing all but the fastest riders on their multi-speed carbon fiber bikes and every ebiker I see.. I know its not all about speed but its so much fun flying past them - you know the same guys who say we ride in the wrong gear 90% of the time 
09-03-20, 04:55 AM
#31
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I would think that having a chain so slack that you can feel the difference between it driving the wheel forward and a slack bounce when you let off would be jarring and awkward, but I'll chalk that up to personal preference.
Last edited by mack_turtle; 09-03-20 at 05:02 AM.
09-03-20, 01:11 PM
#32
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as someone with a small frame, small legs, and sub-luxating knee caps - I can never safely ride fixed. which sucks because i love the clean lines of a fixed gear bike. but i do love my single speed - especially here in Houston where it's flat. It's a lot of fun to do group rides with roadies on the geared bikes and I show up on my SS and hang or drop them.
09-03-20, 04:01 PM
#33
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as someone with a small frame, small legs, and sub-luxating knee caps - I can never safely ride fixed. which sucks because i love the clean lines of a fixed gear bike. but i do love my single speed - especially here in Houston where it's flat. It's a lot of fun to do group rides with roadies on the geared bikes and I show up on my SS and hang or drop them.
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06-14-21, 03:37 PM
#35
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FIXED
SS
either one is a great ride >>> no derailleurs no regrets
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06-14-21, 06:20 PM
#36
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I rode exclusively fixed for four or five years when I was in my 40s, but I've since renounced my "purist" ways in most things. Singlespeed will always be my passion, but there's enough room in my life for gears, too.
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06-14-21, 09:29 PM
#37
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Basically where I am. Just love bikes and riding. Primarily fixed, but mix it up. Variety is the spice of life!
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06-14-21, 10:11 PM
#38
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I last rode single speed a few days before I converted it to fix gear. 45 years ago. That bike stayed as a fixture in my stable and is still there, 4 frames and everything else changed later. Last two decades I've been adding bikes and now have 5, 3 of which are fixed and get most of my miles. My lifetime mileage is a little more than half fixed.
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