Fixie.....do i want one really ?

[Stu247]

Anyone ride fixed on here ?

I have been thinking about getting one for the last couple of months but as yet am undecided.

I don't want to build one, so an off the peg ~500GBP would be preferable.

Something from here :-

http://www.evanscycles.com/dept.jsp?dept_id=4217&a...

The Genesis Flyer or Lemond Fillmore or Paddy Wagon ?


or Felt Dispatch:-

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cyc...

or Pearson Touche:-

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/2503/PEARSO...


Any recommendations greatly received

[mk1fan]

If you've never riden a 'fixed' before I would buy one that has a freewheel on one side and a screw in fixed on the other side of the rear hub. Get used to riding only one gear on the freewheel and then swap the wheel around to ride the fixed. The first time you ride fixed is certainly an eye opener.

The On-One Pompino is fitted with such a wheel.

[Stu247]

mk1fan said:

If you've never riden a 'fixed' before I would buy one that has a freewheel on one side and a screw in fixed on the other side of the rear hub. Get used to riding only one gear on the freewheel and then swap the wheel around to ride the fixed. The first time you ride fixed is certainly an eye opener.

The On-One Pompino is fitted with such a wheel.

I believe most, if not all, off the peg's come with a flip flop hub fixed on one side (even though a fixed cog is not always fitted)

[sjg]

I like the look of the Paddy Wagon, it's meant to be fairly heavy though.

The Charge Bikes Plug is worth a look too:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/plug-07-20542 

Or I still really like the Pompino, on-one seem to have frames left that they're custom building to your prefs for about £500. They might have another batch of complete ones coming soon, worth an email to Brant to see what they can do.

[lee.]

Go for it, since i finished building mine Ive hardly touched my other bikes.

Here's a good site for inspiration www.fixedgeargallery.com

[zax]

Just do it You'll never look back...

Had mine for around 8 years now, enjoy riding it more than any other bike I ever owned. Bought it semi-off-the-peg from SJS Cycles, minus some components that I already had such as bars, brake etc. I did go for a flip-flop hub but I've never once used it.

[Powerkiter]

I would quite like to build a single speed with an Orange P7 frame and Pace carbon forks. Not sure about what I need for a rear wheel though. How would I go about it ?

Sorry for hijacking this thread.

[sjg]

At the back, a spacer kit plus sprocket, like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gusset-SINGLE-SPEED-singlesp...

Plus if it's for road and you want to move the outer chainring to the middle, you'll need some different chainring bolts:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/chainring-bolts-8-5mm-for-do...

[sjg]

oh, and as it probably won't have horizontal dropouts you'll need some way of tensioning the chain unless you get very lucky and get a ratio that the chain fits on perfectly.

An old rear mech, with the limit screws wound in so it sits in the right position, is the cheap option. Or lots of people make specific tensioners to do the job.

[mk1fan]

A2Z and DMR do simple and adjustable tensioners for £10(ish).




Other brands are available.

[Stu247]

zax said:

Just do it You'll never look back...

Had mine for around 8 years now, enjoy riding it more than any other bike I ever owned. Bought it semi-off-the-peg from SJS Cycles, minus some components that I already had such as bars, brake etc. I did go for a flip-flop hub but I've never once used it.

I think I am convinced.......have space for a forth bike in the garage !!

Just can't decide which one to go for.......

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Dumb question alert!

Can anyone explain to me what the advantages of a single speed bike is over one with gears, in riding terms (I appreciate their mechanically simpler).

[sjg]

Simple to maintain, quieter (no slack in the chain so nothing to flap about), no chance of being in a gear you can't pull when you stop at the lights. I also found it made me a bit quicker uphill as I couldn't slack off and just bimble along in a low gear.

For everyday use over fairly flat roads there's no point at all in loads of gears - it's just extra drivetrain stuff to wear out or go out of adjustment. You have a gear that's about right for most of the time and not too bad for the rest of it.

[lee.]

plus it will get you super fit in no time as you cant stop peddling. you would be suprised at how lazy you can get on a geared freewheel, im running a 46 16 fixed at the mo and hills are a killer but rewarding. oh and dont forget brakes are for flakes!

[JPJ]

I converted an old racer of mine (Raleigh Record Sprint) to fixed and used it solidly as my commuting bike and for short/medium rides when I felt like more of a challenge. Unfortunately the frame decided to snap just after Xmas, so I bought a Pompino and it's lovely. For the money, the spec on the On One is often better than on other manufacturers, but not always. I don't think you mentioned the Specialized Langster in your original list, but a lot of shops have them in for £400 or less.

As for brakes - I can't get the bike to stop quickly just using my legs to lock up the rear wheel (I'm sure it's partly psychological) so I do run two brakes as well. Completely up to you, but while you get used to it it might not be a bad idea. There will almost certainly be the odd moment on the first couple of rides when you will want to freewheel and suddenly realise you can't. I've got mine fitted with mountain bike SPD's, but I ride all bikes clipped in, but that's a personal preference.

In answer to the other question about singlespeeding....that's a whole new can of worms. Personally it's all about working harder on each ride I go out on. I can't ease myself up hills, and I have to pedal like a loony if I'm in a fast group, but the grin factor is enormous. Try it - the conversion shouldn't cost more than £30-40 to start off with and you can see if you like it.

Benefits include less weight (no derailleurs, less cassette, only one chain ring, no shifters or cables) and a more connected feel when you're on the bike. It will also strengthen your legs a you will have to work harder, and it should improve your ability to spin your legs up to a higher RPM. Downsides are that people think you are slightly mad and whilst it's mechanically simpler, you will go through more chains.

[Stu247]

JPJ said:

I converted an old racer of mine (Raleigh Record Sprint) to fixed and used it solidly as my commuting bike and for short/medium rides when I felt like more of a challenge. Unfortunately the frame decided to snap just after Xmas, so I bought a Pompino and it's lovely. For the money, the spec on the On One is often better than on other manufacturers, but not always. I don't think you mentioned the Specialized Langster in your original list, but a lot of shops have them in for £400 or less.

I have considered the Langster...I know they get slated by a lot of fixed folk....but it seems good vfm.
Looks are important....I'm just not sure about the Langster on that front.

Not sure if I want another alu framed road bike either.
I will more than likely be using it for commuting and short rides like yourself so comfort from the frame should not be an issue but it might be nice to try steel for a change....

I do like the Condor Pista, but being based in N.Ireland...it would be difficult to get..

Current fleet includes:-

GT ZASKAR LE '96 (old Skool baby !!)
Giant SCR 3.0
Giant OCR C1 composite

[Stu247]

Well.....had a look at the 2008 Langster at lunchtime...
Much nicer in the flesh than in the pics, so I thought...sod it!! and bought one
Could only secure 5% off but they offered 10% off all accessories from now on.
£380, sure if i don't take to it i can flog it on !!

Picking it up on Thursday.

[JPJ]

Excellent and at that price it's a good deal. They seem to sell second hand on eBay for nearly that amount.

Let us know how the fixie experience goes, or whether you end up using it as a singlespeed (freewheel) more.

[fixedwheelnut]

The Pearson Touche is quite a nice off the peg fixie one of my clubmates has one, we swapped over midride once and it is really good.

Why not build an old hack to see if you like it, here are the 'fixie FAQs'
http://fixiefaqs.xwiki.com/xwiki/bin/view/Main/WebHome 
A Wiki site set up with info from a group of us that answers most of the regular questions, all you really need for a first time build is a fixed rear wheel and maybe a bottom bracket to adjust your chainline slightly.

For gearing I usually TT on 72" to 84" and Audax [long distance] on 68" [46 x 18]

[Stu247]

Well.....picked up the Langster yesterday.......





Looks quite nice I think !

All I have done so far is removed all the reflectors etc and stuck some Quattro SL pedals on.
Will go for a couple of rides in singlespeed mode before flipping over and going to the dark side