I just got a SS/Fixed.

I saw a guy riding a fixie/ss 2 wknds ago at the Ride to Conquer Cancer ride up here in Toronto. It wasn't a race by any means. Just a charity ride. BUT...it was 105kms on day 1. then 112kms on day 2. And it was far from being all flat! I give the guy credit for even trying that.

I have heard of races though specifically for fixies/ss'. not in my part of the country though.

wiggs said:

I got this bicycle for fun, to commute, and get in shape in the process. However, it interested me to think of this in terms of racing in the far future of course. It seems there are no dedicated single speed or fixed gear road races. Have you guys ever seen someone enter a road race on a single speed?

Yes. They happen at places called "velodromes." 😄

I see...thanks guys. Would it be cool for me to just learn to ride for a while on a SS/fixed before I get another road bike with gearing?

wiggs said:

I see...thanks guys. Would it be cool for me to just learn to ride for a while on a SS/fixed before I get another road bike with gearing?

Hmm?? learn to ride??? before getting a road bike w/gears? I was under the impression that the fixie/ss was a supplementary ride. An addition?? Hope it's not too hilly where you live. 'cause gears work!

I'd only consider getting one if i lived near a velodrome or if I had about 7-10 different bikes. Then sure I'd have one. wouldn't ride it out on the streets though.....not for me! I'm not a fan of the trend. But hey...if it makes you happy...cool.

CdnRider said:

Hmm?? learn to ride??? before getting a road bike w/gears? I was under the impression that the fixie/ss was a supplementary ride. An addition?? Hope it's not too hilly where you live. 'cause gears work!

I'd only consider getting one if i lived near a velodrome or if I had about 7-10 different bikes. Then sure I'd have one. wouldn't ride it out on the streets though.....not for me! I'm not a fan of the trend. But hey...if it makes you happy...cool.

I got a fixie because of the price and simplicity. There are no hills where I live..I live in Fl. I will probably get a better, multiple gear bike in the future..

wiggs said:

I got a fixie because of the price and simplicity. There are no hills where I live..I live in Fl. I will probably get a better, multiple gear bike in the future..

Simplicity?????? Have you checked out the Single Speed section of this forum? Doesn't look all that simple to me.

wiggs said:

I see...thanks guys. Would it be cool for me to just learn to ride for a while on a SS/fixed before I get another road bike with gearing?

I don't know how cool it would be, but riding fixed gear is a good cardio workout and it buffs your pedaling skills.

kdelong said:

Simplicity?????? Have you checked out the Single Speed section of this forum? Doesn't look all that simple to me.

It should be simple lol. I think people miss the point honestly. With a SS, it should simply just be get on and ride..

wiggs said:

It should be simple lol. I think people miss the point honestly. With a SS, it should simply just be get on and ride..

It's not missing the point. It's a couple things:

1. Different preferences
2. In some cases, people are put off by the fixie "culture."

It's a human thing. Enjoy your fixie or SS.

alienator said:

It's not missing the point. It's a couple things:

1. Different preferences
   
2. In some cases, people are put off by the fixie "culture."
   

It's a human thing. Enjoy your fixie or SS.

If you mean the popularity of fixed gear bicycles in middle-class, suburban, alternative culture young adults...I can kind of understand. I fit that description perfectly, I'm even a musician lol. The popularity of fixies within that circle, of course drew me to them originally..but I made an intelligent decision on my own, through my own reading and understanding of SS/FG bicycles, to ultimately purchase one.

I feel if someone is put off by the "fixie culture" or in other words...hipsters in skinny jeans riding fixed gears because they think they are cool...then it's just as fair to be turned off by the road cycling culture. Those with overly expensive bikes, who aren't even close to professional level, in full spandex gear, riding in packs etc.

wiggs said:

If you mean the popularity of fixed gear bicycles in middle-class, suburban, alternative culture young adults...I can kind of understand. I fit that description perfectly, I'm even a musician lol. The popularity of fixies within that circle, of course drew me to them originally..but I made an intelligent decision on my own, through my own reading and understanding of SS/FG bicycles, to ultimately purchase one.

I feel if someone is put off by the "fixie culture" or in other words...hipsters in skinny jeans riding fixed gears because they think they are cool...then it's just as fair to be turned off by the road cycling culture. Those with overly expensive bikes, who aren't even close to professional level, in full spandex gear, riding in packs etc.

That's fair to say, although you should know that the gear isn't full spandex, is designed for comfort on the bike. Riding in packs is about a bunch of people riding together.

Riding should be about riding.