Fixed Gear

[kreeess]

yo just wondering any you guys ride fixed gear here? :wave

[wickerman777]

Oh boy :rolleyes

Paging Wirris:twofinger

[DeathB4mullets]

fixed gear bikes are gay!! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11142741@N04/sets/72157602208420673/)

You should roll out to SF and ride with us! Jeremy and I both have track bikes, though he rides with a freewheel...there are a lot of us here in the city.

[kreeess]

I got an alumnum KHS pursuuit track frame brakeless sorry got me twisted for someone else :twofinger haha fixies are for fags agreed

[slowpoke]

*poof*

[Dion Rides]

I ride + I make those damn top-tube pads.

www.uglypads.com

[cheezy]

Woohoo fixed! Itssssoghey.:teeth

Hellyer anyone?:Party

[DeathB4mullets]

I just got a four door car... and it came with a bike rack to hold four. For free. How awesome is that. Now I don't have to wait for Bishop to not pick me up in the morning! It needs some new tires, but that's about it... and I hear the park isn't that far from Caltrain either... and you can drink on Caltrain...perfect for the ride back home!

[Dion Rides]

I swear to God, we are going to do a Southbay pub crawl this year.

[cheezy]

If you'll be my wingman Dion, I promise to pick a fight.

*Duh, I read "pub brawl".

[kreeess]

bringing this thread back to life! ... lol yall wanna meet up for ride sometime?

[DeathB4mullets]

I'm down. You can make it to SF?

I have been riding my new cross bike waaaaaay too much... I almost feel like I'm getting out of shape! I need to ride my track bike more.... Thursday night?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2100/2419290188_77f6ce6ebb_o.jpg

[wickerman777]

You've been riding your cross bike "way too much" and you feel like you are getting out of shape?:|

Obviously you are not doing something right. Please feel free to join us, Devin, Grey, Aquetas, Joshua and maybe a couple other guys for a cross ride on Sun that will open your eyes to what cross riding is really all about.

Just remember that if at some point during your ride you do not have to pick up the bike throw it over your shoulder and run up a hill with it you are doing something wrong.

That bike is real pretty but why is it so clean? I'm embarased for you Will:twofinger

[DeathB4mullets]

ya. I'm in. asshole. see sffixed.com

I still want to ride my track bike more......

[Zar]

Ohh a fixie thread.

I'm surprised there wasn't one sooner.

[wickerman777]

You missed out big time Willis. That was a blast and Josh is a monster. He did it on his steel single speed and passed us all (even Devin) like he was on a casual ride.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshuaofcalifornia/2446682353/sizes/o/

[wickerman777]

I fucking suck at the intranets

[Zar]

So... Anyone going to post up their fixies? hahaha.

I'm currently building one. I'll post pics once finished.

[Dion Rides]

THE NEW RIDE, BIATCHES!

http://www.uglypads.com/CIMG0324.JPG

Been doing a nice loop from my house in Almaden down to Morgan Hill and back via Santa Teresa Blvd. No tight jeans with the left leg rolled up... it's serious business with me and Mrs. My poor wife, I really push her but she's an awesome riding partner, especially when she's really on it. She rocks the Schwinn Super Sport Hybrid like it ain't no thang.

But alas, track bike takes second to flatland.

http://sjbmx.com/images/riders/ddangzalan/riding/2ab.jpg

I'm really over sffixed and sjfixed. Those forums are elitist central. SJfixed won't even let me on their board (they think I'm going to spam my tt pads) - maybe I have to not wear a helmet, lose about 100lbs, wear super tight jeans and trade in the clipless pedals and Aero bars for leather straps and a 8 inch wide flat handlebar or Nitto drops without bar tape. Oh yeah, I run a brake, so I'm probably not getting the Zen-like feeling, either. And my bike is properly fitted - wow... I realize that I ride a fixed gear - but I'm not a fixed gear rider! :rolleyes

I'm considering taking the Motobecane to Hellyer when I have a chance. We've been flatlanding so much lately (there's a group of about 28 or so Nor-Cal riders) that getting out for a Saturday morning track sesh is tough. I like the fixed, though... keeps me from getting too burned out from BMX. :)

[highonF4i]

Just picked up my new 56 cm IRO. I'm down to "ride" with anyone, but mostly I'm just doing skids and wheelies in parking lots for now. I've got other roadbikes for real riding, this one is just for fun and tricks. PM me if anyone's down.
Looking forward to seeing your build zar, and dion, I'll look into your pads...I've already racked my nuts like 5 times.

[CoorsLight]

Nice IRO. :thumbup Is that the Angus? IROs are schweet for the dough. My buddy's got one of those for the LA velodrome.

I rock an 80's Raleigh GP 700c, a '01 GT GTB, and an '08 Obey. All with Sugino 75s. Wish I could ride with y'all, but I'm stuck in the armpit of CA. :(

[Dion Rides]

Just picked up my new 56 cm IRO. I'm down to "ride" with anyone, but mostly I'm just doing skids and wheelies in parking lots for now. I've got other roadbikes for real riding, this one is just for fun and tricks. PM me if anyone's down.
Looking forward to seeing your build zar, and dion, I'll look into your pads...I've already racked my nuts like 5 times.

Seriously, dude... get a BMX bike for tricks!

[CoorsLight]

LOL. Sometimes fixies are cool for tricks. anyone seen this?

Macaframa Promo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0AFpq6jFok)

[jrbruin]

No fixie for me, but I'm thinking of converting my old Bianchi commuter to single-speed - not sure about fixie though.

Nice Motobecane Dion, really clean!
Back when I was biking more I wanted to take the Hellyer Velodrome class and get into racing there, but alas I've turned into a bit of a couch potato lately.

[highonF4i]

Nice IRO. :thumbup Is that the Angus? IROs are schweet for the dough.


yeah its an angus. they're relatively cheap and sturdy as hell. I'm really enjoying mine so far...it's got the track geometry elegance mixed with bmx-type streetability that seems like the best of both worlds. I'm gonna upgrade a bunch of goodies like Sugino cranks when i get some extra money.

LOL. Sometimes fixies are cool for tricks. anyone seen this?

Macaframa Promo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0AFpq6jFok)

yeah so dope. you can watch all their little promo flicks here:

http://www.macaframaproductions.com/movies.html

I can't bar spin with my 700 cm deep vs but I may switch to a 650 up front eventually cuz spins are tempting. for now it's just whip skids and wheelies and trying to ride backwards (impossible).

nice mobecane
:thumbup

[PhoS]

i hate you all...










no really but....damn fixies

[highonF4i]

^^^
A lot of people get the wrong idea about fixed gears. Disgusted by so many people who get them as their first bike, and ride them b/c they're the "hip" thing to do right now. I can understand your distaste.

But what people fail to realize is, some of us have ridden bmx and road bikes our entire lives, and just want to add a bit of additional difficulty to the act of riding.

When I want to go on a legitimate ride, I hope on my LeMond. When I want to run to the grocery store, I ride the schwinn SS. But when i feel like going on a harrowing death ride with wheelies and skid stops, I ride my brakeless fixie. It really adds a level of excitement and connection to the typical bike ride...I guess it could be somewhat compared to manual vs automatic transmissions in cars.

For all you haters, acknowledge the fact that some of us ride fixed without messenger bags, cards in our spokes, tight jeans and "too cool for school" attitudes. We're riding them to take our bicycling skill to a different and unique level. It's a shame its become a situation where riding fixed makes people assume you've jumped on a bandwagon.

It's not all about the scene, it's about making a ride that much more difficult and exciting. I wish i had a motorcycle analogy but I'm at a loss.

[stoneed_11]

LOL. Sometimes fixies are cool for tricks. anyone seen this?

Macaframa Promo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0AFpq6jFok)

My friend went to the movie premiere in SF. I can't wait to watch it myself. Just those clips are so good.

I was thinking about getting a fixie myself but then I'd be "jumping on the bandwagon". Its crazy how much the scene exploded since last year. My friend told me that fixies originated from bike messengers that were tired of getting all their parts stolen.

I've ridden a fixie a couple times. Its fun but impractical since I'm thinking about getting a bicycle for my commute to school. Especially since I've never really ridden in traffic before and would probably die with a fixie.

Here are pics of my friends' bikes:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/3016569580_48e5f7ec86.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/3016567254_a43b5cd148.jpg?v=0
http://photos-d.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v354/32/37/2541289/n2541289_43534035_7247.jpg

[highonF4i]

I was thinking about getting a fixie myself but then I'd be "jumping on the bandwagon". Its crazy how much the scene exploded since last year.

Just do what you feel man. Fuck everyone else's opinion. If you think you'd have fun riding one, get one.

Your friends' bikes are purdy.

[TylerW]

Not trying to be judgemental or anything, but I just don't get fixies. Sounds like there's a lot more fascination than being a SF hipster here, but if you don't mind me asking, what's the fascination?

[jrbruin]

one of the reasons bike enthusiasts like to ride fixed is because it forces you to ride at a constant cadence and if you're going downhill it can teach you how to be smooth at a very high cadence that you would probably just coast on if you were riding a freewheel.

[CoorsLight]

one of the reasons bike enthusiasts like to ride fixed is because it forces you to ride at a constant cadence and if you're going downhill it can teach you how to be smooth at a very high cadence that you would probably just coast on if you were riding a freewheel.

+1
I started riding fixed about 7 years ago to help train for road and cyclocross racing. Besides rollers, there's no better way to get your pedal stoke round and to apply constant force. Helped my riding a ton, especially climbing and sprinting.

The hipster fixie craze is embarrassing, but most of those riders will find a new fad soon enough and there will be fancy parts for sale on CL!:thumbup And as much as it pains me, there are more than a few of those hipsters who can ride really really well. :x

[R6UCD]

My fixed gear ride to keep in shape while not playing soccer/running/etc. I experiment w/ the tricks from time to time, but my real stunt bike is my bmx.

+1 I don't dress like the typical fixie crowd (small biker cap, tight jeans/t-shirts, ) :twofinger

[highonF4i]

Not trying to be judgemental or anything, but I just don't get fixies (...) if you don't mind me asking, what's the fascination?

Like i mentioned, it makes riding a more difficult and focused experience. Riding fixed and brakeless (or not) is just exciting and sketchy...for me that's all the "fascination" involved.
It shouldn't be a fashion statement or an image thing.
Don't ride fixed if it's your first/only bike, don't ride brakeless fixed if it's your daily commuter or whatever. Ride them if you're intrigued by the challenge and difference in the ride.

another weak analogy:
It's like, why would you ride a 70s era egg shaped single fin pintail surfboard when there's modern, feather-weight thruster surfboards that are faster and more maneuverable? Because it's just fun as hell as an added challenge; and requires a more adept connection/understanding of the wave and your equipment, and change of pace from your typical experience.

And of course, I can't even speak on the dudes who ride velodromes or used fixed gears to perfect their cadence for other road riding. They're the most genuine and it's a shame that any shred of their reputations could/would be tarnished by a passing fad.

[DeathB4mullets]

Not trying to be judgemental or anything, but I just don't get fixies. Sounds like there's a lot more fascination than being a SF hipster here, but if you don't mind me asking, what's the fascination?

Do you ride bicycles every day? I do. And I usually ride my track bike. I ride all over the city, and I got this bike to ride, lock up and not worry about too much. If somebody steals it, good luck riding away! and if they do make it away, good luck stopping!

Riding a track bike is a great way to work on your spin (I ride/race cyclocross), and the silence of a bike with minimal parts is kind of neat too.



When you do a 40 mile ride on your track bike, guess what? you did 40 miles without coasting. All you, pedaling the *entire* 40 miles. not too bad for endurance.

All that said, I really like riding my cross bike. it's faster, I can go off road, I have gears and I can stop faster. But the wheels are quick release and have knobby tires, and I would cry of somebody stole my Dura Ace or Ultegra components.

Kind of a no brainer for me which bike to ride around all day.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/3023503330_675f356ecd_o.jpg

[DeathB4mullets]

Also, check out www.mashsf.com

A bunch of these guys are my friends, and far from being hipsters. Just messengers out having fun on bikes...

[fawndog]

But the wheels are quick release and have knobby tires, and I would cry of somebody stole my Dura Ace or Ultegra components.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/3023503330_675f356ecd_o.jpg


I got 1/4 of a mile on that POS when it "supermaned" me over the bars.

:devil
Dura Ace or Ultegra components for sale (better get'm quick, cuz if Willis catches you someone is going to cry.)

[highonF4i]

nice bike :thumbup
what's that contraption around your head tube?

[TylerW]

Do you ride bicycles every day? I do. And I usually ride my track bike. I ride all over the city, and I got this bike to ride, lock up and not worry about too much. If somebody steals it, good luck riding away! and if they do make it away, good luck stopping!

Riding a track bike is a great way to work on your spin (I ride/race cyclocross), and the silence of a bike with minimal parts is kind of neat too.



When you do a 40 mile ride on your track bike, guess what? you did 40 miles without coasting. All you, pedaling the *entire* 40 miles. not too bad for endurance.

All that said, I really like riding my cross bike. it's faster, I can go off road, I have gears and I can stop faster. But the wheels are quick release and have knobby tires, and I would cry of somebody stole my Dura Ace or Ultegra components.

Kind of a no brainer for me which bike to ride around all day.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/3023503330_675f356ecd_o.jpg

I do the bicycle commute across the city 3x a week, so not quite every day, but close. I do get the sense that fixed gears are good for building endurance since there's no coasting, but I'm still not sure I understand the appeal of not having any brakes - especially for a commuter. I've also heard cadence referred to numerous times - when I'm making my way through the city, I do my best to keep my pedaling rpm constant and shift my gears with respect to what speed I want to be traveling at, as well as making adjustments for inclines and work output. If I keep my pedaling cycle the same, is that the same as cadence? Or something different?

[CoorsLight]

Do you ride bicycles every day? I do. And I usually ride my track bike. I ride all over the city, and I got this bike to ride, lock up and not worry about too much. If somebody steals it, good luck riding away! and if they do make it away, good luck stopping!

All that said, I really like riding my cross bike. it's faster, I can go off road, I have gears and I can stop faster. But the wheels are quick release and have knobby tires, and I would cry of somebody stole my Dura Ace or Ultegra components. [/IMG]

Man, I'd cry if someone stole my Sugino 75s. And isn't that a BrassKnuckle? Beutiful bike, but hardly something I'd lock up and not worry about, esp. with all the riders who can skidstop nowadays.

BTW I like the twisted spokes on the rear! YOu build them yourself? Lot's of work, but SWEET results! :thumbup