Another fixie conversion question- anyone out there ride one?

[Kimmyt]

OK, so I don't know much about bike and maintenance. But for some reason the idea of building a fixie commuter bike has been popping into my head recently. I think I have a frame for it, an old Raleigh from the early 80's. I'd have to double check it on fit, but I think it might be okay. And it would probably be one of those things that would take me forever, but I'm also looking at it as a fun way to pass the winter months as well as to learn more about bike tinkering without messing with my girl.

I have a few questions though, and thought you girls could help me out. The whole fixie thing seems like such a club, and oddly enough (I'm not usually like this) but I'm kinda loathe to go on a ss/fixed specific BB to ask this question as I get the impression that most people that build and ride fixies (at least the dudes) can get kinda elitist and gear-*****y (okay, nothing wrong with gear-whorishness, I do have some tendencies as well).

Anyway:

1) How much harder is it to ride one? I'm a moderately strong rider on a regular bike, but honestly? I love my triple. I am getting better at hills, but still have LOTS of room for improvement and I'm really worried that if I spend time making a ss or fixed-gear bike that I will have to be that idiot walking it up some hills on my commute and will feel like such a poseur. I'm wondering if it's not gonna be as bad as I think, none of the hills are REALLY bad (well, one is, but I'd be ok with walking up that one as it's right at the entrance of my work)

2) What are the benefits of a fixed gear vs. a ss? In Triskeliongirl's post I see that it is much easier to convert a bike into a ss than a fixie. I guess to some people, it's more of an aesthetic thing, but the frame I have will need some updates anyway, so in my mind why not mess around with it and make it fixed since I'm not going to ride it in it's current state anyway. I have read Sheldon Brown's pages on it and if I do the conversion will probably follow his info and some other site's I've found.

3) Will riding a fixed gear make me stronger? This is kinda related to Question 1. But in my mind I'd think that if I can handle the bike, having only one gear would make me alot stronger of a rider. The question, as I said in #1, would then be, can I handle the bike (and I know there's all sorts of gear-ratio things that I would need to figure out... I don't have much of a head for numbers, so this would be the hard part)

4) And finally, is it just getting in over my head? Since I'm only a beginner at tinkering with my bike (just learned to clean it last year and have never really messed with tuning it for fear of messing it up too much) is this crazy idea of mine just stupid? I mean, my thought is, right now I'd be investing no money in it. I have a frame that's free, so I could start to mess with it and if it gets too difficult or too expensive I could just can it and sell the frame on eBay or something for a few bucks. So it's really no loss, of course, it might mean kicking my car out of the garage for the winter, which is fine too.

Anyway, just some ramblings from my bored mind at work, maybe I won't do it at all, but the thought has been hovering the past week (possibly because I've been couch-bound due to my gimpy ankle).

K.

[DebW]

Why not take a few rides on your current bike pretending that it's a fixing. Just select one medium gear and leave it there. See if you can get up the hills. Also try to never coast, even going around corners and down hills. That might tell you if you really want a fixie, without the time, expense, and risk.

[mimitabby]

Debw, what great advice!

I think riding a fixie will definitely make you stronger. A lot of our toughest riders ride fixies for the training rides.. when they get back on their multiple geared bikes, they are animals.

[7rider]

If you're in a hilly area and used to a triple, I think a fixed gear bike would be pretty tough for you. Even a single speed. I've heard/read that fixies can be tough on your knees. But they do help smooth out your stroke.
I've pondered converting my (soon to be) old Axiom into a SS to use as a commuter. DH's comment - "You'll hate it at the first hill you hit." Don't know if that's totally true, but DebW's recommendation is certainly a way to go....mimic the expected gearing with your geared bike, and vow to stay away from the shifters for a ride. I don't think I myself would have the leg discipline to ride it "fixed", but giving it a try as a SS might be good.

[SadieKate]

I'm all for singlespeed (meaning a freewheel) as opposed to fixies. I just don't want to work when I'm going downhill. Heck, I just earned to right to coast!

[roadfix]

I'm all for singlespeed (meaning a freewheel) as opposed to fixies. I just don't want to work when I'm going downhill. Heck, I just earned to right to coast!

Well, with flip-flop hubs you can have it both ways....

[SadieKate]

Got one but I'm not a flopper.

[Christopher]

Is there a track near you? Riding fixed is just so different than gears. It feels great once everything is set up right as there's so much less to worry about. But it's not for everyone.

If your area (SEPA? ) is hilly then you'll really struggle on a fixed. I can climb okay on gears but get defeated by any hill over 10% on a fixed, and descending with your legs spinning like crazy is scary!

Also fixies can be a bit of a pain in heavy traffic as you often find that the pedals are in the wrong place for setting off again. Not a problem if you can trackstand (I can't) but otherwise you have to unclip, lift the rear wheel off the ground and rotate the pedals.

If you are using an old 10-speed then there is the risk of pedal strike in corners, where the inside pedal hits the ground and lifts up the entire bike. Not nice. Mine used to do this sometimes (it has 170mm cranks) until I put narrow Shimano pedals on it.

Think hard before committing any $ to this. Converting an old 10-speed to a fixed can easily cost $300. Converting to SS can be a lot easier: get the rear wheel re-dished and buy a sprocket and chain & see how you go.

[Beane]

I feel moderately qualified to respond to your question, having just gone through the whole thing myself-- converted to a single speed, found it wasn't for me, and got a new geared bike and sold off all the ss parts.

I found that I really liked the single speed (which may not have been the case with fixed gear) EXCEPT for the one hill that I needed to climb to get to my house. I found myself making excuses for why I shouldn't ride that day and took the bus instead.. I would even ride to work/school and then take the bus home (our buses have bike racks) to avoid the hill.

If you're at all unsure of your abilities, I would definitely recommend getting a flip flop hub and doing ss before going straight to fixie.

You would definitely be a stronger rider... and as far as getting in over your head.. I don't think so. There are so many resources and websites you can consult, and if something is too hard, just go to your LBS to ask for help. Don't be scared off by the project aspect of it. On the flip side, do your homework and get advice on your particular bike and your riding needs/wants before doing anything major.

Deb's advice is good. Beyond that, maybe even try to borrow someone's ss or fixie for a test ride. Now that some of the major companies are selling ss/fixie bikes, you should be able to try one without too much trouble. I was definitely walking up the hill to my house, but I didn't feel like a poseur. You should think of it as just different. So many people ride them now (at least where I live) that it's really not a club anymore.. Good luck in your decision! And don't worry too much.. if it doesn't work out, just switch it back and sell what you bought.

[KnottedYet]

Kona makes the ss joke on their website for their flip-flop: "yeah, it really has three speeds; sit, stand, and walk."