What is the point in a fixie?

[kmehrzad]

My hubbie is fixated on fixies right now. Belt drives too. I am sure the constant pedaling would get old fast and he would flip the hub.

We would like to get commuter/sightseeing bikes for our RV trips, and think a 3 or 8 speed would be good for me with a fixie as an equalizer for him.

A folder would be an ideal bike for your RV trips. Depending on how much $$ you'd want to spend, the Bike Fridays are top of the line folders, however, Dahons are not a bad choice either. In fact, I prefer the fold of a Dahon over the BF.

[kermit]

I have a single speed and love it. I wanted a steel bike for rougher roads in Georgia and found one on bikes direct. The thing is a blast. I can still coast but I love the ride of steel and am even considering a steel road bike. My husband calls it a trophy but it's just another steed in the barn!

[SadieKate]

This is interesting, and I've confused single-speeds with fixies. For some reason I thought they were the same thing

They can be.

A fixie has a single speed/rear cog but is called a fixie as there is no freewheel (no ability to coast). A bike commonly called a singlespeed has the one gear but also has a freewheel. A fixie is a singlespeed bicycle byt a singlespeed bike is not always a fixie.

As far as no brakes, some fixies have a single front brake added by the smart people who live in hilly terrain. You still use your feet to slow the bike sort of like a coaster brake.

[kmehrzad]

I have a single speed and love it. I wanted a steel bike for rougher roads in Georgia and found one on bikes direct. The thing is a blast. I can still coast but I love the ride of steel and am even considering a steel road bike.

I won't go back to aluminum ever again. The ride on a steel bike is significantly better.

[Blueberry]

A folder would be an ideal bike for your RV trips. Depending on how much $$ you'd want to spend, the Bike Fridays are top of the line folders, however, Dahons are not a bad choice either. In fact, I prefer the fold of a Dahon over the BF.

And Bike Friday actually will make you a fixed gear folder if you want

I have enough knee issues - so I've not been willing to take the plunge. I might try a singlespeed. Maybe.

[kmehrzad]

Hmmm, a fixed gear Bike Friday ... no, I think I'll stick to my geared NWT and PR.

Blueberry, depending upon where you live (hilly vs. not-so-hilly), why not give a singlespeed a try? It'll take a little getting used to wanting to shift the gears but then realizing there aren't any.

[PamNY]

Wow, fascinating discussion. Thanks for all the information. I see so many of these bikes in NYC that I have gotten really curious about them. Catrin, yes, there are people riding brakeless bikes, often without helmets, in NYC traffic. Go figure.

A question -- if there's just one brake, why a front one? I'm really curious about this for two reasons -- first, I want to understand bikes better. Second, I have gotten into a heated argument in my kick scooter group. I've been riding a Xootr for nine years and never once even thought about tossing myself over the handlebars when I use the front brake. The people in this group are aghast; they apparently are routinely sailing over their handlebars and are switching to scooters with only a rear foot brake.

Three of these cheap brakeless wonders have almost made me crash my bike in the past six weeks which cannot possibly be a coincidence. I personally think if you can't operate a hand brake safely you probably shouldn't be on a scooter, but I've kept that thought to myself (so far).

I'd love to add info from the bike world to my pro-front brake argument.

[kmehrzad]

PamNY,

I loved scooters as a kid and secretly still want one but haven't seen too many adults riding them. I tell my daughter one day she'll see me on a scooter and she shudders at the thought, but from what I see, the Xootr is actually for adults and then I read that you belong to a group? I'd like to know more ...

[Jenerator]

My fixed gear bike has been my bike of choice for the better part of the last 5 years. I got it to enhance my training, figuring that every minute I was on the bike, I was pedaling. It's also helped develop a smooth cadence, which has morphed into a smooth, high cadence. With cyclocross tires, it's an outstanding snow bike too. The direct drive translates to much better and more predictable traction. It's also nice not to have all the shifty-bits to maintain.

I have mine set with front and rear rim brakes, as my original hub had the option of flipping to a freewheel. I really didn't want to be freewheeling with only one brake. The reason many set up fixed bikes with only a front wheel is because braking on the front wheel helps slow you in general, but also shifts your weight forward, allowing the rear wheel to have less connection to the ground so you can slow your legs and stop the rear wheel more easily. The brakeless folks use the same concept by throwing their weight over the front wheel while simultaneously locking out their legs to lock up the rear wheel & skid. I like my tires too much to do that.

It's certainly got a lot of fad to it and it's not for all, but I'm still having fun with it

[MartianDestiny]

Catrin, yes, there are people riding brakeless bikes, often without helmets, in NYC traffic. Go figure.

A question -- if there's just one brake, why a front one? I'm really curious about this for two reasons -- first, I want to understand bikes better. .

Fixies are never without brakes, assuming that the definition of "brake" is a means in which one can control speed or stop.

Many don't have separate brakes because with a fixed rear cog (hence the name "fixie") you can brake with your chain by slowing down your spin or adding backwards resistance to your pedaling.

I can see two reasons for a front only approach if you were only going to use one traditional brake. 1) Most stopping power comes from the front 2) you already have some braking control over the rear.

I have one on my list of cycling "wants" though I will have two traditional brakes on it as I'll probably end up running it as a freewheel single-speed rather than a fixie, and well, I'm paranoid.

[ny biker]

Call me a wuss, but when I read things like this, I really think I will never want a bike with no brakes.

"For example, yesterday, just as I was about to turn onto the Williamsburg Bridge, I heard shouting and a "scraping" sound. Seconds later, a rider on a brakeless fixed-gear appeared, his flat tire half off the rim.

Now, I don't know if he flatted while attempting to stop, or he flatted first and had to perform an emergency stop as a result, but judging from the shouting and the scraping he was not in control of his bicycle. People can debate how effectively you can stop a brakeless fixed-gear bicycle all they want, but the truth is that having your ability to slow your bike depend almost entirely on the integrity of your rear tire is ridiculous. Tires go flat all the time, and without warning. Riding your bike without being prepared for a flat (not to mention a clueless pedestrian or driver entering your path) is like going to a whorehouse without a condom."

(from http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2010...no-brakes.html)

And after a summer of long-distance inline skating back in 2001, I grew to really love having gears on my bike for going up hills. But that's just me.

[MommyBird]

A folder would be an ideal bike for your RV trips. Depending on how much $$ you'd want to spend, the Bike Fridays are top of the line folders, however, Dahons are not a bad choice either. In fact, I prefer the fold of a Dahon over the BF.

We pull a 28' Airstream with a GMC 2500. The truck is set up to haul four bikes right now. No need for space saving bikes.

[PamNY]

PamNY,I loved scooters as a kid and secretly still want one but haven't seen too many adults riding them. I tell my daughter one day she'll see me on a scooter and she shudders at the thought, but from what I see, the Xootr is actually for adults and then I read that you belong to a group? I'd like to know more ...

Scooters are as much fun (maybe more!) when you are a grown-up. Xootr is the best. They are well-built, lightweight (9-11 pounds), and easy to fold so you can take them inside almost anywhere. Kick scooters are legal on the sidewalk, which is where I usually ride.

Because they are welcome on subways and buses, scooters are perfect for urban use. My scooter literally changed my life, as I can go more places in less time. It's more liberating than a bike because I don't have to worry about traffic or one-way streets. Heavy packages and backpacks hang on the handlebars with ease. My top speed is maybe 8-10 mph, but due to crowds, I rarely go that fast.

When they were new, adult scooters got a lot of attention. Derisive remarks were frequent, but most people wanted to know where to buy one. I totally enjoyed whizzing past astonished tourists. Nowadays scooters are fairly common in NYC; I see a lot of commuters, and parents out with their kids on a Razor.

If you want to scoot, I'd say do it!

[kmehrzad]

If you want to scoot, I'd say do it!

I've already located a dealer in my area, now comes the time to test ride a Xootr. I do want to scoot!

What are the best shoes to wear in your opinion?

Also, which model do you have? I'm thinking the MG would be the best one for me.

[PamNY]

What are the best shoes to wear in your opinion?

Also, which model do you have? I'm thinking the MG would be the best one for me.

I have the Roma; my SO has the MG. I like the narrower deck; it's easier to handle when folded. There is slightly greater kicking efficiency, too, since your foot is closer to the deck. The MG deck is slightly lower, which also increases kicking efficiency, but IMO not as much. Over the years, we've had every model, and it's really a matter of personal preference.

Any flat or low-heeled shoe is okay; I'd start out with running shoes or something with a non-skid sole. I avoid backless shoes, like clogs.

Hope you have fun!