I unintentionally had my initiation into the strange world of fixed-wheel biking last week, when I stopped to fix a puncture on my way home from work, and accidentally re-attached my back wheel the wrong way round.
I ride a single-speed Specialized Langster around town, and the back wheel has cogs on both sides – one that is fixed and one which allows me to freewheel.
Ever since I got the bike last year, I've always used the free-wheel setting – mainly because the thought of changing to fixed-wheel terrified me, but also because I failed to see the point of it. Why deny yourself the ability to stop turning the pedals?
When you're going downhill on a free-wheel bike, for example, you can let gravity do all the hard work for you – keeping your legs still, while you use your brakes, wits and balance to navigate the traffic. On a fixed-wheel bike, however, you have to keep your legs moving at the same speed as the wheels, and if you inadvertently try to stop pedalling, there's a good chance you'll end up being thrown out of the saddle.
Even on the flat, it all feels rather unnatural. One of the times I tend to stop pedalling is when I'm turning a corner – so that I can slow down and stay correctly balanced. Any cycling instructor will tell you that if you lean into a corner, it's much more stable to keep your outside pedal at its lowest position (ie. 6 o'clock). On a fixed-wheel bike that's not an option – your legs simply have to keep on turning.
Having said all of this, I have to admit that I've secretly been wanting to try out fixed-wheeling for some time – principally because there seems to be some kind of cachet to it these days. Furthermore, as sceptical as I might be about its merits, almost everyone I know who rides a fixed-wheel bike swears they'll never go back.
So, as I write, I'm two days into my experiment, and I'm going to stick with a fixed-wheel for at least a few weeks. At this early stage, my instinct is still that there's really no advantage over a free-wheel bike. It feels marginally more dangerous, I can't go as fast downhill – and I've yet to come up with anything that's better. But if I'm being totally honest, I do feel just a tad hipper than I did three days ago.
That's the feeling that counts. Keep us posted on your experience and how it develops with time. Will it turn to be a love affair? We'll wait and see. :)
Posted by: Tehranologist | Saturday, 01 November 2008 at 09:52 PM
I too ride a Langster, and I set it up fixed within half an hour of getting it. Advantages?:
I find I'm much more aware of what's going on around me, and where the gaps in the traffic are. If you have to work to slow the bike down (I know, it still has brake(s) but it's not cool to use them right?!) it's much easier if you're not always stopping and starting.
You may not be able to go as fast right now as with a freewheel, but I've certainly noticed that I can spin much faster and smoother than I could previously. That translates to more efficient, faster riding on my geared bikes.
Posted by: Graham | Tuesday, 04 November 2008 at 09:07 AM
sheldon brown convinced me.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html
Posted by: Allan | Tuesday, 04 November 2008 at 02:25 PM
i have noticed that cyclists are reluctant to slow down, once they have the momentum going. That is why so many jump the red lights because it takes a lot of energy to stop and restart.(AS evidence i quote one of the comments ' If you have to work to slow the bike down (I know, it still has brake(s) but it's not cool to use them right?!) it's much easier if you're not always stopping and starting'.
If u free wheel, u can free wheel slowly to the lights and if u time it right, it will turn green before u have to come to a complete stop and so take less energy to get up to speed again. if now u have more cyclists going fixed wheel, even more will be reluctant to stop or slow down as they require leg power to brake, and they cannot go slowly to the junction. this means they will arrive at a rush to the junction, and if they dont jump the red light (sorely tempting) they will have to stop and restart from a standing start.And that means more leg power and more energy have to be used to get up to speed again.
And what is all this macho talk about not using brakes and the 'feeling'. Use the bike to get from A to B in the most efficient way. dont use it to show off ur manliness. In a fight between a car and you on ur bike, ur manliness will not stop u being mangled.
Posted by: anthony wong | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 12:26 PM
Anthony - " I have noticed that many drivers are reluctant to slow down, once they have the momentum going"
Why does every story related to cycling always have to feature the repetitive criticism of cyclists ignoring red lights? The majority of cyclists do not condone this behavior.
The bigger more dangerous issue although far seldom mentioned is drivers breaking the highway code. Spend ten minuted at a busy junction, count how many drivers accelerate to pass an amber light or even go through a red light themselves. How many drivers are talking on a mobile or texting, eating food, reading, not indicating, speeding etc etc Look how often drivers and motorcyclists ignore the advance stop boxes for cyclists and overtake without giving enough space.
Posted by: John Mitchel | Monday, 17 November 2008 at 11:23 AM
Anthony - I had to respond to your comment, as you have quoted my previous comment as evidence for something completely wrong. On a bike with a freewheel it is very easy to get to the light, see it's red, then coast to a halt using the brake to slow down. If yuou have gears getting back up to speed is easier. On the fixed gear that requires effort to slow down, then effort to speed up again. What I find when I'm riding fixed is that I'm looking further ahead, anticipating whether the lights are going to change before I reach them, and if not riding in what I think of as neutral (neither putting effort into speeding up or slowing down, just letting the pedals push my legs round) to maintain as much momentum as possible. If I get to the light and it's still red I stop, but once I ride a route regularly this rarely happens. The point is I'm thinking about everything much earlier because I'm on the fixed gear.
It's the person that decides whether to stop at the red light, not the bike.
Also, please don't dismiss any discussion of the "feeling" of riding fixed as "macho talk". I suspect from the tone of your comment that you're not a cyclist and have probably never ridden a fixed gear bike. The feeling of being one with the bike is something that's hard to describe, but most people who ride regularly, especially on a fixed gear, will know what I'm talking about. It's one of the main reasons I cycle, and why I love my fixed gear.
And as for "Use the bike to get from A to B in the most efficient way" - I'll get from A to B on my bike however I please thanks. As long as I do it in a safe a legal way it's of no concern to you.
Posted by: Graham | Tuesday, 18 November 2008 at 09:03 AM
Does anyone really care if someone who rides a langster thinks fixies arent that good? each to their own i say, but when langsters are so common, and not even that good, they just represent someone who knows nothing about cycling, supports multinational companies, and is probably really slow and talks in a funny voice. bmx is more popular than ever, but they are the most impractical thing ever. you must remember - horses for courses- and thus bmxs are good for some things, fixies are good for certain things, and certain people, and other bikes are for the rabble that get over taken by quick accelerating fixie riders. and another thing, riding fixies up hill is actually fine - the constant turning of the cranks by the wheels means that it is much more efficient and furthermore, you are not slowed down by changing gears. bring on the revolution of bikes. the most important thing about fixies, i think is that they are a rebellion. for one, they rebel against the boring and sometimes uneccessary rationalization of bike riding, and two, fixie riders become authoritive on the roads, commanding them, and make cars and buses move. this is great, and rather than submitting to the traffic and simply giving up when the councils do nothing about bikes, they do the opposite of what is expected and charge ahead! yeah!!!!!!!
Posted by: Dan | Wednesday, 19 November 2008 at 05:12 PM
Oh dear Dan. I am sure you are in control of the road, every one else stuck behind your big head.
You have spent too much time on the LFGSS website imaging you are a rapid response courier from the mean streets of Portland Oregon. In reality, I imagine you are a reckless rather than assertive cyclist who never looks behind or communicates due to your American Apparel hooded sweatshirt obscuring your vision on your overpriced Brick Lane bike.
Fond regards.
Posted by: Marco Pantini | Thursday, 20 November 2008 at 09:48 AM
Dan you need to get out more
Posted by: boots | Friday, 16 January 2009 at 05:22 PM
I work in an oxford bikeshop. My day is always lightened when an insecure male of mid to late thirties wheels in his fixed geared bike. The best thing to aspire to in cycling, is to be quick, but if your not quick you can always ride fixie.
Posted by: Pro evolution; not fixie | Friday, 06 February 2009 at 11:13 PM
I have a Langster and ride it as a fixie which came about much like James, by accident after a puncture. That was 12 months ago and I wouldn't ride it any other way. I appreciate the Langster is not the best fixed wheel bike out there, but it does come in at a good price, and if I'm honest the only reason I bought one was to keep maintenance and cost down to a minimum, which it does.
Posted by: Tim | Monday, 23 March 2009 at 09:28 AM