Fixless in Seattle
I’ve been reading alot about Fixies lately and have some interest in them. However, when you think about the traditional uses… velodromes, flat city bike messengers, some commuting… I wonder how good they are for a HILLY city like Seattle or San Francisco. I hear Bike Smith in Ballard has developed a two speed hub for that reason, but then you have to have a shifter again and it kinda defeats the purpose anyway. Anyone else been thinking about this?
Comments
Aug 26
Geoffrey
I think the derailleur represents what’s wrong with the world today: People have too many options, too many choices. The fixed gear bike stands against the tyranny of choice, while the geared bike wallows in the gluttony of enlightened self interest. And, what are brakes? They are but agents of sloth. They make the act of stopping all too easy. Where’s the challenge? As we all become complacent cogs in the wheels of mechanical modernity, the fixed gear cyclist stands alone as a beacon of a simpler time. A time when men were men and gears were singular.
Actually, I’ve been thinking about getting a Bianchi Pista so I can race it on the velodrome but I’m pretty sure I’d keep it off the streets. I like gearing, I think it’s pretty neat. You could get a flip-flop hub so you don’t always have to pedal. I would think a brake would come in handy either way.
Looking forward to the day you skid stop into work!
Aug 26
Geoffrey
Karl: Seriously, if you do get a fixed-gear bike you can hardly go wrong with this beauty.
Sep 01
Sarah
If you do go with it, Karl, you might achieve that “Triplets of Belleville” body you’ve dreamed about. I’ve ridden a fixee around Boulder, which has one - that’s all just one - and even on that one, itsy, bitsy hill, I was spent. Also, the no brakes thing, which purist claim is the only way to go, scares the begeezus out of this clutz. I opted for an old ten speed and just keep it in one gear mostly. I agree that the lure of putting together your own bike, building it from the ground up is strong, but so is a headwind.
Sep 02
Karl Bischoff
It’s like life. The romance of the idea always overrides the unforgiving truth… till that truth smacks into reality… or you bonk.
Sep 09
Jake Rohde
I think if you have a middle of the road gear ratio you should be fine, you will just have to stand up and go for it on the up hills. I have a 15 mile commute to work, and it is pretty hilly… If for nothing else, it is great training for road riding. When I get on my geared road bike now, I pedal a lot more, since I am used to pedaling all the time. I have a front brake for emergency stopping as well. Sometimes in the city people can be pretty dumb while driving, it is just a nice safety thing for me.
Jake Rohde,
Milwaukee WI