Idle thoughts about fixed wheel bikes

Even if you forget it just punches you in the knee, you don't get spat over the bars.

I've not had one for a while, but I still do fixie things like changing up a gear and blasting up moderate hills to maintain momentum when  riding a gear bike.

I've had one for a few years now as a general commuter/winter/touring type bike.

Very occasionally I still have a wobble but it's very rare. Usually if I've switched off and hit a pothole or something.

It's about the same learning curve as learning to ride clipped in. The first few rides it's a really big deal, then it's just something to remember, and after a while it's just second nature.

I’m curious about how long it takes normal people to get used to it?

If I haven't ridden fixed for a while, about 10 minutes, until I forget, try to freewheel, scare myself, and then it's fine.

I find using SPDs makes it a lot easier.

I used to commute every day fixed. About 7 miles, more or less completely flat with minimal stopping and very little traffic. I became completely natural after about 6 months. As above, SPD definitely helps as well as reading the road/traffic ahead allowing for naturally slowing without having to panic! 😀

Thinking about it now, I quite miss it. If definitely improves your pedalling action and fluidity.

I used to enjoy it. I found the gear easier than the same gear on a geared bike.

I used to get round the Glentress red more or less happily. A few arae clenching experiences on some steeper bits but largely fine.

The bike reminds you not to slack off.

Been commuting on one since 2004. Every day around London until 2011 and then a less frequent mix of Sheffield and London since then.  Chopping and changing between fixed and broken bikes is pretty instinctive now, the only real “moments” i tend to have are when closely following another rider who starts to freewheel and I try to as well. Doesn’t happen often!

From memory it was about 2 weeks of terror learning to ride fixed, after that all good, and I wouldn’t ride a non-fixed SS on road now.

Souplesse (ha!) is obviously through the roof, but I’m also definitely more aware of the ebb and flow of traffic and road conditions.

oh, and yes - some form of foot retention is highly recommended!

I used to love track cycling and had a fixie as a commuter, you get used to it pretty quickly. A couple of rides maybe?

Have tried repeatedly, just don't have the knees for the slowing down sadly.

Also commute fixed daily - the don't stop pedalling you work out very quick. I remember thinking that the bike brakes and then stopping pedalling with your legs would be complicated in some way, but it isn't at all.

You need to be smooth and look up the road on fixed - otherwise you'll be casing the bike over potholes, getting backed up in traffic etc. This takes a bit more time to get the hang of, but once you have it a geared bike will feel like a jittery mess by comparison.

You don't need to skid stop through your knees to slow down @jimfrandisco - that's just for students and others who lack metres of development. Most grown-ups just use the brakes like the rest of the cycling world.

Ha - I'm way too old to be a wild hipster, I have brakes as well! Still find the push back through the cranks, even stopping with brakes is too much for my knees ..or rather only one of them.

Book yourself into a velodrome session on a track bike. Insanely intense. You learn quick.

Yep, a couple of rides and you will never try to coast again.  Especially if after first trying you get thrown over bars!

I rode fixed for around 18 of the last 20 years and no knee issues (at 55 now) even with the last 10 years being brakeless fixed.  I wasn't continually switching between fixed and freewheel bike though so not sure if that can cause a few issues with trying to coast?