Fixies/SS; Fad? or Forever?

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Alright Alright... as a devout roadie and occasional trail rider I am versed in the whole riding thing. What I do not get is this fixed gear 'revolution' I keep reading, hearing about, and seeing.

What I would like to know is this: is this a Fad? (for some, I know it is) or is there a legitimate reason to prefer a fixie/ss over a 'normal' roadbike? is it a reaction to the annoying elitism of roadbiking (of which I wholly understand ;) )?

I want to know what the benefits and detractions are for this sub-genre of cycling. So please give me your insight or point me towards an already exising thread on this topic.

Thank you.

Alright Alright... as a devout roadie and occasional trail rider I am versed in the whole riding thing. What I do not get is this fixed gear 'revolution' I keep reading, hearing about, and seeing.

What I would like to know is this: is this a Fad? (for some, I know it is) or is there a legitimate reason to prefer a fixie/ss over a 'normal' roadbike? is it a reaction to the annoying elitism of roadbiking (of which I wholly understand ;) )?

I want to know what the benefits and detractions are for this sub-genre of cycling. So please give me your insight or point me towards an already exising thread on this topic.

Thank you.The simplicity in terms of maintenance is a given as is the beauty of an uncomplicated machine. They provide a few challenges and reward the rider some new skills and perspectives compared to multi geared machines. Climbing can be amazing after being told you needed more and more gears year after year. A fixed gear will never let you become bored with your rides, is so much easier to carry up and down the stairs to your job and requires very little attention with the exception of when you're actually riding it. A refreshing change.....sometimes old is new again.

Offhand I'd have to say the current fascination with fixed-gears is, for most people... a fad.

But they are a beautiful and pure thing... I rode one because I was a messenger and they're easier to deal with in terms of maintenance, and handle far better than a roadbike in urban conditions. They aren't necessarily the most convenient conveyance outside of cities... on the otherhand, let's just say there's a reason european teams use them to train early in the season.

The only thing that makes me think that there'll still be plenty of fixed-gears around is that once you ride them... you either hate it and ditch it quick... or more likely, fall madly in love and can't ever give it up.



Alright Alright... as a devout roadie and occasional trail rider I am versed in the whole riding thing. What I do not get is this fixed gear 'revolution' I keep reading, hearing about, and seeing.

What I would like to know is this: is this a Fad? (for some, I know it is) or is there a legitimate reason to prefer a fixie/ss over a 'normal' roadbike? is it a reaction to the annoying elitism of roadbiking (of which I wholly understand ;) )?

I want to know what the benefits and detractions are for this sub-genre of cycling. So please give me your insight or point me towards an already exising thread on this topic.

Thank you.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'll have mine forever or until I get so old my knees can't take it (but then maybe I'll just gear it easier). I ride all styles of bikes though, so I'm not a snob or reverse-snob. I do think it is a fad with some people, but to the committed it's a good thing because more equipment is made available both new and used. I hope the trend lasts.

As tinydr said you either ditch it or stick with it, I'm defentily stuck on fixed, because fixed is stuck on me...lol Besides maintence, the ride is so much quieter.:D You just hear the wind blowing by....the cost of some of these road bikes is stupid. Being able to coast down log down hills is the only thing I envey, mainly when I do a 40-60 mile ride, around town (short rides) I'll take the hills as they come.:eek:

i think it is here to stay....i have recently built my first S/S,,and it is a blast to ride, i took it out the first time this past weekend to a bike swap meet,along with other bikes i was selling,and even though not for sale, it was the one that drew the most questions,,and one guy said to his girlfreind ,"this is the thing to do now,a single gear",,,I felt like saying , it's been around for years.!!!,,,but more on race bikes,,,,,but you are seeing alot on the street scene,,, heres my buget build...... http://velospace.org/node/5576

I rode a Giant TCR1 for a couple years, always conserned with avg speed, distance, position, etc. After getting really tired of the cocky ass roadies I met and the "elite" attitude that goes with it I sold my bike and went to mountain bikes ( lots of fun ). The trails in my area are not always rideable so I bought a Specialized langster to ride around town. Pure relaxing fun is the only way I can describe a single speed. I did not build up an old vintage steel frame with only a front brake because THAT is a fad I belive. If someone is a messenger in a big city I can understand the fixed gear steel frame thing, but when I see someone in the midwest suburbs riding one they usually have that same attitude that almost ruined cycling for me. So now when I'm out and a group of hammerheads pass me I just smile and thank my single speed for reminding me why I started riding in the first place:)

Alright Alright... as a devout roadie and occasional trail rider I am versed in the whole riding thing. What I do not get is this fixed gear 'revolution' I keep reading, hearing about, and seeing.

What I would like to know is this: is this a Fad? (for some, I know it is) or is there a legitimate reason to prefer a fixie/ss over a 'normal' roadbike? is it a reaction to the annoying elitism of roadbiking (of which I wholly understand ;) )?

I want to know what the benefits and detractions are for this sub-genre of cycling. So please give me your insight or point me towards an already exising thread on this topic.

Thank you.first off riding FIXED, and riding SINGLE SPEED are about as different as apples and volkswagens, they are both kinda round, and thats where the similarities end.

I dont think it qualifies as a fad when fixed gear bikes have been around for a couple of hundred years, maybe a resurgence?

I rode: BMX, mtb's (freeride, and DH) and road bikes, and after nearly 30 years, was beginning to tire of it, until I built a fixie,..now I can't stay off the thing.

it's fun, different, creates a whole new set of riding situations, you need a different skill set, and you think different when riding a fixed gear, some of the tricks are a little dangerous (I like this) in short, on a fixed gear, even after riding for 30+ years, at nearly 50 years of age, somehow I'm a beginner again, learning new things all over again, and THAT put the "fun" back into cycling for me.

so fad or no, I love mine, and can't wait to get better stuff for it, try and find a keirin frame, learn spins, riding backwards etc..

try riding fixed for a week, then you'll either "get it" or not.

A good answer is "why not?". Whats so important about why people have fun doing what they do. That's what makes the World go around. If you want raw speed, buy a motorcycle.

A good answer is "why not?". Whats so important about why people have fun doing what they do. That's what makes the World go around. If you want raw speed, buy a motorcycle.


John R is right. In my previous post I referenced the suburban people I see on the Fad retro fixies. But you know they are out riding bikes like you and me. I don't care if it's a fad, trend or whatever if people are out riding bikes I'm all for it.

Hey guys, I have to admit that the dudes riding lightspeeds and cruising around with aerobars bug me too. But I used to train on a cheesy bike with one big gear, with wider, lower pressured tires. It changed my riding style in a big way because I like pushing high gears on my geared Trek standing up. There's nothing more fun than looking like a goof in regular shorts and a tee shirt and having someone that fancies themselves as "an elite" pass me only to be driven into the ground. Stronger legs and a better resistance to pain has to count for something, right?