Singlespeeds. I just don't get it!

[highlandsflyer]

I have nothing against SSs, and I just pointed out that I don't get the recent upsurge in them.

I know it's a little tedious and borderline pedantic, but can we sort out some matters of nomenclature? The things you've noticed an upsurge in are a particular style of fixed-gear bike found in cities - track frame, narrow bars, no brakes, probably deep-section rims and a bunch of cards stuck in the wheels. They have little to do with single-speed mountain bikes with a freewheel, which are also somewhat impractical but surprisingly effective given the appropriate alignment of terrain and rider. The latter are definitely fun to ride, I'm unconvinced by the former - no brakes on roads you're sharing with cars and buses and random pedestrians doesn't seem like a brilliant idea, and I can't fathom the point of having bars narrower than your shoulders

I used to be a BMXer so I get that SS will rock offroad on certain terrain.

I am totally up for the simplicity of a SSer, as I said.

Unfortunately my observations from a week in London are pretty useless as I am unable to say what were fixed or not.

Next time I will take pics and ride up and ask them.

Maybe I steamed into this posting without thinking.

We are all brothers here, no? Even the chicks.

I certainly had no intention to raise anyone's eyebrows.

As soon as I get over my latest knee injury I will be out trying a fixie so I can report my findings.

I love seeing people on bikes, so whatever shape or form I am delighted to see all the SSers about town, just bemused.

Love and peace.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Hi the following trivial facts strangely relate to some statements in this thread:

I have not ridden single speed for around 40 years

I live in the highlands of Scotland

I lived in London/Home Counties (good beer) for 17 years

I was a motorcyle courier in Da Smoke in the mid 80s and used a thoroughly unsuitable bike (Z1000J) :twisted:

I believe gears are essential to purposeful forward motion on a bike, unless you live in Essex

If I lived in a flat place, for example Essex (which I wouldn't choose to do) I would try SS but not fixies

I have a Dirt Monkey courier bag for shopping

Hiltler enabled some of my family to have the most exhiliarating times of their lives

Arran mustard is made approx 2 miles form my mother in law's house and tastes great with a piece of rare pan fried Aberdeen Angus

SS is not currently my bag but may yet be given a burl

............who mentioned sailors?



Geographical Edit: the example of Essex is simply that, an example, not a slur against Essex related peeps or activities. Could equally apply to Fife. Almost.

Are you my clone????????

I need to update my profile, as I currently reside outside Inverness and Maida Vale.

 

[ededwards]

Interesting thread!

Not sure that I should volunteer this, but a fixed wheel bike should never, ever be referred to as a fixie :evil: - sorry, but that term feels, to me, like a recent affectation (cue numerous citations that I am, as ever, incorrect).

But did Alf Engers ride a fixie? Ray Booty? Obree? Boardman? Exactly.

 

[Mr Panda]

Are you my clone????????

I need to update my profile, as I currently reside outside Inverness and Maida Vale.

Niet - you are my clone now

Commuting huh -

 

[highlandsflyer]

Are you my clone????????

I need to update my profile, as I currently reside outside Inverness and Maida Vale.

Niet - you are my clone now

Commuting huh -

I am not commuting by bike now, rather by air.

Actually my wife is working in the theatre in London and I am involved in a project in the Highlands so we are balancing life between the two.

Are you working in the outdoors area?

 

[MikeD]

a fixed wheel bike should never, ever be referred to as a fixie

I aim to reserve "fixie" for the aforementioned urban hideousness, but occasionally forget

Where do you stand on "fixer"? ;-)

 

[Mr Panda]

I am not commuting by bike now, rather by air.

Yep - exactly what i meant. Good innit. For a while. Enjoy

Ah it all comes back to me - the pyres of dead cows burning in green fields of Galloway and Northumberland

Enough smoke to down a De Havilland Mosquito

Single Speed - good idea - needs the right terrain

And if you live anywhere near Inverness - SS should be a cracker I'd say :xmas-cool:

 

[highlandsflyer]

Using Easyjet I am less than 3 hours door to door.

Actually compares well to some commuting I used to do into London before I got situated centrally.

I remember those pyres only too well, being from a large farming family.

I am 2 miles out of Inverness, give or take, and the SS I will use only for the pub and Tesco and the dogs.

I am coming round to the idea of a fixie once my knee is better too.

Why not?

 

[Neil]

I am coming round to the idea of a fixie once my knee is better too.

This is probably the main reason why I'd never personally go SS or fixie (aside from the matter that I actually prefer to have gears available, anyway).

I've had too many issues with knee injuries (fortunately, up to now, none requiring surgery) to want to cycle anything other than having a reasonable spread of ratios available.

 

[Blindside]

I have an 80s single speed roady and i think when done properly they can look superb , clean and be very effcient depending on your situation.
London is full of day glo rims skinny jeans and aviators as mentioned but hey, they are riding a bike so its a good thing. There are those that ride them irresponsibly but every type of bike falls into that category from time to time