Touring on a fixed

@TM how bad was it? would you do it again with a sleeping mat? just looking at my options because tents are pretty heavy and bulky compared to a tarp.

and @miro_o i think the his seat post rack was just at the limit, but could have been a cheap one not 100% just would hate it to happen to me.

considering maybe making something that clamps to seat post, brake bridge and maybe somewhere else on the rear of the bike to make it stronger/take more weight!

think a bag on my back as well, does a bar bag effect handling much? speed wobble etc?

does a bar bag effect handling much? speed wobble etc?

No, just don't use it for very heavy things (sixpacks/watermelons/severed-heads).

i definitely will need a six-pack holder! cheers @miro_o!

I'm probably moving back to Spain this summer and I'm doing the same route (I'm from Bilbao). My idea is to do it in a more relaxed way, doing about 60 miles a day, so that it will take me 13 or 14 days to complete it.

I'll be doing it on my daily commuter, 47x17, 23c tyres (can't fit anything bigger), Tubus Fly rear rack with Vaude ortlieb-esque panniers, probably a Carradice Super C over the rack and if I need some extra space I may go for one of these to carry the mat, sleeping bag and something else:

My biggest concern are the hills just after crossing to France and after entering to Spain.

47x17 strong 13 days touring speed

...the hills just after crossing to France and after entering to Spain.

That'll be the Pyrenees then. Not sure that'd be my first, second or third choice of bike but fair play...

47x17 is high. Hoping for a tailwind?

A low-gear freewheel is ok in mountains but it'll be too low to be much use on the flat. Dinglespeed is what you want for minimalism + mountains.

The hills are fine until after san sebastian..

Well actually I'm riding 47x16. I could get a 18t cog and replace the 16t one so that I have 47x17 and 47x18.

You will enjoy that - but what about a 19T instead of 18 for those days with headwind/hangovers/hills.

It's my one and only bike here in London, so there's no choice.

The Pyrenees start just slightly further away. If I cross through Hendaye-Irun it's pretty flat. As @laner says, hills start after San Sebastian.

I reckon I'll have to push the bike quite a few times.

My first gearing was 42x17, which is the same as 47x19 and I used to spin like a hamster.

Now, riding on a fully loaded bike it's pretty different and might be a good choice. If I find a 19t cog on the forum I might give it a chance.

Go back to 19t, it'll feel like 18t with the weighT.

This thread needs this;

better photos on talbot website http://talbotframeworks.co.uk/2015/04/fixed-tourer/

As a preride preparation for my London to Bilbao trip I did a test ride this weekend from London to Seven Sisters and back to London with the bike loaded and 47x18 gearing. Few pictures to bring your attention:

I got home on Sunday with my knees totally destroyed. Had to push the bike in a few hills, so I'm wondering if I should probably go to something even softer maybe? I have 18 and 19t cogs which I was planning to use for this trip (19t for UK and Spain and 18t for France) but I'm really concerned with the hills in the spanish part.

Should I go to 19 and 20t cogs insted of 18 and 19?

Would definitely go for 19 and 20t

I hit North Spain on 42x16, there were a couple of tough long climbs that were doable but I avoided any real hills.

19 & 21

Would definitely go for 19 and 20t

This.

@madman what chainring size? I'd go around 65GI for general tomfoolery.

BTW great photos.

Actually definitely this. #knowyourskidpatches

You made me wanna go fixed touring again, gonna need to book flight ASAP.

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Delish

I don´t think the dropouts on my frame have enough length to run cogs with two tooth difference. I´ll try to find a second hand 20t sprocket and run 19 and 20.

@edscoble Thanks! I´m running a 47t chainring.

What gearing were you using on that picture? 47x19 is exactly 65GI and 47x20 about 62GI.

19t definitely make it easier, I'd advised a rear brake for the hill as it'll make it a lots easier to slow down.

48/20, 65GI with 32mm tyres.

Yeah, I really missed a rear brake on the way to Seven Sisters. Only a front caliper with a fully loaded bike can get overstressed quite easily.