You are reading a single comment by @GA2G and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@GA2G
I rode fixed today for the first time properly (more on that in a minute), but it was due to my freewheel breaking last night on my way home. I had the option of using my other bike (Bowery), or whacking on a different rear wheel, but I made the conscious choice to deal with the hand I had been dealt. So I rode 10 miles fixed, and will (well, we'll see) continue to do so all week. I had tried fixed cycling twice before and just didn't get on with it. Being sort of forced into it made me try harder I guess.
I figure its going to take me weeks getting accustomed to it. They are some important differences that I noticed in comparison to riding single speed, and none of them were positive.
I'm slower - though that is to be expected until I get accustomed to it.
My saddle caused me a lot of discomfort and that has never happened before.
Learning to brake with my legs isn't as difficult as I had believed.
The health benefit is immediately obvious - legs never stop moving, as opposed to coasting when lazy.
Did I like it? Not particularly. I find it inefficient compared to single speed cycling. There are arguments for and against my last statement, but that is my finding. Will I grow to like it? It appears so actually. I may report back much later on what has transpired. I do know that I will get my freewheel replaced, but will probably continue to cycle (slowly) fixed, as the health benefit (my only real interest in fixed cycling) outweighs the comfort and speed loss. Cycling fixed for me is a happy accident.