Fixed riding has ruined love of gears

I did realise, finishing my ride yesterday, that cycling through town stopping at lights is a right ball-ache on gears. I was always starting off in too hard a gear or shifting too early and having to coast where I'd prefer to pedal.

I'm not sure I understand this--presumably this wasn't the fault of your equipment?

I did a metric century yesterday. Who gives a shit!

I did a metric and a half, so what.

Read the thread.

People who've never done a metric century give a shit, cock spanker!

I know he didn't have a choice and I know that his name is on Carbon shizzle now but he still did some ridiculously amazing things on 70s steel..

yes but everyone else was riding steel frames in the 70's too... Its not like Merckx was on steel and beating people on carbon!

He's still doing it wrong.

I mean, having a wank is great, but that doesn't mean I feel disconnected from my cock when I stick it in my wife.

Wow, how romantic

yes but everyone else was riding steel frames in the 70's too... Its not like Merckx was on steel and beating people on carbon!

He probably could have done ;)

I was always starting off in too hard a gear or shifting too early and having to coast where I'd prefer to pedal.

I tend to change down a gear or two when I know I am going to have to stop. It ain't rocket science.

I tend to change down a gear or two when I know I am going to have to stop. It ain't rocket science.

I often forget this after riding fixed for a period. I then have to do that lifting the back wheel, changing gear, turning the pedals with one foot thing. Makes me look like a right turnip :(

I often forget this after riding fixed for a period. I then have to do that lifting the back wheel, changing gear, turning the pedals with one foot thing. Makes me look like a right turnip :(

Happens to the best of us, I found it really wierd when got on my geared bike after a long stretch riding fixed only, kept trying to stop by slowing my pedalling. You get used to it though, just like you get used to riding fixed.

He probably could have done ;)

True!

Since I have got a new commute this week, i decided to use the geared bike for the first few days, whilst sorting out the route. The idea was that it should keep my legs happy whilst getting lost and tackling the few extra miles.

I did on the Pista this morning and it was so much better. I got in quicker, felt much more in control in unfamiliar traffic flows and felt that I had expended much less energy (although the fact that i sweated more probably belies this)

I find that on the gears it is too tempting to just lazily spin an easy gear and feel like I am making progress but I'm actually just resting. At least on fixed the gear I have means that going slowly is plain uncomfortable.

Of course, having to go up latchmere rd on the way home tonight might change my mind. but I doubt it.

I live in London and have noticed, as I ride through the city on my geared racer of on my motorcycle, the large number of saddo fashion followers riding fixed gear or single speed fashion statement pseudo-track bikes.
I usually shout 'Get some gears you twat' or 'They make gears for bikes nowadays you know'.
Has it not occurred to any of these people that frequently pedalling at the wrong cadence, using excessive pedal pressure and generally straining in thew wrong gear, does serious knee joint, tendon, ligament, cartilage and muscle damage?
I think in a few years we shall see a significant rise in strain injuries leading to damaged joints, early onset arthritis etc.
Yours
a doctor etc

I ride gears at the weekend. If me and my partner are on the tandem or if I'm training with my club, fixed isn't an option.

Bollocks to all that uber-zen connectedness codswallop - gears mean I can go faster and to my mind, that's A Good Thing.

What do you ride during the week?

a black fixed

What do you ride during the week?

In the winter, a black fixed with two brakes, mudguards, rack and a dynohub.

In the summer, a black fixed.

Out of interest why do you take your brakes on/off according to the weather?

I can totally understand the mudguards though, I will be getting a rear at least for next winter.

Out of interest why do you take your brakes on/off according to the weather?

I don't. I have more than one fixed :-p

I live in London and have noticed, as I ride through the city on my geared racer of on my motorcycle, the large number of saddo fashion followers riding fixed gear or single speed fashion statement pseudo-track bikes.
I usually shout 'Get some gears you twat' or 'They make gears for bikes nowadays you know'.
Has it not occurred to any of these people that frequently pedalling at the wrong cadence, using excessive pedal pressure and generally straining in thew wrong gear, does serious knee joint, tendon, ligament, cartilage and muscle damage?
I think in a few years we shall see a significant rise in strain injuries leading to damaged joints, early onset arthritis etc.
Yours
a doctor etc

You appear to have a tick - you keep posting the same statement.

IGNORED.

I don't. I have more than one fixed :-p

Ok but does the "black fixed" have brakes as well? If not i'm intrigued by your choice to ride with brakes/brakeless according to the weather.

I always ride with at least one brake. I like to keep my face convex.

I like to keep my face convex.

quote of the day!

I often forget this after riding fixed for a period. I then have to do that lifting the back wheel, changing gear, turning the pedals with one foot thing. Makes me look like a right turnip :(

Yet another reason why hub gears are superior to derallieurs. You can shift while stationary.

another is that "hub gears" is a damn sight easier to spell.

^

shifting gear while stationary isn't really needed, just poor anticipation.

how much does that steel beauty on top go for?