Dedication to Fixed?

roadie douchebag lyf takes no prisonners

Indeed, my younger self would hate me but then my younger self never had to worry about his knees exploding

Definitely had the feeling when I was riding the Equilibrium that people would be looking at me and thinking “roadie douchebag” whereas I hope (perhaps in vain, haha) that people think of me in a better light if they see me riding fixed.

I have got plans to replace my current fixed gas pipe gravel bike with something a) more sprightly in terms of tubing choice and b) more versatile so option to fit two brakes, run fixed, ss or even the dreaded gears. Maybe some fancy kit and for it would be a better birthday present to myself.

Omnium cxc ti ?

Your friendly daily reminder that nobody's thinking what you're worried they're thinking about you and we're all going to die one day so just do what you want

MV, keep riding fixed if you enjoy doing so. I'm 63 and still ride fixed albeit not so much over the past 6 years as I had caring responsibilities. I'm about to purchase a new fixed wheel or convert an old road frame.
I enjoy the simplicity and ease of maintenance. Fixed rides are the one that stay
in the memory the most. I'm lucky, in that where I live, I have lots of flattish rides available to me and I can't wait to ride them on fixed gear. Just before lock down, against my better judgement, I decided to embrace the latest cycling trends, I purchased a modern aluminium road bike with discs. I don't like it, I don't understand it. It's boring, heavy and gives a dull, uninspiring stiff ride. I've already had to replace lots of the components as they have worn/corroded. I can't wait to see the back of it. Luckily it didn't cost an awful lot.
If I use gears, I ride a lovely 38 year old Bob Jackson frame or a Gazelle Mondial
both of which I really like. Every time I purchase a 'modern bike' I sell it on and
return to the fixed gear or vintage roadsters.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is listen to your inner luddite and do as you always have. We are all subject to market induced wants. Fight back, keep it simple!

Maybe you could try some more types of road bike to find a flavour you like? Similar to what PhilDAS said; if people are even noticing, then they are probably already into bikes and thinking "wow, nice bike"... I often do that :)

Well put. You should shout this loudly whilst commuting

I've been living in a seriously hilly area for the last 6 months doing daily school runs so I switched from my fixed to my 1x10 MTB. Prior to this I rode almost exclusively fixed for many years. Getting back on geared/freewheel I've rediscovered the joy of downhills and realised that's probably the worst part about riding fixed for me.

After months riding geared I started to wonder if I was done with fixed, I'm 45 and gears were feeling like a luxury. I eventually dared to take the fixed out again on the hills and it felt great, so much fun, descents still sucked a bit though. So, I still love fixed and will probably keep doing it until that changes (or my knees pack in). I do plan to treat myself to a nice geared bike at some point though.

I rarely ride fixed around town any more, though I'd like to ride a fixed SR at some point just to say I've done it.

what's a SR ?

Super randonneur (series of rides of 200, 300 400, 600km in one season).

There's a special chufty badge for riding it fixed iirc.

we're all going to die one day so just do what you want

What, all at once on the same day? :(

probably riding our sweet fixies

FWIW I've gone from riding pretty much only fixed/SS to mostly just gears in the last year or so.
I love the idea of SSMTB but it gets really tedious grinding/losing traction/having to walk, whereas uphills become quite satisfying in a technical way with gears.

On the road I wasn't really convinced, went through a couple of gravel-type/1x type bikes before settling on an alu 1-1/8, rim brake, 23c, 2x road bike. It just felt so much more stable and racy, even if the actual speed difference is negligible from a high stack gravel bike. At the end of the day it's what gives you 'the feeling' over any kind of tangible stats.

Don't have any fixed gears built up at the moment. I do really miss riding in central, where for me it's the perfect type of bike.

Have you moved on from fixed gear and how do you find it?

Yes, I stopped commuting by bike and I have found the rate that I've been driven into by cunts in cars has decreased substantially.

More seriously, I'm still riding the Fucked Condor to the pub. I just put a DH stem on it. I still like the feeling but I also like being able to take ALL THE GEARS into the mountains or whatever with no (ok, little) walking. I'd not bother doing long rides fixed. I know some people get a kick out of it but it doesn't do it for me. In town though, I still like my fixed.

Happened to the dinosaurs and they didn't even have fixies, poor things.

not 100% sure but i think @youramericanlover rides fixed

Well, he managed to keep that quiet

Interesting comment Squaredisk. I was out for a ride last Sunday and got chatting to an older cyclist. He was riding a new Boardman carbon fiber road bike. He said it was the best bike he had ever owned and was a full 9 pounds lighter than his Dawes Galaxy! I was amused to see that he had retained his old Brookes saddle and Carradice saddlebag.
I do notice bikes both old and new. Perhaps I might treat myself to a new gravel bike to run alongside a new fixed wheel bike and keep the retro bikes for summer days out.

I’m still dedicated to the scene and it’s doe-eyed participants.
#fixedforever

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All my riding (what little there is) has been fixed predominantly for the last two years. my road bike. As I type this my fixed Merkx hangs to the left of the desk with two further track bikes behind me. I haven't ridden my Merckx COrsa Extra since left the Isle of Man last July.

I'm 57 and was over 50 before I took the plunge into fixed gear riding. I love it, I love the culture, this forum...all of it.

Thou speakest sooth!

downtube friction shifters and 1x 7 speed drive trains?

it's both inconvinient and a marginal shift in gearing that one only ever does it to take the edge off when forced by a particularly unerving hill or fast descent.

also never really need faffing with and chains/casettes last forever as they're usually made from rocks or something

could be perfect for someone used to the fixed/single speed life, but otherwise, why change what you enjoy! 40 is the new 20 anyway.

55yrs living in hilly Devon ride 72" fixed and race on 100" fixed keep active be healthy and ride fixed. I do some weights and mobility exercises to support bike riding.

yes, I mostly try to check out any bike that rides past and find something to like about it 😄