okay, someone explain why toe-clips are good for fixies. I'm really interested because the experience that I've had with them on other types of bikes left a lot to be desired. Is it just a fashion thing that goes with fixies or is there a legit benefit.
Fixed Gear Manual
- Thread starter chriscarleton
- Start date
Power down - SPD's are designed to pedal, not backpedal, and the imminent risk of ejection is omnipresent. Flats - same deal - how do you effectively back pedal (No I dont need some hipster A$$hat telling , me proper technique - I will be arrogant enough to claim to have been a 'real' messenger in the 80's riding a fix.)
Although not DESIGNED to backpedal, straps let you really ride without concern of ejection and allow you to really stroke the pedals; I use doubles and you cant pull out unless you reach down and loosen by hand!! (OOH!) - In addition - fixes are historically messanger bikes (tho not exclusively) and being able to use the same shoes is butter.
No hips-on-the-stem-leg-locked skids - Neutral position hip out skids (if you MUST skid) are the propa way (no need for a padded top tube, or to use the bars as a leg brace.)
I'm awesome.
that was a wheelie not a manual
Oh, duh, you coast for manuals. I'm sure there's a video of a legit fixie manual out there somewhere on Youtube.
As in feet off the pedals, sitting on the seat?
on the one hand, i had to laugh at that blog...near my city dwelling there's a velodrome, and the emo guys park their fixies and watch the track guys race, and smoke cigarettes while chatting w/ inevitably pudgy and pasty emofemales...my singlespeed is completely matte black, clean lines, and i can see them checking it out as i ride by but they lose interest when they see that i can coast on my single speed.fashionista rants aside, i do appreciate the minimalist elegance of fixies. kinda look like fun as well... heaps of titanium:
on the other hand, pictures like the one above are pure hawtness, minimalist style.
so whatever. as long as no one on either side takes themselves too seriously, it's all good.
i just use a pad so my bike doesnt get effed up on bike racks
I never lock a bike anywhere, but I also havent been a messenger since 88, so I can see a pad for that.. I was never down with the tube wrapped frame either, so go figure.
Quite.
I <3 mah track bike.
nope. I opened the thread expecting to see magic. sure's been a good read though....
hah one of my co-workers goes on and on about track bikes, he loves them...and several others at the shop race fixies.
then theres me.
then theres me.
eeexactly...kinda like 29ers.