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March, 2024

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Fixie Bikes

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imkayjay
Posts: 98 - Karma: 200
So I'm looking into buying a fixed gear for the summer as well as for some riding around in college. I live in a pretty hilly place, so Im thinking flip hub will have to be a necessity. But I dunno. Are hills really that hard to manage on a single speed?
Anyways, if you guys have any recommendations for brands or styles, please let me know! Ive never owned a fixie so i'd love any input. Thanks!
May 19 2013 12:57AM
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KrazyistKarl
Posts: 1725 - Karma: 599
my wheels are deep V's with formula hubs, but I honestly never checked tension before o started riding and now two seasons latter the back is quite loose. and on a separate note my chain line is out of wack, and must have been roght from the factory, it's a Masi
Jun 12 2013 3:07PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
masi's are nice. formula's are also nice, same as what i have. sounds like they weren't checked by the shop when it came from the factory. wheels, no matter how expensive can come into the shop pretty rough sometimes and it depends shop to shop if they are checked for trueness and tension.

formulas to deep v's, your's are probably velocitys, should be bombproof for years if properly trued.
Jun 12 2013 8:48PM
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DizzyG
Posts: 698 - Karma: 296
What I meant was what do you call them instead?

And gaper generally means being bad at skiing (in this case biking), which =/= the people i'm talking about.
Jun 12 2013 9:02PM
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hendriab
Posts: 990 - Karma: 404
bump.

Found a crack in my frame. Gonna need a new one.

I live in MIlwakee, so I am interested in a Fyxation (eastside). Anyone have any experience with these? Link is below. I dont know shit about frame specs, so if someone is a pro, please look it over and let me know if its not a piece of shit.

http://www.fyxation.com/collections/framesets/products/eastside-frameset
Aug 26 2013 3:44PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,270
can you flip your cog to fix the chain line? if not then they might've put the wrong size bottom bracket in. how much clearance do you have between the inside of the crank arm and the chainstay when lined up?
Aug 26 2013 4:45PM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
I ride a Pure Fix Cycles Juliet and she's a badass. Brakeless w/ drops? Full committal.
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Aug 26 2013 6:07PM
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SassySloth
Posts: 3753 - Karma: 2,095
Drops no brakes, Sloth kids do it well. As do i.
Aug 26 2013 6:15PM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
Cheers to that
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Aug 26 2013 6:35PM
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Skittle.
Posts: 2537 - Karma: 718
i fucks with a fixie. old ass AMF 10sp i converted recently. (
Aug 26 2013 10:15PM
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Skittle.
Posts: 2537 - Karma: 718
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BALLS.
Aug 26 2013 10:17PM
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Raz.
Posts: 7456 - Karma: 1,611
drops and no brakes here as well. I have a leader 735 frame coming in this week:

Click for larger image



Not the whole bike, just the frame.
Aug 28 2013 10:38AM
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bgeskior
Posts: 463 - Karma: 1,552
i rode fixed gear in illinois all summer and it was great. i brought it to Colorado and flipped it to ss and its not nearly as fun and its very hard on the legs.
Sep 4 2013 9:23PM
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Skittle.
Posts: 2537 - Karma: 718
>buy wheel with flip flop from lbs
>have them instal the fixed cog/lockring
>they instal with grease, no locktight
>cog spins off within 30 seconds of riding
>return to lbs, have them reinstal it "better"
>shit spins off on the first skid
>threads are stripped to shit
>waiting on warranty guy, wheel is 2 weeks old and i havnt even gotten to ride the shit.
>if they dont replace it im gonna cause a tantrum
>/rant
Sep 4 2013 9:45PM
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CosmicBrownie
Posts: 199 - Karma: 1,177
Ah man I knew that day would come. I transferred from CU (unfortunately) and riding fixed around there was so great. If anything couldn't they require a front brake instead?? A back brake is so dorky and pointless
Sep 5 2013 12:06AM
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mode2n
Posts: 2856 - Karma: 255
Funny how this thread came up, I've been planning on getting a Roll 1 for getting around the town. They seem like a full load of fun, so I'm pretty stoked to get one. Plus the simple, clean look is just awesome too
Sep 5 2013 12:23AM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
The cog and lockring should be installed with grease
Sep 5 2013 12:36AM
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LivinOuttaBounZ
Posts: 949 - Karma: 382
Drops no brakes! SO much fun, on and off the track!
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Sep 5 2013 2:29AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
Never trust a factory lockring/cog install. Never. Also, never buy a cheap lockring. Buy a dura ace or better, they're $15.

Installing ur own cog and lockring is simple. If you're riding a fixed gear, u should learn how to do it yourself. All u need is a lockring wrench and a wall.
Sep 6 2013 12:18AM
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LivinOuttaBounZ
Posts: 949 - Karma: 382
Weight forward, strong foot back to start while getting it down. The more forward your weight is, the longer the skid, but the less control you have over the rear wheel. You'll be sliding 180's in no time. Just remember to calculate your gear ratio so you know how many skid patches you have. You dont want to wear out a new tire with just one or two skid areas. GL/
Sep 6 2013 2:23AM
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JDA
Posts: 572 - Karma: 566
Anyone ride bullhorns? thinking about changing things up from my drops and wondering how people find them
Sep 6 2013 5:38AM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
I wasn't saying to trust a factory install. I don't why you just attacked me on this. If you can't install a lockring you shouldn't ride a bicycle haha.

He suggested that the shop did it wrong by installing with grease. Both the cog and lockring should have grease, the amount of hold is based on threading not locktight...
Sep 6 2013 2:21PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
Wasn't attacking you, just saying in general. Id guess 75% of fixed riders don't know how to install a cog/lockring
Sep 6 2013 3:10PM
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CosmicBrownie
Posts: 199 - Karma: 1,177
Bullhorns are way easier to skid than drops if you're first learning, you can lean over them and unweight the back wheel way easier
Sep 6 2013 4:20PM
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WavyHairDon
Posts: 53 - Karma: 255
this.
Sep 8 2013 1:19AM
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Moosen
Posts: 4285 - Karma: 2,585
yum i love my bike. Just went back to bullhorns though. I love them so much more. built for about 50 bucks. frame was 5 bucks and gifted to me!

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Sep 10 2013 10:26PM
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414.
Posts: 3819 - Karma: 136
i jeluz

i'm looking at getting a 725 soon.
Sep 10 2013 10:43PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
i've been looking around a little for a t1 frame at the right price, surprisingly tough to find

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Sep 10 2013 10:50PM
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rigzz
Posts: 1768 - Karma: 147
I ride a fixed gear. I don't have brakes. I ride hills everyday. I don't drink coffee. I have a moustache. Does that make me a hipster? I don'give a fuck. By the way, fixed gear bikes existed LONG before hipster were even born. Get to know your shit.

People who complain about us riding with no brakes are probably the same people who hate on people who ski with no poles? What the hell is it gonna change in your life?

If you buy a fixie and you don't know what the fuck you are doing, you better stay on the bike path before you kill yourself because you didn't know traffic patterns.

ALSO stem-skidding is gay. your not even skidding you are simply taking your weight off your rear wheel.. try skidding down a hill sitting down. ALSO #2, get real toe-strap.
Sep 11 2013 12:07AM
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will_powder
Posts: 3194 - Karma: 5,445
this bike is sex.
Sep 11 2013 1:06AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
Why a T1? I hope it's for the track
Sep 11 2013 10:36AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
There is a velodrome like 30 min from my place that I have been wanting to get into for fun, that and I just want one to ride around/to school when I don't need the full ability of my R3
Sep 11 2013 2:15PM
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rigzz
Posts: 1768 - Karma: 147
Good luck having your bike stolen at school in the first 5 days of going to school with it.
Sep 11 2013 2:33PM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
Oh the irony.

Why do you care if I stem skid? It's fun as fuck. Yes I can skid sitting down. I rarely do it, because stem skidding is more fun.

And what, pray tell, is a "real" toe strap, oh god of fixie knowledge?
Sep 11 2013 3:00PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Please forgive my ignorance, but why would someone want a single speed besides they're trendy right now?

Seems like it would be pretty counterproductive to me. I'm kind of a bike idiot though, so I don't really know shit. Please, for the love of God someone educate me on why fixies are so awesome, because they look pretty retarded from an outside perspective.
Sep 11 2013 3:31PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
nice nice. i've always wanted to get into track racing a bit, those dudes haul ass.
Sep 11 2013 3:54PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
Two reasons, at least for me.

1. Something different from regular road biking. It's fun, a nice change of pace.

2. Think of it as a nice road bike being a 7 series bmw with a 7 or 8 speed auto transmission. Its fast, usually comfy, has all sorts of doo dads and technology. A fixed gear is like a Porsche GT3; no A/C, stiff suspension, race transmission, etc. You have so much control over the bike. You are legitimately connected to every thing the bike does. I know its a lame cliche, but people say you're "one" with the bike. Once you learn to ride a fixed gear properly, which takes a couple years, you can absolutely haul ass everywhere and there's no other type of biking like that. Skidding around a corner at 20mph is fucking awesome.

Now the whole trend thing is just that, a trend. In a typical college town, 90% of the people on fixed gears are a safety hazard on the equivalent of target bikes.

Another reason college kids have single speeds or fixed gears is that they think they are low maintenance. Which they are, but only if you know what you're doing in the first place, which usually isn't the case.
Sep 11 2013 4:08PM
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7-11_Slurpee
Posts: 1142 - Karma: 1,552
I ride one at school because its cheap and bombproof. I can just throw some oil on the chain every once in a while and everything just works. Theres no pivots or anything to worry about, just a frame and wheels. Needless to say, when i need a bike for performance i use geared bikes. But since my school bike sits outside in the elements, i like the simplicity of my singlespeed.
Sep 11 2013 4:57PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
I have a private key accesed locker room for my class only to store 300k+ worth of camera gear in. it would be fine. No im not dumb enough to lock my cervelo up outside anywhere.
Sep 11 2013 5:02PM
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rigzz
Posts: 1768 - Karma: 147
Good for you if you can do both.. some people are so ignorant about how to skid that it's the only way they can stop, and making it PRETTY dangerous for themselves.. Imagine if he had to stop because a car swerved in front of him.. you think that would be a good idea to put all your body ahead of your bars.. you better know how to bail out..

Also this is a real toe strap:
Click for larger image

This is cheap ass toe strap that comes on cheap ass fixies:
Click for larger image

Good luck trusting these!
Sep 12 2013 1:41AM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
I totally agree with you, you just seemed a little judgmental in your post. People have to start somewhere. Also, I agree with you on the toe straps- these are mine Click for larger image

Sep 12 2013 11:46AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Thanks for actual responses. That does make sense actually. I don't see myself buying one but it does make sense. More of a Caterham than a Vette. I can dig that.
Sep 12 2013 11:53AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5711 - Karma: 20,627
Bravo on your beautiful analogy. I will be stealing this for the next time someone asks me.
Sep 12 2013 12:00PM
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B_Klukas
Posts: 12 - Karma: 39
I work at a bike shop an I would recommend Masi or Haro for the brand the price isn't too high and both brands have have free wheel and a fixed cog on there wheels plus they come with a front and rear brake to if the fixie thang is sketchy in the beginning you won't die. You could get a Haro for about $400 and its a solid steel frame they look sick and you could maybe get last years bikes on close out. Have fun fixes are rad!
Sep 12 2013 12:22PM
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Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,014
Fuck spending $400, go goodwill shopping or find a old road bike from a garage sail and just fix it up, rip every thing off and only replace the back crack to a single speed should cost you 2-50 dollars
Sep 12 2013 12:40PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
Exactly. There's a certain amount of concentration, strength, fluidity, and risk that makes riding a fixed gear like nothing else.
Sep 12 2013 12:50PM
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Moosen
Posts: 4285 - Karma: 2,585
haro is garbage these days. cheapest fixie I would recommend is retrospec. I am a dealer of them and and can attest to their quality. I ride their wheels on my bike and drop curbs. stairs. etc. Shit is awesome and cheap. I also deal with fyxation at my shop and it is about the same quality, just more expensive. Their tires and pedals I would recommend though!
Sep 12 2013 10:32PM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5711 - Karma: 20,627
I need opinions. I'm stripping and rebuilding my bike and I don't know what to do about color. The only thing I have locked is lime green grip tape and lime green pedals. I'm thinking a matte gunmetal grey frame and fork. Keep it simple. I don't want white and I don't want a bright ass frame on account of my bright ass components.

Thoughts?
Sep 23 2013 10:31AM
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Skarnold
Posts: 71 - Karma: 12
Fyxation tires were garbage last time i rode one. (burned through one in a day with regular riding habits.)
if you're looking for a bike spend extra money and get a surly steamroller, or something with similar tire clearance. The ideal bike would be something with wide tire clearance and cantilever or disc brakes (if you plan on riding in the winter.). The wider tire clearance just helps with snow and ice and offers the option of getting studded tires also the clearance allows room for fenders.
Sep 23 2013 10:48AM
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CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5711 - Karma: 20,627
Man....OP figured her shit out months ago. This has become an all purpose thread about bikes. I don't really know what your response is directed at.
Sep 23 2013 10:50AM
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Mr.Sloth
Posts: 5091 - Karma: 13,469
Strip it, polish it, and clear-coat it. So sexy
Sep 23 2013 11:01AM
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