Are fixed gear bikes faster?

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I can't understand why anyone would have a fixed gear bicycle, unless they are racing in a velodrome. In some of the velodrome races there is a point in the race where there is the strategy of standing almost still which requires having a fixed gear for control.


Some fixie riders are hipsters.

And.. with a fixie, there is less stuff to break and maintain compared to a bike with derailleurs.

There are criteriums based on fixies.

http://youtu.be/AZRwlcz0pxU

 

[UG_Passat]

here's another one.... just a qualifying session though...

http://youtu.be/XLGOrzcUS9I

they don't look like hipsters to me.

And...
http://vimeo.com/70921986

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Originally Posted By: Kestas
I can't understand why anyone would have a fixed gear bicycle, unless they are racing in a velodrome. In some of the velodrome races there is a point in the race where there is the strategy of standing almost still which requires having a fixed gear for control.


Some fixie riders are hipsters.

And.. with a fixie, there is less stuff to break and maintain compared to a bike with derailleurs.

There are criteriums based on fixies.

http://youtu.be/AZRwlcz0pxU


^^^WOW! They must be riding some VERY VERY short crankarms, or VERY high bottom bracketed frames, or BOTH!!!

Track racing without the 22*-55* banked turns, COOL!

 

[UG_Passat]

on the video with the qualifying lap, the guy wiped out from a pedal strike (maybe he should have went with speedplay)...

and you noticed... these people are also using clipless pedals... and since they are fixie... no freewheeling to save energy...

 

[dailydriver]

With the advantages (low weight, cornering angle clearance, double-sided entry, etc.), and gaining popularity among the elite/pro racing ranks, of Speedplays, one would think that MANY, MANY more high end shoe manufacturers would make 4 bolt, flat mounting surface, Speedplay compatible (as a DIRECT bolt-on, WITHOUT a stack height increasing adapter plate) shoes, no??

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver
With the advantages (low weight, cornering angle clearance, double-sided entry, etc.), and gaining popularity among the elite/pro racing ranks, of Speedplays, one would think that MANY, MANY more high end shoe manufacturers would make 4 bolt, flat mounting surface, Speedplay compatible (as a DIRECT bolt-on, WITHOUT a stack height increasing adapter plate) shoes, no??

I wish.

http://speedplay.com/pubs/instructions/road_2013_english.pdf

One of the rivnuts backed out on my Specialized Comp shoe, luckily, my LBS warrantied it..... I would love for Specialized to make a 4-bolt shoe, but the Look pattern is way too common and is more profitable.

Though the Northwave Extreme mentions something of an adapter
http://www.northwave.com/en/product/_extreme

I'll have to check out my LBS (since they also sell Northwave shoes)

 

[dailydriver]

I thought Northwave had ONE shoe in it's lineup which DID have a flat, 4 bolt, Speedplay sole, no??

 

[teddyboy]

Originally Posted By: grndslm

Fixies are definitely more fun than anything else.


A conservative estimate is that I've ridden 180K miles over the last 30 years, all on a road bike of some description. In that time, I've never considered gears, the ability to freewheel or brakes to be bad things. I realize that not all fixed gear riders forego brakes, but many do. And sawing the derailleur hanger off a vintage Paramount is a sin. As we'd say in NC, there oughta be a law agin it!

 

[cutter]

Just try it out, a direct geared bicycle. It is fun, especially in low traction situations.