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01-14-2007, 08:32 PM

Tom Keats wrote:
> In article <zYBqh.655722$1T2.599973@pd7urf2no>,
> "nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net> writes:
>>
>> "nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net> wrote in message
>> news:ilxqh.653943$1T2.97271@pd7urf2no...
>>> How do you go up hills on a single fixed or is it downhill you
>>> cannot adjust?
>>>
>>> Wondering because for $300 a Windsor looks darn cheap.
>>
>> Are the fixed speeds used in velodrome racing or training?
>
> Heh.
>
> My smile is wider than my face can handle :-)
>
> No, I'm not mocking you or doing or thinking anything
> derogatory towards ya. Perish the thought.
>
> It's just that track racing gets so little publicity,
> yet it's such a valid venue for competitive cycling.
> But the road races hog all the glory and public exposure,
> while track racing goes so largely unnoticed.
>
> If only I were 35 or so years younger ...
>
> Anyways, yes -- track bikes are fixed-gear. And track
> handlebars are different-looking than road handlebars.
> And when you stand and look at the banked curves of
> a wooden track, you'll be awe-struck. When you're
> sitting in the stands and feel the rush of air as the
> riders zoom past ... well, it just gets under your skin.
>
As Tom notes, velodrome bikes ("track bikes") are fixed gear, and have no
brakes.

Fixed gear bikes are also seen on the road. Bike messengers like them
because they demand less maintenance. Winter cyclists often prefer them for
the same reason. These bikes are often converted -- old 10-speeds are
popular in some quarters because they have a more horizontal rear dropout.
on the frame. Such bikes typically keep one or both brakes.

As usual, Sheldon Brown is an excellent source -- I may have missed this URL
being posted earlier in the thread.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

01-14-2007, 08:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mike Kruger Guest Posts: n/a	Re: fixed speed Tom Keats wrote: > In article <zYBqh.655722$1T2.599973@pd7urf2no>, > "nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net> writes: >> >> "nash" <zwepytzkehillc9@jetable.net> wrote in message >> news:ilxqh.653943$1T2.97271@pd7urf2no... >>> How do you go up hills on a single fixed or is it downhill you >>> cannot adjust? >>> >>> Wondering because for $300 a Windsor looks darn cheap. >> >> Are the fixed speeds used in velodrome racing or training? > > Heh. > > My smile is wider than my face can handle :-) > > No, I'm not mocking you or doing or thinking anything > derogatory towards ya. Perish the thought. > > It's just that track racing gets so little publicity, > yet it's such a valid venue for competitive cycling. > But the road races hog all the glory and public exposure, > while track racing goes so largely unnoticed. > > If only I were 35 or so years younger ... > > Anyways, yes -- track bikes are fixed-gear. And track > handlebars are different-looking than road handlebars. > And when you stand and look at the banked curves of > a wooden track, you'll be awe-struck. When you're > sitting in the stands and feel the rush of air as the > riders zoom past ... well, it just gets under your skin. > As Tom notes, velodrome bikes ("track bikes") are fixed gear, and have no brakes. Fixed gear bikes are also seen on the road. Bike messengers like them because they demand less maintenance. Winter cyclists often prefer them for the same reason. These bikes are often converted -- old 10-speeds are popular in some quarters because they have a more horizontal rear dropout. on the frame. Such bikes typically keep one or both brakes. As usual, Sheldon Brown is an excellent source -- I may have missed this URL being posted earlier in the thread. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html