Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post

01-14-2007, 08:59 PM

In article <JtDqh.8824$ji1.7173@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net> ,
"Mike Kruger" <MikeKr@mouse-potato.com> writes:
> 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.

But those aren't generally /track bikes/. Those
are do-fers with some track bike qualities.

> Bike messengers like them
> because they demand less maintenance.

They've also been known to foil would-be thieves
who've tried to ride away on 'em, only to be
surprised to discover coasting isn't available.

> 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.

Vancouver BC is especially blessed, as we're still rife with
beautiful, lugged-steel '70s Bike Boom imports from Japan,
that provide excellent frames for that purpose.

> 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

I'm enthralled with his Rivendell with the dual
chainrings -- not quite a purist's fixed-gear,
but affording a little bit of option.

cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

01-14-2007, 08:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tom Keats Posts: n/a	Re: fixed speed In article <JtDqh.8824$ji1.7173@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net> , "Mike Kruger" <MikeKr@mouse-potato.com> writes: > 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. But those aren't generally /track bikes/. Those are do-fers with some track bike qualities. > Bike messengers like them > because they demand less maintenance. They've also been known to foil would-be thieves who've tried to ride away on 'em, only to be surprised to discover coasting isn't available. > 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. Vancouver BC is especially blessed, as we're still rife with beautiful, lugged-steel '70s Bike Boom imports from Japan, that provide excellent frames for that purpose. > 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 I'm enthralled with his Rivendell with the dual chainrings -- not quite a purist's fixed-gear, but affording a little bit of option. cheers, Tom -- Nothing is safe from me. Above address is just a spam midden. I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca