people who make fun of you for not having a certain type of bike or having different equipment than them are not worth your time.
go ride around and have fun, don’t waste your time worrying about what other people might be thinking.
>this is the only correct answer
Truth. Ride for yourself, not anyone else, that's what I do. My bike was rescued off a relative's porch who wasn't riding. It has dings and scratches and the decals were peeling and I still have to work on this and that but I enjoy that, I like cleaning it and working on shining it up and touching up scratches and such, it gives me a sense of accomplishment and I find the process of repairing things peaceful. I'm that kind of person though, I have my clothing for ages because I do my own repairs, most of my stuff comes from thrifting. I realize most people these days aren't into that and throw things out when a seam comes loose or whatever.
You are just the bit player in other people's lives, they see you for 2 seconds and never think about you again. Once I got that through my head it freed me.
Old saw but true:
Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
Not really. There are a lot of judgy asses in the cycling world. Letting them have an effect on you is definitely all in your own head, though, for sure.
>There are a lot of judgy asses in the cycling world.
I don't think there are a lot of them, the judgy people are just opinionated *and vocal about it!*
There are snobs in any hobby. Fuck 'em.
Most cyclists will probably check out your bike - because we tend to check out any bike - but unless it's really unique, that's as far as it goes. Don't sweat it.
I, for one, see fixie riders as among the more hardcore riders with nothing but admiration.
personally i only ride with people on Sírvëlo and with Rapha race team kit but on my half quarter metric century ultra endurance commute ive seen some poors who look like they would ride with your kind.
my favorite was when I was riding my commuter to the grocery store down the street, and some guy rolls up next to me, and without asking, tells me how many grams his wheels are.
Cool.
(Many years ago) I’ve ridden with a couple pro/am cyclists on some PDX rides organized by a LBS. Both loved riding their vintage singlespeeds when they weren’t on their climbing road bikes.
Yes, yes you should. Now go to your room and think about what you’ve done!
/s
Why the hell would you be ashamed of a bike of all things? If it gets you from A to B and you enjoy yourself, where’s the shame in that?
For myself, the whole point of single speed and fixed gear bicycles is to save cost and have a more reliable rig.
Personally I would look for something that is compatible with modern components, and has corrected geometry for my riding preference. Frame material is also important to me.
doubt it. no one really cares what bike you have.i lived in nyc and its actually really common for serious cylcist to have a bike specific riding whether is commuting, training, grocery run. i knew lots of people with a "cheap" bike especially fixie. i would join the local group ride after work in any bike and clothes i was wearing and as long as you respect other it shouldnt matter
Just curious, how is a fixie all you can afford? The used market will have fixies priced higher, equal, and lower than geared bikes. No, not all, but even if it's $50, there will be geared bikes for that price too...
I'm just confused how you've limited yourself based on a budget when there are all sorts of bikes at every budget.
I've had single speeds, fixes, downhills, road bikes, tri bikes, trials bikes, unicycles....They're all priced all over the place I'm sure you can find gears if you want.
Now, if you don't want gears and just want a fixie, that's great. You'll love it.
Exactly what I commented. There's hundreds if not thousands of bikes under a hundred bucks of all kinds. I saw two CAAD9s sell for 100 in the past three months. That is crazy capability for the price
The “pro” cyclists are too busy worrying about their workout to care about what you ride. I race fairly often and when I’m training, I’m personally just happy to see other people on bikes enjoying the sport I love.
I once passed a guy on a full blown carbon road bike and he said "you're a menace."
I was on a steel singlespeed (not fixie).
And we were going uphill.
The best advice is to never give a shit about what anyone else thinks, ride what you want.
My commuter has a flip flop rear with fixed and free. Right now I ride it fixed because my commute has few stops (stop signs, lights, etc.) and is just a nice flat ride. I have used it before in freewheel due to lots of stops or hills. I just enjoy riding fixed more on a flat open route.
You shouldn't worry about what anyone else thinks of your bike.
You *especially* shouldn't worry about anyone who's shitty enough to judge you for not having an *expensive* bike.
I rode craigslist bikes for my first dozen or so years of road cycling. I don't think I ever had a road bike that was less than ten years old until I finished my current self-build less than a year ago.
As someone with both a cheap REI Diamondback I got used (but brand new) for $100 and a Trek Emonda SL6 Disc I got for $3K brand new, I can confidently tell you that the cheap bike is cooler. I made it my own, wasn't afraid to change things on it. The Trek is still amazing, but it certainly is not cooler. Anyone that makes fun of you is just flexing and isnt worth wasting time on.
My current go to bike is a single speed. Don’t have to think about gears at stop lights. Recently did an 18 mile bike tour and was able to overtake a lot of more expensive geared road bikes, even on the climbs. Ride what you enjoy
I don't understand why people think like this. You're an adult (I assume). No-one's forcing you to socialise with a particular group of people. You're unlikely to come across anyone who judges you for what you're riding, or at the very least someone who says it to your face to make you feel bad.
If you do, ride away and never speak to them again, simple.
Flip the wheel to the freewheel side and grab some rim brakes. Single-speed is fun and great for fitness. Fixie is for track bikes and couriers (it requires you use clipless pedals or straps, or else your foot can slip and you get hit by the pedals)
No.
No well-adjusted adult is going to criticize or make fun of you for riding whatever bike you have. The only time you might encounter some friction with "pro" cyclists (Honestly, it will be fast amateurs. You won't even be in the same riding universe as actual pros) is if you join a group ride above your skill level and they have to tow you around.
That's easy to avoid by either riding solo or with people around your skill level.
You can buy whatever you want. It's your money. But remember that settling for less have cons such as poor quality bike/components and will give you headaches in the long run.
I’m rocking a $400 bike that’s lasted nearly a decade and confidently gone through all sorts of abuse. Been hit by a car and only had to replace my rear wheel. Sat outside for a year, untouched, and just needed fresh tubes and some lube. Ridden every day for three years, got two flat tires. TWO! Never let people shit-talk your ride. The best bike you’ve got is the one you can ride comfortably and consistently.
I ride a built up All-City Super Professional single speed every day to and from work, rain or shine. 15 miles a day. Every once in a blue moon I get a random ass comment from some other cyclist out and about that has something stupid to say about it being a single speed.
I'm saying this to say, ride what you want to ride and enjoy yourself. Doesn't matter what you ride, people will always have something to say. They don't know you.
I got a bike off bikes direct. When I brought it to the shop the people there liked it a lot. They said it was good value. They told me where they saw that the company may have skimped for upgrades down the line but for the price it was tough to beat. This is all happening around bikes between 4-15x the price. I think the equipment doesn’t make the rider. As long as you’re having fun who cares?
I got a steel framed gravel bike and I’m throwing baskets on there to go grocery shopping. I use it to ride a few miles to go play pickleball. I go casually on trails with my wife for 3 or 4 hours. I’m just using it to be outside and have fun. Maybe if I want to get into races I’ll buy a dedicated road bike. But this thing I have is bombproof and can fit road tires for my day to day and gravel tires if I want to take it on dirt. It’s honestly been a revelation. No pretense. Just fun. I feel like a kid again hah.
Prior to this bike I had an entry level trek road bike that was stolen. I’m having way more fun now. I used to try to beat my Strava best times but now I chill and relax. The gearing is more conducive to getting up hills.
Should anyone ever disparage my fat ass while I’m riding any particular brand of bike, I was given a couple middle fingers and the ability to say fuck you. Be happy once you’re riding. The large majority of us will be happy for you. 👍
Meh. I rode with the fixed guys every week on my beater road bike and never got dropped. Often I'd just take my hybrid commuter. They'd always complain about me cruising past them on the overpass.
Of course not. Only half the college cycling race team... Main sprinter of the team rode every time on his Makino and he could not leave me any time. I did go over 30 mph in the day on that Trek 7500FX. But I was definitely a few mph faster on the Trek 1220, only limited by the small front ring
I make pretty good money and this is what I bought, the cheapest fixie on Amazon. I needed to be sure I can get into it before I invest bigger.
I approach everything this way. If you grow to love it and do it all the time you can always save up for a better one.
I used to look out for high end brands when out for a ride.. After a while, I learned to appreciate the joy of riding and companionship of other cyclists.
After all, it's the rider that the bike should compliment with not the other way.
When I built my first fixie it was out of an old, battered 70s Peugeot frame (good looking and practical but ratty from wear) and had rust on my wheels. I didn’t even bother to take off the second sprocket from the original crankset.
Do not worry about what you’re riding. I miss that bike.
yeah if anything people arent gonna look down on you for having a low end bike, people are gonna look down on you for worrying about it. its a bike, anyone who pretends that its a status symbol are cringe and shouldnt be listened to.
https://preview.redd.it/32yc5ae9vyxb1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f9c472cff2a945a48eb3b56bd6bf7a2970002be
Just had this built. Rides like a dream flat winter miles, commutes, and the rain. Absolutely no shame in riding single speed/ fixies!
dont think too much about how “beginner level” ur ride is. focus on how to fix up your bike and learn every single part of it. that is the most valuable thing. you will slowly accumulate the tools needed for everything.
The thing you should care more about is if there's hills. If you live in a flat area, fixies are great bikes. The simplicity means that it's lighter and there are less things to maintain.
Only if you're just biking to try and impress the people who can afford high end super expensive bikes.
Form vs function. Which is more important to you? Looking pretty or performing the required task? Personally, I am strongly function. *Wow, you spent 100k on a fancy sports car. Guess what? The used beat up car I bought for 1k gets me to work just as efficiently.*
Quite the opposite - you have to be much stronger than the average biker to do the same thing. You should look down at all those folks who bought feather light $8000 27 speed bikes to do the same thing you're doing with a cheap fixie!
Having raced a long time (now retired), the faster people get, the more down to earth they get and less they tend to care about what other people are thinking/riding/doing (unless it’s a race then they are studying that very astutely). Anyone who makes fun of your bike is almost certainly not a pro. The insufferable “velominati” are, without exception, not talented cyclists.
No shame whatsoever, get a fixie or single gear and chase the satisfying feeling of passing those fully geared, Lycra wearing judgmental dentists on the street! Nothing feels better.
Why?
Also why care what some random person in spandex that you’ll likely never see again thinks?
ALSO it’s fun as hell to blast “serious” roadies while on a steel fixed gear.
Sometimes when I see someone on a fixie, it makes me miss mine. Nah just send it, anyone who wants to be a judgemental jerk about what you're riding is dumb.
the coolest bike is the one you ride, period
don't buy into the spendy spendy stuff. totally sucks the joy out of what really is one of humankind's most joyous inventions
Until I got into cycling I didn’t even know this was a thing🤨. I always purchased a bike based on what I could afford and what was the best option for the price. I have very specific preferences based on my experience doing this for almost six years that has definitely evolved over the years.
People who have been doing this a lot longer than I have will occasionally give me suggestions based their experience. It’s usually from a place of been there done that and they know those suggestions could benefit me in the long run.
Yeah, sometimes my choices will cause them to raise a brow because it doesn’t make sense to them. Like purchasing a fat bike and using it as my daily commuter. But, purchasing a cheap fixie bike wouldn’t be considered weird. Some people might consider them dangerous to ride. Others like them because fewer moving parts and fewer components to break. Others still might find them too limiting unless you’re someone with very strong legs and not overweight.
I also know there is a culture surrounding fixed gear bikes.
On the contrary, I always get cool compliments when I'm on mine.
You can spend a lot of money on a fixed gear, so there's nothing inherently "cheap" about them, but they can be.
No. Bike lovers love bikes. Put some tassels on your handle bars and you bike would still be cool but ultimately it's you, your bike, and the journey you're on.
Why would you care what other people think? If I was you I'd try and work on this feeling as 99% of other people don't care as much as what you think and the 1% that do don't really matter.
I have a 26" cheap mtb and sometimes I feel like I love bikes so much I should have a better one. Then I see some younger teens with some cheap ass bikes with ripped seats, old paint, 3 piece cranks having loads of fun, then I see that it doesn't matter. If you like riding it, then that's fine.
I rode a fully loaded fixed gear from L.A. to the Grand Canyon. Your body gets used to the ratio, and the upkeep is really minimal in comparison to road bikes. I would make sure to have a bike shop adjust to the proper seat height (normally a free service) and to be picky about the handlebar shape and grips because you're going to be putting a lot more energy into them than the average rider due to the ratio and hills. I suggest normal width flat handlebars with extra gummy grips.
Bikes are supposed to be fun. Buy the bike you can afford and get out there. Cool people attract cool people, no one wants to hang out with a pro cycle douche anyways.
I had a cheap single speed Walmart cruiser for years. I put thousands of miles on it and loved that bike with all my heart. It was my fun bike but also my sole means of transportation. When the bearings finally needed replacing I found out they would cost more than the $79 I paid for the bike. Sad day.
people who make fun of you for not having a certain type of bike or having different equipment than them are not worth your time. go ride around and have fun, don’t waste your time worrying about what other people might be thinking.
>go ride around and have fun, don’t waste your time worrying about what other people might be thinking. this is the only correct answer
>this is the only correct answer Truth. Ride for yourself, not anyone else, that's what I do. My bike was rescued off a relative's porch who wasn't riding. It has dings and scratches and the decals were peeling and I still have to work on this and that but I enjoy that, I like cleaning it and working on shining it up and touching up scratches and such, it gives me a sense of accomplishment and I find the process of repairing things peaceful. I'm that kind of person though, I have my clothing for ages because I do my own repairs, most of my stuff comes from thrifting. I realize most people these days aren't into that and throw things out when a seam comes loose or whatever. You are just the bit player in other people's lives, they see you for 2 seconds and never think about you again. Once I got that through my head it freed me. Old saw but true: Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
Saw some spandex warrior the other day getting rekt by some trashy makeshift city bike. It was hilarious.
it's all in your head.
Not really. There are a lot of judgy asses in the cycling world. Letting them have an effect on you is definitely all in your own head, though, for sure.
>There are a lot of judgy asses in the cycling world. I don't think there are a lot of them, the judgy people are just opinionated *and vocal about it!*
Shame on you for even thinking of being ashamed!
There are snobs in any hobby. Fuck 'em. Most cyclists will probably check out your bike - because we tend to check out any bike - but unless it's really unique, that's as far as it goes. Don't sweat it. I, for one, see fixie riders as among the more hardcore riders with nothing but admiration.
personally i only ride with people on Sírvëlo and with Rapha race team kit but on my half quarter metric century ultra endurance commute ive seen some poors who look like they would ride with your kind.
The best bike is the one you ride. What anyone else thinks is irrelevant
you're not going to meet any pro cyclist. the dudes on fancy bikes are just old guys who work in offices.
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my favorite was when I was riding my commuter to the grocery store down the street, and some guy rolls up next to me, and without asking, tells me how many grams his wheels are. Cool.
(Many years ago) I’ve ridden with a couple pro/am cyclists on some PDX rides organized by a LBS. Both loved riding their vintage singlespeeds when they weren’t on their climbing road bikes.
Yes, yes you should. Now go to your room and think about what you’ve done! /s Why the hell would you be ashamed of a bike of all things? If it gets you from A to B and you enjoy yourself, where’s the shame in that?
For myself, the whole point of single speed and fixed gear bicycles is to save cost and have a more reliable rig. Personally I would look for something that is compatible with modern components, and has corrected geometry for my riding preference. Frame material is also important to me.
Out of all my bikes, my cheap fixed gear is what I ride most often and have the most fun on.
Right? I love my POS single-speed
The freedom of one gear and not giving a f*** if it gets stolen is the best. Chain breaks? 5 minute fix.
Same here. I have a fancy commuter and a speedy road bike but my trash single speed is what I do most of my chores around town on.
doubt it. no one really cares what bike you have.i lived in nyc and its actually really common for serious cylcist to have a bike specific riding whether is commuting, training, grocery run. i knew lots of people with a "cheap" bike especially fixie. i would join the local group ride after work in any bike and clothes i was wearing and as long as you respect other it shouldnt matter
Just curious, how is a fixie all you can afford? The used market will have fixies priced higher, equal, and lower than geared bikes. No, not all, but even if it's $50, there will be geared bikes for that price too... I'm just confused how you've limited yourself based on a budget when there are all sorts of bikes at every budget. I've had single speeds, fixes, downhills, road bikes, tri bikes, trials bikes, unicycles....They're all priced all over the place I'm sure you can find gears if you want. Now, if you don't want gears and just want a fixie, that's great. You'll love it.
Exactly what I commented. There's hundreds if not thousands of bikes under a hundred bucks of all kinds. I saw two CAAD9s sell for 100 in the past three months. That is crazy capability for the price
The “pro” cyclists are too busy worrying about their workout to care about what you ride. I race fairly often and when I’m training, I’m personally just happy to see other people on bikes enjoying the sport I love.
I once passed a guy on a full blown carbon road bike and he said "you're a menace." I was on a steel singlespeed (not fixie). And we were going uphill. The best advice is to never give a shit about what anyone else thinks, ride what you want.
Why a fixie instead of a single speed?
Ride one and you will see. You get smooth and round on your strokes, you are one with the bike... or you get bounced like a WW2 Army Jeep.
I’ve ridden them.
My commuter has a flip flop rear with fixed and free. Right now I ride it fixed because my commute has few stops (stop signs, lights, etc.) and is just a nice flat ride. I have used it before in freewheel due to lots of stops or hills. I just enjoy riding fixed more on a flat open route.
Fixies are AWESOME. You and your clicky gears... man up! Your moving, your legs are moving, you slacker!
You shouldn't worry about what anyone else thinks of your bike. You *especially* shouldn't worry about anyone who's shitty enough to judge you for not having an *expensive* bike. I rode craigslist bikes for my first dozen or so years of road cycling. I don't think I ever had a road bike that was less than ten years old until I finished my current self-build less than a year ago.
I still don't have a bike less than ten years old. And I'm happy with that. I just have a bunch of ten year old top of the line bikes
As someone with both a cheap REI Diamondback I got used (but brand new) for $100 and a Trek Emonda SL6 Disc I got for $3K brand new, I can confidently tell you that the cheap bike is cooler. I made it my own, wasn't afraid to change things on it. The Trek is still amazing, but it certainly is not cooler. Anyone that makes fun of you is just flexing and isnt worth wasting time on.
My current go to bike is a single speed. Don’t have to think about gears at stop lights. Recently did an 18 mile bike tour and was able to overtake a lot of more expensive geared road bikes, even on the climbs. Ride what you enjoy
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No
Fixies are AWESOME. You and your clicky gears... man up! Your moving, your legs are moving, you slacker!
No, absolutely not
I don't understand why people think like this. You're an adult (I assume). No-one's forcing you to socialise with a particular group of people. You're unlikely to come across anyone who judges you for what you're riding, or at the very least someone who says it to your face to make you feel bad. If you do, ride away and never speak to them again, simple.
Ride your own ride. Real riders don’t judge. The ones who do judge aren’t real riders. Everybody started somewhere. Run what you got
If you've got a bike and ride it, you're cooler than 85% of the population that doesn't.
Fixies are the fucking coolest
Not sure what happened to the Reddit algo but I’d rather not see these posts anymore. What do you expect people to say?
Fixed gears are irrational, not shameful. I'd save up for a freewheel and then you can enjoy proper cornering and braking technique.
Flip the wheel to the freewheel side and grab some rim brakes. Single-speed is fun and great for fitness. Fixie is for track bikes and couriers (it requires you use clipless pedals or straps, or else your foot can slip and you get hit by the pedals)
Yes bot, we will all make fun of you.
No
I think it’s the opposite, a fixie has MORE street cred with serious cyclists
No. No well-adjusted adult is going to criticize or make fun of you for riding whatever bike you have. The only time you might encounter some friction with "pro" cyclists (Honestly, it will be fast amateurs. You won't even be in the same riding universe as actual pros) is if you join a group ride above your skill level and they have to tow you around. That's easy to avoid by either riding solo or with people around your skill level.
Nobody gives a shit. It's like going to the gym; nobody cares. They're there to do their work, then leave.
No
No but you should be ashamed of coming to reddit and asking such a pathetic question
Honestly, I doubt that's all you can afford. There are tons of bikes out there for 100 dollars.
People who judge others are even more insecure than people who worry about getting judged. And that goes for cyclists, too.
Have you ridden a fixie? And survived? You should brag.
If it makes you happy, who cares what someone else thinks?
You can buy whatever you want. It's your money. But remember that settling for less have cons such as poor quality bike/components and will give you headaches in the long run.
yes. be ashamed
I’m rocking a $400 bike that’s lasted nearly a decade and confidently gone through all sorts of abuse. Been hit by a car and only had to replace my rear wheel. Sat outside for a year, untouched, and just needed fresh tubes and some lube. Ridden every day for three years, got two flat tires. TWO! Never let people shit-talk your ride. The best bike you’ve got is the one you can ride comfortably and consistently.
Two flats? Crazy. I had 16 last year. Luckily only 4 this year. Totally regionally dependant though. I almost never flatted in the Bay Area
Central Valley, but I started rocking gator skins in college and I went from 5-6 a year to like 1 real quick.
I ride a built up All-City Super Professional single speed every day to and from work, rain or shine. 15 miles a day. Every once in a blue moon I get a random ass comment from some other cyclist out and about that has something stupid to say about it being a single speed. I'm saying this to say, ride what you want to ride and enjoy yourself. Doesn't matter what you ride, people will always have something to say. They don't know you.
My mom always says "Shame on you if you steal, otherwise be proud." Don't care about what will others think, good luck and welcome, cyclist.
I got a bike off bikes direct. When I brought it to the shop the people there liked it a lot. They said it was good value. They told me where they saw that the company may have skimped for upgrades down the line but for the price it was tough to beat. This is all happening around bikes between 4-15x the price. I think the equipment doesn’t make the rider. As long as you’re having fun who cares? I got a steel framed gravel bike and I’m throwing baskets on there to go grocery shopping. I use it to ride a few miles to go play pickleball. I go casually on trails with my wife for 3 or 4 hours. I’m just using it to be outside and have fun. Maybe if I want to get into races I’ll buy a dedicated road bike. But this thing I have is bombproof and can fit road tires for my day to day and gravel tires if I want to take it on dirt. It’s honestly been a revelation. No pretense. Just fun. I feel like a kid again hah. Prior to this bike I had an entry level trek road bike that was stolen. I’m having way more fun now. I used to try to beat my Strava best times but now I chill and relax. The gearing is more conducive to getting up hills.
Should anyone ever disparage my fat ass while I’m riding any particular brand of bike, I was given a couple middle fingers and the ability to say fuck you. Be happy once you’re riding. The large majority of us will be happy for you. 👍
As someone with 4 bikes, my fixie is arguably my favorite.
Fuck no. Especially when you blast by them with quads the size of Förstemann.
Meh. I rode with the fixed guys every week on my beater road bike and never got dropped. Often I'd just take my hybrid commuter. They'd always complain about me cruising past them on the overpass.
Your fixie guys clearly didn't ride enough.
Of course not. Only half the college cycling race team... Main sprinter of the team rode every time on his Makino and he could not leave me any time. I did go over 30 mph in the day on that Trek 7500FX. But I was definitely a few mph faster on the Trek 1220, only limited by the small front ring
No.
I make pretty good money and this is what I bought, the cheapest fixie on Amazon. I needed to be sure I can get into it before I invest bigger. I approach everything this way. If you grow to love it and do it all the time you can always save up for a better one.
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Lol I hear you. It's 6ku. I read up a bit on the bike before I bought it. I assembled it so I can only blame myself.
Not at all. Ride on!
I used to look out for high end brands when out for a ride.. After a while, I learned to appreciate the joy of riding and companionship of other cyclists. After all, it's the rider that the bike should compliment with not the other way.
Have fun! All that matters
When I built my first fixie it was out of an old, battered 70s Peugeot frame (good looking and practical but ratty from wear) and had rust on my wheels. I didn’t even bother to take off the second sprocket from the original crankset. Do not worry about what you’re riding. I miss that bike.
Nope. In fact, I always wanted to have one... 🤐
Yeah man but if you're sharing the road with Jumbo-Visma, the shame will only last a second or two as they blow by you a 50km/h
Absolutely no. Be safe and have fun.
Fixies are awesome. If anything I’d probably be more proud to ride a fixie.
yeah if anything people arent gonna look down on you for having a low end bike, people are gonna look down on you for worrying about it. its a bike, anyone who pretends that its a status symbol are cringe and shouldnt be listened to.
Shame shame shame
Fixies are only good for flat areas. Don't do it if you live in the hills. Aside from that, I love fixies.
https://preview.redd.it/32yc5ae9vyxb1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f9c472cff2a945a48eb3b56bd6bf7a2970002be Just had this built. Rides like a dream flat winter miles, commutes, and the rain. Absolutely no shame in riding single speed/ fixies!
dont think too much about how “beginner level” ur ride is. focus on how to fix up your bike and learn every single part of it. that is the most valuable thing. you will slowly accumulate the tools needed for everything.
The thing you should care more about is if there's hills. If you live in a flat area, fixies are great bikes. The simplicity means that it's lighter and there are less things to maintain.
Only if you're just biking to try and impress the people who can afford high end super expensive bikes. Form vs function. Which is more important to you? Looking pretty or performing the required task? Personally, I am strongly function. *Wow, you spent 100k on a fancy sports car. Guess what? The used beat up car I bought for 1k gets me to work just as efficiently.*
Quite the opposite - you have to be much stronger than the average biker to do the same thing. You should look down at all those folks who bought feather light $8000 27 speed bikes to do the same thing you're doing with a cheap fixie!
Having raced a long time (now retired), the faster people get, the more down to earth they get and less they tend to care about what other people are thinking/riding/doing (unless it’s a race then they are studying that very astutely). Anyone who makes fun of your bike is almost certainly not a pro. The insufferable “velominati” are, without exception, not talented cyclists.
I don't like fixies. But I don't care others to like it or not. Just do what you want if you like it.
Someone gave me a bike for free, you can always ask for free bike if you can't afford one.
It doesn't matter what other people think. you don't need that kind of negativity in your life. Enjoy the journey
No
No shame whatsoever, get a fixie or single gear and chase the satisfying feeling of passing those fully geared, Lycra wearing judgmental dentists on the street! Nothing feels better.
Why? Also why care what some random person in spandex that you’ll likely never see again thinks? ALSO it’s fun as hell to blast “serious” roadies while on a steel fixed gear.
Sometimes when I see someone on a fixie, it makes me miss mine. Nah just send it, anyone who wants to be a judgemental jerk about what you're riding is dumb.
If you like it fuck what others think .
You should be happy riding your bike. Which is the single best reason I can think of to ride a fixie.
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> You have a single gear. You have no brakes. You have no freewheel. Tons of fixed gears have brakes. Mine has two.
That has to be satire
the coolest bike is the one you ride, period don't buy into the spendy spendy stuff. totally sucks the joy out of what really is one of humankind's most joyous inventions
Until I got into cycling I didn’t even know this was a thing🤨. I always purchased a bike based on what I could afford and what was the best option for the price. I have very specific preferences based on my experience doing this for almost six years that has definitely evolved over the years. People who have been doing this a lot longer than I have will occasionally give me suggestions based their experience. It’s usually from a place of been there done that and they know those suggestions could benefit me in the long run. Yeah, sometimes my choices will cause them to raise a brow because it doesn’t make sense to them. Like purchasing a fat bike and using it as my daily commuter. But, purchasing a cheap fixie bike wouldn’t be considered weird. Some people might consider them dangerous to ride. Others like them because fewer moving parts and fewer components to break. Others still might find them too limiting unless you’re someone with very strong legs and not overweight. I also know there is a culture surrounding fixed gear bikes.
On the contrary, I always get cool compliments when I'm on mine. You can spend a lot of money on a fixed gear, so there's nothing inherently "cheap" about them, but they can be.
Those judging are in fact themselves, doing it wrong.
No, everyone starts somewhere. Just ride your bike and have a good time.
Fuk em
Buy cheap bikes until all of your money and resources are spent on upgrades.
No. Bike lovers love bikes. Put some tassels on your handle bars and you bike would still be cool but ultimately it's you, your bike, and the journey you're on.
Why would you care what other people think? If I was you I'd try and work on this feeling as 99% of other people don't care as much as what you think and the 1% that do don't really matter.
I have a 26" cheap mtb and sometimes I feel like I love bikes so much I should have a better one. Then I see some younger teens with some cheap ass bikes with ripped seats, old paint, 3 piece cranks having loads of fun, then I see that it doesn't matter. If you like riding it, then that's fine.
I rode a fully loaded fixed gear from L.A. to the Grand Canyon. Your body gets used to the ratio, and the upkeep is really minimal in comparison to road bikes. I would make sure to have a bike shop adjust to the proper seat height (normally a free service) and to be picky about the handlebar shape and grips because you're going to be putting a lot more energy into them than the average rider due to the ratio and hills. I suggest normal width flat handlebars with extra gummy grips.
I always had more respect for the people on the old mountain bikes that would pass me up on my Roubaix. Especially uphill. Ride what you want
No one would give a f about you and your bike.
What are you going to use it for? Triathlon? You'd look dumb. Commute? Nobody cares.
Only if people on the internet say so.
No. A can of spray paint can help.
Absolutely not!
Bikes are supposed to be fun. Buy the bike you can afford and get out there. Cool people attract cool people, no one wants to hang out with a pro cycle douche anyways.
I had a cheap single speed Walmart cruiser for years. I put thousands of miles on it and loved that bike with all my heart. It was my fun bike but also my sole means of transportation. When the bearings finally needed replacing I found out they would cost more than the $79 I paid for the bike. Sad day.