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It seems like most of you are too lazy to deal with geared bikes. WHY?
Yes, I don't own any fixed or single speed so I guess I don't see the light.
I was just testing out Harry's Mountain bike today and it is really a breeze to go up hills and not worry about terrain issues. You can't do that shit on skinny tires and 48-16 ratio.
I guess I just don't get it and am hoping someone would shed the light.
Yes, I have ridden fixed and single speed before and it really doesn't do anything special for me other than zoom wheee!
I admit it can be sort of costly and time consuming to replace worn cassettes and a bit annoying to adjust the derailur from time to time. But is it really that big a deal?
I feel that my viewpoint of laziness is strengthened.
Joe Borfo responding to a comment by ttrreevvoorr
11.6.10 - 5:38 pm
Fixies suck. I love hitting big hills on my 45pound mountain bike and watching the fixies jump off theirs to walk it up the hill. Then on the way down i love the free ride whilst the fixies are peddling like crazy and doing their powerslides...............just sayin"
as for myself, i prefer the clean look those bicycles have...I also prefer to worry less about the maintenance of gears and derailleurs... am I lazy? hmmm, i do not think i am because i choose not to worry about that issue... I still have to be concerned that my components work and function properly....
you are a bicycle advocate and enthusiast...if you have ridden single and fixed and you did not like that style, why do you need any type of justification or reason why people choose that style of bicycle, why do you feel you need to be enlighten or light to be shined on you... you rode that style, did not like it... why does it matter what bicycle anyone rides... personally,i do not understand why anyone would ride a beach cruiser, however, if they prefer and choose that style of bicycle.... then great as long as they are part of the bicycling community....
besides from what i gather on his site is that this is a trend that will die, right? my apologies if i seem to have taken your question negatively... but it just seems that you are questioning a specific style of bicycle... when we should encourage ppl to ride any style they choose, hopefully, they have tried all style of bicycles... each style of bicycle has its own somewhat of a culture... the Bmx, beach cruisers have clubs, roadies have their style, mountain bikers too and so forth...
how is this encouraging to other cyclists... if you seem to mock others just because of what they choose to ride? shouldn't you be pushing them to keep up their hard work and keep pushing to make that hill? not everyone with gears makes it up every hill either... do you mock them???
dayone responding to a comment by shotgun_mike
11.6.10 - 5:51 pm
if you know how to work on your own bike, gears are as easy as single speed. i figure its just more things to replace which is more money, and if you got a solid fixed/ss then you shouldnt be replacing much.. however, i do think that everyone should have a road bike/mtn bike/ commuter because its not logical to ride a fixed gear/ss all the time. i personaly really like geared bikes. so nothing is wrong with them.
You're taking it negatively because you choose too.
I never said fixies suck. I do see the clean look and simplicity aspect.
I guess I am bothered because when I ride with my friends they always whine about hills and bumpy roads. I get frustrated with the fact that we can go many more interesting places if they take something other than their fixies or their freak bikes.
I am not speaking out against fixed or single speed riders, I just dont get the hang up on Geared. And yes some of them are anti gears.
I want to understand.
Not trying to offend here. But calling people lazy is a way to get some sort of engaged response perhaps.
i have a fixed gear for my commute because i believe fixed pedaling is more efficient and faster, plus the amount you pay for a brand new fixed gear build you can have a much lighter bike than any geared bike...i cut my commute time uphill by a minute and eight seconds b/c of pedaling efficiency. there's no real terrain change on my commute so it's fun. i've also done centuries on my fixed gear and completed each one.
i have a singlespeed mountain bike and a geared mountain bike as well. i switch off according to the trail and mileage i'll be riding. i built the singlespeed perfectly to be able to pedal up switchbacks and and rough terrain.
what i don't understand is brakeless. my brakes have saved my ass more times than i can remember. it just gives you more confidence on the road. my mtb's have 8 inch rotors with hydraulic brakes >:)
They each have their purpose, but from the standpoint of sheer usability, singlespeed or fixed gear always wins out. A geared bike helps me push my lungs, since after a while you start to spin out on a singlespeed. But I f*in hate dealing with derailleur alignments and such.
I apologized for taking it negatively...however, the next couple of comments did say...fixies suck... i actually do not like the term fixies... I did not think you personally were asking in a negatively manner or meant it negatively...however, I anticipated the responses... plus, just asking why a particular style of bicycle you believe limits people to their destination does imply there could be something of a bad choice why people would ride that bicycle... and not choose another...
what are the responses of why your friends choose that style of bicycle?
i do not think i am lazy... i still need to maintain my bicycle in order for it to last me years.... although I have many less components to be concerned about... i need to work on them... if you go to any co-op...you will see gear bicycles and people working on their SS or fixed... they still need work...
dayone responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
11.6.10 - 6:09 pm
speaking of pedaling efficiently... riding a fixed does also or should get those riders to understand candace... i did not know that concept... started to get informed and had to try different ratios to get a decent candace and maintain it....
What are the responses of why your friends choose that style of bicycle?
I guess I've never asked them. I try to respect their style preference. It's just annoying when I can never get them to go places that they don't normally ride. It gets old after a while when I always get - "That's too steep" or "I can't ride on that!".
I once rode with PC to San Diego and there were lot a lot of hills. He rode fixed and I rode a touring bike and he kicked my ass the whole way. (Yeah fitness helps too). So he didnt have a problem with the climbs.
I am not anti fixed. I just don't get why some people are anti geared.
I now have a few explanations.
I'd like to ask some of you geared riders if you get this a lot. - "Why don't you ride fixed?"
How do you feel after hearing that dozens of times?
i get the opposite... i get... why don't you ride a road bike or do you have a road bike....
yeah, i couldn't keep up with WPH... however, a couple of guys on fixed gears kept up... so it can be done...and WPH had some climb some streets with some devasting hills... I am working so i can keep up with them....
dayone responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
11.6.10 - 6:25 pm
I think that the wide diversity of bicycle types arrives from the very strict power budget every bicycle must work with.
In other words, I can't imagine a lean-and-clean, futz-free, 350-lbs-carrying-capable, mountain-climbing, quick accelerating, recumbent, folding, tall, trick-spinning, racing-qualified, can-ride-it-backwards builds-on-my-fitness bike. Every design direction brings to us a sweet spot of its own -- to the exclusion of almost all the others.
I like the added control over my speed that you get with a fixed drivetrain. There's something very zen about riding across town without braking, shifting gears or putting a foot down. Plus, adjusting gears and brakes does take significantly more time and attention. I've gone for months without so much as lubing my chain, and I never have to worry about my chain falling off.
When I had my first bike, I had no idea how to use the gears, so I just put it in the hardest gear and rode around like that. Riding fixed is a lot like that. At least, that's why I bought mine in the first place. That said, if I only had one bike, I'd take a geared bike any day.
It's always going to be about the person pushing the pedals, not the pedals being pushed.
I've heard instances of fixed-gears smokin a geared bike up a steep hill, fully loaded bikes cruising with ease past the weight-weenie, and brakeless operators stopping perfectly while the guy with both brakes eats shit.
I think I struck a nerve. Everyone should be able to ride whatever they want. I don't discourage any style of bike. I was just trying to find out what exactly makes riding a geared bike so unpopular to some of you.
I don't want to seem like I'm being dense about this subject. I actually do understand peoples views on it all. I just wanted to see some thoughts and opinions. It doesn't seem to ever be a calm subject to discuss around some of you.
Alot of the times when I rode a geared bike, I stayed on a particular gear ratio throughout the ride. It did not not matter if I hit hills or if I constantly had to wait for red lights. It was always the highest ratio my geared bike could give me. After years of riding like this, I switched to single speed (coasting is important!). I rode a single speed road bike for a while and I loved it. My ratio was 54x16 and I hauled ass. Where I live, there is not many hills. Then I got into riding centuries on the weekends. After a couple of weeks, my knees started to hurt. I now ride a geared bike and I use it properly. I no longer ride a single speed.
I now appreciate gears because I see how gears help you use your own strength efficiently without putting too much stress on your joints. Its nice to own a single speed too but fixed gear bikes are beyond my understanding. They just don't make sense and I do see them as trendy and retarded. Yet the people that ride them are the ones who chose them and they, not me, ultimately determine what to ride according to their needs. I still think there are a lot of dopes out there on fixed gears who really don't have a clue, just like me when I thought I was He Man on such a high ratio.
Joe Borfo, you are being a dick. Why would anyone care to enlighten you? Shut the fuck up and enjoy your bicycles however you like them. And if you get tired of people not riding with you for whatever reason, then get yourself some proper motivation and ride on your own. You and your gears can have babies together. Fuck you.
There is a learning curve in finding the right gear, but once you get it...it is helpful, to be sure. Currently, I have three bikes. I gave away all of the others, and I sold one incomplete frame. I have a fixie, a touring bike and an '80's masi--geared, full record. The masi is still my best friend after all of these years. I really like my fuji tourer, when I need to bring a bunch of stuff along. I don't ride my fixie. I don't know why. I really like to ride it, but I like riding the masi more than any of the others. I've never had to change a derailleur. The spring on the rear is still in good shape after thousands of miles. The only parts I have had to change in the drive train are freewheel and chain. I've changed out four freewheels since I bought the bike in 2006...at about $25 dollars a pop, n.o.s. Actually, I've only had one failure of a freewheel. This is better than oil changes every three thousand miles.
I dunno. I like riding track bikes, but I love riding my masi--with gears.
RE:
I admit it can be sort of costly and time consuming to replace worn cassettes and a bit annoying to adjust the derailur from time to time. But is it really that big a deal?
I feel that my viewpoint of laziness is strengthened.
----
Not only are single speed/fixed gear bikes easier to maintain, but they are lighter, and as dayone said, have a nicer, cleaner look.
I've been riding geared mountain bikes for years before the purchase of my single speed road bike, and I definitely feel due to it's lightness, it goes faster. But there are also the down sides, like you said for example, hills.
I don't really buy the lower maintenance argument. I rarely have to adjust my shifting and if I do, it is a turn or two of a barrel adjuster while I ride or during a rest stop. Once a year I clean and lube cables or replace, depending upon condition. And it seems to me that you'll be spreading the wear over a larger number of gears, resulting in longer times between drivetrain swaps, assuming you don't let your chain stretch so much that it deforms the gears. That's about 1 hour per year of extra work.
That said, I really enjoyed riding fixed gears (with brakes!). I like the way the bike's momentum feeds back to my legs. It makes me feel more connected to the bike and the road. But my knees couldn't hack it over the long term. I was commuting 30 miles per day over some sizeable hills and it really started to mess with my knees. Fundamentally, it is just much easier on your body to be able to maximize torque through the drivetrain without maximizing torque through your knees - especially when it comes to resisting the momentum of the bike with your legs. A lot of fixed gear riders will likely suffer some amount of knee pain as they age and the damage being done now becomes more noticeable. My fixie was my go-to bike for running quick errands relatively locally - easier to lock up, less expensive if stolen (it eventually was), and fun in flat terrain.
I built my fixie as a fun bike for the neighborhood. And figured I use my roadbike
I put together a fixie 2 years ago with the cheapest parts I could get at Orange 20.
over a year or so I spent about 5 or $600 updating various 35 year old parts.
Since then, I have had a ROCK SOLID friend that goes anywhere in the city I want to go.
My bike has endured minor crashes that could have easily taken out an exposed derailleur.
In maybe 2000 miles, I have had to tune my wheels only once.
I put a rack on my fixie, and I have been hauling 20-40 lbs of records to parties.
I don't mind working a little harder climbing up the occasional hill in exchange for a bike that is simple, low maintenance, and gets me there, hassle free, 99.9% of the time.
*I built my fixie as a fun bike for the neighborhood and figured I use my road bike for long trips. But after a few months of not touching my road bike, I started to strip it for various parts.
That's good and all, but what about REAL hills, or maybe mountain passes or extreme hills. I go up these every day. I used to ride up to big bear with my dad, do that on a fixed gear with a reasonable gear ratio for city riding. Go up Towne's pass on a fixed gear, you will hate life.
I have seen the best and fastest hip fella walk it up the last part of the hill.
Semi modern 8 and 9 speed drive trains don't need a lot of work, but it is a lot more than a fixed gear, of course.
The funny think is, I don't bother lubing my chain or doing damned near any maintenance on my 27 speed Schwinn Mountain bike. I just throw a new chain on there ever couple thousand miles, and a new &20 cassette every year or 10 months. I literally don't even think about it unless something goes wrong.
The whole thing about being more "efficient" while riding a fixed gear is laughable.
Literally laughable. Any advantage is lost upon the SLIGHTEST downhill. You really don't need to be a master of physics and energy transfer to do the math. Fixed gears are great if you are on a flat surface such as a .... VELODROME! Any hills kill the inherently efficient chain line and weight ratio by forcing you to ride in a manner which is simply defined as non efficient.
I can also go to a 52 X 11 ratio down hills. I go 50 mph+ on my daily commute on my MOUNTAIN bike with slick tires down a certain hill.
I go up and down curbs, off road and over rocks and off pretty decent jumps with the same bike that I can use to keep up with 98% of group road rides.
Oh yeah, and I can pull a trailer with 200 pounds of crap in it to the top of Griffith Park road. Do that on a fixed gear.
That being said I have my SS in the garage for when I am feeling insecure and wannabesoooohip / ride a bike without any thought or effort of using shifting techniques... There is always a time and a place for certain pieces of machinery or equipment. Very rarely does a fixed gear win on any practical qualities. They sure do look nice and are zen to ride though.
That being said I have never lacked that same feeling of zen with my MTB commuter. I feel hardwired into that thing.
Sell your car.
Fucking sell the goddamned thing already.
Yes, you, sell your car and commit. All of you.
TheDude responding to a comment by trickmilla
11.7.10 - 11:39 am
First off, in my personal experience, I rode a racing road bike for two years before switching completely to fixed gear. I've gone back to my road bike a few times, but it just doesn't feel the same. One, because it's really hard to switch from fixed to geared because you're so used to constant pedaling that it just becomes frustrating when you can't.
Also, I think there's a certain type of speed on a fixed gear to the point that it gets really hard to combine fixed and road bikes- they're just two different ways of riding with different levels of efficiency.
Lastly, in my opinion, most riders on fixed gear have a greater appetite for adrenaline. Which is the reason that some people don't have breaks. When I go back to my road bike, I never feel as safe and comfortable as I do on my fixed gear (which yes, does have a front break). I think it's really only for some people- those who like the adrenaline, efficiency, simplicity, and the street image.
briii responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
11.7.10 - 11:49 am
People have trouble with gears on bicycles for the same reasons they have trouble with manual transmissions on cars. It requires practice and forethought. Most of us just want to plug in and go. Pop music, automatic transmissions, cell phones - they allow you to do your thing without being hindered with a learning curve. They ask nothing of you but the surrendering of cash every now and then for regular maintenance.
Why use a bike with all these moving parts you have to practice on to use properly, that require vigilant maintenance and cleaning, and are costly to replace?
Just get a fixie bro.
I prefer internally geared bikes because it's the best of both worlds. Low maintenance and the ability to do lots of stuff. Yes, they weigh more, but I'm not going for a Time Trial medal any time soon, so what the hell do I care about weight?
I agree.
My bike is heavy like a tank but it's really really fun to ride and that's what matters right?
And I leave everyone behind on the downhill lol
i still haven't seen a single good reason for brakeless. a decent pair of front brakes won't put a hole in anyone's wallet, and they only require maintenance once in a blue moon.
From personal experience, it's just as insane going down hills on a coaster brake, or splitting lanes at high speeds. The one thing that makes it easier than fixed is cornering.
ubrayj02 responding to a comment by marzipan
11.7.10 - 3:12 pm
And borfo, you must understand, SS mtb is understood only through the riding of a SS rig, thus needing to try, try, try and try week after week of pain, can only be appreciated if one has explored the effort.
So after the trying, one may receive their answer: I hate it / I love it / I like it sometimes. All others will just read blogs, forums and the like, and pretend they do it because they love the simplicity, the this or that, blah, blah, blah.... that answer is in the doing/ the riding/ the experience.
In this way, a SS conversion has a couple of suggested meanings.
md2 responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
11.7.10 - 6:10 pm
I rode a 1 x 9, but that doesnt mean that I dont think SS isn't better, because I do. I'm only referring to SS mtb. I really dig the advancing interest in belt drive SS mtb.
The downside to SS mtb is that it's difficult to find a ratio that you can both ride to the trail, and on trail. You can make a 2 speed, that maintains the basic elements of riding SS, but a traditional SS either consist in spinning alot on flats, or brutal climbs.
I'll show you my setup next time, because I have the rear derailleur setup so i can remove it as one piece (der, cable/housing, shifter) and switch back to a SS very easily.
In fact, before I read your post, I was thinking I wanted to convert it back. When we were discussing the plan for SCUMBAG, I wanted it to be a SS only ride, but that would have needlessly limited the riders. That commonrider chick shot down my idea, so she kept it open to geared too.
All bikes are dope. I just put the SS mtb > geared mtb just to tease you, thats why I pointed out it depends on your experience, because no one really has the correct answer.
md2 responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
11.7.10 - 6:51 pm
Personally, I love bikes with two wheels and seats and pedals. Those things are friggin' rad. Whenever I see somebody on one, I want to take a picture.
For pulling weight, I have gears.
For climbing hills, I have gears.
For going reeeelly fast, I have gears.
For everything else (transporting my body around town) I love the singlespeed. It goes along with DGAF attitude all the way. Haven't serviced the bike (besides occasional flat tire) in about a year and a half: DGAF. Fuck that bike, I love it.
I never said my fixie was the solution to all the world problems or that anybody else should ride my bike. I just said that my bike is fun and reliable and takes me where I need to go.
Its silly to try convince somebody to ride a bike different than the one they love riding.
My bike was inexpensive, is super reliable, suits my needs, handles great, and is fun to ride! What more can I ask for?
I've ridden road, foldie, bmx, mountain (geared and ss) and beach cruiser in the streets over the years. They are all fun bikes, I like them all.
Day to day ...I just prefer the fixie. So much that it is the only bike I own now.
on the automotive note...
I DJ in Rancho Cucamonga about 4 or 5 times a year.
One of many occasional jobs where I need to haul 200 lbs of gear 50+ miles.
I guess I could do it on a bike but it would make for a 16 hour day instead of an 8 hour day.
I ride a bike because it is practical and fun.
hauling 200+ lbs of equipment long distances for work is totally possible but not very practical.
I'm trying to bike out to more of my local DJ gigs.
I even took my turntables to CicLAva on a friend's electric hybrid cargo bike.
but I've driven to at least a dozen bike events that I've djed. boo.
I love drop bars and the simple lines of a track bike. Go to the carson velodrome and see how coolthey look in their native habitat. I like my surlyfixie but I feel ppl all around me scoping it out. Ppl don't care much about my roadie or my mtb on slicks. I love that about these whips/burras.
But all the new bikes I've see at l.a.brakeless look like mtbs. They've got fat tyres, riser bars.
The most down ass cyclists are the grown ass men who mash home from their reaturant jobs on venice blvd @ 3am on $40 mtbs on shit tires. Long live the cheap mtb!!!!
All types of bike have their advantages and disadvantages. Pick the one that works best for what you do with your bike.
I love my geared polo bike so much... but when I want to go somewhere really fast I take my conversion fixie because it is light and is less likely to break down in route.
Oh BTW... just FYI... a fixie with no brakes is not "Brakeless', taken literally the only real "Brakeless" bike is a freewheel with no brakes and we all know thats a bad idea for 99.9 percent of trhe ridazz population.
On a fixed gear the chain acts as a braking system, used properly it can be a very efficient braking system and allows the rider to make minute braking adjustments with only their feet.
It also has the added advantage of not requiring your hands to operate it. This means you can talk on your cell phone and drink a tecate without having to worry about brake levers.
On my first tallbike i had a fixed wheel and a front brake. This allows the rider to slow down with either the front handbrake or the chain. If one breaks trhe other is still available.
What are you going to do when the brake cable on your singlespeed snaps just before an intersection with cross traffic? If youwere on a fixie with one brake you would still have a method of braking. Unless you know how to ted shred/fred flintstone/put your damn foot on the tire.
Does that clear anything up for you Captain Borfo?
The other day my GF and I were leaving the house...at the first intersection we crossed she was surprised to find that the brake lever on her freewheel MTB (POLO!) did nothing because she had forgotten to reconnect the brake when re-installing the back wheel.
Being an experienced fixed gear commuter, she instinctively placed her foot on the top of the rear tire and stopped safely before the limit line.
I dare you to cut both brake cables on a spandex roadies bike and tell me it turned out the same way. I'd be surprised.
This is a skill that all ridazz should learn. It is the very last defense when mechanical means fail.
nothings wrong with gears.
you ride with gears, others ride fixed.
some people ride in casual clothing, some people ride in lycra.
who fucking cares. no reason to complain about it unless its affecting you.
and i find it ironic/hilarious that most people that ive heard talk
down on single speeds/fixed gears have been saying things like
"fixed gears are cool if you like walking up hills!" when i they obviously
cannot ride up hills themselves even with gears.
and if they can GREAT. theyve built up the stamina and strength to do so
just as most riders are able to ride up hills to.
all that SHOULD matter is if you can ride and if you can hang on your trip.
I can get up hills on a fixed gear bicycle, so I do. You can't, so you don't. Theoretically, this arrangement should make us both happy. Please let me know if I can be of any help in determining why it hasn't worked out that way for you.
brake lines hardly ever snap if a bike is looked after properly. not maintained, but looked after. the latter requires much less time and effort, in fact its very likely NEVER to happen. i can skid my fixie to a stop or modulate my pedals to control my speed, but when drivers dont see you coming and they hook you or make sudden stops, your chain isn't sufficient enough to stop you in time. well, you can argue about being more in control of bicycle at all times, etc etc, but with at least a front brake, you don't have to worry about these situations.
marzipan responding to a comment by stillline
11.9.10 - 12:47 am
If you have to ask you'll never know... I like fixed because it gives me an amazing feeling of connection to my bicycle. It also does wonders for your riding technique. Riding a single speed takes me back to when I was a kid riding my bmx bike around the neighborhood. Unfortunately, my knees can't always take only having one gear. My new hot setup is s 2-speed using a Paul Melvin.
BTW I'm one of Borfo's friends who whines the loudest about hills.
I ride a 27 gear bike.
I'm not into pain at all. I'm the type of human that invented the wheel cause why carry a mammoth on your back if you can cart the beast to your cave.
If it wasn't for lazy people like us, you monkeys would still be jumping from tree to tree.
Hey wait a minute. That's kinda cool. I wish we were still doing that.
I'm glad Borfo brought it up. I was wondering the same thing.
The simplicity of a fixed gear bicycle is very attractive.
When you live somewhere where the biggest hill is an overpass, maybe it remains attractive.
When you actually want to go anywhere, you'll end up climbing and descending eventually.
Why do I mostly ride a geared bike?
Because I'll be faster than you.
I know that's not the point for a lot of folks, but it is for me. Yeah, to each his own.
...and I'm not against riding fixed. Don't get me wrong. I'll be riding Salton Sea fixed. Why? Because it's dead flat except for coming in and out of camp.
Just throwing in my own reason, which is cost. I wanted to buy a geared road bike but I couldn't afford any of the ones I saw at the LBS. I had a heavy as hell hybrid bike with gears galore but it was a chore to deal with. So I wanted to get something lighter for my commute. What fit into my budget and was good enough was a SS. My commute is mostly flat so it's worked out for me and I can go a lot faster and deal with putting my bike on the bus than I did with the hybrid. I still want to get a geared bike but you know, money. Maybe santa will bring me one.
I think I read this on Sheldon Brown's website but I could be wrong. He said that a fixed gear or SS will be faster than a geared bike in the same gear. I guess that's depends on a lot of variables but that was the gist of it.
i love the fixed/ SS movement. Something very special (for me) when a "fixed or die" rider finally gets laid, and starts feeling insecure about his bike everywhere lifestyle in the exchange for some booty. That booty can make many lay down everything. I see the ads regularly on craigslist: bought this bad boy thinking I would race, get into fixed riding, etc., but I forgot I how much I was married.
all the like new, only 20 miles on them, hubs i can eat.... mmmmmmm.
In other words, yeah keep the SS/ fixed movement alive people; it's the best. Buy those new Phil Wood hubs you've been wanting, cause I'm gonna need a set soon.
It's funny how this whole thread became about fixed gears (well, not that funny since that is how Borfo framed it), when his real question seemed to be why people don't like to go up hills.
It's a problem we have on our ride too. Even though we only do hills of any consequence on a small percentage of our routes, because we do them at all... We'd like to accommodate everybody, but it is just a fact of L.A.: if you want to get everywhere, you have to ride up a few hills. We're all kind of spoiled by the fact that much of the area is relatively flat.
I, personally, enjoy the challenge of a good hill more than the challenge of, say, riding really fast. And I think the payoff is greater: you get somewhere new. But I realize that other people would rather go fast or get wasted or whatever. To each his/her own. One is not necessarily better or worse than another in absolute terms (though there are definite pros and cons to each), just different personal preferences.
The frustrating thing can be when the people you like to ride with don't like to do the same kind (or all the same kinds) of rides as you do - regardless of what particular kind of ride(s) you prefer.
Regarding hills, though, are they really THAT painful? My approach is generally to attack as hard as I can. Adrenaline kicks in and, honestly, I don't feel a thing (or, perhaps more accurately, I don't notice/care that I feel anything). And, as with many things, the more you do, the less you have to work.
you can waste away years waiting to convert / convince your friends (i.e. the people you love) to do ALL the fun things you're interested in.
The point is that you just have to branch out and ride with people who do the kind of riding you want to do. You cant wait to pull your along boy/girl friend, cousin, BFF, roommates, etc. Just get out there and do the shit you want to do.
If your friends think tallbikes are some progressive hardcore shit, then let them dabble in that world. They'll find their tallbike friends; you find your hill riding friends.
I'm a scumbag, so I just found other scumbags to hang out with too.
End of story.
md2 responding to a comment by theroyalacademy
11.9.10 - 10:24 am
I see what you're actually complaining about. You don't understand why some of us hate hills.
At least royalacademy UNDERSTANDS that not everyone likes, or is interested in the same kind of ride. Whether the ride is a ride, a Ride or a RIDE (which in itself is the same elitist, snobby bullshit, I complain about the most when it comes to RIDING A BIKE WITH FRIENDS.) If you want the MOST people on the ride, or you want to ACCOMMODATE the most people the formula is easy, keep is SIMPLE.
I FUCKING HATE HILLS. I lived on one forever, still hate it. Will hate it. Doesn't mean I can't climb, doesn't mean I don't like to go fast. But I like to ride with my friends, and if riding with my friends means keeping it SLOW, FLAT and SHORT. Then fuck, that's what I do. And will continue to do, for the most part. If I do organize a masochistic ride, I'll be upfront with it. Some of you sadistic fucks PISS ME OFF, seriously. Shit is not funny, it's not fun, it's being an asshole. I've done TONS of STUPID hills on my own, and loved it. I've done tons of STUPID hills with friends, but I was WELL INFORMED and up for the challenge. But not everyone is, or will be. It's frustrating on both sides, I'm sure. But what are you trying to accomplish? A ride with friends, or a bullshit training ride? There are tons of people that LOVE that kind of shit, they meet at Starbucks at 8AM, wear spandex and call it a day by noon - FUUUUUUUUCK THAT.
If I can't do the ride with a beer in my hand, it's NOT A SOCIAL RIDE.
There's usually ALWAYS a reason why I want to ride up a hill. Nope, it's not to jerk off all over myself. There's usually a reason for it. Beer is good at the top too.
Joe Borfo responding to a comment by the reverend dak
11.9.10 - 10:49 am
I think Freewheel Brake-less bikes are under appreciated here. The freedom to coast like a single speed, but the coolness of being brake-less topped off with the sweet smell of burning rubber from my shoes.....
as for your question. Who is "most"? If by most, you mean those that ride fixed or single speed bikes. It's the bike they have, and they're cheaper than gears, and they're simpler than gears and they're trendy as fuck. It's the choice they made.
You've only just recently concluded that you prefer gears, BIG FUCKING DEAL.
What if I loaded a question as such:
WTF is wrong with single speed bikes?
and followed the subject with obviously biased bullshit like:
Are you too weak to ride a single gear? WHY?
Yes I don't own a multi-speed so I guess I don't see the light.
I was just out testing Lars's bike today, and I really like how it feels to be one with the road. Riding slow was a breeze and not worry about brakes. You can't do that shit on fat knobbies with 3x9 gear clusters.
I guess I don't get it and hoping someone would shed the light.
Yes, I've ridding geared bikes before and it really doesn't do anyting special for me other than break down and need constant re-adjustment.
I'm being a snob about it, but I'm really just frustrated that my friends don't like to go climbing with me.
Shit is not funny, it's not fun, it's being an asshole
i thought the thread was good spirited. Why did you take it as people being assholes? I dont recall anyone being an asshole.
Anyhow, I just want to say that i've felt the same in the past about riding with friends. When you really love a persons company, you tend to want to invite them to many more activities. When certain activities limit their participation because potential "pain" is involved, it can be very frustrating.
It's not sadistic, nor masochistic (it can be), but for the most part it's about wanting to explore further and getting the most bang for your buck.
md2 responding to a comment by the reverend dak
11.9.10 - 10:53 am
It's out of context, sorry. There have been people that would lie about the difficulty of rides in the past, to force people to ride with them.
I stopped reading most of the thread, and responded to the original question and the tone of it. If it changed, that's nice, my bad. But I know borfo, and I know where he's coming from - again, out of context.
You jumped on a nice beefy multi-speed mountain bike, and remembered why such bikes are preferable over-all as daily riders, especially on fucked up city streets, and wanted to understand why fixie-gears are so trendy right now with the kids. And it lead you to wonder why we all don't ride gears, so you can lead us up more hills, which are the only ways to some of the best vistas in LA. Which lead to me defending why I don't ride geared bikes, and why I prefer NOT to climb those hills, even though I've lead enough of them myself. Ultimately explaining that I prefer to ride a certain bikes over others because it's the bike that I'm riding that I'm enjoying most, and the company that I can keep while riding that I prefer over the potential destination and or whatever. Therefore, emphasizing that I prefer SLOW, FLAT and SHORT rides because I can do two out of three possible cool things. The occasional sadistic hilly ride is fine. Just not all the fucking time.
im glad mountain biking is splitting up tren way.
over the years my (fuck i hate what im gonna say) respect for borfo has changeed quite a bit .i always thought of him as this loud ass pontless shameless asshole,but respected him for that.now hes riding mountain bikes and suffering but still doing it.i've never liked his antics but he s always had more balls than most of the fucking people that post here.when ever i run into these posters in real life most of them are shy pussies that just sit there on their bikes if their other biking friends arent around. anyways but borfos always been down to try new shit.
this past weeekend i did a mountain bike ride with him ,and just like when i first started riding the trails,might want some of his tren way fag buddies to join him and experience what he experienced.
I know dak will never do it.hes one of the biggest uphill pussies around.tell me im wrong buddy.i cant think of any trenways doing it now that i think of it.if im wrong prove it to me and go on the next SCUMBAG ride.
as for the rest of you SS fixed riders the point is that if i was on a mountain bike i could still ride around town with you all day ,but you wouldnt be able to hang witjh me for 100 meters on the trail.
i dont know what my piiont is actually.just saying that im better than most of you cunt farts i guess. and tren way can suck my balls.including borfo
I'm a one man crew. I get into enough trouble on my own and whatever beef my girlfriend attracts for me.
But I'm going to smoke your ass on the next ride while wearing Dak's very own Tren Way shirt. I'm going to make sure he sweats in it too, so it smells like him when I pass you (but apparently he doesnt like to sweat so Im not sure how it's going to work).
md2 responding to a comment by mandingo
11.9.10 - 3:04 pm
The simplicity of a fixed gear bicycle is very attractive.
When you live somewhere where the biggest hill is an overpass, maybe it remains attractive.
When you actually want to go anywhere, you'll end up climbing and descending eventually.
@Jet Fuel: I live in hilly San Pedro. I ride a fixed gear bicycle all over here, all the time. When I'm not doing that, I ride it to visit my friends in hilly Silverlake and Echo Park. According to the laws of your physical universe, if you and I shake hands will one of us explode?
@Borfo: Quit your sniveling and, for once, come out on one of the rides that my fixed gear riding girlfriend puts on and invites you to. Don't worry, we'll both wait at the top of the hills for you.
PC responding to a comment by jetfuel
11.9.10 - 3:37 pm
it's ok, dingo likes to put his nose up peoples poop holes, and then tell them they stink. That's his shtick. Its pretty common knowledge that I hate hills. I've never been mountain biking, and the only thing that I really have against it is the BRO factor, which are no different than spandex fags and their BIG DICKS (translates to: overpriced bikes.)
To be honest I'm a fucking chicken when it comes to riding off-road, my worst crash involved a patch of gravel that caused me to wipe out, land on my face, and tear my chin open. Then there is the fact I don't own anything even remotely with knobies. oh, plus Dingo and Borfo will give me shit for even considering it... fuck you two, go make out.
Do you like riding your fixed gear bike? Great! Maybe you have another bike that you would use for different rides. I like this. Maybe you are a person who likes the feel or physical advantage of a geared bike, in whichever combination or permutation you find: Fabulous! Maybe you are a person who has chosen to ride only fixed gear bikes because of the fun, simplicity, perceived...or actual economy of maintenance, and/or cool factor...stupendous! I am your fan.
I am not riding my bike, right now. I am typing on a computer, because (at the moment) this is the most desirable thing to do. I like talking to you all on the good old interwebs.
BROfactor! HA! you should try it with us dakno BRO factor here buddy.actually pretty fuckin fun.ill even carry a six pack for you.im hoping someday i can the core elite members together out for a trail ride,since they dont wnat to ride any of the drunk rides any more.sexy,harry,jj,speedy,you,laharr,chicken leather,spiral,lute,maybe even pc.who am i missing? think about it you pansies!
mandingo responding to a comment by the reverend dak
11.9.10 - 4:05 pm
Wow! I am so happy about this, Dingo! Thanks for supporting me on my fully needed transformation. I'm only three surgeries and a year and a half into it, but so far so good. I should be able to (if everything goes right) present myself to you and everyone else as Ms. Trapp by July, 2011. Thanks again, Dingo. I can't wait to see you when I am finally able to make it out to your digs.
tern responding to a comment by mandingo
11.9.10 - 4:17 pm
@PC - No, neither one of us will explode. I can ride a 42 x 17 just about anywhere too. That doesn't make it right. Just take care of your knees, man. I guess that's all I'm really sayin'. To each his own, fo sho, but I have a much more pleasant ride when gears accompany me in the hills, and I wish that pleasure on everyone.
jetfuel responding to a comment by PC
11.10.10 - 7:42 am
Meh...I could easily turn that around and say that I wish *you* the pleasure of climbing up Granvia Altamira and bombing back down Hawthorne toward the water on a track bike. I don't think spinning up that thing in a granny gear and coasting down would be nearly as much fun. One man's pleasure is another man's tedium and vice versa, see?
My knees have never felt better and they thank you for your concern.
PC responding to a comment by jetfuel
11.10.10 - 1:26 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
It seems like most of you are too lazy to deal with geared bikes. WHY?
