Ken,
Like Chuck states, the allure of riding fixed is something that may somewhat defy rational analysis, but If you try it, a certain "lightbulb" may click on. For me, it's the simplicity, the quietness, the more direct connection to the road, and having to rely on my own power when confronting changing terrain; a certain unavoidable honesty in that. I love it. Fixed gear bikes are so pretty to look at too, less to confuse the eye. I think that most "fixies" feel this way.
Dennis Young
Hotaka, Japan
>
> Ken Naylor wrote:
>
>>
>> I have never quite understood the allure of fixed gear/track bikes in
>> the bike messenger crowd. I understood the rational of using them
>> as a
>> training tool for road cyclist to teach a smooth pedal motion/
>> cadence,
>> but it seems that the decrease in braking ability (right?) and the
>> lack
>> of ability to choose a better gear for hills/wind/ect. would be a
>> detriment. Any comments from fixed gear riders and/or messengers?
>>
>
>
> Never underestimate the contrariness and perversity of human beings.
> When the watch industry finally came up with a cheap ($10) and
> accurate
> (beyond chronometer standards) digital watch a fairly large segment of
> the luxury watch buying public decided that what they now needed was a
> retro mechanical watch that required regular maintenance and maybe
> even
> a periodic overhaul.
>
> Offer all the gears in the world and thought free shifting and then
> they
> want single gear bikes. "Crazy World Ain't It?"
>
> Chuck "loves fixed gear riding" Schmidt
> South Pasadena, Southern California