I agree with Tom on this one but wouldn't put it so philosophically.
I be polite in my phrasing so it will be informarive rather than punitive.
Many riders for many decades have not had the luxury of two or more bicycles
and were lucky to even have a spare set of wheels.
Many of these racers for generations have realized the value of fixed gear
training in the off season of road riding.
When the season ended, the derailleurs came off, cluster removed, a fixed
cog put on, a BB lockring maybe put on for cog unwind safety, but not really
necessary when good and tight and hand brakes on bike, and out they went for
winter training along with other off-season sports activity to balance body
back into good overall form for thr next year/season of cycling activity.
This was the norm for many throughout the years and it was smart riding and
tres cool, fenders and all.
No one is saying to grind off shift bosses, chop off derailleur hangars, or
saw off brake cable stops.
It all goes back as original veddy-veddy easily.
For many, riding road geometry bikes on road is more relaxed and comfy with
a fixed gear, toe overlap may be less or non-existant, and position easier
to set-up.
So, relax boys, ride your bikes down to the beach, have a nice glass of wine
and enjoy the sights.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA
> Once again we have folks telling us how they could not possibly view
> someone
> converting a nice bike into a fixed gear without vomiting. It must be
> pure hell to be so delicate that one cannot allow someone else to do what
> they would like with their very own bicycle without producing such a
> reaction. My heart goes out to you who are so afflicted and I hope you
> can
> toughen up a bit. If someone having different tastes in bicycles upsets
> you
> so, it is difficult to see how you could survive looking at all the real
> world atrocities going on. Perhaps we could establish some sort of
> additional support group so that folks of such a uniquely sensitive
> nature
> could receive a bit of nurturing. Surely the world must recognize that
> they are uniquely qualified to dictate to the rest of us Barbarians just
> how we should enjoy our hobby.
>
>
>
> Tom Sanders
>
> Lansing, MI USA