Friday, April 22, 2005
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But not fixed
I've made the move to a single-speed bike, but no way would I take the extreme step of riding a fixed-gear bike for my city commute. A friend of mine has gone that route, though, and has been commuting "fixed" for the past three weeks or so (I wish him luck).

I can see why fixed-fanatics consider it the ultimate cycling experience, and why it's so popular among urban messengers (totally responsive and light, fewer moving parts to break down, etc), but as a commuter ride it strikes me mainly as macho posturing. Becoming one with your bike is a good thing in theory, but it's no good if the singular bike-human can't stop in time (I've needed to make a fairly quick stop about once a week). Perhaps I'm simply ignorant (having only passing acquaintance with fixed gears), and I'm definitely not so macho. I don't think I'll try it on city streets any time soon (and I haven't even mentioned SEVERED FINGERS, something mentioned a little too frequently in discussion of fixed-gear bikes [Please forgive me for not including hyperlinks on this last point]).
bike
Friday, April 22, 2005 11:56:16 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Disclaimer  |  Comments [0]  |  Related posts:
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Nowy Sacz - Krakow (Day 7:Poland - Slovakia)
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