Commuting on my metal fastened gear bike has change into a daily a part of my day, a dependable and pleasant option to navigate the streets of my residence city, Oxford. Fixies, or fastened gear bikes, are simple machines that provide a no-frills method to biking. There’s one thing inherently satisfying about hopping on and pedaling away with out the necessity to fiddle with gears – you are at all times in the fitting gear as a result of, properly, there’s solely the one!
(Picture credit score: Future (Joe Baker))
I discovered my fixie by way of a London-based discussion board a few 12 months and a half in the past. It’s branded ‘Atom’, nevertheless these are literally simply decals – I do not know the precise historical past of the frameset.
Attracted initially by its aesthetic, a more in-depth look revealed that beneath its blue and chrome exterior lay a customized hand-built Colombus metal body, with a Cinelli bar and stem, and even an old-school white Turbo saddle – fairly reliable components. It might not have been model new, but it surely was clear that it had been well-loved and well-maintained by its earlier proprietor, which for a city bike, is all you’ll be able to actually ask for.
An 80s model saddle with patina to match
(Picture credit score: Future (Joe Baker))
That mentioned, sustaining it poorly would have been tough for the earlier proprietor as a result of a fixie is such a low upkeep bike to personal. With no gears to regulate or exchange, maintaining it in good working order is a breeze. It has been over a 12 months, and I’ve but to interchange a single half. Certain, the entrance brake pads have seen some heavy use, and sure, the rear tire is sporting out barely faster it might on a traditional bike however, hey, neither of those components will price me greater than £30 and a Saturday afternoon! The simplicity of its design means there’s much less to go improper, and the components are constructed to resist the trials of each day using.
The decals have seen higher days…Â
(Picture credit score: Future (Joe Baker))
Financially, choosing a fixie was a wise alternative for me too. For hacking across the outdated cobbled streets of Oxford, and popping into the odd cafe, an affordable bike like that is simply excellent.Â
Moreover, bike theft is an unlucky actuality in lots of UK cities, and Oxford shouldn’t be exception. An costly hybrid from the likes of Trek or Cannondale are arguably sooner and extra snug, however my Atom makes extra sense for me.Â
Then there’s the bike’s allure. It has a narrative, it is received some rust, some dents, and a very particular person journey really feel. It is received character. It has a reasonably steep head tube angle too, which makes for extremely fast dealing with that, if nothing else, by no means fails to wake me up on the best way into city.
It additionally will get me match. One gear in a reasonably hilly city like Oxford signifies that I will should on press on in some unspecified time in the future in my journey. So, anytime I go away the home I do know I am because of get bout of train in, which must be factor. Whereas steeper inclines is usually a little bit of a low cadence grind, to date I’ve by no means needed to cease and stroll my fixie. When that day comes, I will most likely simply go and purchase a smaller chainring anyway!
Do not get me improper, this coaching is old fashioned and much from scientific, however I might moderately be working laborious on my fixie than staring down an interval session on a cycle laptop…
I am at the moment operating a 49/17 setup
(Picture credit score: Future (Joe Baker))
As I mirror on my time with my fixie, I am reminded of the straightforward pleasures it brings. Bikes have been created at the start to ensure that us to get round extra effectively, and that is precisely what my bike achieves for me, in a very analog method. It stops me from reaching for my automotive keys, and gives me with the satisfaction of arriving at my vacation spot underneath my very own energy. It is all I would like, and nothing extra, all in an endearing blue and chrome package deal…
