Fixed gear or normal bike 18 km Dublin commute

machaseh

So I'd like to get a bit more fit and commute by bike to work (instead of luas) a couple times a week. The single trip is 18 kms. I live in the north city of Dublin and I commute to south county Dublin, from Merrion Square down towards Blackrock and then right towards Dean's Grange and further south along Bray Rd.

I was wondering if a Fixed Gear bike would be a good option for this route? According to google maps, it doesn't seem to be terribly hilly although it is by no means flat. Would it be too hilly for a Fixed Gear bike commute to be relatively comfortable?

I am used to biking because I'm from the Netherlands, but of course we would usually bike on flat ground and using a normal bike with gears. I've been reading about Fixies or Fixed Gear bikes though and its simplicity attracts me. I am pretty terrible at maintaining my bikes and fixing them if anything is wrong so the less there is to fix, the better.

Would you recommend me to just take the plunge and buy one say in a 300 quid price range? Or would it be better to buy a cheap second hand one to try it out first?

CramCycle

Perfectly doable on a fixed gear, very flat for most of it, just get the gearing right. I commute about the same on hillier terrain without issue.
Tips for the bike, practice before you go out if you have not used one before. Make sure your front brakes are good. Practice slowing and stopping just using your legs, the brakes are too assist but the legs should do most of the work so that they are not caught off guard. Get your gearing right, better to be under geared than over.
At €300 you will get nothing but sh1t buying new, the bike maybe easy to maintain but if your hauling pig iron or getting seized bearings in the first month, you will know all about it. Go second hand or expand your budget a bit.
Make sure you know the difference between Single Speed and Fixed, many people get them confused, make sure it is fixed you want.

machaseh

CramCycle wrote: »

Perfectly doable on a fixed gear, very flat for most of it, just get the gearing right. I commute about the same on hillier terrain without issue.
Tips for the bike, practice before you go out if you have not used one before. Make sure your front brakes are good. Practice slowing and stopping just using your legs, the brakes are too assist but the legs should do most of the work so that they are not caught off guard. Get your gearing right, better to be under geared than over.
At €300 you will get nothing but sh1t buying new, the bike maybe easy to maintain but if your hauling pig iron or getting seized bearings in the first month, you will know all about it. Go second hand or expand your budget a bit.
Make sure you know the difference between Single Speed and Fixed, many people get them confused, make sure it is fixed you want.

That is great to know.

I found a shop in Dublin selling fixed gear bikes would these be any good value? Or better to look for a better model but second hand? https://vitalfixies.com/product/classic-stealth/ (sorry if that link is not allowed I am not meaning to advertise)

I'd like to buy through bike-to-work scheme so if there would be any bike shops that sell these models second hand that would be grand as then I can declare my costs using the bike to work scheme.

daragh_

I did a chunk of that route for years on a Singlespeed with no issues. Great in terms of bike maintenance. Charge Plug. Always regret selling it.

Rode in and out of town once or twice Fixed but was never really comfortable in Traffic so went back to the Freewheel. I've seen plenty of people riding fixed though so it's horses for courses.

cdaly_

CramCycle wrote: »

Make sure you know the difference between Single Speed and Fixed, many people get them confused, make sure it is fixed you want.

If you're not used to riding fixed gear, a city commute is not a good place to learn. Something with a flip-flop hub with fixed gear on one side and single speed freewheel on the other would be a nicer place to start.

machaseh wrote: »

I'd like to buy through bike-to-work scheme so if there would be any bike shops that sell these models second hand that would be grand as then I can declare my costs using the bike to work scheme.

The bike to work scheme applies only to new bikes. Attempting to use it to buy second-hand is tax fraud.

zonular

What size are you, I've a on one pompino im looking to let go of, flip flop hub and a spare set of wheels if needed

machaseh

zonular wrote: »

What size are you, I've a on one pompino im looking to let go of, flip flop hub and a spare set of wheels if needed

I am 1.83m tall.

droidus

Personally I think its a bit long for fixed. there'll be tons of stopping and and slow starts at lights. Why not go for a hub gear? You get the benefits of low maintenance and gears for a bit of extra weight.

magicbastarder

lest there's any confusion - because i know people who have misunderstood this. fixed gear bikes do not mean a fixed gear ratio, per se - it means there's no freewheel action on the rear hub. i.e. you cannot stop pedalling while the bike is moving.
many singlespeed bikes do have a freewheel action, but it's hard to tell them apart from fixies by simply looking at them, unless you see someone moving on one without turning the cranks.

OleRodrigo

Thats pretty much my commute from the cc to south dublin which i do fixed. Highly recommend it. In the morning there is a slight incline heading south along with the prevailing south/ south westerly.

The only hairy part, depending on the time, is college green due to the volume of cyclists using the luas tracks and converging outside the gates of Trinity. Better skip around by pearse street instead.

Don't mind the fixie nay sayers and their wonky knees.

Alanstrainor

magicbastarder wrote: »

lest there's any confusion - because i know people who have misunderstood this. fixed gear bikes do not mean a fixed gear ratio, per se - it means there's no freewheel action on the rear hub. i.e. you cannot stop pedalling while the bike is moving.
many singlespeed bikes do have a freewheel action, but it's hard to tell them apart from fixies by simply looking at them, unless you see someone moving on one without turning the cranks.

Yeah I would presume the OP means singlespeed. I wouldn't want to do that commute on a true fixed gear bike.

I did a commute that followed a lot of your route on a single speed for about a year. It was from Fairview to Killiney, so not quite as long. The single speed was perfect for it really. The things I like about a single speed is the reliability as a commuter, and I feel the power delivery is much more direct. They take a bit of getting used to, and you'll get bigger legs with any hills or even starting from lights. But there's a lot to be said for a good single speed.

Wishbone Ash

You might be better with a single speed than a fixie. Unless you're experienced and confident riding fixed on wet streets with multiple junctions/corners and potential hazards takes a bit of concentration.

Electric Nitwit

droidus wrote: »

Why not go for a hub gear? You get the benefits of low maintenance and gears for a bit of extra weight.

Hub gears are amazing. I have the Charge Tap with an 8 speed hub and it's an incredible bike. Had it 7 years I think, minimal maintenance, still runs like a dream.

I do a much shorter commute though (only about 3km I think), but I only really use three of the gears. When I finally need a new bike I'll be going single speed

Harrybelafonte

If the simplicity is the attraction OP, I’d just opt for a single speed. But you sound like you’ve plenty of cycling experience so the fixed element might be worth it just for the fun of it.

saccades

I started commuting on a flip flop with a 2 teeth difference, persevered for 18 months. I got annoyed at never being in the right gear.

Then used an igh for 23k, only changed to a drop bar as the distances increased and i wanted to join the local road club, 205km with 8 high gears nearly killed me on the w200.

This was all on a pompino.

For me an igh or with narrow/wide, 1x gets a good shout too.

tomasrojo

Three-speeds are pretty simple too, don't require much maintenance and give you a few options for hills and headwinds. I think a light three-speed with a chain case would be fairly maintenance-free. Even without a chain case if you don't mind wiping the chain once in a while.

You're very familiar with these anyway, being Dutch, but I think there are more lightweight versions of these than the omafiets and its kind.

Something like this?
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/chappelli-vintage-three-speed-bike-2017/rp-prod165005

tomasrojo

There are also two-speeds that don't even have gear cables. You just pedal a particular way to toggle between the two gears, and backpedal to brake. Lumen posted something about them ages ago.

I don't know how common off-the-shelf bikes with these kind of gears are, but there's something about the gears themselves:
https://www.missionbicycle.com/blog/hands-free-shifting

BDI

It all sounds great but it doesn’t take into account that some days after a few months you will get on the bike and absolutely just want to tap along, free wheel abit, let people pass you, tap the peddles again free wheel.

I think a fixie is grand if you have a few bikes.

italodisco

Fixie for 18km commute is grand ....... if you're quadzilla and carded up and well rested lol

eeeee

I do 40k a day across town on a fixie, it's absolutely fine.
Simple, easy to maintain, handy to ride around and give you good control. Nimble.

She's my favourite bike, I won my first national medal on her. She's much happier as a commuter.

magicbastarder

i'd be tempted to do my commute on a single speed, except for the thoughts of the top half of newtownpark avenue.

CramCycle

Fixed gear commuting in Dublin is fine, anyone who says it isn't, just hasn't tried it

eeeee

magicbastarder wrote: »

i'd be tempted to do my commute on a single speed, except for the thoughts of the top half of newtownpark avenue.

I do it fixed all * the time :cool:

*some of the time

Harrybelafonte

Fixed Fear is what youse all have

Macy0161

The only caveat I'd have is that the prevailing head wind that direction has me reaching for my gears on a similar route (albeit on the way home for me).

machaseh

Okay I am ditching the fixie idea for the following reasons:

1. It's just too far. I can cycle 18 kms there and back but if I want to do it in a setting where I have to be in work in time I want to have the ability to switch to a lower gear so I can climb a hill, rather than having to walk uphill.
2. The 'fixie culture' seems to be some kind of hipster-esque sub culture, a bit like people who use Vinyl instead of CDs or something like that. 'Feel more in touch with your bike' I really don't care about any of that. I want to get from A to B in a healthy and easy way, that is literally it.


Would this road bike be an option? I am not the biggest fan of derailleurs because while they work perfectly, they are very clunky, heavy and have a good chance of breaking down.

https://www.decathlon.ie/ie_en/triban-rc-500-touring-road-bike-disc-brakes-en-s308097.html

tomasrojo wrote: »

Three-speeds are pretty simple too, don't require much maintenance and give you a few options for hills and headwinds. I think a light three-speed with a chain case would be fairly maintenance-free. Even without a chain case if you don't mind wiping the chain once in a while.

You're very familiar with these anyway, being Dutch, but I think there are more lightweight versions of these than the omafiets and its kind.

Something like this?
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/chappelli-vintage-three-speed-bike-2017/rp-prod165005

I'll look into threespeeds, those are the type of bikes that would be the most common in the Netherlands yes. But I am not sure if they would be the best for such a long distance.

I wont be bringing heavy stuff such as a laptop into work but I would need a backpack with some clothes and the like.

Plastik

I rode a singlespeed for a while from Bray to Dublin 1, about 23k each way. It was fine, but I eventually sold it because it was too much of a pain in the arse on the days facing into a headwind. I can't remember what the gearing was, maybe 46x16. The frame being too small for me probably didn't help either. There are absolutely no hills anywhere on the route you're talking about though that are anywhere close to being steep enough that you would have to walk up, so whatever about other justifications, that shouldn't be one of them.

CramCycle

I have a Dolan TC1 that I am putting up for sale soon, PM me if you want to try it out, we are close enough to the same height so it would give you a good idea if you wanted to go Fixed or not. Fixed or Single Speed, both are fine for that commute.

droidus

machaseh wrote: »

Okay I am ditching the fixie idea for the following reasons:

1. It's just too far. I can cycle 18 kms there and back but if I want to do it in a setting where I have to be in work in time I want to have the ability to switch to a lower gear so I can climb a hill, rather than having to walk uphill.
2. The 'fixie culture' seems to be some kind of hipster-esque sub culture, a bit like people who use Vinyl instead of CDs or something like that. 'Feel more in touch with your bike' I really don't care about any of that. I want to get from A to B in a healthy and easy way, that is literally it.


Would this road bike be an option? I am not the biggest fan of derailleurs because while they work perfectly, they are very clunky, heavy and have a good chance of breaking down.

https://www.decathlon.ie/ie_en/triban-rc-500-touring-road-bike-disc-brakes-en-s308097.html



I'll look into threespeeds, those are the type of bikes that would be the most common in the Netherlands yes. But I am not sure if they would be the best for such a long distance.

I wont be bringing heavy stuff such as a laptop into work but I would need a backpack with some clothes and the like.

Have a look here.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057796093

cletus

There's nothing wrong with vinyl

Harrybelafonte

machaseh wrote: »

1. It's just too far. I can cycle 18 kms there and back but if I want to do it in a setting where I have to be in work in time I want to have the ability to switch to a lower gear so I can climb a hill, rather than having to walk uphill.
2. The 'fixie culture' seems to be some kind of hipster-esque sub culture, a bit like people who use Vinyl instead of CDs or something like that. 'Feel more in touch with your bike' I really don't care about any of that. I want to get from A to B in a healthy and easy way, that is literally it.

Cool, you've made your decision, but in case anyone else is wondering the same as yourself.

1. You pick the gearing that would suit you best for the trip and your ability. You'd have realised it pretty quickly after a trip. Cram and eeeee would be using different gears to me for the same trip for example.

2. You can ride fixed gear without being part of that "hipster" culture. Feeling more in touch with your bike is also a nice thing and feeds into control. Anyway, I personally would like to thank "hipsters" for helping the return of vinyl and introducing many of this to more pleasurable coffees, etc. Though I still don't get why so many walk their bikes everywhere.

magicbastarder

the one thing that would give me pause re a fixie - as i think WA mentioned - is that issue of taking a corner too quickly and not being able to keep the pedal from striking the ground.
i have a bike at home with a flip flop rear wheel, but have never put it on the fixed side.

rollingscone

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Fixed Fear is what youse all have

I do for sure. Singlespeed is fine for all of Dublin.

Fixed if you have the skills...I remain convinced that I'd be my own undoing on fixed.

OleRodrigo

The real worry with riding fixed.....


....is not having tied your shoe laces tightly.

CramCycle

magicbastarder wrote: »

the one thing that would give me pause re a fixie - as i think WA mentioned - is that issue of taking a corner too quickly and not being able to keep the pedal from striking the ground.
i have a bike at home with a flip flop rear wheel, but have never put it on the fixed side.

Shorter cranks and a higher BB, converted road bikes to fixed gear are not a good idea IMO they are fine for single speeds though.

rollingscone wrote: »

I do for sure. Singlespeed is fine for all of Dublin.

Fixed if you have the skills...I remain convinced that I'd be my own undoing on fixed.

I don't think there is any skill to it, it is just riding a bike, only you cannot freewheel.

OleRodrigo wrote: »

The real worry with riding fixed.....


....is not having tied your shoe laces tightly.

Has happened to me, thankfully lace snapped but left an imprint on my foot before it did.

Harrybelafonte

magicbastarder wrote: »

the one thing that would give me pause re a fixie - as i think WA mentioned - is that issue of taking a corner too quickly and not being able to keep the pedal from striking the ground.
i have a bike at home with a flip flop rear wheel, but have never put it on the fixed side.

Proper track bikes have higher bottom brackets, I've never once come close to pedal strike.

OleRodrigo wrote: »

The real worry with riding fixed.....


....is not having tied your shoe laces tightly.

Or just long laces, or flappy trousers.

OleRodrigo

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

.. or flappy trousers.

:eek:

Pics or GTFO

Cramcycle wrote: »

Has happened to me, thankfully lace snapped but left an imprint on my foot before it did..

Same, bottom of Parnell Square East. Was lucky to make it to the kerb and untangle myself. Runner was ruined. Luckily there were no buses around.

Harrybelafonte

OleRodrigo wrote: »

:eek:

Pics or GTFO

Happened at track. One of the kids. Track suit bottom was bunched up at the ends and went into chainring.

tomasrojo

machaseh wrote: »

I am not the biggest fan of derailleurs because while they work perfectly, they are very clunky, heavy and have a good chance of breaking down.

They do need more maintenance than hub gears. They're not heavy though. At least, not as heavy as the hub-gear equivalent.

If I were looking for a low-maintenance bike, hub-gear is what I'd go for.

machaseh wrote: »

I'll look into threespeeds, those are the type of bikes that would be the most common in the Netherlands yes. But I am not sure if they would be the best for such a long distance.

A light three-speed would be grand for 18km, I think. I've done 30+km on a three-speed Brompton, which, apart from the limited gearing, also isn't as well suited to long distances as a non-folding bike (though it's surprisingly close, given the compromises required for folding).

There do seem to be three-speed versions of some single-speed bikes, from what I've read. They're pretty minimalist too. Think they'd be a good option, but I;m not sure how much choice there is.

Wishbone Ash

magicbastarder wrote: »

the one thing that would give me pause re a fixie - as i think WA mentioned - is that issue of taking a corner too quickly and not being able to keep the pedal from striking the ground....

As has been said, the BB is about an inch higher than a standard bike so that's not really a problem. For me, what can be a bit hairy is having to continue to turn the cranks in while negotiating a wet oil spill on a roundabout, crossing tram lines at an angle or dealing with errant pedestrians.

Harrybelafonte

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

As has been said, the BB is about an inch higher than a standard bike so that's not really a problem. For me, what can be a bit hairy is having to continue to turn the cranks in while negotiating a wet oil spill on a roundabout, crossing tram lines at an angle or dealing with errant pedestrians.

As in the risk of toe overlap?

CramCycle

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

As has been said, the BB is about an inch higher than a standard bike so that's not really a problem. For me, what can be a bit hairy is having to continue to turn the cranks in while negotiating a wet oil spill on a roundabout, crossing tram lines at an angle or dealing with errant pedestrians.

I'd be the opposite, because it forces you to keep spinning, you don't over think the issue and end up causing yourself to fall but I have no proof of this.

ILIKEFOOD

defo can be done, i see a lad do much of that route on a fixie..but he's a bit of a beast (UCD gear on). i have a fixie (use the single speed flip flop hub) and i do that route (up to clonkeen) but opted out in favour of gears. Nice to have the gears on those days you're a bit tired after work.

souter

fwiw I've been commuting a smaller distance (8 km each way, flat) for years, rain and shine, on a fixie. And I love it.
But this trope about fixie being zero maintenance needs to be put in perspective:
a) when you puncture, you don't have quick release on the rear wheel - so carry a big spanner
b) throwing the chain will happen and make your hands very messy
c) chain tensioning is a bit of art in itself.

tomasrojo

souter wrote: »

fwiw I've been commuting a smaller distance (8 km each way, flat) for years, rain and shine, on a fixie. And I love it.
But this trope about fixie being zero maintenance needs to be put in perspective:
a) when you puncture, you don't have quick release on the rear wheel - so carry a big spanner
b) throwing the chain will happen and make your hands very messy
c) chain tensioning is a bit of art in itself.

On a): can you not just patch the tube without taking off the wheel? That's what I do with the bakfiets, given that getting the rear wheel off is a really big deal, and the front wheel a fairly big deal. Then you don't have all the fuss of chain tensioning after.

eeeee

I have a light little fixie spanner that goes on my bottle cage with a 15m spanner on one end and a c spanner on the other.
Chain tensioning is grand, even if you don't know what you're doing, a tight chain will eventually wear into a lose one.
I run mine with lots of #track slack cos it's faster and easier to pedal.
The chain does come off sometimes, twice on a year, but only if you're slowing down over rough ground, it stays on 100%of other times.

They're a hill of a lot less maintenance than a geared bike, orders of magnitude less.
So much simpler.
It's my favourite bike. She went from winning national medals on track to being the ultimate commuter. It's incredibly reliable.
I do need to sort out more permanent mudguards though, I need to drill out the holes for the mounts to 10mm.
But a street fixie is built for that stuff way better than a track bike.

Harrybelafonte

souter wrote: »

fwiw I've been commuting a smaller distance (8 km each way, flat) for years, rain and shine, on a fixie. And I love it.
But this trope about fixie being zero maintenance needs to be put in perspective:
a) when you puncture, you don't have quick release on the rear wheel - so carry a big spanner
b) throwing the chain will happen and make your hands very messy
c) chain tensioning is a bit of art in itself.

I don't think it's characterised as "zero", rather "low".

a) A normal 14/15 ring spanner will do and there are some made that are more "carryable" I have a backpack with me everywhere so mine is in there.
b) I've never thrown a chain, only snapped them
c) Chain tensioning takes a process:

Wheel out
Chain around front sprocket and over rear axle
Slam wheel whole way into dropouts (or as far as possible)
Chain over rear sprocket
Pull wheel back til tight
Tighten nonsprocket side first then other; do both by hand til tight. Enough to hold wheel
Check alignment, loosen and correct and tighten til you're happy
Tighten whole thing, starting with non-drive side, done

Not trying to deny it's not easy, and I've had a lot of practice with above having to change sprockets, etc between races, but I do find it easier than replacing a QR rear wheel, but I just need more practice with that.
I like my chains tight, no track slack on road

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

a) A normal 14/15 ring spanner will do

I have a little pedal one that would fit in your pocket without being noticed that does the job.

b) I've never thrown a chain, only snapped them

I've done both but only once each, first was too loose and the second too tight, lazy on my part as I knew it in both instants that I hadn't done it right.

c) Chain tensioning takes a process:

I find it quite easy when the wheel is back in, pull it back by hand, tighten nuts by hand, if chain is too loose, tighten one nut slightly and loosen the other, push wheel to the side to make the loose nut go back (I have heard people call it walking it back?!?). Tighten that and loosen the other and let the wheel straighten, check tension again. Continue on alternating sides but usually only needs to be done once if at all. Too check if it is too tight, lift wheel of ground and spin, tap the chain between the sprocket and the crankset with your small spanner as it spins. It will likely have slight variations in tension due to non roundness of chainring but only a little. If it does not move slightly the whole way round or it slows quickly, it is to tight.

Only for the time digging the spanner out of your pocket, it does not take longer to remove a wheel than a QR. It can occasionally take a slight bit longer to replace the rear wheel but rarely once you are practiced.

Harrybelafonte

Which spanners are you guys using?

cdaly_

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

c) Chain tensioning takes a process:

My process, back in the days of sloping dropouts was:

1. Pull wheel all the way back.
2. Tighten drive side nut
3. Centre wheel in chainstays
4. Tighten other nut

That was the way in the days of single speed as a kid and later with derailleur in sloping dropouts.

Dunno how well that works with straight dropouts (dropbacks?).

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Which spanners are you guys using?

I got a free one with a bike i ordered for attaching the pedals presumably. Looks like this one but a bit smaller: