Jack's Fixie Obsession | Stupid But Fun Gravel & Hill Climb Fixed Gear Bikes
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Fixed gear bikes - depending on whom you ask, they're a great way to train or a dumb hangover of circa-2008 messenger culture that refuses to die and is only good for Instagram likes. Assistant editor Jack Luke embraces them as both and, in this video, he talks us through two very different takes on the genre 💥💪
The first bike - a State Undefeated - is a regular on the BikeRadar channel, having featured in both the 2018 and 2019 editions of hill climb diaries. The bike has received a thorough update for the 2020 season and Jack talks through everything new on the bike 🆕⚠️
The Surly Steamroller is an altogether different and bewilderingly niche bike, featuring flat bars, rim brakes and 40mm tyres... oh and, of course, a fixed gear drivetrain. This is one of Jack's all-time favourite bikes and he talks us through why 🌹👏
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Fixed gear is stupid and pointless, and i freaking love riding one. Been commuting on fixed gear (with a front brake mind you) for over 10 years, and it still makes a smile on my face every freaking morning no matter the weather. No other bike can do that for me. And of course the fact that there's less maintenance/less breaking parts to worry about, is a bonus.
I agree, fixies are so fun I've only done two rides on mine it's definitely very stupid and pointless, while on a freewheel I could aero tuck up to 40mph on the fixed I'm on the brakes spinning at 160rpm at 32mph
I bought a used fixed gear bike a few years back, and it really got me back into riding just for sheer fun. Sure, they're the most impractical stupid bikes you can get, they're not the fastest downhill, hopeless up hills and are basically the same bikes as the 1880s safety bicycles, but they're just so much fun ride.
I read about some research that said that religions that put a lot of restrictions on their followers have more adherent followers., so maybe it's the same thing with fixed gear bikes and riders. With all the limitations of the bike, we just love them all the more.
fixed gears have no business being as fun to ride as they are! i still adore my fixed commute to work
Well said sir
Oh, I think there are Way more than 10 of us. On this side of the pond we call them TrackloCross bikes. #PureFun
At least 12 of us
tracklocross worldwide!
I'm 61 years old and still ride fixed gear and I'll ride them till the day I die. The first time I rode fixed gear all those years ago for me it was love at first ride. I loved then and I love it even more now.
Wild flex but alright rock on
The perfect unpretentious fixie video, truly. The messed up collar is really just the icing on the casual cake
Haha! I didn't realise it was like that till after the video - the mic dragged it into scruff-central.
Yes! Definitely want to see that long distance flat bar aero fixie adventure!
Christian Killeen yep definitely. I remember see the pics and story on Jack’s Insta
Another vote to see that adventure!
It looks like the editor of this video misses joe already.. Miss him myself too... Especially Jack & joe's favourite series.
While I miss working with him, you’ll be pleased to hear we still live very close by, so the BikeRadar family is still together!!! Thanks for your comment, Jack xxxx
@@bikeradar awww hehe never thought i will say that on a bike radar comment.. But nice to know... Great news as I could feel the friendship between you two in the videos sadly that won't be there but still no worries...
I built my fixie out of parts that people discarded at the bike shop I worked at. I built the rear wheel from a pair of trashed wheels (good hub on one, good rim on the other), got the frame from a dumpster, and the fork from a crashed carbon frame. I had the other parts lying around and boy oh boy, trashbike is perhaps my most ridden bike. All I ever bought were a pair of tires for the winter here in cleveland.
Recently converted my geared cross-check to fixed gear, I've been cycling for decades and this has been the most fun and exciting riding since I was 5 and learning the two wheeler.
Hahahahaha!!! I appreciate this video so much. I have a Specialized Allez Red Hook Crit edition fixed gear bike that’s like with carbon wheels and stupidly dumb stiff light components and a Mash Steel frame with tubeless gravel wheels on it. Love both of them for totally different reasons.
Bought a steel framed Fixed gear off Facebook for £50. It’s my only bike that strangers comment on. Brightens up the commute and useful for riding with the family- it turns a slow coasting ride into an actual ride whilst all staying together.
Though the $ figure was a bit different, same experience here. The fixie is just so stinkin' fun!
Recently built up a free wheel steamroller with 650 x 47 wheels. It's an absolute beast and I ride it primarily on single track. Granted, I do live in a VERY flat area but it's big fun. Love your build!
Being honest fixies scare me! Fair play to you fixey bravehearts.
there’s nothing too crazy about them, fixed gear riders like to overhype how “dangerous” they are. A fixed gear bike with brakes is very easy to ride.
I love fixed! Cannot get any other folks interested in it though. The best Bike Radar video ever.
Nailing a short climb with the right gear on a super-light fixed build is cycling nirvana for me. Nothing better.
I run a fixed gear rim brake tubeless steamroller with a hub dynamo for lighting. It's a total blast. I love it to bits.
I have a Single-Speed, Flat Bar, Gravel idiot wagon with disc brakes, but it’s made by All-City. It has by far the most personality of any bike I’ve ever had. Great video, nice to see something that isn’t the newest or best or fanciest.
I'm in the midst of piecing one together myself. What kind of terrain do you ride and what sort of gearing do you like on the idiot wagon? Cheers!
Bought a very 'lived in' fixie for £108 this summer and absolutely love it. Cleaned it up, changed the bars, brake levers and cables, stem, saddle and now it's my favourite bike to ride.
I absolutely love your Undefeated! It looks amazing. And as for aero bars on a flat bar, some people will always protest against the norm. But if its comfortable, then more fool them.
Love my Steamroller. Only bike I have. Set up for gravel. Pure awesome.
I didn’t expect this video to be as fantastic as it is; I am fairly new to the channel so am looking digging into the hill climb videos.
I am sooo inspired for a stupid (perfect) winter commuter now. Thank you! I haven’t been this stoked to build wheels or ride fixed, but now I am, in a BIG way. Thanks!!!
I'm not a fan of fixies personally but I sure do love that people like you are out there ripping up gravel trails and working up Instagram comment sections with builds like these.
Coolest fixed gear bikes ever seen. Very drastically different
Please do a video on your big "stupid" fixie ride. Sounds amazing!
Me and my friend recently did a 200km fixed gear ride. At the end I almost died of pain and fatigue, but damn, the satisfaction and fun! Plus a top time on one of the segments on Strava was a nice bonus :D Get the Deflated and come to Kraków in Poland to ride. Hella fun!
Fixed gear bikes - frivolous fashion statement or fabulous fun? ⚠️What do you think of Jack's bikes? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! 🧙♂️🏆
Fixies were rendered irrelevant with the invention of the free hub. Insisting on using one is just pointless and dangerous.
My 2c. Sorry dude (or whoever cares on your marketing/biz side) - way way too many adverts interrupting the flow. Ditched viewing this vid 3 times and came back, but ultimately didn’t make it much past half way before doing something else with my time. Shame - was a fun vid.
Maximillian Dickens. Have you ever ridden one?
Ewan Short yes, on a track.
Cycle technology has come on leaps and bounds. Why on earth would you want to go back 150 years? I just don't get it.
I really love these kind of videos where you go into detail about the build! I was looking for fixed / freewheel hubs / wheels with some requirements, e.g. wide rims with a braking surface (for rim brakes) to fit wider tires, nicely sealed hubs to withstand adverse weather, and some ideas to build a superlight single speed bike. I thought nobody else had the same ideas (because I don't find many wheels with my requirements on the market...), but it turns out you got exactly what I was looking for! I really dig those components: I love Surly bikes, having build up one for my brother, you made some excellent choices (e.g. the Mack hubs, extralite stem, EE brakes, Paul components,...) and I am fully convinced both bikes are a joy to ride. Thanks for the video.
whoa whoa you talk about lightness on your deflated, but then you go and add about 3cm of steerer tube and spacers?? psh might as well use schwalbe marathons at that point. (^:
much love for the tracklocross steamroller. truly the epitome of silliness and reckless abandon. the cockpit is absolute perfection, you should keep on it all the time. i think its similar to xc racers using barends at the bar-middles.
i think youve convinced me to give that a shot on my next iteration bike build!
Got that right. Should have started with carbon frame finishing at 5kg or so as well. Even borrow a pro level track sprint bike with appropriate chainring and sprocket would make this build look feeble. A challenge might be the front brake though.
Fantastic...I have ridden a variety of fixed gear bike for past 42 years. I can say I am addicted to fixed gear riding and rarely use gears. I have just purchased a surly steamroller frameset and am looking forward to building it for Devon C2C. Great article Jack.
Cheers Sean McDonald
I love that steamroller, my pompino is fairly similar in set up, great fun
Great to see a guy who thinks outside the box.
I too ride a Single speed steel bike cooper 16/42. Flat bar with mini aero bars and I absolutely love it. I love the look on people’s faces too as I overtake them as my wee legs spin like the clappers 🤪
It's funny: supposedly the allure of fixies is their simplicity, and yet (like Jack in this video) to make them work in any but the simplest conditions, you have to obsess over every part. And good luck with any descent that involves cornering.
you just turn the bars and lean. Plus there is fun in hunting down the parts.
If you can get a track bike with a front brake hole, all the hard work of sorting the chainline should be done for you. Just bung a caliper and lever on and you're good to go. And maybe some RaceBlade mudguards if you live somewhere rainy!
@@miaflore What without the pedals hitting the ground?
Track frames have a higher bottom bracket than a road frame, and shorter crank arms
I'm getting a Fixie to add to my collection of bikes. They look like a lot of fun to ride but that is not my only reason for wanting one. I feel buying one helps to send a message that we are fed up with 1 the pricing of new geared groupsets, and 2 the hydraulic brake option only choices we are being forced to adopt. Thanks for making this video, it makes me want this even more.
tri bars for long off road rides are so good! I put my tri bars on my hardtail to ride to Suffolk and back (from Bristol) and it was so nice to have an alternative position, and to be able to get aero and comfy on the tow paths and smoother bridleways.
All bikes, regardless of use, should have tri bars.
Also, would you be up for a fixie gravel ride at some point? I'm curious to see what sort of paths you attempt. DM me on insta @tedventure_time
I rode a fixie for a couple of years. Probably won't go back. Maybe if it's my 3rd 4th or 5th bike then maybe yes but no more commuting in all wheather and carrying gear on a fixie. I think I've grown more lazy and I probably would still opt for a single-speed.
Hilarious rabbit hole of cycling Geekery... Love it. Niche, sure. But, still awesomeness.
As a Bay Area Boi fixies will forever have a place in my heart as well- that surly build (“tracklocross” as we call it here lol) is absolutely beautiful
My SuRly SSRoller ‘Leviathan’ - named after my first born son in a Spray.Bike finish- has a similar set up.. with the Paul ELever (ultegra brake 🤞) and some Rene Herse extra light 28s, I’m between these builds. Got some great ideas for differentiating my two bike fixed quiver. Thanks!
+1 for the long distance fixie ride vid
One of my mtb I converted to a single speed with wolftooth,q2,and space adjust a shimano alivio 3x crank.
I love that Steamroller. I have used a On One in a similar setup with drops and it is indeed so much fun.
Great to see some fixie trail riding! I just did a 180km ride on trail last week.
Steel Jamis Sputnik w/ 35mm Donnely USH and 40/16 gearing. I agree- they are a HOOT to ride.
Thanks! Just got an idea with my flatbar. I was thinkin to get other set of handlebar and stem(bullhorn) for climbing and touring, but i think the aero bar idea is not bad. I think its unique and efficient, just attached/dettached. 👌
01:06 Jack... watch out, missing a chainring bolt
I have those bars. Got them as extras when I bought a Langster. Took me a while to try them after no one would buy them. Actually really like them.
I got into fixed gear riding this year and have logged over 1000 miles. Fun indeed, but it also causes you to look MUCH further ahead versus when riding a regular bike with gears. I feel it has also made me stronger on my geared bike.
Next, I want to put clipless pedals on now that I am more comfortable.
TT & flat bars are the bomb.
I love them because they look so simple! So many bikes look alike right now and it’s a breath of fresh air to see something other than an aero-disc-probike! Would love to see the video of your fixie trip to the south coast also :D
Hill Climb Diaries: The greatest series of bike vids! I still watch the original ones with Joe and then the joy of the NFTG attitude that Jack brought.
Still waiting for the Jack tandem hillclimb bike and race vlogs!!! Who will be the stoker?? A guest appearance by Joe maybe?...
Further proof Jack Luke is the most interesting member on staff.
frivolous, maybe. addictive, yes. I've got seven. The Miche cog system is really good too
I have a dream that one day, Jack, Joe and Ruben will be reunited, even if just for one video
Great video, food for thought . I like the mix of old, really old, and new.
Cooooool! A gravel fixed gear!
I use mine for long distances
Bull horn and all
I like your taste in bikes, Jack, and Deflated works as a name and I like that, too, all sorts of funny names would work, like Stupid, Unravel, Dirtbag, Loser. And then the crowd at the climb would wonder where you found the inspiration to take the laurels.
just bought a used S-Works Tarmac but now I want a fixie! haha
So much more fun being on a fixed gear, if you haven’t tried it you must!
16:13 "down dodgy, dogging paths"
Someone's been up Tog Hill
Sam Traeger looking at badgers
Missing the jack and jo show.....was best bike stuff on UA-cam
I love fixie bikes !!! Its to much fun !!!!
That flatbar + aero extensions setup reminds me of Velo Orange Crazy bars.
"Dodgy dogging paths"
.. you knew where they were though didnt you ... 👀😂
Great vid, came across this whilst trying to find out if single speed gravel riding was a thing
Surly front brake clearance from top of tire to underside of brake will snag mud badly on true gravel roads with soft patches, water or dirt. Aero bars with flat bars are common on Tour Divide setups, but Moloko bars remove the tank-gun feel, and adding sweep will save the hands for carpal tunnel syndrome on washboard. Let’s see a video of fixing descending with mad braking required over 5km; single but free plus another brake may be healthier. Single, free, double brakes are also common on Tour Divide and other alpine or desert events (AZT) where carrying the bike is necessary.
am currently building myself a fixie after seeing your surely one on instergam cant wait to get out on it once its done
I have a Surly Lowside singlespeed. Absolutely love it. But now you really got me interested in fixie, Should I?
I’ve been climbing with fixed gear for years, My knees are fine … and I’m old
Very cool, so much so I'm considering a dabble!😎
Fixed Gear is heaven on your knees 👍
Oh man does this mean we are going to get hill climb diaries again and maybe some sweet steamroller diaries? I love fixies . I have two a Bianchi Pista with drops and brakes . Then I have a Dean ti track bike. Man I really hope we get those diary videos !
Such a prodigy - can pedal a bike without pedals...cheers mate
I do clip on aero on a flatbar bike, I think it’s cheaper than buying a bar end brakes and bull horn base bar
Have you guys seen Jospeh Anderson's loop of Australia on a fixed gear bike? He sported the same cockpit layout, with a wide riser and a set of aero extensions on top.
I just got my first fixie and it is just amazing. Getting the weight and stiffness of an overpriced carbon road bike for significantly less money is just a good idea. Who would have thought?
My opinion exactly. And being a heavy rider, no spoke dish on the rear wheel has ended my wheel issues at the same time! Flat around this rural area so geared bikes are just the tradition. Fast group rides though you're at a large disadvantage especially at intersections where you must backpedal to a stop, and lumber up to speed in too high a gear. You need to be the strongest rider in the group to compensate.
Want to see more of the Surly bro
Love my fixed gear! Great fun.
This is literally what I wanted to see from you guys!
PS those clean handlebars are to DIE for!
I love them great bikes
I have a Brother Allday set up similar to the Surly and it is very fun!
The Allday was another choice on my list, particularly as it will take mudguards. However, the fashionista in me couldn't face unused canti' bosses on the rear! Haha.
@@bikeradar I've actually got the older version without the mounts, will definitely be looking into centre pull brakes after watching this video for some extra clearance!
i feel like anyone whose ridden fixed has fallen in love and gets it. i definitely wasnt sure if track bike riding was worth the hype but now even when i ride my road bike i wish it was fixed instead
I love climbing up hill with bullhorn fixed gear. Now considering building a steel frame fixed gear gravel bike, thinking about using alt bars, do you have any suggestions that any alt bar is also good for hill climb?
This video makes me want to buy a fixie and put gravel tires
Late to the party....I thought I was crazy for wanting FG gravel set up tubeless. NOBODY would take the time to build one, right? Then I finally googled it and found this. Brilliant on both bikes! Inspiration and stoke have gone through the roof.
Curious, did Vijay ever get his Tourney group set video? ;-)
Definitely would like to see a vid of that long ride
I was looking at Surlys, but they have a really low bottom bracket, I think it would be a real problem when cornering with a fixed gear. The State Black Label looks nice, but I want bigger tires. The Posiden Tracklocross looks like the one to get.
I really enjoyed the series of Cornetto ads that interspersed the video. They seemed quite apt. Just one...
Fave instagram influencer
Stop, I'll blush x
Hi! If you were to build a similar bike bike on a budget... How would you do it? Would be a great video! Thank you
In the words of Guy Garvey......Silly wrong, but vivid right!
Awesome bikes
Does that crankset use GXP bb, or DUB? Did a carefully measured chain line adjustment on my Aventon Cordoba. Chainring measured 42.5mm from center of downtube to center of chainring. (Seat tube highly flared, impossible to measure accurately with digital caliper) rear hub/cog had chainline of 41.5mm. Well, took an aluminum cassette spacer, filed off all the keys meant to fit the freehub body. I then lapped the thickness to 1mm. It fits perfectly and gets the chain line to within less than 1mm from perfect. Square taper bbs do have the characteristic that chain line can vary depending on manufacturing tolerances of bb and crank arms. Also used shims on top of crank spider arms to radially true the loose fitting chainring. Dura Ace, not exactly, but got 95% of that roundness with soda can shims! That's one quiet drivetrain! Unfortunately the only way I see to win a hill climb is to build a 5kg carbon fixed for consistent grades. It has been done. A bit disappointed you started with a middle range aluminum bike with less potential.
Were you able to fit a front brake on your Steamroller with the Raddlers? I’m hesitant to go up past the recommended 38s on my new build, but boy would I love to throw on some 40s! For context, incoming rims are Velocity Quills (21.1mm I.D.). Thanks for the great content.
Let's see that epic ride!
Loved this video! Stupid fixies are so much fun. I like the unique drivetrain on your State, don't see something like that very often. How easy is it to change the chainring on the State bike?
I've been riding a fixie for fun weekday rides since March. Loved it so much that I'm building a single speed gravel bike (using a track frame).
Jack, or any of the viewers, I’m considering a fixie. Where i live not everywhere is flat. It’s up or down but when the roads are going up they’re not steep. But nevertheless Geared bikes help. I hear how in tune riders can be when riding a fixie and would love to get one. Am i going to be left frustrated that a fixie is something I’m not going to be able to ride the long roads that are slightly uphill, hope you know what i mean.
From my experience, you’re fine if the grades of the hills are in the low to mid single digits. Once you get into the high single digits and double digits, you’re going to need such a small gear to get up that it’ll slow you down on the flats and be a pain to descend on. You can definitely ride more comfortably with a larger gear on a fixed gear than on a single speed because you don’t have as much of a dead spot in your pedaling.
I’d watch that stupid day video!
I have a fixie too.. But the chains wear out too quickly!
Which clamps are used to keep the front bottle cage in place, on the surly? Does this damage the paint a lot? I'm thinking about drilling holes in my frame... But it isn't an easy decision. These look pretty good! I would love to find a good solution for my track bikes! Btw I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes riding a track bike in places it's not really meant for...! 😁
Jack, I get the impression from videos of you pedaling that your seat is a bit low for a tall guy like you. Do you prefer it so? Great content as always.