My heart loves the idea of SS but my knees don't.

don't get it, fixed anyway and this new generation of uber trendy shoreditch types just ride round like lunatics constantly jumping lights and ped' crossings with people on them coz they can't stop. This IMHO just adds fuel to the cycle haters fire.

SS yes love-um Fixies keep them on the track - the modern road environment is just too congested. As for cycling through pedestrian crossings - time to swing those bags at the transgressors!

Interesting that the Specialized Langester in Monaco livery adopts the colours of Martini - just like the Bianchi mountain bikes for late1990s/early 2000 of the official Martini Bianchi MTB team!

I'm sure Martini are grateful to Specialized for the free advertising, but where is the connection between Specialized and Martini? Maybe Bianchi will do a Mountain Dew coloured bike?

Fixed gear riding isn't new - and most fixed gear riders manage to ride very sensibly and their knees are fine.

The fashion means that there are some interesting bikes and parts about - so I'm not complaining about that - the people that don't fall in love with cycling because of getting a cool new bike will move onto another fad soon enough.

I dont understand some of those comments above. Fixed machines are not just for urban areas to jump red lights.

I ride mine in the countryside as a winter training bike. I do 50 - 70 miles a week and love it on country lanes and quieter A / B roads. Gives the legs a great work out !!!!

I've been riding a single speed for five years now (On One Inbred with disks). I would never go back to a multi-geared bike for the daily commute. Low cost and minimal maintenance. If you ride in all types of weather a single speed should be considered.

Rest assured carbonfiend, this is one cyclist who behaves on the tarmac, never jump lights or ped. crossings. Therefore, your generalisation is unwarranted.

Why all these negative attitudes about cycling from cyclists. Surely all aspects of cycling culture should be appreciated? So what if it is fashionable? Good, I'm glad its fashionable. Why shouldn't it be? Since when has 'fashionable' or 'trendy' become a genuine criticism? How strange!

I started fixed riding a month ago on a Giant Bowery. I sold that right away and bought a Genesis Skyline - which I run fixed with a 48x17 gear. I totally converted. I did fifty on it last Sunday in the rain and it was fantastic.

In the City I ride my Brompton. To counter the comments about fixie riders - I see all sorts running the lights - not just couriers or faux couriers. The biggest issue for me in the City are the inane pedestrians that just step off the pavement in front of you.

If you haven't tried fixed riding the give it a go. You will love it and like me will wonder what took you so long.

I rode fixed for three days (discounting track time) and I have to be honest, try it, but it sucks. I'm glad some people get on with it, it's really not my cup of tea. At least I tried.

Now it would be worse as I have a 12% hill to go down on the way to work, and I go on a main road which is a nightmare to navigate the potholes.

Keep it real. Keep it freewheel!

I'm thinking of getting rid of my gears on my car engine and just going 'fred flintstone' also thinking of reverting back to the abacus for any mathematical problems I need to solve. Keep it on the track where it belongs :-)

After seeing rave reviews, and people saying how they love the ride, I built up a fixed gear out of an old frame a while back using 52/20 gearing. It was quite fun to start with but tbh I find it frustrating on longer rides where you inevitably have to go down hills!

I dont find it that hard to stop, as with my gearing you dont go that fast on the flat and I have a front brake. The guys who dont have any brakes on them are asking for trouble..I use it just for short rides now to give my legs a varied work out, but overall I prefer geared. Atleast I tried it though..

I've ridden fixed for the last five months through London (Deptford to Kensington) on a 10 mile commute each way and wouldn't have it any other way, I lost two stone of fat, my resting heart rate is down to 43bpm and my fat %age dropped from 21 to 14. I believe the criticisms are entirely due to user confidence and journey suitability. When my commute has been through heavy rain, having a fixed gear has allowed me better control of my speed than my brakes.

Carbonfiend, I think your comparison of fixed to going Fred Flintstone or using an abacus is a poorly formed analogy, surely losing the crank and pedal set would only be the same thing? And no one like those Shoreditch types but this is about the bikes and not the people.

It needs to be said that "Fixed", "Single Speed" and "Track" are qualities of a bike that are independent of each other and do not mean the same thing, obviously most of you know this.

Oh and there are just idiots out there, some ride, some drive others walk.

I used to ride fixed gear for commuting in London. I rode my bike for 2 years (10 miles a day) and all I had to do was replace the brake pads and tires. I never had to service it, all i did was put a drop of oil on the chain now and then. After that I can certainly say I see the advantage of riding a very simple bike (mechanically) for commuting. Another reason I used to ride fixed in London was that no one wanted to steal a weird bike with no gears (My frame was an older racer, not appealing to thieves). But I would say now that fixies have become "Cool" they are probably a desirable thing to steal in London. I still have my fixie, even though I don't live in London or commute by bike anymore. I like the silence of riding my fixie (you don't hear any noise from the drive train), I think I will always have a fixie as one of my bikes. I just love the way it feels to ride one. If you haven't tried one before its at least worth trying one out. They are cheap as chips to build from an old racing bike frame as well.

i have been riding fixed for three years without incident. there are many fixed riders that cycle respectfully; they just like to pedal more than you do. and riding brakeless isnt wreckless if you know what your doing. dont knock it till you try it, its a kick in the ass.

Ive had a SE Lager for about 6 months now. I purchased it as a freewheel, and then after a couple months decided to try it as a fixed wheel and added a fixed cog on the other side of the hub.

At first it was strange and i was unsure. It took a few weeks but it grew on me as my coinfidence grew. I wouldnt have it any other way now. Absolutely love it !

Im now Contemplating fitting fenders to my current fixie and then up grading to a higher end SS with a very low free wheeled gear on one side of the flip flop hub for a 15 degree inclined hill I plan to ride and on the other side set up as fixed. Finding the right ratios wont be easy, but if i can set it up right it will be an absolute hoot !

Cheers

Steve