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Im trying to decide if I should get a Trek 1.1 road bike or a really nice fixed gear bike. What are the advanteges and disadvanteges.
Answer
To be honest, I would never buy a fixed gear bike if you could help it. It really limits everything you can do with the bike. To name a few of the problems: It only has 1 spinning speed (meaning once you hit a certain speed, it is very uncomfortable to continue pedaling. Think of going down hill in first gear, feels like the chain is off the hook.), you can't tackle hills very well, you can't attain higher coasting speeds for group rides, etc.
My fiance and I both just recently bought Trek 1.1s. (Men's and women's) They are a good entry level bike that won't break the bank, but give you a good feeling of the sport. There are several problems with the Trek 1.1 if you are speaking from an experienced rider standpoint, but you probably couldn't tell me what they were until you knew more. (It is an aluminum fork instead of carbon fiber. A new biker can't really tell the difference. The shifters are on the higher position so you can't change gears down in your more aggressive stance. Again, a new biker probably wouldn't even know you could have gears in your lower stance. Things like that.)
All in all? Trek 1.1 is a good entry level bike. If you are willing to spend a little bit more cash, you should probably get the Trek 1.2. A lot of the things I mentioned above, are "fixed" in the 1.2. However, you are spending maybe an additional $200 to get a carbon frame and better gear shifting positions. If you don't think that is worth it as a newbie? Don't worry about it.
The biggest thing I can tell you, is to get biker shorts. Also, learn how to ride properly before judging the comfort level of the seat. Many people will go out and ride it and say that the seat is garbage, or it is too hard, or that its cheap. They don't understand that road bike seats aren't meant for comfort. The padding is in the shorts, so get a good pair of shorts. Also, when cycling, you need to be in a more forward stance. The weight should be on your arms and legs, not on your tailbone/butt. Also, of course you will just have to get used to it. Your butt will be sore for a bit until you get used to it.
Hope this helps.
To be honest, I would never buy a fixed gear bike if you could help it. It really limits everything you can do with the bike. To name a few of the problems: It only has 1 spinning speed (meaning once you hit a certain speed, it is very uncomfortable to continue pedaling. Think of going down hill in first gear, feels like the chain is off the hook.), you can't tackle hills very well, you can't attain higher coasting speeds for group rides, etc.
My fiance and I both just recently bought Trek 1.1s. (Men's and women's) They are a good entry level bike that won't break the bank, but give you a good feeling of the sport. There are several problems with the Trek 1.1 if you are speaking from an experienced rider standpoint, but you probably couldn't tell me what they were until you knew more. (It is an aluminum fork instead of carbon fiber. A new biker can't really tell the difference. The shifters are on the higher position so you can't change gears down in your more aggressive stance. Again, a new biker probably wouldn't even know you could have gears in your lower stance. Things like that.)
All in all? Trek 1.1 is a good entry level bike. If you are willing to spend a little bit more cash, you should probably get the Trek 1.2. A lot of the things I mentioned above, are "fixed" in the 1.2. However, you are spending maybe an additional $200 to get a carbon frame and better gear shifting positions. If you don't think that is worth it as a newbie? Don't worry about it.
The biggest thing I can tell you, is to get biker shorts. Also, learn how to ride properly before judging the comfort level of the seat. Many people will go out and ride it and say that the seat is garbage, or it is too hard, or that its cheap. They don't understand that road bike seats aren't meant for comfort. The padding is in the shorts, so get a good pair of shorts. Also, when cycling, you need to be in a more forward stance. The weight should be on your arms and legs, not on your tailbone/butt. Also, of course you will just have to get used to it. Your butt will be sore for a bit until you get used to it.
Hope this helps.
I have a couple questions about getting a fixed gear bike?
I Wish I W
question 1) if i do decide to put a hand brake on my bike, if im not mistaken that makes it impossible to do bar spins after someone does that yes?
question 2) I live in ohio in a city area so its pretty flat, but we also have our fair share of hills, would you recommend a fixed gear bike for this type of geography?
Answer
1) Yes...a front brake will make it impossible to do bar spins.
2) "...would you recommend a fixed gear bike for this type of geography?" Nope. Even if the terrain around you was perfectly flat, I still wouldn't recommend a fixed gear. You can't start quickly. You can't stop quickly. And Lord help you riding into a stiff headwind.
Fixed gear bikes belong on a Velodrome track. Most of them are indoor tracks, away from the wind, hills, traffic & any need to start or stop quickly. Besides...a "good" fixed gear bike can cost just as much or MORE than an entry level road bike. Links below. Try not to get sticker shock at the prices. Especially the one from Specialized. This is a true "track bike".
1) Yes...a front brake will make it impossible to do bar spins.
2) "...would you recommend a fixed gear bike for this type of geography?" Nope. Even if the terrain around you was perfectly flat, I still wouldn't recommend a fixed gear. You can't start quickly. You can't stop quickly. And Lord help you riding into a stiff headwind.
Fixed gear bikes belong on a Velodrome track. Most of them are indoor tracks, away from the wind, hills, traffic & any need to start or stop quickly. Besides...a "good" fixed gear bike can cost just as much or MORE than an entry level road bike. Links below. Try not to get sticker shock at the prices. Especially the one from Specialized. This is a true "track bike".
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