Is a track bike/fixed gear bike can be use in a long distance ride?

Question

Im planning to get a bike for city riding and city-to-province riding (around 300kms long). Im not decided if im going to get a road bike (expensive) or a fixed bike (cheaper)..

Answer 1

Grammar man, grammar (your title).

No, not a track bike! It's got a fixed gear (hence the name) which means that if you stop pedaling (you can't), your feet will still be moving and you have to know how to use that to brake with. Just get a used mountain bike...

Answer 2

Well, it depends on your strength and endurance. i ride track everyday far, and have done centuries on them. but ive been riding the same bike everyday for 6 years now. if you're just picking it up, i would get a good geared bike for sure.

Answer 3

If you never rode one, I say absolutely not. Single speed maybe.

Answer 4

Yes, a track/fixed gear bike can be ridden long distance IF you have had a lot of experience riding fixed gear bikes and are a very strong rider.  I will routinely ride my fixed gear bike up to 100 km rides in variable terrain including hills and it is a great workout.  Not a good idea for a beginner.  Do not get a track bike for your stated purpose.  A track bike has no brakes and it has very twitchy handling.  If you were to get a fixed gear I would recommend one that has a road bike frame with regular road bike geometry and brakes.  Also, buy one that has a "flip flop" rear hub.  This allows you to ride the same bike either has a fixed gear or by flipping the rear wheel around as a singlespeed with a freewheel (stated another way, the bike has only one gear but your feet don't have to always keep pedalling when the wheels are moving).  

However, after reading your original question again I think you would be better off buying a regular bike with regular shifting gears and brakes and freewheel.  300 km is a long ride on a fixed gear.

Answer 5

I've ridden with someone who has done Boston-Montreal-Boston on HER fixie! she also rides with the main field on the club ride, so, yes, it is very possible.

Answer 6

Unless you live someplace that's flat as a pancake, you will really need a bike with multiple gears to make riding up hills practical. If you need to keep the cost down, consider a hard-tail mountain bike, especially if you can find one without a front suspension. It should be easy to pick up one that's used. After you wear out the tires, replace them with slicks and you'l get better performance in the city and on the road.

A hybrid is another alternative, if you can find one that fits. A true road bike will work, but as you've observed they can be expensive. They're also a bit delicate for the kind of riding you've described.

HTH

Answer 7

Fixies aren't suited for long distance at all. If you don't want a multi speed bike a least use a single speed - one that freewheels. For distance I recommend multi speed bikes though.

Answer 8

get a fixed gear. they are much simpler and you get a much better workout on one. on a road bike you have to deal with the derailer (which is a huge pain), the brakes and brake wires getting in the way, its just alot easier and cheaper to get a fixed gear bike