Comments on: Raleigh One Way ———>

By: steve

steve — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 05:27:55 +0000

Just looked at the Raleigh One Way….nice bike. I think the reason I went for the Redline 925 was the Black fenders (didn’t care for the chrome on the one way) and the moustache bars. I like to stay upright when riding in traffic…..drops on the one-way are not ideal for my commute. Otherwise they are very similar. I do like those reflective tires though.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:16:48 +0000

Hello,

I have been interested in getting a fixed gear bike for about a year now but I just can’t seem to make the jump. My situation is that I bought a nice road bike a few years ago thinking I was going to ride it and yet it sits in my rafters collecting dust. I don’t know if it was the race geometry, or the fact that I we have two small children about that keeps me from getting out. Anyway, I would hate to buy another bike only to have it turn into garage fodder as well.

Never the less I would like to get a fixed gear bike because of the appeal of being connected to the drive line (I used to ride unicycles a lot in my youth). That and the fact that they look like fun. So with that said, I would like to read about your first impressions on the One Way, as there is a limited amount of feedback on the net about this particular bike.

Thanks

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:44:35 +0000

In case you weren’t sure, RL, I was making fun of you for using the diminutive form to describe your fixed-gear bike. There’s a technique for stopping that most fixed-gear and track bike riders use on the street — one that I have yet to master — where you lift your weight off the rear wheel, lock your legs, and put your weight back down on the rear wheel, causing the wheel to skid and thus slowing the bike. When people ride track bikes without brakes, this is how they slow the bike. The trackstand is another thing I’m still lousy at, and until I can do both of these things well enough to actually use them in traffic, I consider myself an amateur.

You can do it, Moe. I only have one bike, now that I’ve given my old Dahon to my brother. I guess I’m a bike monogamist. Switching between bikes might keep you on your toes, but I like riding the same bike all the time. You really become one with the machine. This may sound silly, but when I was a kid I used to rue the fact that I couldn’t just get down on all fours and run like an animal. Walking is too slow, and running as a biped just doesn’t have the flow of a cheetah or a horse, and I was jealous of that. So, for me, biking is the closest I can get to running on all fours, especially with my seat as high and my bars as low as I keep them.

By: Moe

Moe — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 18:38:14 +0000

It will be hard to ride just one bike for 2 weeks, but I’m planning to ride the Raleigh exclusively to work after I’m done with the Urban Xtreme review. There’s been weeks that I ride a different bike every day to work (yeah, I have that many bikes). People at work think I’m weird, but my answer is: Try driving a different car every day to work!!

By: RL Policar

RL Policar — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 18:25:53 +0000

I’ve been riding the RedLine as a Fixie

No need for gearie

I figured, “why would I need to use shifties”

After all its more fun to ride without deraillies.

I’m to scared to use clipless pedalies

So for now, I use toe cagies

I know how to slow down, but I still have to use my brakies.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 17:40:04 +0000

Glad to hear you’re still riding it “fixie,” RL. How often do you ride the RedLine, vs. a “gearie” with “shifties” and front and rear “deraillies?” Also, do you use the RedLine with “clipless pedalies” or do you use “toe cagies?” Have you gotten the hang of stopping with out the “brakies?”

By: RL Policar

RL Policar — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:51:20 +0000

Good advice Nick. I’ve been riding it as a Fixie. In fact, I just rode it to the gym this morning.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:17:12 +0000

that looks like it would make an ideal winter bike. With clearance for 700x35c tires, you could even throw on some Nokian Hakkapeliittas. Moe: If you expect to get the hang of fixed gear riding, you have to do it for at least a week or two without getting on another bike. Otherwise, it will never really feel familiar and you'll keep trying to coast. On that note, RL, Have you kept up with it or did you swap the RedLine back to a singlespeed?

By: Moe

Moe — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:35:37 +0000

I will be joining the ranks of Nick & RL going ‘fixie’. I’m dialing in the One Way and I expect to ride it tomorrow to work. I’ll be riding with the freewheel while I get used to the bike. Stay tuned for my first impression!