Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - My fixie is finally up and rolling

$0 - 1984 Trek 520 I had lying around
$140 - Wheelset with Flipflop Hub
$30 - Sram Chain
$15 - 14t Track cog
$6 - Rimtape

Not bad for a fixed gear, I think. Most other parts (tires, tubes, pedals, crankset, handlebar) I had lying around. Just took it out for my first time on a fixed gear and about tore my legs apart getting used to it. It's definetly different. It's 45x14, and seems to be fine for now, but if it gets to be too much, I might put a 42 on there.

Future upgrades include some real tires, and bullhorn bars.

So thanks to everybody here who helped me out, I've made a few threads asking for advice (and I'm sure I'll have a few more). Pics forthcoming.

45 x 14 is quite steep. i like something pretty hard sometimes, but when i hit a headwind (especially while going up hill), i feel the unholy wrath. i get stopped in my tracks.

anyhow, hope you enjoy riding fixed. cheers

Pics?

pics will have to wait. I didn't get a chance to take it out again, and it is night now :(

Pics!

http://img276.echo.cx/img276/6218/fixie19uk.th.jpg (http://img276.echo.cx/my.php?image=fixie19uk.jpg)
http://img276.echo.cx/img276/3636/fixie25ho.th.jpg (http://img276.echo.cx/my.php?image=fixie25ho.jpg)
http://img276.echo.cx/img276/7317/fixie36eb.th.jpg (http://img276.echo.cx/my.php?image=fixie36eb.jpg)

Also, is there a newbie's guide for fixed gear riding? Something that provides tips for slowing down, skipping, what skid patches are? that sort of thing.

holy crap - I think I can see something known as "peace and quiet" in the background of the first picture. I miss that lately for some reason.

Nice shots Kidd.

"Also, is there a newbie's guide for fixed gear riding?"

Whatever this guide says, I hope rule #1 has something to do with a front brake if you plan on riding anywheres around other people. Brakeless is fine if you know whats up, and can do it, but seriously. If you don't know how to stop using your legs, get a brake until you can (at least), it's not like it's going to break the bank.

Also, is there a newbie's guide for fixed gear riding? Something that provides tips for slowing down, skipping, what skid patches are? that sort of thing.

First tip is a more friendly gear ratio. It will be much easier to skid/stop.

Second tip is to use a front brake until your don't need tips for slowing down, skipping, skidding, that sort of thing. ;)

oh, yeah, a front brake is totally in the works.

As for now, that road in the background is a private road, so I'll only be taking it up and down that thing, and maybe for rides in the country.

And the gear ratio will be something I'm working on tomorrow, probably. I'm stuck with the cog, so I'll probably put a 42 on the front. The problem being that I'll have to take it off my singlespeed, and then put the 45 on my singlespeed, and then fix chain lengths. Just a lot of tedious work.

is that a kickstand?? or just a piece of wood?