Winter Cycling - Fixed on ice

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plodderslusk
12-30-07, 06:29 AM
I have wanted a fixie conversion for some years and had planned to use a Gianni Motta frame with 120mm spacin. Got a cheap flip-flop wheel from Ebay and decided to make a studded fixie from a small Crescent 531 frame from 73 that I got for 10 dollars. Turned out OK and I made my first ever ride today. Scared in the downhills but riding on ice was just incredible. Smooth and quiet. Conditions on the fireroads were horrible with a little dry snow on top of refrozen slush. Had a couple of falls, I guess one gets better "fixiereflexes" after a few tumbles. All in all a much more enjoyable experience than I had thought.
Tires are Nokian 106
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/plodderslusk/127_2800.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/plodderslusk/128_2802.jpg

Jaeger
12-30-07, 07:45 AM
Nice. I've been thinking about building a fixie for the winter, too. I find I shift a lot less and the shifting is a lot less responsive anyway when it's cold and clogged with slush. I think a fixie with studs would be the ideal winter bike.
ryansexton
12-30-07, 09:16 AM
Not to mention if you had 3 braking systems in place, you are pimpin'.

No way I'd ride fixed gear no brakes in the winter, but I'm sure some morons do.

brett jerk
12-31-07, 09:21 AM
No way I'd ride fixed gear no brakes in the winter, but I'm sure some morons do.

why exactly does this make me a moron? locking up your front wheel in the snow/ice is a terrible idea and when you have full control over your rear tire with your legs, why would you need a brake? I could understand if you're going up and down tons of hills and don't want to resist, like for super long rides etc, but otherwise how is a rear brake going to help on a fixed gear?
LetterRider
12-31-07, 10:45 AM
why exactly does this make me a moron? locking up your front wheel in the snow/ice is a terrible idea and when you have full control over your rear tire with your legs, why would you need a brake? I could understand if you're going up and down tons of hills and don't want to resist, like for super long rides etc, but otherwise how is a rear brake going to help on a fixed gear?

+1. My winter beater is brakeless and when I ride my other bike, which still has both brakes on, I never touch them. I like a front brake in the summer when I'm riding a lot more and longer distances, but using a front and rear brake in the snow on a fixie is just silly.