Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Learning to ride a fixie?

i am going to either buy the bianchi san jose or pista. i love the simplicity of the pista but i am afraid of going too fast and not being able to slow down. so how did you learn to ride?

I took off my training wheels when I was six and never looked back.

I went from ss to fixed last spring (it was pretty seamless) and now ride more fixed miles than anything else.

The best advice I can give is that you run a brake... always.

for fixed specifically, i'd say remember not to lock your knees, use a brake at least as a n00b (though i don't suppose it hurts at any point, but it's your call, not mine, and with a good rider, brakeless is safe enouigh), read the 63xc tutorial, practice some of the exercises on there for balance and control, maybe learn to skid and skip.

It takes about a day to really get used to fixed/skidding. Its not bad on your legs unless you are 40.

It's a bicycle. People need to remember it's just a bicycle.
Use a brake.
Don't try to coast.

It's a bicycle. People need to remember it's just a bicycle.
Use a brake.
Don't try to coast.

Profit!!

Get a brake. Put it on. Never take it off.

There really is no need for "learning to ride fixed gear." Other than starting and stopping, it's just like riding any other bike. Coming to a stop takes a little more planning. SPD dual sided clipless pedals are the safest to use with fixed gear unless you are into skidding. I'm not.

If you forget you are on a fixed gear and accidentally try to coast, the bike will remind you in a very stern voice exactly what type of machine you are riding. It's kind of like being *****-slapped by your bike.

Learn all of the mechanical tips and tricks required to keep your chain from coming off. Do them.

1. Go outside.
2. Ride bike.
3. Have fun.
http://www.onnyturf.com/storage/users/1/1/images/36/lanelib1.jpg

saddle up, close your eyes, and pedal like hell.

Many are suggesting a brake. I would suggest that too, but only because you are actually concerned about riding fixed. I ride brakeless with no issues.

It takes about a day to really get used to fixed/skidding. Its not bad on your legs unless you are 40.

>>>42<<<

I have happy legs.

If you get a pista, you might consider gearing down so you can control it better, though the 48/16 it comes stock with isnt bad. (I think its 48/16, correct me if I'm wrong)

http://www.tdwsport.com/imagedesk/pic.php?dir=20051521&file=20051521-58882.jpg&thumb=0

Don't take a spinning class.
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v216/14/123/882350483/n882350483_2600888_3469.jpg

Yeah, the pista comes with a **** ratio as it has only one skid patch as well.
I have a Swobo Sanchez that I use a 48/17 on now, and it's a lot easier to control, and my tires don't dissolve as fast.
Sanchez stock ratio was also 48/16.
I recommend a Pista, by the way... or a Sanchez if you're willing to pay a little more for a few better components, and are worried about things like toe overlap (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ta-o.html) (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ta-o.html)

It takes about a day to really get used to fixed/skidding. Its not bad on your legs unless you are 40.

people trip on this whole knee/fixed gear thing, I'm 6 months shy of 50 years old and I ride fixed everyday (w/ a brake) and mu knees are as good as when I was 19, so wanting to KEEP them this way,..... I asked one of my dads friends who's a doctor (a sports medicine surgeon) and an avid cyclist what he thought about it and he said "IF your knees are prone to injuries, or if you had a bad knee pull/strain/tear, riding fixed will exacerbate these existing problems IF you run brakeless, or skid ALOT,...but if your knees are healthy nothing about riding a fixed gear bicycle will damage them any more than running, or skiing, or soccer, or other strenuous activities where the knees are repeatedly stressed."
he further added that STRETCHING will increase the time you can spend doing these activities, even into old age, but that since almost NO ONE stretches, he gets to make a living out of fixing those individuals.

run a brake, stretch, and don't ride past your physical/skill level abilities, thats all there is to it.

"Don't stop pedaling."

"Don't stop pedaling."

Ever, ever, ever.

Other than that, it's just a bike. You know how to ride a bike, doncha?

Just mash meng, it's in some peoples blood and not in others. If you dont got the blood or balls, you can git out! FG 4 lyfe, no brakez lulz.
Like has been said many times before, it's a bike, you sit on the saddle, and spin the pedals :D

people trip on this whole knee/fixed gear thing, I'm 6 months shy of 50 years old and I ride fixed everyday (w/ a brake) ...
run a brake, stretch, and don't ride past your physical/skill level abilities, thats all there is to it.

Agreed. I'm 40 and I ride fixed to work 4 days/week.

BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG PICTURE

thanks, i was starting to think it was too easy to read this thread
and that someone should post a stupidly sized picture so i'd have to scroll
way the **** over on every post in order to read it.

waht is 63xc tutorial

it's part of this page: http://63xc.com/howto/howto.htm

i posted that link cuz there's other good stuff, but this is 63xc's "fixed gear 101".
i used it a lot when i was starting out on fixed. http://63xc.com/gregg/101_1.htm

1. remove your brake
2. find the steepest hill in your town.
3 bomb said hill

now enjoy riding fixie.

1. remove your brake
2. find the steepest hill in your town.
3 bomb said hill

now enjoy riding fixie.

Make sure the hill has a intersection or light on the bottom.That'll speed up the learningcurve on skidz.:D