Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - I got my fix...finally...

Yesterday I finished my first fixed gear project and took the maiden voyage on it. I went for a quick ride to the LBS to show off what I built and to test out the idea of not coasting. Man, what an interesting ride that was.

I'm running 42x16 on 165 cranks and riding downhill was nothing too bad, going up was a little more difficult, but not too bad with that gearing.

I'll try and shoot some pix in the coming weeks but admit I need to do a paintjob or something...I haven't decided on that yet.

'83-84 (frame serial # was in '83 but the bike was outfitted as an '84) Trek 500 with NOS Shimano 105 crankset, 42x16 with DA cog and lockring, bullhorn handlebars and brake levers on order from Chuck's, and a set or OEM Dia-Compe brakes on the front only.

PJ

I'm running 42x16 on 165 cranks and riding downhill was nothing too bad, going up was a little more difficult, but not too bad with that gearing.
PJ

no offense man, but if youre having trouble with that gearing then you need to stay off a fixed gear.

take offense ;)
what better way to get stronger than riding fixed! congrats and keep it up.

"no offense man, but if youre having trouble with that gearing then you need to stay off a fixed gear."

take offense ;)
what better way to get stronger than riding fixed! congrats and keep it up.

"no offense man, but if youre having trouble with that gearing then you need to stay off a fixed gear."
I started out with 42/14 which is 81 gear inches and gradually over the years have gone to a lower gearing. Now I run whatever combination that allows about 73 or 72 gear inches except for one bike that has 75. With the passage of time your knees will thank you for the less than stressfull gearing on those steep hills that you, in your youthfull exuberance, could charge up. Have fun and ride what feels good to you, and don't stop peddling.
fixedgearhead

Gearing is very personal choice and as FGhead points out find what feels good to you. Eventually you will find the gear that is a good compromise. Right now you legs are in total shock. That is a good thing.

Dave

no offense man, but if youre having trouble with that gearing then you need to stay off a fixed gear.

dont be a jerk, you dont know what kind of riding he does, or what his terrain is like.

Cool, man. I started putting mine together last night; just need the rear hub and cogs and some time building the wheel and I'll be set. I don't have a flat road any where near me, so I'm gonna start geared low (I spin a lot, too). Prolly 42x17 to start, with a 16 tooth cog waiting in case that's too high. Wifey's not real excited about it, but I am.

no offense man, but if youre having trouble with that gearing then you need to stay off a fixed gear.

No offense but I'm a moron, here let me prove it by telling you how to ride your bike.

Blah blah blah

Thanks for coming to my defense, but I guess I could just drive around in my SUV trying to run down fixed gear riders since I don't belong on a bike...HAHAHA!

Basically, I'm running 42x16 b/c the 42 came with the crankset and rather than spend more $ up front I can cruise around for a while and decide later what I want to run.

Plus, there are no long stretches of flat anywhere near me. In addition to that, this is the first time I've been on a bike (except a 1/2 mile loop of the block) since September when I got hit by a car on my roadie.

Yes, my legs were a bit shocked.

PJBAZ

Oh yeah, I have a front brake as well, I guess I'm a wuss.

After I was busted up I started with a 38x16. I spinned that for two weeks then went to 42x16.

For roadies who use fixed gear bikes as training tools, low gears are great to start out with. The whole idea is to keep your rpm's up. When it is 20-40°F out and you are in terrible shape, 38x16 is practical.

no offense man, but if youre having trouble with that gearing then you need to stay off a fixed gear.

No offense, but what an idiotic thing to say. Studied the grades that he'll be riding on?