Commuting - First Single Speed commute

With the help of some friends I built up a single speed road bike last weekend. I’ve been riding it around the neighborhood to work the bugs out and get used to it. I wanted to ride a shakedown commute with it this weekend to make sure everything was OK. This morning I couldn’t resist any longer and switched from my usual commuter bike to the SS. I threw some extra tools in my bag just in case and set off into the mist. (Ride of the Valkyries plays in the background) all went well on the hills and traffic dodging. I did have to stop about ¾ of a mile from the end of the commute and tighten up the headset. I suspected this would happen and had the right wrench. When I was about 5 ft from the back door a work it started to rain. How’s that for luck? It was more of a workout than usual that’s for sure. The ride home has the real hills and traffic. I plan on sleeping well tonight.

:beer:
CD

Congrats, and welcome to the world of SS and FG commuting. I've been doing it for close to a year, with a fixed gear. The simplicity of the ride, and the lack of parts to worry about makes an SS or FG the best for commuting. My commute is 23 miles one way. It's a fun ride.

Yeah, buddy! I rode my fixie a couple of days ago for the first time in a few months. I missed it. I have a couple of bikes that are my primary commuters. What usually happens is I add or change something on one then ride that "new" bike for a while before I do something to the other one then ride it for a while. The fixie is the most fun. Now that I have cobbled together a nice headlight for it I will be riding it more.

BTW, fixies are great in the rain. Have fun!

Here’s a pic of my new ride. I’m having lots of fun.

Pedal slow up hills.
Pedal fast on the flats.
Pedal very, very fast on the down hills.

It’s set up at 42X17. I’ll change it to 42X15 soon. (I think)
I see a flip flop hub in my future soon.

Here’s a pic of my new ride. I’m having lots of fun.

Pedal slow up hills.
Pedal fast on the flats.
Pedal very, very fast on the down hills.

It’s set up at 42X17. I’ll change it to 42X15 soon. (I think)
I see a flip flop hub in my future soon.

Is it just my eyes, or is the cluster still on the rear?

Are those Shimano 600 cranks?

yep the cassette is still on. i guess i could stop and chage between 17, 15 or 12 if i wanted. I've just been running on the 17. The rear hub was making some bad noises on the way home yesterday (got a flat too). I didn't ride it today. i think i need to go ahead and get that new flip flop hub soon. That will have to wait until after next weeks MTB trip to Utah and Colorado. :) I don't know about the cranks. i'll have to look.
CD

Looks good, man. I ride daily on a SS road bike, and love it. Running 43/17, and is perfect. I say ditch the cassette(sp?) and go for a flip-flop, put a 16t freewheel for emergencies on one side, and the other a 16t fixed gear cog. That will be my next upgrade to my bike. Really looking forward to going fixed.

Update. :) A friend just gave me a set of wheels for the bike. They have Dura Ace hubs with Campy hoops. They are over 10 years old but in great shape. I'm now running 42x15 and it feels really good. Another friend who works at a lbs gave me some new tires. They were shop demo tires and one had never been ridden. Sweet! I have some serious bike karma debt now. I guess I'll just have to repay it by riding a lot.

:beer:
CD