Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - First steps towards enlightenment

Well so I decided to test a fixed bike since it seems to me that all You guys seems to have fun and also it is the cool thing to do. I bought a 73 bianchi for about 70 bucks, oiled it up, changed the handlebars and went for a spin to try what gear to choose, used 42/18 first and 42/16 later, tried 52/22 also, probably use 42/16. Beeing not very fit and also fat and forty this should do it. Next step is to strip the bike and singlespeed it with the old steel-rimmed wheel and finally get a couple of new fixed wheels. Posting a pic of the beast today and hopefully there will be a follow-up. Beeing my first project I would appreciate any ideas or opinions.

Sweet ride. I'm tempted to call dibs on the bike if you don't like riding SS. It will be pretty slick. I'm in my 40's and have been riding FG for 2-3 years now. I wonder why ride geared when I get the roadie out for a run. Just doesn't make sense. Good luck grashopper.

What is the big advantage of FG compared to SS as You see it? After yesterdays ride my neck hurts like hell so I need to do something about the cockpit also.

You can take those silly brake things off of your bike :)

SS allows you to coast, while FG your legs are always pumping, giving you more control of your bike, or less when you think of the downhills. As HereNT mentioned on an FG, if set up right, because of the control you have with your legs there are many FGers that have learned to stop their ride with legs alone, therefore are able to ride brakeless. Myself, I like the front brake, because I like my big chain setup 52x18 to 52x15. It takes a block to get going but once I am rolling there isn't a lot that is going to stop me, my knees will give out long before I get stoped. So the brake. For more, look up Sheldon Brown's site. He's the one that started me on the road to enlightenment.
FG is also great for riding in the winter. You'll really feel the road and the snow and the traction you have on either. Then you'll have another forum you can post to.
I wasn't sure why you went to a straight bar instead of keeping the old drops on your bike. I like drops, and have ridden a lot of different variations, but always come back to drops, a lot more hand positions. You might raise the stem, or look into getting a different one. I know on a couple of my bikes the are a little smaller, so I have an MTB stem rather than a road stem, that raises the bar.
I'll say it again, that's a nice ride, like to see it when it's done, and dibs if you wanna get rid of it.

"also it is the cool thing to do"

for all yousguys who are still in denial of the fad...

regardless, enjoy the ride, swede...

"also it is the cool thing to do"

for all yousguys who are still in denial of the fad...

regardless, enjoy the ride, swede...

thanks stevo- you're the coolest.

"thanks stevo- you're the coolest."

...I will now rest assured...

The old bars were only 38 cm wide and very ugly, breakhandles also, probably not original. Thinking of buying wider ones, the straight bar is a temporary fix. Thinking of new wheels or rims also, and break, and saddle, and bb and ..................

What is the big advantage of FG compared to SS as You see it? After yesterdays ride my neck hurts like hell so I need to do something about the cockpit also.

FG är jävla bra. One mind, one bike, one ride. The ride is much more part of you, you are much more part of your environment, and your environment is much more part of the ride. This is usually a mental break because the riding itself takes you away from the world as it makes me a more integral part of it.

I would stick with about 44/16, unless you are in Stockholm or some other places where it can be a little hilly in Söder for instance. If you are hilly go with a lower front, maybe a 42 and maybe an even higher back, maybe a 17 or 18.

Keep us posted.

The old bars were only 38 cm wide and very ugly, breakhandles also, probably not original. Thinking of buying wider ones, the straight bar is a temporary fix. Thinking of new wheels or rims also, and break, and saddle, and bb and ..................

Some English on line shops would probably have better shipping rates to Sweden. Cross check prices of US and English shop with shipping and see what makes most sense, financially.

http://www.chucksbikes.com/ in the states has some great deals.

Some English on line shops would probably have better shipping rates to Sweden. Cross check prices of US and English shop with shipping and see what makes most sense, financially.

http://www.chucksbikes.com/ in the states has some great deals.

Yeah, I got my bars from http://www.hubjub.co.uk

great site

Thanks for the adresses, broke the stem today so I need a new stem also.......

How'd you break your stem? The only way I can think of is an accident....

Sorry, poor english, I broke the stem bolt, the stem was old and worn and impossible to fasten so i pulled until the bolt snapped.

Ouch.
That's what happens on those oldie but goodies we rescue and ride. I picked up an old school Motobecane, that has a 7mm stem bolt. I had to special order the allen wrench to adjust that stem. I learned that not only was the stem old school but the fork steer tube as well, it won't take just any of my newer old stems, they are a couple mm too big, so you might want to run a micrometer on it to see the size you need.

Let us know how things come along. And post pics!!

I would keep the front brake on...I know the purists will disagree, but it's a legal requirement in many places. You will lighten up the bike quite a lot once the derailers, shifters and rear brakes are removed. I prefer a much more upright position on my bikes. After my broken shoulder heals it will be even more important not to put too much forward pressure on it, to keep it from further injury. I have two converted Motobacanes. I didn't have a problem finding a stem to fit them.

However you build it...enjoy it!

I like single speed more than fixed after i built up my fixie. I like having two brakes and i prefer a semi upright position, more cafe style with mountain bike handlebars.

As for the advantages to fixed the only one is that it develops good spin, IMHO. The advantages to singlespeed are coasting and brakes, both are quite an improvement.

As someone said it doesnt matter as long as you love the bike you ride.

Took the first real ride today, new adjustable stem, no derailleurs, new chain, renovated freewheel and it is very smooth indeed. The frewheel is of the type where all the cogs are threaded to the freewheel which makes it possible to change the gear rate just by changing the order of the cogs and still maintain the chainline, today i ran 42/18 which was not giving me bloodtaste. Posting a new pic of the bike as it looks today