Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - What got you started?

I'm interested to see how others got into FG. Here is my story.

7 years ago I worked in an almost exclusively punk rock staffed burrito restaurant in Boston (oddly enough I was kind of a hippy) A girl that I worked with had a boyfriend that made frankenbikes out of crap that he found in the trash so I got one. It was an old italian road bike set up as an SS. About a year later I got a new job at JJ Foley's (messenger bar in Boston) from one of the guys who I used to work at the Burrito. One of the bartenders there was a former messenger (Keff for those who may know him) and he helped me fix a busted headset on my SS one day. In his apartment he had at least 10 different bikes, most of which were fixed. Since I was already riding SS I gave fixed a shot. Obviously I loved it. Been riding fixed ever since.

What's your story?

When I moved to the city 6 years ago, I got a bike as a way to get from point A to point B. I rode that bike long enough to find out the shortcomings of the bike I had, and I that I wanted something faster & without gears. Between winter riding & a lack of maintenance, my bike was really only working in one gear, anyhow. A friend had mentioned a flip flop hub a while back as something I might want to try on my next bike, just for the fun of it. I finally got a road bike earlier this summer, and immediately set it up with a flip-flop hub. I just got the track cog & lockring put on 5 days ago & have been riding it fixed since. It's basically a new challenge, and so far it's been awesome.

Several years ago the thought of riding something as simple as a track bike on the street intrigued me.

The realization that Avalokiteshvara would ride a fixed gear.

My first 'real' bike out side of kids toy bmx was a track bike. I guess I never knew anything else at least compared to department store crap. I borowed this bike from a friend and former nyc messenger. It never really occured to me that because it did not have breaks it was a fkcued up bike, probably because the guy I learned from was a solid confident rider. It was what I learned on and I am glad I did. I never thought of it being anything other than what it was. I could tell by it's handling ability and overall design that it was a unique riding experience. Going on 15 years now since I've ridden this bike I can still remember chugging it home trying to beat the sunsets...

i saw so many of the messengers in boston riding fixed, and i usually just rode in one gear anyway on my bike. after browsing these forums, and hearing more and more about it, i decided to give it a try. now, riding a bike that coasts just feels weird, i feel like i'm gonna fall off or something, and i always try to regulate speed with the drivetrain, but it just coasts. anyone who rides fixed, and trys to ride a freewheel again, prolly knows what i mean. it feels like the freewheel bike is broken, haha

Car broke down, too po' to fix it. No-name steel track bike at salvation army for $9 - only bike they had that didn't need new tubes, so it was the only one I could buy since I had to ride it home. Took me three blocks to get used to it and five to love it. Sanded off the rust, rattle-canned it "urban camo." Got better bikes now, but I keep 'er around for nostalgia. That was the first bike I had since I was 11.

...I could afford the track cog. i couldnt afford the cluster.

This forum gave me the idea. I was attracted to the simplicity of a f/g.

I had spent the winter riding on a geared bike that required so much adjustment to keep it working, that I wanted to throw it under a bus.

I bought a low-end f/g road bike (Bianchi Pista). After a week, I was hooked.

Dan

I got tired of messengering on geared pieces of scheit which had a tendency to fall apart at most annoying moments. Built a singlespeed cyclocrosser, rode it for a winter. Built a fixie. Happy ever since

It's goatmeal's fault, really. When I moved back here, I needed wheels to get to work at stuff, and he had a bunch of road bikes in the basement and set me up with a beater SS. I rode that around for awhile (not sure how long, bad with time) untill I got enough money to get fixed wheel. He'd been going on about how great fixies were for winter, and how fun they were, so I figured it would be cool. If he could do it, why not me?

Haven't looked back. Addiction grows daily.

didn't want to learn how to install a rear derailleur, so i didn't

moved to NYC few years ago and sold the car as fast as possible. knew about fixed/track bikes from livin in SF and Chicago. Took a panasonic outta the garbage and bought a cheap rear wheel that was fixed. Riding the **** box today. One of these days I'll get a REAL track bike, but I am a cheap bastard.

Been riding a singlespeed mountain bike for several years now, or is that 2? I forget. Due to my work schedule, riding time is limited so I'd bring the ss mtb in with me for lunch hour rides. Got tired of putzing around in a 32:16 gearing so I ss'd my road bike this past spring. After a week or two I fixed her. I blame OldSkoolTrack.com, fixedgeargallery.com and these here forums for putting fixed thoughts in my head. Thanks!