Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Adjusting to Fixed -- Very Pensive

Hey All,

It was reccomended to me to pick up a fixed gear bike for winter training, hopefully to smooth out my cadence and so as not to worry about maintenance associated with riding a road bike through the winter. I bit the bullet and am picking up a 2010 Langster later this week, that I'm having a set of look keo 2 max's from one of my road bikes put on.

I've been reading up about it and for some reason I've gotten a little uneasy with the whole thing. Concerns stemming from a lack of slow moving balance to clipping in and out mid pedal stroke to braking on hills. I'm not planning on skidding, I plan to use my brakes as intended.

So just a few questions to quell my anxiety.. I'm sure spending some time on the trainer before heading out to the road will help get me used to the nuances of the bike, but as far as applying back pressure to the cranks while going downhill -- can you feesibly reduce the rotation of the crank and resist the momentum that the rear wheel is trying to kick up without skidding? As much as the rear wheel is dependant on the legs, I can only imagine the legs are equally dependant on the rear wheel.

Anything else I need to know about using the bike as a training tool and not a fashion statement would be greatly appreciated (thankfully I live outside of NYC, so the hipster/fixie crowd doesn't thrive here) (and not to offend anyone -- it's just not my scene)!

Nooch

I think it's easier to clip in on a fixed gear, but don't unclip down hills because you just get less control of the bike. Since you'll be using brakes don't worry so much about stopped by resisting the pedals, but it's something you can easily learn by just riding. Ride it, have fun. If you don't think you'll like training on it then maybe put some platform pedals+toe clips and use it to commute/ride for fun/whatever

My first advice is to keep the gearing low, so you can benefit from spinning. All my street FG bikes are geared between 60 and 70 gear inches (gi). Since you have brakes, you won't have any problem exceeding your cadence (rpm) comfort zone on downhills. I've seen many geared riders get on a FG, and within 15 minutes they feel comfortable, so I don't think you'll have any problem. A few times you'll forget that you can't coast, hop the rear wheel and get a bit of a scare, but other than that I don't expect any problems. As to backpedalling, it's simply a matter of reversing the force on your legs as they are still moving forward, pushing down with the rear and pulling up with the front. Practice a bit in a parking lot before heading out on the road.

definitely go on some short rides to get used to it. please practice emergency stops, because it will be a different experience

yes, you can slow your cadence to slow down on hills. it's just an awkward feeling at first. and your knees may explode ;)

stock gearing is 42x16 which will give me 69 gear inches.. decent enough?

now if fedex would just deliver the dang package to the shop... (i work at the shop so i have access to our tracking files... been watching it patiently while I'm at my other job.. nothing more fun than new bike excitement mixed with the new experience anxiety!)

depends on what kind of hills you have. i live in a flat city and 42/16 would drive me crazy

just ride it and see if it is right for you. swapping out the gearing and trying new setups is all part of the fun :)

i don't think trying it on a trainer is any easier than on the road. You could get a good feel of back pedaling and how much pressure is enough to skid/not skid on the road, and i don't think trying it on a trainer is very safe. Maybe take it to a park or somewhere less traffic to get a feel of it without feeling overwhelmed?

EDIT: whoops. i was thinking of rollers. But still.. try on the road and see :)

stock gearing is 42x16 which will give me 69 gear inches.. decent enough?

Perfect.

i actually think that maneuvering at lower speeds is easier on a fixed than a bike that has a freewheel

I think it's easier to clip in on a fixed gear,

How is it easer to clip in on a pedal thats moving vs a pedal that doesn't move?


BTW OP i started riding fixed about 2 weeks ago and Ive loved every minute of it. I do about 20 miles every other day, its such an experience. My only problem is clipping in, I just cant get the hang of it. I hate that embarrassing pedal (clip) strike.

OP - Which shop do you work at?

Rockland County represent! I grew up in Orangeburg and still enjoy riding around Piermont/Nyack whenever I make it out there with the whip... maybe trying a couple (slow) laps around Rockland Lake might help getting used to fixed riding? That's where i learned, also where i took the training wheels off when i was a kid. No car traffic, and no Manhattan-Nyack weekend spandex warriors since they're all busy hanging out at the Runcible Spoon.

69 inches is just about perfect for me. I use a 48x18 which is 70". 100 rpms equals just under 21 mph. I can ride slowly with my wife at 75 rpm or spin like crazy up to nearly 30 mph.

You'll be fine.

How is it easer to clip in on a pedal thats moving vs a pedal that doesn't move?


BTW OP i started riding fixed about 2 weeks ago and Ive loved every minute of it. I do about 20 miles every other day, its such an experience. My only problem is clipping in, I just cant get the hang of it. I hate that embarrassing pedal (clip) strike.


I've always considered myself a bit on the re-tarded side with Clipless pedals but I never had a problem getting clipped in. Out was another issue but after a month it wasn't much of a problem....now that I have switched to BMX platforms and straps I'm going through the whole re-tarded feet thing again:twitchy: Put one foot in and start slow (not going downhill) mash the other foot in until it stays

garlic_rice - I work at cyclesport in park ridge, nj.

took the langster out for just a few miles on sunday around the neighborhood with the lady.. clipped in fine, rode around fine, nothing too crazy. i'll work it into my routine and build up the fixed mileage.

i'll say, though, that even after just one ride, i was already more conscious of my cadence and need to keep pedaling when i went out on the road bike yesterday..