GV27

Yet another reason why fixies are so awesome for street riding.......

artesc

ok, a couple of thoughts.

I was wearing a helmet, a bmx style one that conforms pretty much to your head, but if a car had hit me in the head it wouldn't have done ****.

I have been thinking of getting a messenger bag, but the timbuk2 ones seem way too overpriced, you're just paying for the name. anyone have any suggestions?

Luckily I was able to bend my handlebar back into shape (i stepped on the other side and pulled as hard as i could. as far as i can tell, its pretty good) my font brake is another matter, fubared.

second, i noticed my glasses got scratched up. this reminds me of something i've been meaning to ask, for any of you that wear glasses, what do you do to 1) keep them on your face 2) keep them from getting soaked in rain?

last, i ride fixed gear not because i'm following the trend, but because it works a lot better for me. i don't need multiple gears and brakes just suck in boston's cold, wet weather, so I use my brakes and a lot of my legs to control my speed in wet conditions. It works a lot better than any brakes, you just have to plan ahead and know how to skid-stop if the occasion necessitates it.

capejohn

I like the idea of taking a bow. Was there anyone to see you do your bike trick? On Comm Ave. ha. I'm sure all the traffic came to a halt too.

How much water is necessary to make a face plant grow.

As long as your ok to talk about this stuff...... that's was matters. We have all taken short cuts in life and paid the price occasionally.

Take care and next time finish dressing.

nmanhipot

So sorry to hear about that! I've had the "pool bag" slip off a bunch of times wheeling to the top of the neighborhood. I guess I've been fortunate x100. Thanks for sharing.

Quickbeam

Sucks that your new bike is bunged-up. But gald to hear that you weren't injured. The war wounds just give your bike "character".

FredOak

Did the back pack for a while, but hated the weight and the sweat. Got the panniers and noticed a couple things...cagers move over a little more, wind is more of a factor, using the bike for more errands because now I have room to carry the stuff.

Glad your OK, had two friends of my wife's that it wasn't the crash that killed them it was the car that rolled over them after that did it.

neilfein

Timbuk2 bags show up from time to time on steepandcheap.com, it's where I got mine.

law4jba

If your handlebar was bent, its done.

trekker pete

I suppose the ability to "engine brake" like a manual tranny car, might be a bit of an advantage with a fixie, but, the list of disadvantages seems a hell of alot longer, including catching your backpack strap on a pedal.

apricissimus 

Easily avoided though, don't you think?

I would think that shoelaces would be a far more common problem.

But in any case, some people just like them. And who are we to tell them they're wrong?

Jonahhobbes

What like a Recurve or long bow?

That's a great idea!

*grabs bow and bike and goes off to attempt a Parthian shot...

lil brown bat

Nnnnooooo, what will save OP's life (and the rest of ours) is checking to make sure that the load is secure before riding. There's nothing magic about panniers; in fact, a backpack is probably a lot less likely to cause a crash if you're, y'know, wearing it as a backpack. If you used your panniers in as not-intended-for-this-use way as OP used his backpack, I'd expect you'd have equally gnarly results.

cg1985

Good messenger bags can be hard to find at a low cost. I found one at urban outfitters once for 60 bucks, I went back a few days later and saw it was on sale... for 10 bucks. O.O

It's comfortable, but not perfect. Its big enough to carry lots of stuff, has a cross strap for stabilization, and a decently wide shoulder strap.

I bought a Shoulder pad for it from REI and it's pretty reliable.

always keep an eye out.

uke

Let me introduce you to Bike Forums.

jpdesjar

sounds rough...i read all about getting things caught in a fixed drivetrain so that was enough of a warning for me, must have been tricky to ride with your backpack only halfway on, i like to feel solid when i ride and that everything i am wearing fits properly and is snugged up if need be...pant legs most importantly

waltersc

+1

Catgrrl70

I went from using a backpack, to a messenger bag (which I still have for shorter neighborhood trips), to panniers for commuting. Not because I got things caught (good to see you are ok!), but because of comfort. I found that the Timbuk3 was the most comfortable style and I loved the black/reflective style (huge, huge reflectivity). It's also waterproof as long as you don't overpack it, or water can get in through the upper flap and pool inside.

Panniers don't slow me down through the city at all! I still zoom with/through traffic quickly and easily. More comfortably most importantly.

Glasses - I wear mine all the time, only occasionally changing into contacts for the worst weather days. If it's going to be not horribly bad weather, but some rain, I'll wear an older pair of glasses so it won't matter if they get scratched or damaged somehow.

nahh

most martial arts will teach you how to fall. In particular judo, akido, and freestyle karate (that's the one with all the flippy kicks). I've done martial arts for over 9 years (long time considering i'm 16) and can tell you that my experience with learning how to fall has helped me in every crash i've ever had on my bike. I highly recommend it to anyone, it'll save you lots of pain and recovery time.

mattm

experience in skateboarding helps with falling as well.

artesc

its funny though, i've been riding fixed for about a year now and this is the first time anything, ever, has gotten caught in the drive train...oh well. And to continue my bad luck streak I got a flat tire at the most inopportune time. I was out for an interview and I had to make it back to class and was on a tight schedule. Of course, murphy's law kicks in and I get a flat in my rear tire. So, unfamiliar with my new bike, it takes me a long time to change it and i'm late for class. sigh.s


on another note, i was bamboozled to see someone commuting (had a messenger bag at least) with this...

I was like, wtf?!?!

fuzz2050

Fixed gear drivetrains do make for good commuters, but track bikes don't. Even worse are the tarck bikes so often featured in the SSFG forum here. Wider tires are an essential aspect of a good commuter bike. Perhaps thats why I'm saving up for a Raleigh One Way, with one of these
https://www.velo-orange.com/postch.html

apricissimus 

I think what makes a good commuter bike is whatever gets you to work that you enjoy riding. Fat tires certainly aren't necessary.