Grasschopper

When I bought my fixie just a couple months ago I thought it would be a novel experiment and something fun to change up the riding....but now I am finding that I really like riding it and just keep riding it. Haven't touched a geared bike other than to tow my son on the trailerbike since I got it actually. The funny thing is that I think I suck on it...feel slow slow slow going up any sort of hill...and bounce like a mofo at around 30mph (42x16 fwiw) and can't sustain that speed for very long.

I hate the ride of the Langster...the AL frame, AL fork, AL seatpost, 25mm deep rims and armadillo tires all add up to a pretty crappy ride. But I just keep riding it. What the hell is it about these things?

Please note...I don't and wont have any shants and ride in normal roadie attire unless I am commuting on it...so I aint no damn hipster.



And no I wont flip it...fits perfectly the way it is.

bdcheung

damnit now you got me really wanting a fixie!!!

kartoffel

front AND rear brakes? No, you're definitely not a hipster. Nice bike though!

Ever ride it up 26 above Pine Grove Mills? (We are, etc... )

eippo1

I run the same gear combination. It's perfect for the hills around here and quick enough for the traffic I ride through. As you keep riding it, your bouncing will settle down b/c your legs will get used to that motion and adapt. Then you'll find that you'll be able to spin like mad in races etc when your legs are near to cramping and you need to keep contact with the pack.

gfrance

Your going to LOVE the IRO when it comes in!!!!

My road bike is still getting worked on so I'm 100% fixed these days. Commuting it's toe clips and straps, and sneakers. But, it's so much fun kitting up, switching out the pedals and doing a long, hard training ride. The one thing I'm still having trouble with is pain the right knee. Maybe from backpeddling?

FixdGearHead

Yeah - no worries falling into Hipster realm with a rear brake (or a front brake for that matter!)

I run a 48x18 on my fixie...you might try that gearing if you care to tinker with it...still more than reasonable for hills, but should keep you from bobbing too much on the downhills.

I split my time between Fixed and gears, try to love them both equally - but I do definitely feel more control with my fixed gear (always rely on it for wet rides...also because it's easier to clean up aftwards)

NoRacer

Last Saturday, I had a RD blow out during club ride. One of the guys on the ride set my TCR up into a fixed gear of 39x17. I found "fixed" to be pretty darned efficient feeling. Granted, there was no way that I was going to keep up with real strong riders on geared bikes, but I was faster than many of the others on the club ride--at least until I spun out on the descents.

mihlbach

I know what you mean...after going fixed I don't touch my roadie very much except for exeptionally long or hilly rides. Eventually you'll find youself going about as fast on the fixie as you do on your roadie, once you get good at spinning fast and mashing huge gears uphill. When I do get on my roadie, however, suddenly having gears and being able to pedal 40+ mph down hills is an awesome feeling.

mihlbach

I know what you mean...after going fixed I don't touch my roadie very much except for exeptionally long or hilly rides. Eventually you'll find youself going about as fast on the fixie as you do on your roadie, once you get good at spinning fast and mashing huge gears uphill. When I do get on my roadie, however, suddenly having gears and being able to pedal 40+ mph down hills is an awesome feeling.
Having a variety of bikes definately keeps it from getting boring.

roadfix

Really, there's no shame in that.
This is exactly how we got hooked and eventually became addicts.

roadfix

That is a very common roadside fix when a rear derailleur experiences a catastrophic failure. Completely undo the chain from the RD (depending on the severity of the damage), choose a cog, and shorten the chain....provided you carry a small chaintool. Actually your bike becomes a "single speed"....not a fixed gear. On a fixed gear bike you cannot coast....the cog is 'fixed' to the hub and therefore cannot freewheel.

Bob Ross

What are "shants"?

caloso

I love the fact that there's no cheating on the fixed. Going up a hill? Stand up and power over the top! Turn into a headwind? Get low in the drops and spin right into it! There's no arguing with yourself about whether you're in the right gear or not.

You're always in the right gear!

Namenda

I'll take a stab in the dark and say short pants. You know, those clam-diggers the fixie foks wear.

ImprezaDrvr

I dug on the fixie thing for a while, but I'm converting the converted fixie into a TT bike now. I may run the fixed wheel on my cross/commuter, though. Or I'll put the hub on my SS mountain bike, either way.

botto 

But i'm sure you've got one of these in your bottle cage:



one of these on your head:



these on your feet:



and when you're done riding you wear these:



to cover these:

subcultro

You neglected to mention if the the strap of your mess bag stains your jersey? =)

Grasschopper

Not yet...do it on the geared bike all the time, great loop down to Alexandria and back up past Spruce Creek.

Pfft...I don't even own one.

Careful man I have friends... LOL Water, nothin on my head, Sidis on my feet and lycra baby. Oh and harry legs...still wont shave until I get under 175 lbs...might be a while.

botto 

i get the impression that the the only time that guy shaved his legs is when he got those dumb ass tattoos on his legs.

dmotoguy

incorrect.

subcultro

I secretly yearn for a fixie. Well, I guess its not so secretive, so I openly yearn for a fixie. But in contrast to you, I dont mind being a hipster . I really regret not gettin in on the IRO buy. Ive actually contemplated just paying full price for an IRO frame and building it up. Mmmmm.

DataJunkie

Correct

slim_77

+1, Man that is true! I also like the total involvement in the ride...no let up on those tough days but then again slowing to a stop/supercooltrackstand is just FUN.

...when do those IROs come in--around May right????

Grasschopper

Late May or June...make sure you get in on the Miche group buy to build it up with. I can't wait for that bike to see if the ride is actually better.

lima_bean

Whats wrong with shants? =/