Fixed Gear/Single Speed - Start Here!

[IMHO]

heyy, im new to fixies and single speeds, i have my eye on this bike http://www.irocycle.com/index.asp?Pa...ROD&ProdID=197 im 5'8 and i dont know what size to get on my stuff?....can i have advice?

I am also 5'8" with a 30" inseam. I purchased a Mark V about two months ago. I originally bought a Leader frame but the design was poor and the drivetrain I purchased was loud. Someone I know recommended IRO so I pulled the trigger. I absolutely LOVE IT! IT rides quite and smooth. I went with a 53 frame with a 100mm stem and it seems just right. If you want to see a picture of it, I believe my bike is the first one under "Images" on the IRO website (the one in the grass).
Hope this helps,
James

[MIN]

big shout out to sandi metz for creating bike calc!

check it out and geek out to optimal gear ratio calculations.

http://www.bikecalc.com

[Deacon*]

Hey all. New to fixies too.

Just picked up a 2009 SE Lager.

[magic-conch]

Hey all. New to fixies too.

Just picked up a 2009 SE Lager.

That's clean yo. I just personally don't like decals.

[magic-conch]

Quick question. I'm looking for a good lockring. My last one kept stripping off my hub, partially because my hub was crap and I was told my lockring was bad. I recently bought a velocity deep v wheelset that comes with formula hubs. Do the threadings on formula hubs strip easily? And what would be a good lockring to go with it?

[toosense]

formula hubs will be perfectly fine. you can get dura-ace lockrings pretty much anywhere for around $10. that will do the trick.

[magic-conch]

formula hubs will be perfectly fine. you can get dura-ace lockrings pretty much anywhere for around $10. that will do the trick.

Aight sounds good. Thanks yo.

[Eeaaggllee]

Hi, pretty new to fixed gears and road bikes in general. I'm sure they're a billion posts just like this one so please forgive me and help me out if you can. I've been practicing skidding and can do it fairly well, but i live in the city and have found that trackstanding is essential. Any tips on how to learn? i tried practicing in an old parking garage but no luck, just lots of falling. Also, i'm new to forums in general so if i'm posting this in the wrong thread go ahead and call me an idiot and point me in the right direction

[spcialzdspksman]

You just have to keep practicing. A lot.
After about 2 weeks of practice, I pretty much have it down, with about one and a half minute as my record.
Don't forget, the easiest combination is either right leg forward and wheel turned right, or left leg to left turn.
Also, try to rock back and forth a bit to practice your balance, then tone it down and it will seem like you're still.
Good luck, go out there and don't give up!

[Doohickie]

Single speed versus fixed gear: I know the difference in terms of how they operate, but so far I've only ridden SS. I rode a mile or two this morning alongside a guy with a fixie, including a steep downhill. In general he was able to pull away from me on the flats, but on the downhill I had no problems catching up to him.

So I guess my question is- what are the dynamics of a FG when the bike is driving you (for instance on a downhill like that)? Do you ever hit a cadence that is just too fast for your knees to keep up? Do you just have to slow down the bike when that happens? What? I will probably try a FG in the future, but just wondering what to expect.

[chris024]

I'm new to BikeForums.net and fixed gears in general. I have a Schwinn Cutter that I converted to a fixed at my LBS.

I read that the Cutter isn't all that great for upgrades and that I should just get a new frame or convert on an older frame. All I've bought to upgrade so far is a cheap flip-flop wheelset on ebay (still have stock wheels installed on my frame).

Just wondering if anyone's heard about the Cutter, and what I can do to make it a better fixie, or if I should just save up and get another frame/crank/make my own bike.

Also wondering, will it be a problem putting a 120mm wheelset on the 110mm rear spacing on the Cutter?

Thanks

[teedoff087]

Single speed versus fixed gear: I know the difference in terms of how they operate, but so far I've only ridden SS. I rode a mile or two this morning alongside a guy with a fixie, including a steep downhill. In general he was able to pull away from me on the flats, but on the downhill I had no problems catching up to him.

So I guess my question is- what are the dynamics of a FG when the bike is driving you (for instance on a downhill like that)? Do you ever hit a cadence that is just too fast for your knees to keep up? Do you just have to slow down the bike when that happens? What? I will probably try a FG in the future, but just wondering what to expect.

At first you'll probably have difficulty keeping a high cadence on the downhills, but after a few weeks of spinning you'll be able to control your legs better and keep from wobbling so much. I find that on really long, steep downhills I have to slow down with my brake. You absolutely NEED to make sure your feet are strapped in when you're going downhill. It's not a big deal on a SS because you can coast. On a fixed gear, if one of your feet come out of the clips and your pedals start going fast it can be very dangerous. It's pretty much impossible to get your feet back onto the pedals without slowing down.

You are also limited by your gear ratio as to how fast you can go. A useful tool to calculate this is Rabbit (Java required). You can also use BikeCalc, but I personally like Rabbit better. What gear ratio you choose depends on what terrain you'll be riding on and how much you want to spin.

Hopefully this helps a little. It's also really fun!

[Doohickie]

That was very helpful. Thanks!

[kyselad]

Since this comes up all the time, here's a pointer for those who just got their first fixed bike: tighten your cog and lockring well, and verify that they're tight before and after your first few rides.

Were you backpedaling / skidding when you felt a sudden slip in your drivetrain? Did it then slip back in the other direction when you pedaled forward? Stop. Do not pass go. Your cog and lockring aren't tight enough, and you'll strip something if you don't fix it pronto.

[MaxSta]

Hi, I'm new to the Fixed Gear / Single Speed bicycles, so I wanted to have some opinions from other people.
I am thinking of investing in a bike but not sure which to get.
I am debating between these 2:
Track Bikes - Mercier Kilo TT --> http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm
Dawes SST 1 Speed Track Bike --> http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/sst.htm
What do you folks recommend and why? Please give me the pros and cons for each bike. And I'm also not sure about which size to get. I'm 5' 10.5" with pretty long legs? My budget is about $350, so if there are better bikes I can get for that price, please let me know
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I do not recommend either, if a bike is 350$ it really wont be that great. Save up to 550$ or so (plus if u order a bike online, you have to pay shipping and most likely will need to take it to a bike shop to get some work done within a month of getting it, so that 350 will quickly go up to 450)

so save money and go to a store, test ride before u buy anything
try the Specialized Langster, Cannondale Femenine 7, Bianchi, and Giant (they are some descent bikes)

if u can't find a deal, try ebay / craiglist. but DO NOT buy a bike w/o riding one in person !!!!

[Jungblood]

I'm new to BikeForums.net and fixed gears in general. I have a Schwinn Cutter that I converted to a fixed at my LBS.

I read that the Cutter isn't all that great for upgrades and that I should just get a new frame or convert on an older frame. All I've bought to upgrade so far is a cheap flip-flop wheelset on ebay (still have stock wheels installed on my frame).

Just wondering if anyone's heard about the Cutter, and what I can do to make it a better fixie, or if I should just save up and get another frame/crank/make my own bike.

Also wondering, will it be a problem putting a 120mm wheelset on the 110mm rear spacing on the Cutter?

Thanks

Hey dude I'm in the same boat pretty much. How did you convert it to fixed without changing the rear spacing to 120mm? Maybe the LBS guys already widened it?

Anyway, I know people say that upgrading a Cutter is a waste of time and money, but it really depends on what your uses are. So far I've replaced the stem with a quill stem adapter and a 40mm stem, new bars, and I currently have a new flip flop wheelset on order. I'm gonna have to space the rear out from 110 to 120... I'll probably do it myself or see how much my LBS will charge.

Being new to ss/fg bikes, I personally love the Cutter. Honestly, the only time I hear people talk about what metal was used for the frame and what geometry the bike has is on niche forums on the internet. Outside, when you're riding your bike, nobody gives a ****.

[chris024]

Hey dude I'm in the same boat pretty much. How did you convert it to fixed without changing the rear spacing to 120mm? Maybe the LBS guys already widened it?

Anyway, I know people say that upgrading a Cutter is a waste of time and money, but it really depends on what your uses are. So far I've replaced the stem with a quill stem adapter and a 40mm stem, new bars, and I currently have a new flip flop wheelset on order. I'm gonna have to space the rear out from 110 to 120... I'll probably do it myself or see how much my LBS will charge.

Being new to ss/fg bikes, I personally love the Cutter. Honestly, the only time I hear people talk about what metal was used for the frame and what geometry the bike has is on niche forums on the internet. Outside, when you're riding your bike, nobody gives a ****.

Hey man. I'm digging my Cutter too...it's cheap & really durable; I have no worries beating it up around campus in the snow & slush and don't give a damn about the frame composition or geometry. For me, a tough, track-ish bike is all I needed to commute to class.

I had it (naively) converted it was at the lowest cost possible, removing the freewheel & putting a fixed cog on without a lockring...which was a TERRIBLE idea I found out after riding on it for a couple days, so I decided to store the Cutter away for a while and save up some money for a wheelset.

I've got some cash now & am definitely wanting to buy a decent wheelset so I can ride without the worry of the sketchy set-up I got now.

What wheelset did you wind up getting for yer Cutter?

Thanks for the response.

[Jungblood]

Hey man. I'm digging my Cutter too...it's cheap & really durable; I have no worries beating it up around campus in the snow & slush and don't give a damn about the frame composition or geometry. For me, a tough, track-ish bike is all I needed to commute to class.

I had it (naively) converted it was at the lowest cost possible, removing the freewheel & putting a fixed cog on without a lockring...which was a TERRIBLE idea I found out after riding on it for a couple days, so I decided to store the Cutter away for a while and save up some money for a wheelset.

I've got some cash now & am definitely wanting to buy a decent wheelset so I can ride without the worry of the sketchy set-up I got now.

What wheelset did you wind up getting for yer Cutter?

Thanks for the response.

Haha yeah, I'm currently riding mine with a track cog on the back... no lockring either... but the local fixed gear shop ordered me a set of Eighththinch Amelia's... not top of the line, for sure, but within my budget for the moment (complete wheelset, flip flop hub, cog, lockring, tires and tubes for $99). I may not even put them on until when (or even if) my current set-up gives out on me.

Once you get your cutter back up and running, post a pic!

[broke4fixie]

Hi everyone! I have been reading up on this forum and lots of good info. but i am having trouble finding the right size rims for my bike. I am in the process of converting my panasonic lx into a FD. My question is were can i purchase wheels in the size i need?

[raslichk]

I was too lazy to read the previous comments so here it goes. What are some good cheap wheels (if there are any) and where can I get some online? I am looking to convert a Schwinn World Sport into a SS or combo. Where can I get a reversible/flip flop cog (if that's what it's called)? What are good websites for parts?

[MfjonB]

ok here is my situation i wanna buy a fg from an old friend. the bike is an origin 8 55cm for $400, is that a good deal
or can i just get a newer bike for less or equal value?

[mestizoracer310]

gonna have to space the rear out from 110 to 120... I'll probably do it myself or see how much my LBS will charge.

Try to find a shop that deals primarily w/ fixed gear. They MAY have a mechanic that can handle doing it properly. If you do it your self, TAKE your time and go slow. I think I saw the technique shown on Sheldon Brown's website. And another thing, most shops would generally say they can't/won't due to potential structural damage to the frame, but a steel frame will have some spring to it. They just want to sell you a new frame/bike.

[verdun]

is there some kind of definitive thread or resource on this forum about how to paint your bike?

[scottmforreals]

I figure this is the thread for this. 2 questions..

1. How do you guys feel about Eighthinch stuff? (cranksets, wheelsets, bars, etc)
2. Where can I get some straps in the same vein as feetbelts? What do ya'll recommend?

[WoundedKnee]

Eighthinch stuff is fine. Holdfast straps.