jrmE

Let's share an updated guide(thoughts/opinions are welcomed) on fixed gears and help us beginners out! Just list a few pointers!

I, myself, am a noob which is why i'm starting this thread. I am 100% interested in a fixed gear but mind you, i'm still doing my research and investing my time and saving money for my ride but help me out and feed me some information i need to know!
This will not only help me out, but i'm sure this will help out all the other beginners, and beginners.. come out and don't be afraid to ask your own questions

I want to hear you experienced riders, to tell me what i need to know about fixed gear bikes.
I have a sense on how these bikes function, but really.. tell me about a fixed gear bike:

-well.. what do i start with? and then?
-What frames would you prefer?
-Drops, risers, bullhorns?
-chains, gears, crankset?
-brakes? what about em.
-what are the goods, what should i avoid?
-tell me some basics?
-what are some common senses to a rider?
-can i have a cheap, light, and strong bike? or what.
what do i need to do if i..
-i wanted to do tricks on my bike/ride far?
-going uphill/downhill?
-skidding?

https://www.sheldonbrown.com is where i started. Forums, next.

Yes, i know i should be doing my own research, which is what i've been doing for the past couple of weeks. But really, what if i wanted to ask you my own personal question?
Here's my chance.

Thanks!

Here, ill start off by some basic knowledge.

-do your research before buying a bike- educate yourself! (which is what i'm doing)
-visit a LBS and befriend some employees working
-test ride a desired bicycle
-wear a helmet!
-Wear reflectors, lights, whatever makes you visible at night! *safety, safety, safety.

gogo addmore!

the_don

Just get a bike and ride. All this research is stupid because you don't know what you want and there isn't a huge difference between bikes. Of course, some are heavy, some have crappy components etc, but they are also dirt cheap. Anything over $500 and you will get something that will be fine. Just make sure you like the style, as it is important. Buy a bike that you think looks dorky, and you will end up not riding it.

The NUMBER ONE thing with bikes is maintenance. So buy from your local bike store as they will also give you free services for life. Go to a shop with friendly staff too. A lot of stores have a few people who ride fixed so if you find one like that you will be in good hands.

As far as upgrades.... Don't bother.

The only places you should even consider are the saddle, bars/grip and pedals/shoes. As performance gains from a $100 stem or $200 crankset are negligible. And comfort trumps performance or weight lose gains. You will also avoid the gram measuring obsession some people get into.

magic-conch

After you figure out your stand over height, then just order an IRO (with a drilled fork for front brakes) and you're 90% set. Easy as that.

the_don

But then you lose the benefit of the bike shop.

And suggesting a noob should buy a frame set is a stupid idea because then they have to buy all the parts, correct parts mind you, and manage to build the whole thing with no tools or knowledge. Buying a frameset is about 3-4 years into serious biking. It will end up costing much more than an off the peg bike and it'll be months before they actually get to ride it.

elemental

This is true, but it goes two ways. You can either pay someone else to work on your bike and be at the mercy of their hours, schedule, and, in too many instances, questionable skills, or you can spend your money on tools and a little time learning to do things yourself. A fixed gear bicycle is a very simple machine, and there really isn't too much you can't do yourself with just a little bit of research, practice, and maybe a few special tools.

skadoosh

you should really go out and try riding some bikes. It will be really easy to figure out what you like and dont like. I was like you in the beginning, researching and researching before building a bike. In my research, I found a lot of poeople liked bullhorns, so I decided to get those. But after building up my bike and riding for a while, I realized that I hated bullhorns. Nothing wrong with them, I just didnt like the way they felt. And I hated drops. I actually found out that I preferred risers, which a lot of people hate. I actually have flipped north road bars (like on path racers) on my bike now. Also, a lot of people like brooks saddles (including me), but I actually know a person that can't stand them.

So,
Best advice is, go borrow/rent a bike. Ride it around. Figure out what kind of bars you like, what geometry you like, what seat you like, etc etc etc.

Research is good, but experience is waaaaaaaay more useful.

carleton

Make this thread fly and it will become a sticky...







Oh wait. We already have a noob sticky. Well, I'll add this TO the noob sticky.

illnacord

This thread is useless without pointing the "HOW TO" guide at: https://www.63xc.com/gregg/101_1.htm

Part One--Safety Measures
Part Two--Equipment
Part Three--Riding the Underside of the Pedals
Part Four--The Handlebar Mount
Part Five--The Handlebar Dismount
Part Six--Kicking In
Part Seven--Pedaling Technique
Part Eight--Riding Downhill
Part Nine--Slowing and Stopping!
Part Ten--Balance Drills
Part Eleven--Trackstands
Part Twelve--Emergency Stops

And be sure to visit the partner site, fixed gear off road, at 63 inches cross country: https://www.63xc.com/index.htm