ekib

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cg1985

Well, have you ridden the bike yet? The first step in any bike hobby is, TO BIKE! :-P

Are you and your buddy approximately the same height? or at least very close? The difference between riding and not riding for a lot of people is whether or not is comfort. If the bike is too big (or to a lesser degree, too small), than you may find biking an uncomfortable experience. First thing I would do is ask your buddy about bike fitting and see what he has to say about you and your new bike.

Next, what shape is the bike in? I would focus on what makes it ride-able or not. a New chain isn't a bad idea.

The crankset is usually referring to the pedals, the pedal "crank arms" and the Chain ring. Some people include the Bottom Bracket in this (the bracket the crank axel goes through).

IF that is not an immediate problem I'd just get it rideable and get some miles on it.

Next, if your buddy is a avid fixie, he might not have had brakes on it, if you're a bicycle newbie, you might want to get some brakes, AT LEAST at front brake, and for a new rider, I'd suggest both.

Also get a helmet.

kyselad

Mmkay.

TheBikeRollsOn 

A picture of the bike would probably be helpful. Are the bars in bad shape or do they just need new bartape?

ichitz

What I'ld suggest you do is to take it to your local bike shop (LBS) and get a brake installed. That should be your priority over handlebars at the moment.

And if ur next concern is handlebars, it basically comes in a variety of shapes. But what's important for you to look for is the clamp size. That's where the handlebar mounts to the stem. If you have a digital caliper, measure it. If not, have the bike shop measure it when you get ur brakes installed. Also the width of the handlebar should be about your should width.

In addition to the "start here" threads, you should also read Sheldon Brown.

bbjones232

troll or tv hipster??

bbattle

Yes, your cranks will still go around while you are braking but that's no problem. You'll get used to not coasting in a hurry!

If you don't like the constant pedalling, you can make the bike a singlespeed. With a singlespeed, you can coast. Many of us have flip-flop hubs; they allow you to ride fixed and then flip the rear wheel around so you can coast. I recommend a flip-flop hub; simple way to have the best of both worlds.

When you rode the bike very slowly, no doubt you noticed how much control you had over the bike, your speed, and didn't feel the need for a brake to control the speed at all. When I ride with my wife, I ride a fixed gear bike. She isn't concerned with maintaining a constant speed so the fixie helps me stay at her speed, whatever that may be.

If you are going on hilly rides, you may want the option of riding singlespeed. I find descending on a fixed gear harder than the climbing since I'm having to scrub speed to keep my cadence (rpm's of the cranks) down to a manageable level.

Totaled108

Spend about 5 hours minimum, clicking on threads in this forum. Welcome to a fun source of exercise, entertainment and good times.

Also spend about 10 hours reading and absorbing info from Sheldon Brown <----click this for the website. He is the reason I converted a free 12spd from the '80s into a FG/SS bike.

WoundedKnee

What is the point of a flip-flop hub if you can put a freewheel on cog threads anyway?

Syscrush

Damn, someone already said the 4 things I was gonna say:

1) Get a front brake installed.

2) RIDE THAT BIKE AND HAVE FUN.

3) Read a bunch of Sheldon Brown.

4) Let's see some pics!

Scrodzilla

'Flip-flop' just means it's set up for both sides to have drive-side capability, whether your running a cog/freewheel, two cogs or two freewheels as opposed to hubs with threads on only one side.

hairnet

a freewheel will let you coast and a fixie cog won't

pics with you on the bike!