JohnDThompson 

Are you using bike shorts? If not, get two pair so you can always have a clean pair available. Cleanliness in the nether regions (both skin and clothes) is essential to prevent sores. If you've just started riding, your butt may need to toughen up. If you're still having problems after a couple months with bike shorts and good hygiene, consider a different saddle. A good shop will have loaner models you can try while deciding. Don't be cheap. The saddle is your most important contact point between you and the bike.

Fixedbottomblue

Hi no i dont have cycle shorts at the moment I'm using base layer leggings and three Quater length shorts over the top they are washed everyday and I def agree with the personal hygiene thing I shower after my ride and always bathe in the evening will persevere with the saddle. For a few months and see what occurs, do you recommend gel seats or traditional styles I know it's personal preference but to get a feal for what's being used by other riders ect thanks for your input

bbeasley

I use cycling shorts and Adamo road saddles on both the fixed gear and roadie. When I started it took me several weeks to get used to the saddle. You've got to find a saddle that works for you, there's as many strong opinions as there are brands.

gregjones

I don't usually use bike gear if going to the corner store or Wally World.

I wear loose regular clothing and these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/170897706502...84.m1497.l2649
The orange in the picture is the padding with the shorts turned inside out. Dang it, I was wanting to ride down the road with an orange butt. Kinda like a wolly worm if you fly fish. Only twelve bucks and just a few weeks in the mail. They are as well made as any of the overpriced shorts I have.....probably made in the same factory.

Those and a Specialized BG saddle work great.

Keep an eye on eBarf. You can get a good $100+ saddle, in nice shape, for at least half off the new price.

JohnDThompson 

I like Brooks saddles. They're not cheap, but a good one will last a lifetime. One of mine is almost 50 years old and still going strong.

FakeFuji

The best and cheapest way to buy a saddle is to go to a lbs and try what they have. It will save you time and ass pain

europa

The problem with gel seats is that the gel trends to get pushed aside and you can wind up with an uncomfortable rump anyway.

Any modern racing saddle is designed to be used with padded cycling pants so you can't expect to ride more than a half hour without them.

Leather saddles like the Brooks are designed to support your rump and can be used quite happily without padding - I've done 5 hours in the saddle wearing jogging shorts on my Brooks without problems but there's nothing wrong with using padding on long rides. Mind you, not all Brooks models are the same shape and not all rumps get on well with them so you're in the same boat as you are with the more modern saddles.

Unfortunately, it's suck it and see ... which is why a lot of riders find themselves sticking with one saddle

icyclist 

How long have you been riding 10 to 20 miles per day? If you just started, then maybe you need to cut back and gradually build up the miles. You've got actual sores, or you're just sore?

NedClive

"It does get easier!" Not much help right now I guess but if you follow all the above advice and get a firm saddle (Properly positioned and levelled) time is all it needs. And yes, I know at our age time sometimes seems in short supply!

NedClive

PS. Just started my serious training! https://gringolet24.blogspot.co.uk/20...-24-hours.html

Fixedbottomblue

Thanks for all of the advice and I apologise I am just sore and do not have sores sorry for the confusion I have been riding ten to twenty miles for about ten days and alternate between short and distant rides with two days off for good behaviour

jerseyJim

Jim 50yo. Got my first fixie today. Took it on a seven mile get acquainted ride before it snows tonight. Only tried to coast twice and reached for my bar-ends once. Not a bad start. Dont mind the setup still have to dial it in.

europa

Looks good Jim. Have fun wearing it out

NedClive

You'll never have more fun ( on a bike!) than riding FG. Looks great Jim. I wish I'd tried it years ago.
PS got my HR to a sustained 186 today going up a very long and steep hill!

noglider 

Tom, age 52. I've had two fixed gear bikes. I built my first at the age of 20, using a hi-ten Tsunoda frame and flipped-over north road bend handlebars. I geared it at about 65 inches a year later. I rode it around Boston and then moved to New York and commuted on it. The bike got mangled in a car-bike accident. I used a front brake and my legs to slow and stop.

I got a cheap Nashbar bike in about 2008. It was badly assembled, and some of the components were crappy, but it was only $300, and I couldn't complain. It was lightweight and rode very nicely. The original gear ratio was much too high, so I replaced the sprocket to bring the ratio to about 66 inches. It came with front and rear brakes since it came with a freewheel, which some people would use. I carelessly left it outside my house and someone stole it.

I'm now using a 1974 Raleigh International frame and am slowly painting it and have all the components ready for the build. Looking forward to this. This one will be the lightest fixie I've owned. I'll use a single front brake and will also gear it to about 66 inches.

NedClive

Feel I shouldn't post this: I've converted the Bob Jackson to a S-A 3 speed! Only because I'm not allowed to do the 24 hour event on a fixie. The sad bit is that I'm loving the gears. I do have an off road fixie so I'm still eligible to post.

europa

You're only allowed to keep posting if you reverse this heinous crime by converting the Bob Jackson to an S3X after the event (fixed and gears )

gregjones

If he does survive his 24 hour event, I nominate europa to inform him that he can't post here anymore.

NedClive

Went for a 12mile cruise on a disused railway track with my 10 year old on my ancient and very rickety Murray fg. Guess what? Loved every minute of it! Hmmmmm..just paid good money for a downtube shifter on the BJ: could I bear to reconvert in September? Watch this space!

belacqua

It's pretty quiet around here. You all still riding fixed? I was hoping this thread would stay alive until my upcoming 40th b-day.

TejanoTrackie 

Thanks for the bump. Once a thread falls off page one of the forum it usually gets forgotten. Before Leukymod unpinned this thread, it got a lot more posts. I'll be updating a vintage conversion soon and will post it here instead of the regular thread. I'm looking forward to your future participation once you pass the big for oh.

prooftheory

Aren't @carleton and @Scrodzilla supposed to be joining any day now?

Scrodzilla

In 10 days.

bowzette

Hi all. I just found this thread. I'm 67. I started riding in the mid 80s around age 40 at the time. I just started riding fixed gear last October. I have my endurance up to close to 90 miles and working on intensity for a century this October. Just did my first group ride on a fixed gear this past Saturday. Flat course and light wind. I changed from 70 to 80 inches for the ride. It worked great! Riding fixed under those conditions was not a handicap. I'm having fun.

TejanoTrackie 

Welcome and thanks for joining in. I'm your age and am heartened to see some more mature participants here. I've yet to ride fixed as far as you have; the farthest I've gone is about 70 miles at one time.