Hey DarkCloud you did a good job with your pics and writeup. I think it's great how all you guys are into building and tuning your bikes in addition to riding them. I'm just a guy who lifts weights and bikes for strength and fitness and am so mechanically challenged I don't work on my bikes at all. Anyway, on a whim I decided I 'needed' a fixed bike so I told my LBS guys to get me one and today I picked up a Felt Dispatch.

I rode it around a few blocks in single speed mode to ensure it felt good to me (it felt great!) and then I rode it back and told the bike guy to switch me over to fixed. I also had them put on 15 cog hub (it comes stock as 39/16 and I told them to order a 42 chainring since I usually ride 52/17 most of the time on my road bike on these flat Florida roads.)

Anyway, it did feel awkward (and even a little scary) at first but I started to catch on. I was reflexively trying to shift and coast and I took a corner a little too aggressively and scraped my right pedal, but, all in all, the maiden voyage went well and I'm really happy with the bike and the new fixed cycling challenge. I took it easy and only went 10 miles (on busy roads) averaging 18.5 mph. The funny thing was that I had to brake going down a hill since the pedals were spinning quicker than I was used to. I'm looking forward for going out tomorrow and am eagerly awaiting my 42 chainring which will arrive early next week. Good luck to you Dan.