first commute fixed
 

I don't intend this to be a long thread, but I just wanted to share the experience of my first commute on a fixed-gear... I finished my bike on a saturday, learned to trackstand on a sunday, and biked to work today... the same old commute, 4+ miles and mild rolling hills. I found I took the commute a lot slower, especially on the downhills, since I found that my legs do not like high rpms yet. My chain popped off once, so I really pulled the wheel back and cranked down on the lugs, but I think the chain's binding now.

The feeling of slowing down with your legs is really different. I think I'll probably be sore. I can see what people mean when they say that you get a real feel for the road, and coming to my first successful trackstand at a light was a thrill! I never could do that on my roadbike, although I know it's perfectly possible, given a slight uphill grade.

Anyway, I know there's a few people who commute on fixed, so just thought I'd share. All in all it's still riding a bike to work, but the slower speed kind of let me enjoy it a little more. I'll miss absolutely bombing down the hills though.

Congrats on the switch, and what sounds like a difficult first commute on the new ride. I'm going to be making the switch to a singlespeed in about a month or so. (I haven't got the brass clackers to go with a fixie.) Here's hoping the chain jumping issue is solved, and that all your commuting is smooth from here on out.

yeah... I bought the bike off CL and the chain came with... it's possible it's just old and worn and that's what's causing that trouble... I'll have to look into that more tonight.

Too bad about the chain issue. That can be kinda dangerous if it jumps at the wrong time. Is your bike a conversion (ie: sketchy chainline?)

And finding the proper tension is something you'll have to judge by 'feel' - not too tight or slack, chain should be a bit springy when you push on it.

- congrats on the switch to fixed... you'll get faster :beer:

Check your chainline. You're running a front brake, right? As for your commute, it'll definitely get faster. Keep your head up, watch the lights and traffic and try to time the lights and adjust your pace so you can hit them all w/o stopping. Congrats!

Congrats! I just built up an old Trek frame for fixed gear riding in the city. Something different from the Breezer. I'm finding all kinds of excuses to jump on the fixie now.

I found it took me at least 2-3 weeks of riding the fixie before I built up the muscles needed to start stopping without using my brakes all the time. Now I just need to learn trackstanding and skidding.

My butt was sore the first 2 weeks, and I usually ride at least 100 miles or more a week on my other bikes. I noticed a pretty good improvement in my power on the others after being on the fixie for a few weeks.

yeah i recommend looking at the chainline the chain and the cogs should (pretty much) form a straight line front to back.

and big deviations to one side or another and you bike will have the tendnecy to throw a chain. on a fixed gear this is BAD.

chain tnesion is also tricky. if you have a good chainline you can let it go pretty loose... lots of people will tell you tight is good but too tight and your wearing your gears down prematurely. if it dosen't spin freely in the stand it is too tight.

the chainline looks pretty straight. there's maybe a mm of difference, enough so that it rubs ever so slightly on one side of the cog. I'm running a front brake, for sure, and considering front and back, especially after this morning's steep downhill freewheeling.

I think there might be a problem with my crankset, because there's tight spots (2) when I move the pedals through a full rotation. hmm... well, I'll pay more attention on the way home, and see what happens.

Not a problem w/ the crankset, per se - more likely the bolts were tightened in a way that placed the ring slightly off-center in relation to the spider.

congrats! You will find that your times will be the same on either of your bikes--at least they will average out to about the same. My commute is Reston, VA to DC - 22 miles each way, and my times are about the same on the fixie as on my multi-speed road bike. You will learn very quickly that 'momentum is your friend' as you approach uphills, and you will feel more and more comfortalble spinning at high speeds on the downhills. I ride a 48x18, and can reach 30+ mph on the downhills. I make every effort to push myself into the saddle, as that limits the 'bouncing around' that happens at high rpms.

enjoy and welcome to the 'club'

train safe-

oh boy!!! another chance to break out the toolset!