Mr.jon

Hello all,
I am a 15 year old cyclist that is a sophomore in highschool. I currently ride an '09 caad9, but i would like to start to commute to school daily. I'm not to interested in commuting with a 1200 dollar flashy road bike, but id still like to commute to get some miles in to get into better shape. Note that my high school is 7 miles from my house. I use to ride fixed gear bikes (Im NOT a trickster/hipster/ect, i just liked the simplicity of fixed gears) but i sold my fixed to fund my caad9. Now that the school year has started and i have gotten some money, id like to build up another fixed to commute. My sister drives to school so in case of rain i would always be able to catch a ride with her.

Now that i am done with the mini bio, here are my questions:
-Does anyone here commute on a fixed gear?
-Backpacks. On my back? Strapped to the side of the bike somehow? Id probably pack light by doing any bookwork at school and leaving my books at a teachers room, or try and get on the teachers good side and tell them i am commuting 30 miles to school every day and i need to pack light.
-Are risers comfortable for commuting 7-10 miles? I was also looking at bull horns. I am in the drops on my road bike about 30% of the time and am usually on the hoods, but i don't know if bull horns or risers would be better for comfortable commuting.
-Should i wear my standard clothes while commuting, or acquire those mountain bike shorts that look like normal shorts, but are really lycra in disguise and just change once i get to school. Im not interested in riding up to first period in full lycra, haha. I'm thinking id pick up a few pairs of those shorts and have a shirt just for riding to school, and change once i got there in the bathrooms.

Thank you for anyone who read my story and can answer any of my q's.
-Jon

tarwheel 

My main commuter is a touring bike w/ 18 speeds and compact crank. Over the winter, I built up a single speed - fixed gear with a nice old Italian frame I had unused. I really enjoyed riding it SS to work 1-2 days/week, but riding SS did not agree with my knees. I started getting a really sore left knee after a couple months and it's since bothered me all summer. However, I am much older than you (55) and my commute route is longer (22 miles RT) and very hilly. I've since converted the SS to an 18-speed, and my knees are much happier for it.

Bottom line, a SS/fixe is much simpler, less expensive and fun to ride. However, pay very close attention to your knees because pushing big gears can be tough on them, particularly when carrying a load and riding early in the morning. There's a reason why they started putting gears on bikes. If you live in a fairly flat area, however, a SS might work fine and not bother your knees.

Now, for your other questions:
-- I bike commuted all through college using a backpack. It can be done, but there are better ways. You will be much more comfortable getting the weight off your back. I would recommend a rear rack with a rack-top bag or panniers, or a large seat bag like a Carradice. The rear rack/bag would probably be your least expensive option.
-- I put bullhorns on my SS/now 18-speed and I like them for commuting. They give your several positions for comfort, allow you to stretch out or sit more upright and look cool. On windy days, however, drops are better.
-- For clothes, your best option is to change if possible because you get all sweaty commuting. If that won't work, mtn bike shorts should be a good alternative. Make sure and wash them often so you don't get saddle sores.
-- Get some good lights, front and rear.
-- Fenders are really important for commuting because you WILL end up riding in the rain from time to time, and they keep water off your, your bike components and your books, etc.

Mr.jon

I rode the route to my school that i planed on going for the school year today on my road bike. (School starts in about a week.) It wasn't very hilly, and overall wasn't bad at all. A tad over 15mi RT. It was great this morning at 6:30am, overcast, nice and cool, slight breeze. Very nice.

I plan on using the mountain bike shorts instead of my lycra just because of self image. haha. Il change out of them into regular clothing. Today i tried riding in lycra, with regular cotton clothes over, and it was hell. My legs got very hot and i was sweating bullets. Fenders are a non issue due to my sister who drives to school every day, and that i can always take the front wheel off my bike and shove it into her focus. Im thinking i might either manufacture or track down a rack that attaches to the seat post similar to a fender, that i can lay my backpack down on and strap it in. Kinda like this https://www.ebikestop.com/dimension_s...ack-RK1108.php

trekker pete

If your ride is very flat and there isn't much wind, a SS works. This situation rarely exists in the real world. I would recommend you find a nice 20 year old roadie/touring bike on craigslist. And get yourself some panniers. Riding with a backpacks result in a very sweaty back.

As for what you wear, the mtb shorts sound like a good idea. I wear my lycra to work, but, it's a little longer (12 miles) and being 46 years old, I actually kind of get a laugh out of the heckling/catcalls I get when I show up at work. Thirty years ago, I might not have had the same reaction.

Back in the dark ages when I was in high school, we had these metal things in the hallway. Kinda like real small closets. We called them lockers. Don't you have one?

Mr.jon

Lockers are pretty old school, no pun intended. We have them, but they are pretty impossible to get. Il talk to student services and try and get one.
Showing off my master photography skills and my bike that needs serious adjustment:

1fluffhead

Yes, I commute on a fixed gear. Do you already have the backpack or looking to buy one for commuting? Many of the companies that make messenger bags also make messenger backpacks, which are great for commuting with. My fixed gear has risers, but I also live in the city so I like being a little more upright when riding to see around me. Bullhorns will work too, but I just don't prefer them. I bring a change of clothes with me. I don't like being in sweaty riding clothes all day.

Mr.jon

How far is your commute?

Tex_Arcana

I say go for it. Sounds like a plan that you shouldn't over think too much. It's only 7 miles, not like you're riding a century everyday. Ride it fixed. Bullhorns are nice. Like riding on your brake hoods which should be pretty natural for you, plus there is a cool factor (you're 15 years old you gotta consider the cool factor). Adapt a little hipster style while you're still young, just don't go overboard. If you're a nerd be a hip nerd. If you're a jock be a hip jock. Impress the girls with the fact that you're a bit more complex then the other guys being stereotypical.

Have a little fun with your youth as long as you're getting the rest of you're preps for the future accomplished.

Not sure how good this advise is. You see I'm 51 and I commute by fixed gear ( Houston is very flat ).

Fleetdog

My commute is around 6 miles each way (shorter or longer depending on my mood and the route I take). I commute on my FG conversion with bullhorns about half the time. My other option is a road-ish hybrid with a rack and fenders. Regardless of my bike choice for the day I usually carry my messenger bag unless I have a ton of stuff to carry that day or it is just too hot to have a bag on my back, then I will go for my panniers and the geared bike. I always wear regular clothes on my commute unless I need to add extra stuff for warmth. I normally carry a second shirt in my bag to change into once I get to work due to sweatiness in the summer.

I think leaving your books at school all the time is unrealistic. Since you do have a sister at the same school, why don't you just send your backpack with her in the car when it is too heavy or hot to carry on your bike?

Seatpost racks do exist but are not made to hold much weight at all.

FG is fine for the distance you will be riding as are normal clothes. I don't feel the need for a chamois until we're looking at 20+ miles in one shot.

jyossarian

I dunno how cool a fixed gear is for the 15 yo set since most are probably trying to get their driver's license and bmx and mtbs are better for tricks, but for commuting, a fixed gear is fine. Risers are fine, but you only get the one hand position. Bullhorns at least give you a few positions and help you stretch out if there's a headwind. I used to commute w/ a backpack, but got tired of the sweaty back so I switched to a rack and pannier. You can strap a milk crate to a rack and just toss your backpack in that or get some bungees to strap the bag to the rack. Run at least a front brake and use clips and straps or power grips. Can you get to school earlier and shower in the lockers on days when it's hot and humid?

Andy_K 

I've got an 11-mile (each way) commute with mild rolling hills. When I started doing it as a 37-year-old, it was murder on me with a 21-speed. Now, as a 39-year-old, I can do it pretty easily on a fixed gear, which I do once or twice a week.

I think you, as a 15-year-old, could do 7 miles on a fixed gear in your sleep regardless of wind and barring any really tough hills. The first week or two might be hard, but your body will adapt pretty quickly. That's the glory of being young.

I use a messenger bag when I ride my fixed gear. I've got a relatively small bag (Novara Buzz), but it can carry my laptop, clean shirt, basic tools, and lunch.

I've got drop bars on my fixed gear, and if you like that I don't see any reason to change. You could get by with bullhorns or a riser bar, but they won't be more comfortable.

Seven miles is probably doable in ordinary clothing, but bike shorts would be more comfortable. I use ordinary lycra with gym shorts over top -- same effect as mountain bike shorts. A wicking shirt of some sort is also definitely the way to go, as you saw. A backpack or messenger bag definitely adds to the sweat component, but if you've got the right shirt that isn't a huge issue. I don't like seatpost racks, but they must work for somebody.

I'm very jealous of your CAAD. When I was 15, I had a rattle can covered 10-speed that my parents bought from some guy who "restored" bikes (i.e. a dumpster dive special).

meanwhile

A Blackburn rack will hold 100-150lbs easily, day after day. They're not even expensive.

jpdesjar

I commute about 16 miles a day on my fixed gear, right now I am riding some flat bars and I use a backpack to carry my lunch and a change of clothes.
It's fun and simple and a great workout, just remember to use a front brake.

DataJunkie

Don't ask me. I commuted 28 miles each way 3 days a week on a FG with a 1000 feet of climbing in the last 9 miles.
You can do it if you want to. It's just a bike.... that does not coast or shift.

jpdesjar

Risers are great commuting bars.

1fluffhead

20 miles RT to the full time job and 12 miles RT to the part-time job.

defrag

My commute is 25km long each way, mostly flat except for 2 hills. 42x15 most of the time, 42x17 during the winter and early spring. A fixed gear bike is low maintenance, fun to ride in traffic and a good training for weekend road cycling.

Mr.jon

Ok. I am going to try out a few different bars and see which ones i like best for commuting. Il start out with some bullhorns and if i hate them il move to risers. If i hate those then il put drops on it.

jpdesjar

Risers put you in a more upright position which is comfortable for commuting and you are able to see ahead more clearly. I had drops then risers, and now I am riding some flat bars.

Sixty Fiver

It used to be 30 miles a day every day no matter the weather was on my fixed gear(s) with the odd day when I would change it up with a geared bike.

A rack and panniers will keep you cooler in warmer weather and if you are carrying a lot of books, laptop, etc will save your shoulders.

kaseri

I commute a minimum of 22 miles daily (sometimes more) on my fixed gear. A basket in front holds my clothing and miscellaneous items with a small saddlebag for my tools and spare tube.

drjava

FG for a 8-10 miles RT over relatively flat terrain with ~70 gear inch using drop bars. I go slightly higher gearing in the winter when the winds die down. I only bring my lunch and a book, so I just use a hiking fanny pack. I don't like weight on my back.

It looks like the the distance will double with much more urban roads after the first of the year, so I will be re-evaluating.

fordfasterr

I would pick up a Kilo TT pro and modify it as needed.

Tigerprawn

I used to commute to work on a fixed gear going 10-11 miles each way. Only thing you need to worry about is gear length and how you'll transport your books/school work.

I ran 79 length riding in a typically flat area with a few overpasses.

Mr.jon

Ive already got a pair of weinmann wheels and a few other misc parts so i figured i will pick up a kilo tt frameset and build off of it.