ryonyanko

In my city every time I see a fixed gear bike I drool pretty hard. I currently ride a 2010 Schwinn sporterra sport hybrid bike and I have started riding far more often than I ever had before. I realize I enjoy the freedom and the feel of the road, but ultimately even though I have fun on my bike I feel I want something more speedy, lighter, and challenging. I like commuting on my bike a ton but I also want a bike where it is a blast to ride just to ride, rather than a method of transportation and I don't get that from my current bike.

I'm 5' tall (I have little options don't I, I also have a strict budget of 350$ish) with shortish legs and I'm not in great shape, but I'm getting there slowly. I also want to bike for getting in shape, I lost a bunch of weight now @ a bmi of 22 rather than 33 and gaining muscle so i'm pretty excited about biking more and more. I thought maybe a fixed gear would tempt me to ride for more exercise and recreation rather than commuting. The park near me is so tiny, riding there for fun provides little mental stimulation, but I suppose learning to ride a fixed gear there would be extremely fun.

Should I just go into a LBS here and ask questions, I don't even know if I'm capable of riding a fixie. Would it be poor etiquette to ask to test one out having never ridden one before, I would feel terrible if I messed up! What was your first experience riding a fixed gear bike, and how did you go about having that experience.

(sorry, my question mark is borked on my keyboard)

TenSpeedV2

I am glad that I went fixed. It is a truly enjoyable experience, and since I have been commuting to work on one, I feel absolutely wonderful. Go down to the LBS and start asking questions. You can ride one, you just can't stop pedaling.

DiabloScott

The first time I rode a fixed gear I was concerned that I'd screw up and crash... it was nothing like that. I made a few mistakes, but the "correction" that you get when you forget you can't coast is not nearly so scary as you'd imagine. Then there were some other things like pedal scaping and curb hopping that I had to experience and compensate for... it didn't take long to develop a whole new set of skills that are now quite natural.

ryonyanko

thanks for all the responses! I stopped in a LBS today, but it was the wrong kind. high end road bikes.. gotta find a good shop

IAmSam

You neglected to mention whether your small stature is due to youth or being a short adult, but if you are not concerned with outgrowing something...

Look for a shop that carries SE or Fuji (or both since they are part of the same company) bikes - those companies offer a few reasonably priced FG/SS models that come in 43cm with 650c wheels that will probably fit you.

Good luck...

ryonyanko

I'll look those up! Thank you

I'm a short adult, unfortunately wont be outgrowing anything anymore

Mumonkan

i built my first bike intending it to be a SS, with the option of a fixed cog if the freewheel broke

cog and lockring came in the mail before the freewheel even shipped so i tried that first, then i cancelled the freewheel order

that reminds me, i think i need a fixed gear again.

Elvo

Get the Kilo Mataro Complete

ryonyanko

for some reason I cannot find this exact bike on google!

Phil_gretz

Never having raced seriously in my youth, I missed the fixed gear winter training tradition. A few years ago, I borrowed my first fixed gear from fellow BF-er @robtown (Hi, Robert). It was a Raleigh conversion with Brooks saddle, just a hair small for me. But it gave me the chance to figure out gear ratio (I wanted taller) and size (also taller) before I built my own.

I came across a beautifully preserved 1990 Fuji Ace black frame in my size on eBay, and I built the bike around that. It was a pretty nice rider. Sold that as my wife thought I had too many bikes. A year or so later, I couldn't resist the search for another, and knew just what I wanted. That's the one I ride now. I'm very happy with it. Fun for recreationa rides. Excellent as a fast commuter. Love it.

rreahard

That's because it doesn't exist....

Look up Mercier Kilo TT or Aventon Mataro

ryonyanko

Oh thank you! What's the skinny on 6ku?

JeremyLC

My first time riding fixed gear was at the Frisco Superdrome, summed up as




It was thrilling, and scary. Those banked corners are "tall" if you've never ridden them before.

I actually haven't been back, but I do now own a fixed gear bike. I still hold on to the delusion that I might actually make the long drive out there and back again someday.

AlmostTrick

I was concerned about crashing due to attempting to coast. Sure, I forgot and tried to coast a few times, but nothing bad happened because of it.

I also thought I would never ride my work commute fixed. Too much traffic and too many hills, I told myself. It wasn't long until I was riding my commute on the fixed gear bike more often than I did on the geared bike!

Not poor etiquette at all, most shops want you to test ride their bikes. And you won't "mess up" as long as you start off slow. I will warn you though, that you will likely find the original gearing too high... but this is easily corrected if you do.

TimothyH

I was watching the olympics when I was eight or ten years old. Guys were riding bikes indoors, around and around in a circle, really fast and I said to my father, "What is that!?" My father explained that it was a velodrome and that they were track bikes with fixed gears and no brakes. I was fascinated with speed - speed racer was my favorite cartoon... older guys will remember cox cars and slot car racing... anything fast. I remember just staring at the TV screen in amazement and wanted a track bike ever since.

Fast forward 44 years and I finally treated myself to a FG bike this past August. I test rode the bike single-speed at the LBS and rode it single-speed for two weeks after purchase to get used to the gearing. After that the switch was made to fixed and I haven't used the freewheel since. My new wheels don't even have a freewheel.

Scared the crud out of me the first time I tried fixed in the cul de sac - tried to coast on the first down stroke of the pedal and almost launched over the front. That taught me to sit down right away and relax the legs. Almost launched me a few times again at speed, reaching for a water bottle or habitually thinking that I can coast down a hill or over a bump. Fear is a great teacher.

I love it. It is very different from a road bike. Taught me to pedal through turns, get the cadence way up before the hill and anticipate everything. It also taught me that droopy track bars suck for the street.

My experience is that being directly connected to the rear wheel requires respect for the bike - you don't control the bike as much as you cooperate with it. It has to be ridden a certain way and if you fight it, it will fight you back and the experience will be terrible. I learn more about how the FG bike needs to be ridden every time I ride and every ride has become easier, faster and more enjoyable.

Quads are getting pretty big too. Looks kinda funny but I ain't complaining.

Dave Cutter

Maybe that was fate. The speed of road bike can be a lot of fun/excitement. There is even a lot of cycling clubs that favor the road bike.

canadian deacon

I rode my first fixed gear two weeks ago on my morning commute (approx 1 hr). I have quite a few hills and a good combination of highway and city. I ride early in the morning (5am) so traffic isn't an issue going in.

The best advice I could give is to practice with short runs and small hills to get the feel of the bike before you try the full commute - especially in areas of high traffic volume.

I purchased a bike off of Kijiji (Craigslist) that had been built on a 1980's 10 speed Japanese frame. It had good components on it and was in pretty good shape (although it looks a bit ratty). I paid 200 bones for it which gave me a chance to try fixed and decide if it was a good idea for me without breaking the bank.

I've been using it regularly since then and am really enjoying the challenge of riding fixed. Nothing you read will fully prepare you for the experience. At some point you just have to climb on and give it.

habilis

You didn't mention whether you enjoy picking up a wrench. Others have said that they built their own fixie, and I highly recommend it. I converted my old Raleigh 10-speed last spring using a "flip-flop" wheel set. You can "roll your own" this way for less money than a comparable new bike, and you'll have the satisfaction of riding your own one-of-a-kind creation. Check out this article: Fixed Gear Conversions Sheldon will guide you toward selecting the right components and successfully completing an enjoyable project. Fairly simple and quick, too.

scrming

I bought a Pure Fix a few months ago. It comes with a "flip flop" hub so you can ride it as a fixed gear or as a single speed (coast). I had the shop set it up as fixed. This was the first fixed gear bike I've owned. Was a slightly nervous having only ridden a FG 25 years ago and that was for all of 5 minutes at a velodrome. But I was pleasantly surprised you adapt to the fixed gear! I really enjoy it now!

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. Was going to do a nice long 75 mile ride with friends who are very casual riders... I wanted to ride it on my Pure Fix but didn't want to ride it fixed... Could have flop the wheel back over to single speed... but since the LBS was have a Fall sale... I simply bought a second Pure Fix! LOL! So I took my new Pure Fix and went out and knocked out a 75 mile ride! Was surprisingly comfortable! Best part is I paid like $260 for it! Yes, you get what you pay for... but dang this bike are simple, fun and are pretty descent quality considering the price!

ryonyanko

you guys are all very helpful! I really appreciate everyones stories, input and everything.

I feel so welcomed and happy thank you! I'm getting a better idea on what it is like to ride fixed gear, seriously starting to imagine things now.

I went to two more bike shops today. I rode a single speed bike but was worried a bit about falling over, since I am not used to riding higher up on the seat. I raised the seat on my bike and am relearning said skill now lol.

I also went in to take a look at a pure fix and a zycle. I really liked them until I looked them up.. and now i'm considering Save Up To 60% Off Fixie Track Bikes | Track Bikes | Fixie Gear | Single Speed Bicycles | Motobecane singlespeed bicycles | Save up to 60% off list prices this as my only option

since i only fit the 41cm size in store, i feel this is the only bike on bikesdirect that would fit me. apparently i have short legs and i'm super short. I'm literally built like a child.. yay me. I'm also horrible with the wrench, not confident in conversions nor am i confident I'll find a bike used in my height anytime soon

Regulatori

I've been bicycling with road and mountain bikes for awhile but took some years off. A few months ago I picked up a fixed gear bike and absolutely love it. It just ads something extra to riding...you have to think more and can't just space out. Simple stuff like going off a curb, taking a corner sharper, rolling over large bumps on trails (like tree root cracking the pavement) or going down a hill knowing you can't coast just adds excitement to riding. I kind of lucked out because I had taken such a long break from biking....jumping on a fixed gear bike only took a few minutes to get the hang of it.

I just find fixed gear gives me a better workout on longer rides. 40-50 miles on a fixed gear ride feels a LOT longer than when you do it on a regular road bike. There are times you want to press a button just to freewheel/coast for a bit but instead you just have to keep spinning...it's kind of like a personal trainer is forcing you to push harder. The next day you'll feel a wider ranges of leg muscles got a work out only because you're now pushing back on the cranks to slow down.

I can't see myself going back to road bikes anytime soon. Fixed gear is just too fun...it kind of reminds me of riding my BMX bike during my childhood. Just a simple bike but lots of fun....I haven't had this much enjoyment on a bike in a long time.

oneepicmoose

first time i rode a fixed gear it just felt very natural.However it was bit tiring after a while since i cant coast on a fixed gear.You'll get used to not being able to coast after a while.I cant go back to geared bikes now since it feels very weird to coast as you backpedal to slow down on a fixed gear.

velofinds

Given your height, budget, and inexperience, I'm going to take a deep breath, remove my bike snob hat, and recommend - in all earnestness - a Pure Fix bicycle for you, specifically this 650c Pure Fix:

https://www.purefixcycles.com/collec...iant=352155849

If you are as tall as you are, you really should be riding 650c, not 700c.

Once you gain some experience and have some more money to play with, you can upgrade to a sweet 650c Wabi.

Good luck.

veganbikes

It was a sunny morning She had just gotten up and was ready. I was a little nervous at first but quickly got on top of her seat and just went for it, pumping and...

On an actual serious note: go to your LBS and test ride some bikes. I can tell you, this bike is great or that bike is great and they probably would be since I tend towards decent bikes and work in a shop but in reality the best way is to test ride them and ask your shop and get good advice.

As far as my first ride, it was actually not sunny it was cold and wet and it was a little hard to get used to but after a week or so I got it down pretty well and it is only when I don't ride it for a long while that I have issues. The only time that happened was when I injured my shoulder and didn't ride for a few weeks and then didn't ride the fixed gear for a few more weeks after I started riding again due to the more aggressive position. As long as you kind of know what to expect and realize coasting is not happening you will get used to it probably decently quickly.

Not wanting to be a complete jerk and also wanting to have some fun at the beginning (which is why I posted) there are at least a hundred threads similar to this already posted so in the future searching is a good way to go or even just scrolling through.

ryonyanko

Well everyone's help, experiences, and vivid tales have been awesome to read thank you all! Sadly I still don't have any tales to tell now about my first time riding fixed gear, as every bike was set up as a single speed I tried out. One day I shall join your leagues. Now I don't think I'll crash the moment I actually try one out haha!