Making the flip
12-27-18 | 06:21 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 354
From: NWNJ
Bikes: Road bike is a Carbon Bianchi C2C & Grandis (1980's), Gary Fisher Mt Bike, Trek Tandem & Mongoose SS MTB circa 1992.
Making the flip
After several fixed gear rides i am going to flip it and see if coasting works better
the tranition to fixed has been difficult almost crashed a few times and hilly terrain suxs
the tranition to fixed has been difficult almost crashed a few times and hilly terrain suxs
12-27-18 | 05:04 PM
#2
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 5,251
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Do you have brakes? If not, install at least a front brake to make fixed gear riding on hills more tolerable.
If you go to a freewheel, install both front and rear brakes.
If you go to a freewheel, install both front and rear brakes.
12-27-18 | 08:13 PM
#4
THE STUFFED
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
Likes: 21
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone SLR9 Gen 8
12-27-18 | 08:42 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,159
Likes: 5,284
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Yes, fixed gear isn't for everyone. But for many of us it is a blast - once we get past the reflex to coast. And that can be a challenge. I learned fast. The hard way. At 20 mph. I locked my knee as I waited for several cars to pass so I could take a left turn. Got shot several feet into the air and collapsed onto the road at close to zero speed with a left leg that felt like raw hamburger. Now I tell fixed gear newbies to start out with their seat lowered most of 1/2"; low enough that you cannot possibly lock your knee. Now when you try to coast, you do no real damage. Some muscle tear but no long term damage and no crash, just a painful reminder. Do this a couple or few times and your body learns. At that point you can bring your seat back up to normal.
Consider giving it another go.
Ben
Consider giving it another go.
Ben
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