Single to Fixed?
 

Just a little background, I live in Boston and commute to work in Canton. Jamacaway to VFW to Route 1 for those of you familiar with the area. I also row on the Charles every evening and 2-3 times a week in the morning. In total, I log 35-45 bike miles a day depending on how many practices I have on the water. I currently have two bikes, a cdale with DA/ ultegra mix and a Specialized Allez which has been converted to single speed.

I prefer to ride the single speed, and am thinking about making it fixed. First though, I have a couple of questions/ issues about riding fixed. My current setup is 52-16 (Vert drops w/ half link). Even at this, there are a few hills that I have to coast some on the way down. At 30+ miles an hour I just can’t keep up. How will this effect me on a fixed bike. Will I have to brake in order to keep from spinning to fast?

Also, I like my 52-16 ratio, and I have no problem starting up at that gear on a single speed. However, with fixed I will not be able to rotate the crank every time I come to a stop to get a good leverage position. Should this be much of an issue? Finally, there are several points in my daily commute (pot holes, curbs, etc.) that I routinely need to bunny hop. How the hell do you do this if your legs are still spinning?

1) 52-16 is a high ratio, ive gone down some crazy steep hills at like 30mph on my 42-16 and ive never lost control.
2) WHat i did for my first few months riding fixed when at a light pick the seat up and spin the wheel with my one foot thats still clipped in to where i want to start. But after a while i got a good enough trackstand that i just start and stop from the cranks at 3 and 9 postition of my trackstand, and since im still clipped in woth both feet it works great.
3) im still working on the bunny hop, i can do it as well as i can on a geared bike, but thats not saying much. its definitely wierd to have to keep pedaling in the aie; but once you're used to never stopping pedaling it wont be that hard to learn

Sounds like you've answered most of your questions. Downhills, you'll either brake, or learn to spin faster.

Pedal position at the start isn't that big of a deal, in my experience. You get used to stopping with the pedals in a desirable position. Or pick up the rear and rotate them, when first getting on.

Bunnyhops can be done. There was a thread that discussed them in depth, do a search. Basically, it comes down to timing, and learning to just jump, regardless of pedal position.

Sounds like hills shouldn’t be that much of a problem, though I certainly see myself braking in the beginning. I really need to work on getting my cadence up, as a I have a tendency to mash - thus the high ratio

Pedal position. Now that I think about it, the only reason that my pedals usually aren’t in a powerful position is because I always try to track stand, last 10-15 seconds, end up loosing my balance and unclipping my right foot. My left foot is then always stuck at 12. I have heard that it is easier to track stand on a fixed than a single, Maybe I will be able to stay balanced a little better.

Bunny hops while spinning. This is the real issue. I have never hopped with my feet in anything but the 3 and 9 position. Its going to take a lot of work to figure how to do it while spinning. At least I know it’s possible.

I guess the only other question I have is about replacing my rear wheel, or adapting it. My wheels are currently Open pro/ 105 with spacers and 16t cog. Should i go with something like the surly fixxer, or just get a whole new rear wheel?

Both will work, it just depends on preference/budget. I would think that the fixxer would be cheaper than a new wheel though, and it already matches the front one.

Depends on how precise your chain tension is with your current setup. If it's perfect- go with the fixer/surly hub etc. If not, you might want to consider a ENO eccentric hub, which allows for the adjustment of chain tension w/vertical dropouts.

Dropping a chain on a fixie at speed is not something you want to do. Trust me on this one.

Fatbat.