Hello. I'm new to this board and after searching through some posts and reading insight from the riders I'm hoping I can get the same help. I'll understand the bashing on my ride and being new to the fixie. Bring it on...I guess.

Let me give some background as it may help...
I'm 28 years old, 6'-3" and 160lbs. (pretty lean). I've been riding bikes forever and road bikes for a few years. I stopped riding my road bike about 6 months ago due to a girl I was dating (save that story for another post). I went from riding 50-60 miles every other day to 0 miles. I live only minutes away from a 60 mile paved bike trail. I just purchased an '07 Bianchi Pista (insert hiss and moan here). Now for my questions as I'm new to the fixed gear world...

1. I feel really squirrely on this bike. Standing up while riding feels like walking a tight rope (which I've never done, but assume it's difficult). Is this just due to the change in geometry on the frame or just my lack of experience on a fixed gear? I feel like I'm right over the front wheel and my center of gravity is way off.

2. It always looks and I'm sure is possible that my feet will hit my front wheel while turning. I wear about a size 11 shoe. Will toe clips keep me in check? I'd rather not get a "clip-in" pedal for this bike.

3. I've read the stuff on sheldonbrown about braking with resistance, but I can't seem to do it. Again, is this my lack of experience or am I doing it wrong. I try to lock my legs up to stop the pedals but it doesn't work. Does this have anything to do with my gear ratio or is there something else I need to do?

4. Riding uphill is a b!tch. I have a single speed beach cruiser that is easier to get up a hill. Now I live in FL so my "hills" are the occasional over-pass or bridge, but still...is this normal on a fixed? This sounds like such a stupid question now that I've typed it, oh well...there it is.

4. My wrists and arms are kiling me with the factory handlebars. I'm considering a switch to bullhorns, any idea if this will help? I'm also considering a front barke on these bullhorns until I get more comfortable riding. Any suggestion on where to get a decent priced Nitto bullhorn bar, front brake setup and grip from a one-stop online shop (besides eBay)?

Thanks to anyone that has the time to read and/or answer my questions. I know these are general questions from a newbie, but your help would be much appreciated.

1. Keep riding and you'll feel more comfortable on it over time.

2. Due to the tight geometry, toe overlap is usually inevitable. Clips probably wont help. Just be aware of it and it shouldn't be an issue.

3. See #1

4. Bullhorns will probably help. Raising your handlebar height also will help. As far as a one-stop online shop for brakes, grips and bullhorns....I dunno. I'd suggest businesscycles for bars and grips but I'm not sure about brakes.

You describe a lot of things (1,2,5) that could easily be attributed to the wrong frame size, saddle position, stem lentgh, etc. First things first, did you have your Bianchi properly fitted? Is your frame the right size?

1) you should get used to it within a couple of weeks

2) get toeclips and straps. on track bikes, toe overlap is not uncommon, especially for people with big feet

3) get toeclips and straps. it's somewhat easier to skid with a lower gear ratio. it's not the easiest thing to do. search the forums for tips. in the meantime get a brake.

4) i recommend swapping out the 16T cog for an 18T

5) try moving your saddle back to take the weight off of your arms. if that doesn't work, you can flip the stem over so it's pointing up. check chucksbikes for bargain bullhorns, or thebikebiz for nittos. cane creek crosstop levers work well with both. get some padded gloves

1. Yes the bike will p[ut you alot farther forward and going from beach cruiser to that will be a huge shock.

2. toe overlap will happen but get toe clips anyway. riding without a brake or toe clips is suicidal.

3. -Your probably geared a bit high
-you don't have clips
- you need more experience
-GET A BRAKE NOW.

4 climbing fixed is no harder then on an ss. Your bar choice and gearing is probably whats getting you.

5. Get ergo road drops with two brake hoods and maybe raise them a little it will help with 1-4 too.

Great start, thanks. I forgot to mention my frame size...it's a 59. I was riding a 60 road bike previously and I know that the whole one size smaller thing isn't always the rule of thumb, but I think it's the right fit. I was fit by the store owner, but I really don't think it was a science when he made the adjustments from me pedaling on the stand.

6'3" on a 59 seems right.

I'm 6'1" and ride a 57cm track bike and a 58cm road bike.

If I didn't know better I'd think Dutret owned stock in some ergo road drop company, hmmmmmm.

Keeping with my ignorant questions...what is an ergo road drop? I was looking at bars like the Nitto RB019 and 021... will these suffice and accept a brake lever?

send a picture of the bike or of you riding the bike. Is the only way to figure it out... there are many stuff that can be cousing all your problems, besides... looks like u arent that strong to stop the bike using your legs only. I must remind everybody that the bianchi pista is basically a road bike with a fixed gear and horizontal drop out so w/u seeing u is hard to tell whats wrong, if there is somethng wrong anyways.

UM

What do you mean by that?

Besides the fact that the Pista does not have horizontal drop outs (it has track ends), its geometry is far steeper.

I ride Nitto 021 on one of my bikes and love them. Whether or not the track drops themselves are the problem (they're probably not), those are good bars.

ergo road drop


nitto bullhorns and surely road drops will accept a brake.. if you want to be sure just get a cyclocorss brake lever like the cane creek crosstop or salsa ones, they should fit whatever bar you have.

You can also get the cane creek aero bar brake levers. They plug into the end of bullhorn. You can even use regular brake levers. Take a look at the nishiki in my signature. For your other questions, the pista has track geometry, which means a twichy feel if you're not used to it. It will feel like a lot of weight is over the front wheel.

Toe clips are always a good idea on a fixed gear. I feel in much less control if I ride on platform pedals on a fixed.

Are you trying to slow the bike down, or get the rear wheel to skid. If you're trying to just slow down, give yourself a lot of room (start slowing down about 3 times as far from a light as you would if you had brakes) until you get used to it. A great way to figure it out is to try to control your speed going down a hill. If you're trying to get the tire to lock up and skid, it is almost impossible to learn without being attached to the pedals. Even if you are attached, you need to put your weight further forward than will feel comfortable. Starting on wet ground/sandy ground/dirt may help you get a feel for getting the bike to skid.

I'm not sure what ratio the pista comes with, but you should either get a bigger cog or smaller chainring. Starting around 70 gear inches is usually a good idea.
Pistas come with track drops which are really only meant to be used in the drops. Riding on the shoulders will usually cause pain until you build up wrist strength. Riding with gloves is a good idea. If you plan on doing long rides on the road, changing to a road drop bar is your best bet.

As for shops, Universal Cycles, Nashbar and Performance Bike are all cheap. If you want to support more fixed friendly businesses, I recommend Business Cycles, Harris Cyclery and IRO cycles. IRO has great prices, great customer service and Tony, the owner, is a frequent poster here.

Thanks again everyone...These posts have really shown me what to try. I'll be sure to post back once I make a few adjustments and get a little time in the saddle.

Big suggestion: Gear down! When you spin more, you have more control and develop more technique. And climbing is easier on your knees.