+1 imaginary rep for ryan:thumb:

[offtopic] My LBS reinstalled the cog and lockring on my rear wheel. They didn't have a lockring spanner for sale at the shop but offered to order me one. I politely declined but I do need one so I guess I need to start shopping the interwebs for a good deal on one. I saw that Shimano makes an integrated chain whip/lockring spanner but it's 1/8" and so the whip would only work with FG cogs and not cassettes. OTOH, I've never had reason to take apart the cassette on any of my multispeed bikes so this probably doesn't matter. [/offtopic]

I learned that the Messenger is not a cyclocross bike.

I was coming down a hill where I needed to make a right turn onto a greenway. Just as I started into the turn I noticed a guy was walking his dog and taking up the majority of the trail. I intentionally took the turn a little wide and thought that would just mean riding across a little grass to avoid this guy and his pooch. No big deal right? Wrong, the grass looked dry but was actually quite wet and muddy causing my front wheel to slide sideways. Instinct told me to backpedal and level out my pedals to regain my ballance- oh crap, forcing my legs back like that just locked up the back wheel too! Rookie mistake. Anyway- I managed to ride out of the skid uninjured but I sloshed mud and muddy water all over myself and my bike so the rest of my ride home looked like I just finished a cyclocross race.

I know there are several people posting to this thread who just got their bikes in the last week or two- how are you liking the Messenger so far?

Personally I love it. I have only had 3 days of riding in the past 5 days with it, but here is the breakdown. I got the bike on Friday, and assembled it. My father drove me over to the lbs to fill up tires and get a few things. I rode from there all around my small town, totaling about 9 miles. I took it out later that night and got about 20 more miles in. Needless to say I was a bit tired

I rode 20 miles on the bikeway on monday, and then about 15 more on city streets yesterday. Today is rainy, so no biking for me. These have been my first 70 miles ever on a fixed gear. I would recommend the messenger for anyone looking to get into the FG/SS idea.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying it. No shame in being tired after 29 miles fo fixed gear riding. Keep that up and you'll grow quadriceps so big you'll need your pants tailored to fit over them.

When you mention that you had the LBS air up your tires- does this mean you don't have a bike pump? You might invest in one since these tires need to be 'topped off' with air as often a 2-3 times a week to maintain correct inflation and avoid pinch flats.

Pedal on.

It's my first bike with those little tiny stems. I needed a pressure gauge and an adapter for our old pump. As far as my pants are concerned, they are practically there. I play hockey, basketball, and more recently I cycle 20+ miles when I can. The ladies are amazed whenever they get a glimpse, or better yet, feel. The effect is exaggerated by the fact that I have minimal calf muscles in comparison.

Your LBS should sell a presta (thats the smaller valve our bikes use) to schrader (what it sounds like your pump uses) adapter for about $1.

I think Wal-Mart or Target sell bicycle pumps that will work with presta valves and have built in pressure gauges for about $20.

The joys of bicycling- there is always some new part or accessory to buy. :D

Enjoy letting the ladies touch your "upper thighs" while you can. :thumb: Mrs. HandsomeRyan wouldn't be too happy with me :notamused: if I tried that. :innocent::D

Yeah I got that taken care of on both counts. Enjoying the adapter and that other thing

ouch @ that story up there. but i bet u looked badass all covered w/ mud riding around LOL.

glad you are ok, it could've been worse.

but, i LOVE my messenger, and have a schrader>presta converter, and love it. i also have a walmart mini-pump that i love. great for taking in a backpack. but i have a large pump *from harbor freight* for at home

i ended up getting a pump at the local big box store as well, but i can't ever make it to the LBS because they have terrible hours.

i need to pick up a mini pump and a schrader valve adapter for my emergency pack.

the same pump at the lbs would cost me nearly $40, but i got it for less than $10. id like to support the lbs, but with their ****ty prices, and lack of knowledge * as far as single speed/fixed gear bikes are concerned * ill just ask for help/buy stuff on the internet

that's another reason i don't really like my LBS. they changed ownership, and i don't know the guy.

Me too! I wish my local LBS carry SS parts so I don't have to pay for the shipping and wait time.

Since we all here in this thread owning MM, I would like to ask you guys what is the maximum speed can you get on this bike (please be honest to help with my training)? Thx,

This is a simple math problem-

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

With stock gearing and 170mm crank arms-

14.1 MPH @ 60rpm
18.8 MPH @ 80rpm
21.1 MPH @ 90rpm
23.5 MPH @ 100rpm
28.1 MPH @ 120rpm

On fixed, as fast as your legs can go. Get a computer and it'll calculate the MPH for you. the cheapest cateye is like 25 dollars.

On a freewheel, depending on how steep and long a hill is, you can probably reach 50mph or more.

The most i reached on a freewheel is 40mph going downhill. No pedaling effort at all, but loads of fun.

http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-SW654-.../dp/B000DZD3FQ

$10 computer.

That's theory, what actually you can achieve is different.

Can you explain to us what it is you need to help you with your training? If I told you the fastest I went was 25mph on my fixie, how does that help you?

Last time I got 20 mph on freewheel and flat street but I think I can do better next time. And I do have computer attached.

I try to see what is the fastest a normal person (not a racer) can reach on this MM bike and that would be my goal to train to.

i came back from a nice ride today :) stopped at the LBS, bought a mini pump.

They seem to be stocking up with new stuff, telling me that they'll be getting bmx brake levers soon, as well as now stocking brooks knockoffs and kryptonite evo locks.

if only they had better hours :(

[rant]

No, it isn't "theory". It's actuality.

It's based on a mathematical equation that uses gearing and wheel diameter to tell you exactly (rounded to the nearest 1/10 MPH) how fast your bike will be traveling at a given cadence. If you don't know what cadence you pedal at, no one here can help you with that; but at the cadences listed, the speeds are correct.

You asked a question, I gave you the correct answer. If you think my math is incorrect then either buy a cyclocomputer as several people have already recommended or just ride your bike for fun and quit worrying about top speed.

[/rant]

how does one figure out cadence? count the pedal strokes?

i guess a computer can tell you that too.

i guess i gotta invest in a computer:thumb: