SD Fixed

Welll,

Before I nearly found my death going down beach street nearth six because I thought I was the man as far as backpeddling went and didn't realize that the leather straps I had picked off the '77 Schwin were dried out and brittle and the left side busted and my one leg went flying wildly while the other made little circles in an attempt to keep balance and I was afraid to use the front brake because I didn't want to go sailingover the bars into traffic and make a red stain or go squeek as I hit... And I couldn't utter a scream because I was to busy holding my breath and then trying to free my other foot which had suddenly become locked into this wierd hop scotch type of ordeal when I finally got it out I was at the bottom of the hill worried I'd catch the dip and go flying so I leaned to a turn hit the dip semi sideways lauched up the sidewalk between to cars and caught a pole. Phew.

Before that I was at Penny Farthings. That guy told me my bike was to big for me. That my bike should have at least 6 inches of seat post. And that because it doesn't, is the reason I get so much BB flex. That I need a much smaller bike, and I wouldn't have frame flex. Is this true?

Also, why is it I keep eating innertubes at the valve where it comes through the rim?

svwagner

bigger bike? nonsense. most everybody's riding 1-2 cm too small anyway.

tubes...you've probably got a burr at or near the valve hole. remove the tire, tube and the rim tape, and check it out. if there's any doubt at all, go at it lightly with sandpaper or a very fine file. make sure that you clean the area afterwards so that there aren't any metal bits left behind.

or, you've just got a run of bad tubes.

Eureka

I'm sticking with a single speed! Just when I started to think, "hmmm, fixed is the way to go."

SD Fixed

No, just make sure you're strapped in with good straps. That makes all the difference. Really. Besides, I"m a lightening rod for the quirks of murphy's law to happen. Just the way it goes.

trekkie820

im still honing my skills on my single speed road bike...maybe within the next year i will be looking to go fixed. Ive gotten it to the point where i have no problem focusing on the road while spinning at close to 120-140 rpm range, and i usually spin that fast everywhere i go, and have held it for up to 2 miles. I just don't want to get killed because i think im sweet...i too am a Murphy's law lightning rod. Any other special skills i could work on now to benefit myself later, when it comes time to nueter my bike?

SD Fixed

We differ on one thing. I know I"m a lightening rod, but I usually just cut chocks and takeoff. I'll figure the rest out.

Best bet: play around the house/apartment.. get a feel. Then, just take off, no parachute, no prayers to say.

trekkie820

kind of a bonzai/kamakazie approach to it, huh?

SD Fixed

No. More that I'm figuring that it's gonna work out. (Call it narrow minded, hopefull, simpleminded or stupidly niave). To many sad songs and warning signs in the world that keep you from doing what you need to do to remain alive in side.

Besides, I gotta set and example for my kid. "Don't do like daddy!"

hammye

When I first learned fix gear riding I thought it would be a great time to also learn the whole clipless thing. It was the funniest thing in the world, I just kind of had to learn it all as quick as possible and I am happier for it. The way I feel about fixed gear is that it's alot like water, you just flow with what is given to you and take it as you can. I have had some very close calls and have never once been maimed in a serious way. And on that note I now go to probably get all screwed up on tomorows ride.

pitboss

God (of your choice, or not) calls William "Beta Man"..I, however, missed the whole God train, so I call William "Beta Man". Ergo, I am god. Send me money for your eternal salvation. And do my bidding.