So i just got an old Schwinn conversion operational tonight...

To be honest, i had only planned on making it a singlespeed, not fixed, but I bought new wheels for it that came with a flip flop hub with a fixed cog already on it, so i decided to give it a try.

Heck i might not even bother getting a freewheel now, I had so much fun riding it around! At first it was a little awkward, and i lost my footing on the pedals going down the tiny hill next to my house, but in no time i was getting damn good at it.

So i decided to venture out a little further, and ended up riding three miles just for the heck of it, up and down hills, ect. All at 1:00 in the morning lol...

Its just so smooth and quiet, and efficient too! i was blasting right up hills that are always a bit of a challenge for me, and going down them too, with no brakes - it was bit bit tough, but fun. I'm almost thinking about going brakeless already, but its the emergencies that worry me.

Anyway, just stopped by to say that i can definitely see the appeal now.

looks like you've been converted to the dark side.. we have cookies here!

brandontw,

Hell yes. Nothing like a good, old fashioned, spiritual experience. Consider a front brake - at least for awhile. It's best not to learn some lessons the hard way.

And foot retention. OP, you said you lost your footing. That will happen when you're going downhill without something to keep you hooked in. Now, losing your pedals AND being brakeless,.... now THERE'S throuble. The only things left to do at that point are steer and pray.

Yeah definitely get foot retention and a brake. I have been riding fixed for a while and am very good at skidding, but I still run a front brake for peace of mind. It also lets me go a little faster than I would if I knew that I had to stop myself using my legs alone. ANyways, glad you are having fun. FG rules.

Awesome... thats exactly how I got hooked!
Have fun / be safe... I recommend a brake too at least at first, if not forever.

I started riding single speed because riding a BMX was starting to get a little painful for my 35 year-old legs and back, but flipped my back wheel to the fixed side one day 'just to try it out'. I've since removed the freewheel from my hub completely and swear I'm never going back.
Fixed gear certainly does rule.

Use a front brake. Please. I don't need mine very often but have had some instances where I've been pretty damn happy to have it.

i'd run a brake and definitely get clips/straps.

Yeah. i think i'll keep a front brake on there indefinitely, i just don't see any reason to risk my ass to be trendy. there's some big hills in reno..

Yeah definitely keep the front brake. In addition to emergencies, you'll be thankful it's there if you decide to do any longer rides. Skidzzzz and skip stops are fun on fresh legs, but after 40 or 50 miles trying to resist on a nice long downhill is gonna buuuurrrrnnn.

c'mon you can't do epic barspinzz with a front brake!!!11!









(kidding of course)

BRB inventing wireless brakes.

Disc front brake AND barspinzz? I'm gonna be rich.

barspin is wort coz u get hit 1 but oky but bars cak look god

o rly?

+1 for incomprehensible