I need help buying a fixed gear!
 

I'm going to be a college student. I want a decent bicycle to ride around everywhere. I'm going to be downtown setting, and I would really like it if I didn't have to drive my car anywhere. I have not ONE clue about fixed gears, but I know there is a lot of components. There's not too many local bike shops here so I'm relying on you guys! Any advice would be great. What to look for on ebay or something for a simple beginners bike, or if a different type of bike would be better? Any advice you could give would be great! :)

Basic information about me is that I'm a female, 5'7", 140 pounds.

everyone is going to tell you to buy a kilo TT from bikes direct. Good frame, not so great components. But it wont explode on you while you ride it. its around 350$


and then this one guy is gonna come in and tell you to buy a madison and show you a pic of his.

then ppl are gonna flame me for generalizing the taste of BF users in my first sentence.

thats usually how this place works.

But i has lots love fer it

Start with a bikesdirect.com bike that has a freewheel and a fixed cog. Get the hang of the single speed freewheel action then try the fixed side of things on days you can afford to eat some sand.

Use a brake, use a helmet and use foot retention. Also do go the root of this SSFG forum and read the stickys.

ahahahahah

The stickys will answer all.

Sorry...but I have no idea what stickys is?

Dr. Banzai, what is a fixed cog? So does that mean I will have a brake but can also ride it as a fixed gear?

This is the stickied thread.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ed-Start-Here!

Fixed cog meaning you will have to pedal all the time, no coasting; freewheel means the exact opposite.

One side of the rear hub has a freewheel. It lets you coast.
One side of the hub will have a fixed cog. No coasting. Like a tricycle.

If you are asking what it (a cog) is I think you are most likely thinking a fixie is a good looking single speed. My friend's wife calls her Pake with deep V rims a fixie - but she has a freewheel setup.

Let's clear the air about what you think you are getting into and we can direct you to a seamless purchase. Stickies are worth a read, but please feel free to ask here as well.

I want to get the hang of riding a fixed cog bicycle, but if it's possible to get a bicycle that I can ride both fixed and coasting that would be awesome. I didn't know such a thing existed?

I am on bikesdirect.com right now and have nooo idea where to even begin to look? Anyone have a link?

I really appreciate anyone taking the time to help me! It means a lot.

Almost all of the BikesDirect bikes have a flip flop hub, meaning that one side of the hub can be used as fixed gear and the other side as singlespeed.

Okay cool. So I think I'm going to go ahead and order that kilo tt. I guess my last questions are, how do you change the wheel from fixed to coasting? And when should I upgrade into a better bike?

Annnnd sorry last one, can fixed gears have handlebars that don't make you slouch over? I have a feeling I am going to hate those.

Simply by flipping the wheel to from the fixed side to the other side, or vice versa and you need a 15mm wrench to do so.

Be sure you order the right size for you, you don't want to be stuck with the wrong size.

You don't need to upgrade to a new bike anytime soon, but once your components start to fail on you, then it is time to change them. Do you have some basic tools?

You could change the bar to any other bars you might like, just make sure that it has the same clamp diameter.

Not saying bikesdirect isn't a viable choice, but if budget allows consider talking to your lbs about their selection - they can hook you up with the flip flop and show you in person how it works, and they can swap the handlebars out if you need to. Plus, they can expertly fit you and tune it up when you need it. Did I mention you could test ride it?

If budget doesn't allot an extra 200 dollars or so [which is well worth it imo] vixtor is telling you all you need.

Can you turn your own wrenches ? On 2nd thought, I'll steer clear of advices for a specific bike, you are someone's daughter and going to college, you'll need reliable transportation and that implies that if the bike needs repairs or adjustments, you're going to have to find a local bike shop. So I figure you and your father need this opportunity to bond with this experience. College and University towns have plenty of used bikes at the local bike shops that are in pretty good shape. This way you don't have a brand new one stolen or whatever. Anyway, the fixed gear, I'm not sure that's the bike you're looking for ? I have one and in traffic, I use the Single Speed freewheel. For low maintenance, perhaps something in a coaster brake ? Not intentionally trying to discourage you on a fixed gear or an internet bike, but the internet bike needs to be assembled adjusted and tuned from a wheel truing to properly adjusting and tightening every nut and bolt. If you have time between now and when classes start, fine, but a local bike shop will already have gone thru this on a used or new bike. Go to a bike shop and try the various models, see which is most comfortable. But the advices I have, pick a type of bike first, some bikes require the cyclist to be more athletic to ride safely and you'll be getting on and off a bike with a full backpack, possibly a computer and so on and nobody wants you to fall and break your computer. Not trying to be sexist or anything, you may want baskets, even carrier racks to make the load easier & safer to cycle with ? Purpose of college is to get good grades and the education. Biking is a plus out of it,

You mean a freewheel means you coast all the time? No pedaling??? ;)

She's a young lady in college. No LBS needs to help her out. She'll have about 100 guys wanting to wrench for her on day one once she shows up on a decent bike.

And she should also see if there is a local bike kitchen so she can learn herself.

4,5,6mm keys, tire levers, pump, patch kit, 15mm wrench and her smarts and she'll be fine.

Precisely!

Like one of those toddler bike, those wooden ones are so awesome...

Just checkin. LOL

These types of threads scare me. Someone who doesnt know what theyre getting into is going to get a fixed gear bike without brakes, crash, die, and it will end up on the news with a title like "Fixies are the new drunk driving" or "Fixies; A Deadly Fad" something or other.

Or in two years she'll be killing at the local velodrome.

Ohhh you guys! Quit it! I appreciate every piece of advice. I am a independent woman, thank you. I want to learn the ropes for myself. That list of tools (right?) will really come in handy! 'm excited to learn how to ride fixed gear. Once I get the bike, if I need help setting it up, I hope that you will all help me out again.

;)

And this might sound stupid, but how does a singlespeed ride? Does it comes with brakes like a regular bicycle? Because I know fixed gear riders do all sorts of weird stuff to stop haha.