42 here and new to fixed gear riding (started this summer). I spent the last part of the summer taking the beginner classes out at the Alpenrose Velo here in Portland, Or. Converted my commuter bike to a fixed gear and have enjoyed the riding, albeit a tougher (but faster) commute than on the geared mtb bike.

This is my single speed conversion I have been riding lately. I didn't have the desire to ride fixed so I just did a simple conversion to a freehub rear wheel. I am getting pretty addicted to riding single speed and it is not as grueling on the hills we have around here as I expected. Being 46 I feel pretty good to be able to do a 30 mile ride on this and be comfortable. Plus it is great on the Western Md. Rail Trail that is local to me. Great thread!

How do you like the bullhorns?

Actually I really like them. They are great for standing up and climbing. These are Zoom Brahmas and are pretty wide. Plenty of room for different positions. The brake levers are inline cross type levers.

Cool, I'll check them out.

Celebrated the Big 5-0 this month. These pics are from last night's ride:

I qualify to post, since I'm 45. I wish I had a pic to post to go along with this. Back in the 80's, while I was in college, I worked as a wrench at very nice bike shop next to the University of Maryland (College Park Bicycles). A guy came in wanting to trade in his Columbus SL, all Campy track bike for a road bike. The boss wasn't interested, because he wouldn't be able to sell it. I picked it up off the guy for $250! That was my first, and only fixed gear bike up until last year. I used it to ride to work, at the winter roller races in the shop, and even took it up to Trexlertown, PA once...once. That scared the $#!+ out of me riding on a real velodrome. Unfortunately, I ended up selling it to make rent about a year later. I really wish I could have kept that one, along with the Schwinn Voyageur that went away under similar circumstances.

Last year I picked up a Windsor The Hour. I figured it would be a cheap way to have some fun with a fixie again. I'm happy with it, but starting to look at upgrades already. I dont' think I'll score a campy equipped track bike for that price again....but I'll keep looking.

Goog

I am 55, ride a 2011 Specialized Roubiax and a CF scattante, really liking the WABI Special online....maybe soon, will be my first real Fixie, comments?

This is but one of my many, yet current favorite, single-speed cyclocross bike

42, 43 in January, and this has been my first year bike commuting to work. have only driven to work three times since March. probably in the best shape since college. winter commuter is my All City Nature Boy. currently singlespeed. might change to fixed if i switch to studded snow tires.

What fenders are those?

SKS Longboards.

guess I am not getting a WABI,,,just bought this yesterday on sale RALEIGH RUSH HOUR 2012, nice quality and cheap..my FIRST fixie, will be 56 next month (

Nice looking bike.

That is gorgeous...totally custom! What was its starting incarnation?

Cheers. What kind of gearing have you used for the long rides like PBP? I just turned 40 yesterday, hope to still be kicking ass at 62.



As I turn 40 I have also past the 1 year mark of commuting and hauling by fixed gear nearly everyday. It has had a remarkable effect on my condition in that time, and hope to keep getting stronger.

I ride and race with a guy who's over 60. And he can drop me on any ride over an hour.

Good looking bike.

I've come around to this way of thinking too of late.

Hi My name is Dave, I'm 43 and live in Adelaide South Australia. After a long break from cycling I got back on a bike at age 38. trawled the net and built a couple of single speed road conversions, before buying an 09 Giant Bowery which I rode SS. Long story short , I've bought/ built/ sold so many bikes in the last 5 years I've lost count. Always flirted with fixed(including a 63xc mtb) but never felt the connection until 12 months back. My current stable consists of what feels right to me and ticks most boxes.
I have a classic lugged steel Track bike that has a fine aussie pedigree. Tight geo and clearances and undrilled. Still a WIP to make it mine. recently bought a Kona paddy wagon(ugly but functional) to commute on. Went out today for a ride along a riverside track we have here. 70 km(43 mile) at an avg 28.4 kmh(15mph) on 75 GI.
My left knee has had 50% of the cartilage removed 4 years ago from a bad tear, and I've twice torn the medial ligaments. Fixed doesn't seem to put any more stress on it than a normal cycling style. Given that the mass populous of cyclists still seems to ride geared stuff, it kinda feels like I'm part of an esoteric cult that has a dirty secret.

Pics to come of my bikes if you are interested.

48 here. Got back into riding 2.5 yrs ago with a hybrid, and 25kms was a looooong way to go, let alone hills. Kept it up and then started riding with the local rando club. It was then where I felt the need for a roadie. Yes, a big difference in everything. Fast fwd to Apr of this year, I saw a SS advertised for $300. Well wouldn't that be a nice n+1 to have so the carbon roadie wouldn't be stolen on a short ride to the store. It soon became my bike of choice, and the hills became a little easier each and every time with the lack of bailout gears.

I spoke with a couple of FG riders on the 1200km rides this summer, and then broke loose and bought a cog. So now the bike I love to ride is the FG. Sure the downhills are far more difficult that the ups, but all in all it's a great ride and no more physically traumatic than the geared or freewheel ride.

eta: I ended up riding my SS on a 600km brevet in August and may try one this year on the FG.

I think a gear of around 70" is a good compromise. I ran 44x17 at PBP and it worked very well. At 29 kmh, you're spinning at 90 rpm's, and it's no problem sitting in a 35-40 kmh paceline. I'm spun out on the descents at about 56 kmh, but I've managed to take it to over 60 (but I'm spinnin' like a fool), but that might have been in the slightly larger 42x16.

Also, if I don't use a half-link with the 44x17, I can run 48x15 (86") on the track without having to replace the chain. This is a sprinter's warmup gear, and I'm definitely not a sprinter, but it's a good gear for training on the track with, when I've got my road fixed in its track configuration (at the indoor Burnaby Velodrome during the winter).

Luis

Ah, thanks. I'm commuting and hauling with 50x19 (69") right now. Some days I think of increasing it, then a windy day like today happens and I change my mind.

Best,

Carlos

I've run 73"FG all year so far and I'm finding the hills I used to stand for I'm now sitting. My heart recovery has improved and my weight has stabilised at my lowest for 30 years. Keep going guys, and if you find it getting less of a challenge, drop a rear tooth or two.
PS. My 45 year old wife has started her SS career on a 74" and is SO FAST!

I haven't been biking for quite a while but just started back this year. I am 47 and rode a variety of geared bikes in California - even had a 3-speed for a while. I have a Trek 1100 which is being transformed into a SS although after reading Luis' post I am considering a Suicide Fixie. I have a set of Mavic Paris Gao Dakar hubs that I laced up back in 1990 or 1991 with DT double butted spokes and now I am sentimental and want to keep them. Our local machine shop has agreed to tig weld the horizontal dropouts in for me. I am working on polishing all the bits that I am going to keep and purchasing items for the project. I hope that I will have a bike I can knock around town on, ride with friends that are slow and have it look nice too.

I live at the top of a hill and our town is built on the edge of a small mountain. I'll probably go with 60" or less for the gearing so I don't have to push it home or more likely ride it home and hurt myself in the process.

Anyhow, I am glad to find this thread and have enjoyed reading through the posts.

Tom

Hi guys -

I've posted on Bike Forums a few times, but never here, in the demographically-appropriate thread <g>. I live in Brooklyn and started riding fixed this past July, almost exactly on my 48th birthday. Up until then I had been using my 20 yr old Trek 330 to commute from my apartment in Brooklyn to school in Queens and work in Manhattan. I started to find the maintenance on a geared bike annoying (I work and go to school full time and I have a dog I need to spend quality time with), so I became interested in fixed. Initially I figured I'd just convert the trek, but then I found out that the horizontal drop outs on the Trek would mean I needed a work around and figured what the hell, I'd look for a used track frame so I could avoid a tensioner and run cleaner. Lost an Ebay auction for a used, dented Bare Knuckle and bought a Nagasawa a couldn't afford a week later when I was drunk. Oh, and the Nag frame was too big for me as well. Ok, so now I'm riding a 3Rensho Keirin I lucked into on Craigslist. It's built up for street with a +5 Salsa stem and road bars and it's hands down the best, most enjoyable vehicle that I've ever been lucky enough to own. I'm running 42/16 (69 gear inches) so it's ok quick enough on flat, climbs bridges like a goat and skid stops on a dime(-ish). It's also nimble in traffic and effortless to carry up stairs. I manage a bar and make sub macdonald's wages (with absolutely no benefits - none) so I'm psyched I'm able to ride this juiced, mid life crisis bike. I only love my girlfriend and my dog more.

Ok, so on to issues riding fixed with regard to my advanced age. So far, only positive. I'm relatively fit and run regularly in NY Road Runner races and the primary effect I've noticed from riding fixed so far is less knee pain. I'm guessing it's from shaking out the foot road racing stiffness from spinning. Any of you guys notice the same thing?

Best wishes,
Tony