The Age 40+ Singlespeed & Fixed Gear Thread
12-10-10, 12:30 AM
#51
Grumpy Old Bugga
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Cripes, I'm not alone ... and currently 54 so I'm not even unusual.
I bought my Europa new in the early 80's. Rode her on and off until about 6 years ago when I bought a new bike with lots and lots of gears. I felt sad seeing the old girl sitting in the shed not being used and, hearing about this 'fixie' carry on, spent a happy afternoon doing a suicide conversion. Instant addiction. She's been slowly upgraded over the years with track wheels and cranks and modern brakes and aero levers and stuff like that.
She's currently my daily ride which, considering I live in a very hilly area, is rather fun at times (legs my fiance loves, regularly hitting cadences of 150+, etc).
I must like this fixed gear carry on because Paul Hillbrick is currently building me a custom frame with associated parts, which I hope to get before Christmas - it's fixed of course.
That geared bike? It's now in pieces. It's replacement hasn't been ridden in six months and is still filty from its last rainstorm.
Richard
I bought my Europa new in the early 80's. Rode her on and off until about 6 years ago when I bought a new bike with lots and lots of gears. I felt sad seeing the old girl sitting in the shed not being used and, hearing about this 'fixie' carry on, spent a happy afternoon doing a suicide conversion. Instant addiction. She's been slowly upgraded over the years with track wheels and cranks and modern brakes and aero levers and stuff like that.
She's currently my daily ride which, considering I live in a very hilly area, is rather fun at times (legs my fiance loves, regularly hitting cadences of 150+, etc).
I must like this fixed gear carry on because Paul Hillbrick is currently building me a custom frame with associated parts, which I hope to get before Christmas - it's fixed of course.
That geared bike? It's now in pieces. It's replacement hasn't been ridden in six months and is still filty from its last rainstorm.
Richard
12-10-10, 11:44 AM
#52
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58 and 59 coming up way too soon.
In 2004 I was riding a lot of bike paths and wanted to get a better workout for the short time I had to ride after work.
So, with the help of Sheldon Brown (RIP) and wheel from Harris Cyclery I converted a 1967 Peugeot PX10.
After that I got a frame from Tony at IRO when he was in Brooklyn and made that a full time fixed.
My custom Tom Kellog/Spectrum geared bike still gets used when the ride will be hilly.
The photo is of ride that was 31F when we started. The coldest start for our winter rides has been 27F at 7:00 PM and it probably got colder. Since there are not gears to deal with, heavy mittens work very well.
In 2004 I was riding a lot of bike paths and wanted to get a better workout for the short time I had to ride after work.
So, with the help of Sheldon Brown (RIP) and wheel from Harris Cyclery I converted a 1967 Peugeot PX10.
After that I got a frame from Tony at IRO when he was in Brooklyn and made that a full time fixed.
My custom Tom Kellog/Spectrum geared bike still gets used when the ride will be hilly.
The photo is of ride that was 31F when we started. The coldest start for our winter rides has been 27F at 7:00 PM and it probably got colder. Since there are not gears to deal with, heavy mittens work very well.
12-13-10, 10:08 AM
#53
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I am 53 years old fairly new to fixed gear riding (no track, only road). I have converted one old road frame and use it for long distance riding and commuting.
12-14-10, 11:24 PM
#54
Spin Meister
Northbend, where was the photo made - and what did you have to pedal up to get there?
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12-15-10, 08:00 PM
#55
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icyclist this is in Mt. Rainier National Park. A training ride I did to prepare for RAMROD. This spot is called Reflection Lakes just after climbing up Stevens Canyon Road. Here is the route:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-...27885602322830
https://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-...27885602322830
12-17-10, 08:45 AM
#56
nashcommguy
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Built a single speed out of a Fuji Del Rey about 3 years ago. Then went for a ride w/a friend who had a Salsa Casserol fixed. He let me ride it around the parking lot. That was it. Went home after the ride and ordered a 100.00 set of fg wheels and have been riding it ever since. About 1.5 years. Rarely ride any other bike these days. Library, post office, light grocery shopping and commuting. My gearing is 48x16. My age is 58. No knee problems, so far. Have been posting here on this sub-forum for months and never noticed this sticky. Glad its here.
As a commuter I was thinking one getting one of the SA 3 sp fixed and building a bike around it. There's one 18% grade maybe pullable @ 67%...as it is I've got to do switchbacks.
Man, I wish their was a track around here in the Greater Nashville area. I'd love to do masters team cycling.
As a commuter I was thinking one getting one of the SA 3 sp fixed and building a bike around it. There's one 18% grade maybe pullable @ 67%...as it is I've got to do switchbacks.
Man, I wish their was a track around here in the Greater Nashville area. I'd love to do masters team cycling.
12-20-10, 12:37 PM
#57
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I began riding fixed gear when I turned 62 - little over 2 years ago. So far in 2010 I have logged over 10,000 f.g. miles and less than 1000 on geared bikes. Needless to say I'm hooked. Have 3 rides - Bianchi San Jose, Soma Rush, and Independent Steel Crown Jewel fixed. Really like this thread.
12-20-10, 12:51 PM
#58
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
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icyclist this is in Mt. Rainier National Park. A training ride I did to prepare for RAMROD. This spot is called Reflection Lakes just after climbing up Stevens Canyon Road. Here is the route:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-...27885602322830
https://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-...27885602322830
what ratio where you running?
12-22-10, 07:17 AM
#59
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42x17. I wouldn't categorize fixed gear riding in the mountains as intense. It's more like running a marathon.
12-22-10, 12:54 PM
#60
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
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and we all know running marathons are a walk in the park
12-22-10, 02:43 PM
#61
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Did two hours of flat, windy riding on the fixed gear yesterday while there was a gap between storms. Mellow and mindless, perfect for winter base.
12-22-10, 03:24 PM
#62
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I'm 42 and have done various conversions over the last 3 years. My latest is a 72 Schwinn Paramount P13.
12-22-10, 03:31 PM
#63
Fueled by Tigers Blood
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icyclist this is in Mt. Rainier National Park. A training ride I did to prepare for RAMROD. This spot is called Reflection Lakes just after climbing up Stevens Canyon Road. Here is the route:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-...27885602322830
https://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-...27885602322830
JESUS HOLY CHRIST YOU CLIMBED 8000 FEET? I DONT THINK I CLIMB 8000 FEET A YEAR IN MY CAR HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.
that is all.
P.S. Looks like an amazing ride.
12-22-10, 03:46 PM
#64
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44 and I've been riding fixed for 2 years on an older converted Raleigh. It's my around town bike and is a blast to ride in this flat town.
Last edited by Ultraslide; 12-22-10 at 03:51 PM.
12-22-10, 07:26 PM
#67
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I'm noticing a lot of Selle Italia Flites in this thread. Just sayin'. 
12-23-10, 01:48 PM
#68
Spin Meister
8,600 feet of climbing? And descending? THAT'S impressive.
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12-23-10, 09:04 PM
#70
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Riding fixed in the mountains does add a sense of adventure. Here are some more photo's from that same ride:
A signpost on the way up cayuse pass by the white river entrance
cayuse pass summit in early july. when I rode RAMROD at the end of july all the snow was gone
The best section is stevens canyon road. This tunnel is just past the box canyon
peak along the way
A waterfall near the top of steven canyon
Parked outside paradise lodge
Lunch sitting in this chair inside the lodge
On the return leg, I stopped at this overlook
The real acid test is climbing the backside of cayuse when you are tired from a long day of riding.
A signpost on the way up cayuse pass by the white river entrance
cayuse pass summit in early july. when I rode RAMROD at the end of july all the snow was gone
The best section is stevens canyon road. This tunnel is just past the box canyon
peak along the way
A waterfall near the top of steven canyon
Parked outside paradise lodge
Lunch sitting in this chair inside the lodge
On the return leg, I stopped at this overlook
The real acid test is climbing the backside of cayuse when you are tired from a long day of riding.
12-23-10, 09:35 PM
#71
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Dookie, beautiful bikes! I actually purchased my '09 Sputnik based on your recommendation. Thank you! I've been off the bikes due to wrist surgery but am finally cleared to ride. Did my first mountain bike ride in probably 5 months yesterday. Just happy to get back on the bike. Right now my Sputnik is stock, but I'm working on that. I need to replace the stem. I'm 5'9" and the Sputnik is a 53cm but the stem is too short. Thinking I might need a 110 but will firm that up tomorrow. What I wanted to know was what stem you have an what degree drop it is. And I need to cut the extra mile of steerer tube on the stock forks. Wow! I'm also riding a Kona mountain bike. It's a '10 Kona Big Unit (King Kahuna but with slotted dropout for SS/FG). Greatest mtb I've owned...period! Anyway, thanks for posting this. I just turned 42 this month. Whew! Pics to follow shortly...
Last edited by Pantani98; 12-27-10 at 08:05 AM.
12-24-10, 06:23 PM
#72
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Hi all, I'm 60 and will be 61 next month.. I ride mostly solo and with an older tri-group for health and enjoyment. I normally hang on the folder forum and this build is probably a little out of place here (it's one more gear), but I just discovered this sub-forum and like what I've been reading. I was riding a S/S Dahon Mu Uno for awhile and was having trouble getting up some of the hills in my area.. I was hunting for another solution that was almost as clean as S/S and came across some vintage Sachs Automatic 2 speed coaster brake hubs.. I ride this old converted Douglas Titanium road bike as much as I can.
This is a bike project that I completed a few months ago .... I set it up for approximately 55/75 gear inches.. I ride this bike quite a bit in moderately hilly Marin county .. the ratio works out about perfect for me allowing cruising speeds in the 16 to 20 mph range.
Old Douglas Titanium road frame.
Sort of rare Sachs Duomatic 2 speed Automatic hub from 40 years ago modified to shift at 14mph at a cadence of approximately 90rpm.
Forward Components EBB kit in stock 68mm BB for chain tension adjustments.
This is a bike project that I completed a few months ago .... I set it up for approximately 55/75 gear inches.. I ride this bike quite a bit in moderately hilly Marin county .. the ratio works out about perfect for me allowing cruising speeds in the 16 to 20 mph range.
Old Douglas Titanium road frame.
Sort of rare Sachs Duomatic 2 speed Automatic hub from 40 years ago modified to shift at 14mph at a cadence of approximately 90rpm.
Forward Components EBB kit in stock 68mm BB for chain tension adjustments.
12-26-10, 08:13 PM
#74
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Unique rides
12-26-10, 11:58 PM
#75
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Nice Bruce! I was wondering about those EBB's, any issues with it?
