How long does it take...
 

to get used to riding a fixed gear? I have been riding mine 2-3 days a week for a couple of months now but still occasionally forget I am on the fixed bike. This weekend I was riding and came upon someone I knew coming from the other direction and was going to turn around and catch up to him. I forgot and attempted to coast and nearly crashed. How long before I get used to it? I am sure jumping from fixed to non fixed makes it harder but I can't see giving up either bike.

for me, it is always new.
but I dropped all forms of gearing over 5 years ago and have focused on ss/streetrack since then. Streettrack only for the last three.
I never forget what I am on since I have nothing else in the stable but fixed

streetrack..you're sooo trendy.

no doubt! it's a [165]ism. Where's Merton? he might be jealous.

He's too busy worrying about his "love channel."

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=87007

to get back on subject, i'd say it always takes a bit if you're used to riding geared bikes. if you want to get used to it quick, ride the fixed gear all the time.

i usually only ride my geared bike on weekends, and it feels odd when i get on it after riding fixed all week. it usually takes me 10 or 15 minutes to adapt.

you don't ride that beautiful bike all of the time?!? I could sleep riding on that thing (that's what SHE said!).

I'm the opposite. Whenever I ride a freewheel bike, I feel a little out of control when it comes time to stop. And I pedal constantly even if it can coast.

well, i don't only ride the geared bike on weekends ;)

me too, i feel like i am wasting energy on geared bike

i have a hard time clipping into a freewheel bike. i guess i usually clip in on the upswing of the crank, which is un-do-able on freewheel.

in regards to the topic at hand - concentrate on riding what you are riding, until you don't need to concentrate anymore. then, just ride.

I was used to it after 2 days of commuting. The only time I attemped to coast was when I was giving my bike a test ride.

10 months, three days, 19 hours, 12 minutes and 32 seconds is approximately how long it takes. Everyone concurs, right?

Its like being in love. You don't know you're used to it, you just are.

i go back and forth. i have two free and two fixed bikes....

even though i've been riding fixed for a few years now, on very rare occasions when going over big bumps or rough areas (and maybe when i've had a few to drink) that coasting urge will kick in for a split second and i'll get a little jolt as my foot is kicked up.

it's rare, but it happens.

also, i rode my new pinarello cross bike SS conversion to work today for the first time and it was a weird feeling... like i should be fixed and thus, have very little control over starts and stops (and couldn't trackstand, to boot).

the bike has a way of reminding you you're riding fixed. I've been riding riding fixed 99% of the time for the last five years. a few months ago I tried to coast after I charged down a slight hill and I got the old horse kick from the crank.

WHen I first started, I tried to coast over a set of railroad tracks, and I almost ate pavement. These bikes get kinda pissed at laziness.

I just started riding fixed a few months ago as well. When I first started, it took a while to remember that I couldn't coast. Just concentrate on that fact until your legs remember. Muscle memory is a great thing. Don't ride a freewheel bike in between. It'll screw the muscles up. And while you're on your fixed, instead of locking your legs to stay in a comfortable position (because you think you have a freewheel), just relax your legs and put your weight on your saddle instead of your legs. They'll keep rotating with the crank. Otherwise you could get bucked and hit the ground.

And lo the Lord spake unto Yuppie saying, "In thine hour thou hast learned good form. Go now and preach these circles unto the many children of the East and West and yea unto the ends of the Earth."

Streetrack................that does sound so trendy. I'm gonna have to learn to use that in normal everyday conversations.

"So, I was streetrackin thru the loop this AM............."

"Pardon me, but I have to streetrack on home........"

"Me and my buds were streetin uptown for some brews."

Should read sarcasm into this? Or should I be offended?

Neither. I'm simply saying what you describe is the key to developing good form. Get your weight off your legs and spin circles except when sprinting. Otherwise you waste energy doing negative work.

only half as trendy as your skin tight pink jacket...you lil' hottie!

Dice! :D