Learning to ride fixie again
 

It's been a few years since the last time I rode a fixie. I'm buying One that I put together tomorrow and I will be riding it to school mostly and maybe weekend rides. Anyway, I went for a ride on my other bike this morning and I challenged myself to ride without coasting. Needless to say I couldn't do it. I've gotten to used to coasting up to stoplights, out of the driveway, tight turns, etc. I know there is a learning curve with any new bike but I can figure most things out on my own. What are your top tips for relearning/beginning fixie riders.

I'll post a pic of the bike once I get it tomorrow. I put a modern wheel set on it, drop stem, flat bars (for now- I plan on getting bull horns soon), sugino rd2 messenger crankset (46t), fixed cog and freewheel sprocket (both 16t). Is 46/16 what most of you use for roads?

TIA, josh

Good news is on a fixed you can't so practicing on a freewheel is kind of pointless. Slap a brake or two on there, some foot retention and just ride it, you will be fine within a weeks time.

46x16 is pretty high but it is Arizona so you are probably fine.

fixed.

What is it they say about riding a bicycle?

Some people just lack the fixie gene.

riding your bike

46/16 should be fine, and resist the urge to try to coast, it hurts when you try it on a fixed-gear ;)

^^^ that reminds me. I forgot to ask about stopping on a fixed gear. Any tips for that would be appreciated as well.

You should definitely get as many brakes as possible.

I use brakes, front and back. ;) (mostly the front)

Learn to sneeze while pedaling.

Are all FG/SS riders this belligerent? I asked a simple question, and out of 11 replies, only 4 were actually helpful.

Read this and HTFU.

It could of been 0/11, threads like that exist around here. That is due to the fact that there are multiple threads that cover basic fixed gear intro stuff.

If you've ridden fixed for a period of time in the past then you should know what to expect. We can help you speculate all you want but getting on and riding is by far a better teacher.

Remind yourself that a fixed gear is merely a single speed that cannot coast. The most important times to remind yourself of this fact is when going around a corner and when going down a hill. Fortunately, all FG bikes are equipped with an instant feedback mechanism that will remind you when you do forget.

Gearing is very personal. Mine is 39x16 because: 1) my knees are old; 2) the bike is my SSCX and I like 39x17 or 18 on the freewheel side for CX racing; and 3) I already had a 39t inner ring from a standard road double lying around.

Bars are personal too. I like road drops because of the greater variety of hand positions. But many like bullhorns so that is fine too. Be aware that your current brake levers may not fit the bull horns.

Whatever you do, set your bike up for riding in the manner that is most comfortable, efficient, and pleasing to you. Not for fashion.

The mechanics of a fixed gear bike are quite simple, responsive and unforgiving - attempt to coast through a corner at high speed and the bike will soon remind you that this is not how it works. HTFU and avoid serious descends for the first couple of days and you'll be fine.

Have you considered:

http://www.thebikeoutlet.com/training_wheels.jpg

Campy or Shamino? I need a pair-lol

I like chamomile tea.

I'm newbie around here and fear replying to most things. It's not the most sensitive culture here in the FG/SS forum.

Thanks for the post. Now I know the FG/SS gang are going to pretty much respond as jerks and it's just to be expected.

3...2...1

[/http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/gr...T37418_500.jpg]

:lol:

Lots of helpful links there. Thank you for that.

I agree with much of this. I have come to like drop bars a lot as well- I can't even function well on risers now, even though I grew up with them since i got my first bike at 5. I will have to spend a little extra on a caliper and compatible lever. I was thinking of a standard side (or maybe dual?) pull road caliper with a CX type lever mounted on the end of the bar. I was also considering randonneur drop bars (the kind where the drops are bent slightly outwards). I'll decide that stuff later though.

Sorry to the rest of you for a redundant thread. I'm guilty of mean replies in common threads as well, but chain lube/life/maintenance threads do get pretty annoying. With scrod's post, I don't think I'll need to ask anymore really common questions. Once again, I apologize. I hope we can all get along, lest I ask about anything more.

Josh, you're overthinking his riding fixed caper - I know the symptoms because I do it all the time :o. Just leap on your bike and ride it. The stuff you already know will come flooding back and the stuff you don't know, you will soon learn. It's no harder riding these things than riding a racing bike or an mtb, it's just different.