View Full Version : Last Fixed Gear Bike Question- Promise
Sandy
10-21-2005, 12:57 PM
I have been seriously thinking about trying a fixed gear bike, as some of you know. My problem is that I am afraid that I might injure myself in the learning process, and that is the last thing that I want to happen riding a fixie.
I do believe that fixed gear riding will give me a better pedal stroke, make me stronger, make me a more aware and safer cylist, and give me better overall cycling technique and anticipation.
But, I am 64 and a recreational cyclist who is in it mostly for the fun, comaraderie, and fitness.
However, I do want to improve. Smiley, Flydhest, Dekonick, Rapid Tourist, sc53,... have offered to ride with me.
So, do I give it a try or not??
Still Scared Sandy
fiamme red
10-21-2005, 12:59 PM
No big deal. Just borrow a friend's and see how you like it.
vandeda
10-21-2005, 01:05 PM
Sandy,
GO FOR IT!!!!!! If you have that much of a desire to try it, I say go for it. I had a strong desire to try it when I converted my commuter/winter ride to single-speed/fixie. My original motivation was easier cleaning during winter rides because of all the road grime that would be picked up on our nice, salty, gravely, roads in upstate NY.
And let me tell 'ya, since converting, I've only ridden my geared bike a couple times. Imagine, I love it so much, I'd rather ride my '88 Centurion over my '01 Calfee Dragon-fly. So just do it ... it won't take long before you get the hang of it!!!
And it's good you have others riding with you for the first few times, that means some great photo opportunities for if you get hurt so we ALL can point and laugh :banana:
Dan
it will also make you a better person and give you a stonger connection to ancestors who couldn't afford all of those teeth you now enjoy.
keno
Sandy
10-21-2005, 01:08 PM
Sandy,
GO FOR IT!!!!!! If you have that much of a desire to try it, I say go for it. I had a strong desire to try it when I converted my commuter/winter ride to single-speed/fixie. My original motivation was easier cleaning during winter rides because of all the road grime that would be picked up on our nice, salty, gravely, roads in upstate NY.
And let me tell 'ya, since converting, I've only ridden my geared bike a couple times. Imagine, I love it so much, I'd rather ride my '88 Centurion over my '01 Calfee Dragon-fly. So just do it ... it won't take long before you get the hang of it!!!
And it's good you have others riding with you for the first few times, that means some great photo opportunities for if you get hurt so we ALL can point and laugh :banana:
Dan
Bad Dan! Bad Dan! :) :)
Shutterbug Sandy
spiderman
10-21-2005, 01:12 PM
i've been contemplating this fixed thing
for two years now.
i ride through situations thinking
well, it was a good thing this thing wasn't a fixie
or i would have been a gonner for sure...
...but lately i've been riding through corners
and anticipating what it will be like when i go fixed.
as a compromise
i'm building a 16 fixed/17 freewheel combination
at the recommendation of my wheelbuilder...
...so, in a nutshell...
YES!
Sandy, at your age, you're probably not contemplating having any more children, so I say go for it. What do you have to lose?
And as one who has been there - it's not really that difficult to learn. If you start out with some shorter, slower rides on relatively flat terrain, the worst that will happen if you forget and try top stop pedaling is a gentle reminder from your legs continuing to move.
Fixed
10-21-2005, 01:39 PM
Bro how about this get brakes and use old school track pedals without the clips that way you can stop or take your feet off the pedals just watch out for your shins.I think you'll like it and you'll feel like a kid on a new bike good luck dude .cheers :beer:
Kevan
10-21-2005, 01:40 PM
Might look into a police escort while you're at it. No wait... better not.
If the current administration catches wind of this event, they'll think it a terrorist plot, bump us all up to heighten security - level red, and they'll probably shoot every cyclist they see until the get to you just to play it safe. And who can blame them when it comes to WMC's?
That would be Weapons of Massive Construction.
I, for one, love these threads where you ask us if you should try fixed gear riding. As strongly as I've tried to encourage you to try it in past iterations, I now realize that the immense pleasure and sense of satisfaction that you would get riding a fixie doesn't even come close to the immense pleasure and satisfaction we ALL get from trying to talk you into it. If you ever actually tried it, these wonderful insiteful threads would come to an end and all you would ever post about would be how much you LOVE riding a fixed gear bicycle. That wouldn't be nearly as interesting or stimulating.
So I implore you to NEVER try a fixie. You'd love it and we'd all be the worse for it.
:cool: :cool: :cool:
-Ray
more like Waverers of Mass Confusion.
keno
SPOKE
10-21-2005, 02:04 PM
be sure the bike is setup with good quality front and rear brakes. riding a bike setup with just a front brake will not help your confidence diring your learning process. the rear brake is a good speed control. i also recommend just sticking to a very flat route until you get the hang of it.
Good Luck
jdoiv
10-21-2005, 02:09 PM
heck, you've made it to 64! Ridin' a fixie isn't gonna kill you and if it does, heck you made it to 64! When I was but a wee lad, I went on a very long backpacking trip in New Mexico. We had a guy on that trip that was 72. He kicked eveyones a$$e$. Age doesn't matter, attitude does. Jump on the bike, ride with some pals, and give it a go already. Ya aint gettin' any younger... Geez... Once you get good, then you can school all of us young whipper snappers.... Give me somethin' to look forward to will ya... I'm not gettin' any younger over here.... Inspire us would ya...
Kevan
10-21-2005, 02:16 PM
Who? Who you talking about? Sandy or the current administration?
I can see it as both so I stand corrected. Thank you.
spiderman
10-21-2005, 02:48 PM
if geo. w
is a regular viewer on the forum...
...hopefully, he will take on the challenge
get a fixed gear
and invite us all to the white house
to ride his favorite route,
give us all pet names
and kick our perverbial saddle sores...
Fixed
10-21-2005, 02:59 PM
Bro maybe I could get carl's job .cheers :beer:
It's plain that you're curious. So try it.
As per the risk: look, you are not contemplating a solo and unsupervised channel swim, Everest sans oxygen, or the whittling of decorative figurines from explosives. You are contemplating riding a bike. And you already know how to ride a bike.
Get something borrowed or bought set up just about right. Get an example with a brake or two. Find someplace flat and uncrowded for your initial outing or two, especially as you have some trepidation about the whole thing. You're somewhere in the DC area, right? Haines Point during off-hours should be good, and there's always a deserted parking lot somewhere. Pedal around a bit. You might like it. If you like it, keep going. If, after a bit, you think you hate it, you can always quit. If your knees start to feel sore (I do not think they should at all, but this seems to be a worry folks have), then get off the bike, take some NSAIDS and apply ice. I've heard folks go on and on about being nearly hurtled around the world because they forget that they cannot coast, but such reports seem to me mighty hyperbolic, if not downright fanciful. You'll forget a few times early on and you'll have an awkward moment or two and you'll deal and keep riding--obviously I cannot guarantee total safety on a fixie or any other bike, but I don't see any reason why you should fall even once while getting the basic idea into your legs. If a hill seems too steep on the way up you can tough it out or you can unclip and get off. If it seems too steep on the way down, you can drag your brake a little to slow down. It should all be fine.
Obviously you've got a bunch of pals equipped with fixies--try one of theirs. If you want to try something with a 56 cm top tube, and cannot borrow one, you can try mine.
Smiley
10-21-2005, 04:25 PM
Guys and gals , Sandy has the bike , its already set up with DurAce 9 speed , he bought a ENO hub built rear wheel from Jeremy so All he needs is a chain , rear cog and locking ring and front ring . We'll remove the deraileurs cables and front and rear deraileurs and he's set to go , the bike is ready and fits him well. He'll have both front and rear brakes and then he can put his beloved CSI to good work as his spinning winter and coffee shop riding bike. ENOUGH , lets go Sandy lets do it, you'll be 74 years old and still debating this we love you pal and fixee is the way to go :)
ti_boi
10-21-2005, 04:31 PM
But, I am 64 and a recreational cyclist who is in it mostly for the fun, comaraderie, and fitness.
However, I do want to improve. Smiley, Flydhest, Dekonick, Rapid Tourist, sc53,... have offered to ride with me.
So, do I give it a try or not??
Still Scared Sandy
As long as you have some decent flats to enjoy, fixed gear cycling is a joy!
Besides, 64 is the new 54! So live it up..... :banana:
93legendti
10-21-2005, 05:47 PM
Guys and gals , Sandy has the bike , its already set up with DurAce 9 speed , he bought a ENO hub built rear wheel from Jeremy so All he needs is a chain , rear cog and locking ring and front ring . We'll remove the deraileurs cables and front and rear deraileurs and he's set to go , the bike is ready and fits him well. He'll have both front and rear brakes and then he can put his beloved CSI to good work as his spinning winter and coffee shop riding bike. ENOUGH , lets go Sandy lets do it, you'll be 74 years old and still debating this we love you pal and fixee is the way to go :)
Do it already. If you're really nervous, do a flip flop with a single speed on one side and fixed on the other. Try the single speed first. If you love it and are still curious go for the fixed. I went to single speed 2 weeks ago and it is a great way to cycle. Can't say I will go fixie, 'cuz I am not curious about it in the least. At least go single speed. All the 64 year old members of the tribe I ride with are riding single speeds.
sandy-
here you go. a fixed gear that is definatly your speed.
just go and ride the csi with the tupid hub already. it's not hard, it's just dumb. if you want to improve your pedal stroke, take off your big chainring. if you want to be a tough guy join the french foreign legion. if you want to race on the track buy a fixed gear. otherwise leave well enough alone, this isn't a contest and no one cares.
jerk
Fixed
10-21-2005, 06:47 PM
bro I ride a fix gear that is junk I ride it for work it's cheap and nobody would think of rippin it when it's chain up but I like my road bike a lot more it soooo much better .but for 3-4-5- mile trips in the rain in the city a fixed is the way to go.If you want to go long and fast that's what a road bike is for .i.m.h.o.: oh yeah I've been ridin a fixed 5 days a week for 15 years but I like my road bike better cheers :beer:
fixed-
the jerk loves his beater fixed gear too.
jerk
I've been ridin a fixed 5 days a week for 15 years but I like my road bike better cheers :beer:
If you rode your road bike 5 days a week for 15 years, I bet you'd like your fixie better!
Cheers,
-Ray
Fixed
10-21-2005, 07:54 PM
jerk. you da man bro cheers :beer:
Fixed
10-21-2005, 08:05 PM
If you rode your road bike 5 days a week for 15 years, I bet you'd like your fixie better!
Cheers,
-Ray bro did I say I didn't like my bikes but I never have more than around $100 in one of my work bikes.Dude there's nothing like the thrill of battle on a group ride you just have to be strong enough to partake.and that is one the things my road bike gives me .besides don't judge the black bike messenger until you road a mile in my shoes bro.
bro did I say I didn't like my bikes but I never have more than around $100 in one of my work bikes.Dude there's nothing like the thrill of battle on a group ride you just have to be strong enough to partake.and that is one the things my road bike gives me .besides don't judge the black bike messenger until you road a mile in my shoes bro.
Certainly meant no offense or judgement. Just meant that ANYTHING you use five days a week for work is gonna eventually start to feel like, well, WORK. And a break from it might feel good. I have maybe $200 in my fixie and I like my nice road bike more too most of the time. But some days, there's just nothing like gliding along on the fixed.
Cheers again,
-Ray
Rapid Tourist
10-22-2005, 03:49 AM
Sandy,
Try my 4 step program:
1. Repeat the following five times before falling asleep each night: "GEARS ARE FOR WEENIES."
2. Repeat the following five times each morning: "FIXERS RULE THE WORLD."
3. Use two brakes
4. Forget about those silly road pedals you have and get some cheap platforms to start.
If it makes you feel any better, I rode fixed for the first time 7 months ago and I haven't wiped out, and I am a very uncoordinated person. Ride on!
Len J
10-22-2005, 07:49 AM
but do it anyway.
Sandy:
You have let your fear get exageratted beyond reason on this one.
Fixie riding is not that hard or scary. I've been doing it now for a bout three years and it really is a non-issue.
Here is what I would recommend.
1.) Find some flats (LIKE HERE ON THE EASTERN SHORE.)
2.) Start aout easy. Just learning the ropes so to speak.
3.) Do aa series of starts and stops until you get the feel of it. This for me is when I have to think the most (especially early in the season). Slow down and unclip and at the last minute stand up and put your foot down.
4.) Once you get on the bike for a ride, it becomes self reinforcing. That's why I would start with a couple of easy rides. if you try to coast, the feedback is slower and easier to manage.
5.) If you get going too fast down hill, brake. I'd use two brakes if I were you.
Have fun.
It really isn't that hard.
Len
Dekonick
10-22-2005, 06:23 PM
If your knees start to feel sore (I do not think they should at all, but this seems to be a worry folks have), then get off the bike, take some NSAIDS and apply ice. I've heard folks go on and on about being nearly hurtled around the world because they forget that they cannot coast, but such reports seem to me mighty hyperbolic, if not downright fanciful.
LOL - funny you mention this -
I was riding a few days ago on the Baltimore Annapolis trail (flat) with the fixie and spotted a pothole - so I did the usual and did a bunny-hop - but 'forgot' I was fixed in flight and when I landed I got quite a rude jolt. Didn't fly off, didn't crash - just jammed my wrists a little bit and skid until the legs went back into auto round rotation again...
what I am finding more now than before - I almost never use the brakes, but when I do often I find it is the rear brake, not the front - as a way to easily take a little speed off before making my legs work. Why the rear and not the front? No reason, when I need to stop I find the front works better but to just bleed a little speed the rear is more to my liking...
Was watching Breaking Away last night with the wife (she had never seen it before) and noted that the bikes for the 'little 500' would be much better with a fixed rear v.s. the freewheel...after all if you are going to have only one speed it may as well be fixed!
Sandy - Go for it! It is simple - really. I am finding the more you ride fixed the less you ride geared...cuz it is just plain 'ole fun!
I think my geared bikes will just have to wait a little while before I take em out for a spin...
Next on the list - learn to track-stand. :banana:
Kevan
10-22-2005, 07:52 PM
painting the mother pink!!!
Sandy
10-23-2005, 11:09 AM
Do it already. If you're really nervous, do a flip flop with a single speed on one side and fixed on the other. Try the single speed first. If you love it and are still curious go for the fixed. I went to single speed 2 weeks ago and it is a great way to cycle. Can't say I will go fixie, 'cuz I am not curious about it in the least. At least go single speed. All the 64 year old members of the tribe I ride with are riding single speeds.
So how do you compare riding the single speed (not fixed) to simply putting your multi-geared bike in a comparable gear? Do you get a more direct feel riding with the single speed? Is it all like a fixed gear?
Sandy
GoJavs
10-23-2005, 11:20 AM
Maybe not the wisest idea with the wind picking up around here (pre-Wilma). The big difference is choice. With a geared bike, you always have a choice. Riding SS you 'KNOW' you have no choice so you ride accordingly...
A lot big gear (52x16) gnashing going on this morning... :crap:
Sandy
10-23-2005, 11:36 AM
Maybe not the wisest idea with the wind picking up around here (pre-Wilma). The big difference is choice. With a geared bike, you always have a choice. Riding SS you 'KNOW' you have no choice so you ride accordingly...
A lot big gear (52x16) gnashing going on this morning... :crap:
52x16- That is 87.7 gear inches. I just hope that you are riding in Flatsville USA. Or are you just super strong??
Super Strong Sandy
93legendti
10-23-2005, 11:42 AM
So how do you compare riding the single speed (not fixed) to simply putting your multi-geared bike in a comparable gear? Do you get a more direct feel riding with the single speed? Is it all like a fixed gear?
Sandy
Sandy, I just got back form a SS ride on my HC Cross (42 x 17)...what a blast! For me this is the difference: The SS bikes feel more efficient and easier to pedal in the same gear than if I was riding my road bike. I pedalled backwards by hand on my SS road bike and my Ottrott and the difference in effort was noticeable. Whether it is less friction, less weight or both, the SS bike is easier to pedal. I find myself going up most hills faster and with less effort on my SS (bear in mind, my fall/winter weight has arrived and I keep my HR redlined, so to climb faster and with less effort is pretty good!). On the steepest hills I suffer a bit, but I do that on my road bike anyway.
So, I would say the effort is more direct. I have never ridden a fixie, so I can't help you there.
GoJavs
10-23-2005, 11:54 AM
52x16- That is 87.7 gear inches. I just hope that you are riding in Flatsville USA. Or are you just super strong??
Super Strong Sandy
-----
Sandy - flatter than my 8th grade girlfriend....! Out here in the Everglades, we don't even have speed bumps. :bike:
Out here, we really do have speed bumps and they are called "hills!" I-95 overpasses are "mountains!" But, don't think all is easy. Try riding into the wind with us most any day at this time of the year.
woolly
10-23-2005, 01:25 PM
Guys and gals , Sandy has the bike , its already set up with DurAce 9 speed , he bought a ENO hub built rear wheel from Jeremy so All he needs is a chain , rear cog and locking ring and front ring .
Why do you need a front ring? Just use the small ring that's already on the cranks. You'll need some single-stack chainring bolts, or some thin spacers if you need to dial in the chainline. I'd probably suggest a pair of brake levers in place of his current 9-spd shifters/levers (just can't get used to the term "brifters").
Start with low gearing - you'll be fine. If you find that it's not for you, unloading that ENO rear wheel on the forum classifieds or Ebay should be very easy.
Fixed
10-23-2005, 01:44 PM
bro I agree cheers :beer:
93legendti
10-23-2005, 02:10 PM
Guys and gals , Sandy has the bike , its already set up with DurAce 9 speed , he bought a ENO hub built rear wheel from Jeremy so All he needs is a chain , rear cog and locking ring and front ring . We'll remove the deraileurs cables and front and rear deraileurs and he's set to go , the bike is ready and fits him well. He'll have both front and rear brakes and then he can put his beloved CSI to good work as his spinning winter and coffee shop riding bike. ENOUGH , lets go Sandy lets do it, you'll be 74 years old and still debating this we love you pal and fixee is the way to go :)
Sandy, if you don't want that ENO wheel Jeremy bought. I'll take it. :)
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