1st time fixed

I have a brand new pair of SPD shoes,cleats and pedals i got earlier this year just havent got round to using them yet, am a big coward. Enjoy your day at HH.

Put em on you pussy! ;)
Shame ur not coming bro. I'll see if I can get down (up) tuesday.

get clips or clipless, you'll be fine, i haven't heard anyone say "i fell and didn't get time to get my foot out", ever. you'll feel good about more braking control, pulling backwards etc. simple. i remember bucking around with one leg waving out to the side on my first ride, jeez. ha! :D

I've done it- or rather, I yanked my foot out too hard and toppled over the other way.

I admit it takes practice, but as long as you dont panic and pop your foot out sideways, all is good.

you have to fall over once with clipless pedals, it's the rules. then your brain remembers.

just go out somewhere quiet, wear long trousers, and practice unclipping hundreds of times.

First time fixed for me as well today after riding SS for a couple months. Loved it! It felt like I was back home, if you know what I mean?! :)

I have a shimano pedal with single spd/flat. I haven't managed to smack my calves.... yet.
I was stunned that I just got on my 1st fixed and was fine with the spd's straight away.

I can't use clips though tried for a week on freewheel and fell off at almost every set of lights!!

just went on that pleasure bike ride around trafalgar square :)

just about to head out first time fixed, wish me luck.

ok just got back, first impressions are its good for flat ground, faster pickup hills are easier, however stopping is gonna take some getting used to.( I buckarooed down the road like a mad donkey when I forgot and tried to coast while at some speed)

ok just got back, first impressions are its good for flat ground, faster pickup hills are easier, however stopping is gonna take some getting used to.( I buckarooed down the road like a mad donkey when I forgot and tried to coast while at some speed)

haha ! yes, im familiar to it :D buckarooing did embarras me but now i just pull my legs up, slow down and carry on. happened on the long hill just past Victoria Embankment today, so i coasted all the way down with my pedals turning at mince meat speed...it's quite funny.

nice one for going fixed tho m8. it's rather good when you get used to it. I think i'm 98% converted...

be careful of winding through cars in jams, cos your pedal can strike the pavement.. that's what i learnt v quickly.

almost converted been riding all day today fixed. Only issue is my commute to work is all downhill which sucks, so might stay SS for the commute then change to fixed for fun riding.

Just practice!!!!!Its all pratice

Be at one with your bike!!!

Only issue is my commute to work is all downhill which sucks

surely then, the way back is uphill?

How far do you commute? If it's all downhill, it can't be very far...

Man up!

Enjoy - although your commute can't be all downhill. Starting commuting fixed and haven't looked back since!

You'll soon get used to it, long downhills take a little getting used but it won't be long till you'll freak out when you're on a freewheel and coast

Been fixed for a week now, and it's second nature. open pedal for now,
Atacs soon to be aquired,
then i can ditch the rear brake cos stopping open pedal isn't all that effective.
downhills, especially the fast ones i put my knees up and rest my feet in the top corner of the downtube at the steerer tube.
Looks a bit funky but its all good, untill you hit a bump and rattle the bejeebus outta your spine :)
all fun and games...

i don't know how you can ride fixed without being clipped in...it's a very different experience

I don't know if this is just me but every time I'm track standing and clipped in the second the bike starts to topple my brain shuts down and I start yanking my feet up instead of twisting them to release them from the pedals until I hit the ground and they magically release themselves.

+1....if I had a penny for everytime i did this...

I always feel the magical 'realise-on-floor' is the bikes way of saying "its not hard, fecking idoit"

is it usual for my knees to hurt for a while, is this just a different muscle group being utalised and building up?