New rider tips and tricks

So I spent a week or so spending all my spare time building a decking for someone, I chose a great week for the weatehr!

I spent the £300 I earned on a single speed bike, i looked at a couple for that price and decided on the Mongoose Maurice... Ok ok its orange but i dont care, the spec looked ok for what I was spending.

I only heard about single speed bikes really a few days before i ordered it, and everything I read just got me going and made me feel excited about getting it and going out.

Ive been riding a mountain bike on the road to work(about 10 miles each way fairly flat) for about a year now(small break for the snow, Im in derbyshire) and was finding it ok but because i have a small budget it wasnt the best MB out there and I was getting frustrated by the gears and found myself only using a couple anyway.

SO I will finally get to the point i guess as a new user id love to hear your reccomendations, tips and tricks for riding a SS.

Do I start with the hub set to fixed? or leave it so i can coast?
Do i stick with the original ratio? how do I know if a different ratio would suit me better?
how should I set it up? like my MB or more like a road bike that I have never set up for or ridden? urk.
What about maintenance?
What should I look out for?

Have read a lot of the posts on here but havent really seen an area collecting newbie food...

Thanks all :)

Do I start with the hub set to fixed? or leave it so i can coast?

Up to you.

*Do i stick with the original ratio? how do I know if a different ratio would suit me better?

• 
  Ride what it comes with for a while first, and then see if you'd like it higher or lower.
  
  

how should I set it up? like my MB or more like a road bike that I have never set up for or ridden? urk.

I'd set it up like a road bike if I was doing 10 mile journeys. As long as it fits you, you're golden (correct leg extension, reach etc)

*What about maintenance?

• 
  Always carry the necessary tools. Lube your chain when it starts to make noise.
  *
  What should I look out for?*
  
  

Cars and pedestrians.

That ok?

Welcome to "Ride with Max!"

I'm from Derbyshire, some of it is hilly. Are you from a hilly bit?

Welcome to "Ride with Max!"

Fuck yeah. Welcome, motherfucker.

Ha thanks Max I guess some of it is simple... seeing as that was one of the things that appealed to me about it.

Sharkstar im in Belper so have lots of hills nearbu but for my work ride I go down a little hill and then follow the a6 into derby as it runs mostly alongside the river its fairly flat with a couple of gradual rise and drops in there.

Motherfucker? How rude...... I'll tell your Mum.

Get lost, Paul... You wouldn't dare...

[QUOTE]What should I look out for?

Cars and pedestrians.[/QUOTE]

LOL Max

Ride it fixed!

Welcome to "Crash with Max while somersaulting over the handlebars!"

;p

Ride fixed and get some foot retention.

whats the advantage of fixed? better fitness? are there any other benefits.

er whats foot retention? is that like bruised calves?

Riding fixed... Some things just feel right.

Foot retention...

or

fixed=lots more fun. and better fitness, and better up hills. but not so good down them
foot retention= toeclips and straps, clipless pedals and shoes, feetbelts etc. You need some means of keeping your feet on the pedals if you're riding fixed.

foot retention = bruised calves = hahahahahaha

Get lost, Paul... You wouldn't dare...

Don't dare me Max, don't ever dare me!

Would glue work? string? what about velcro?:)

Would glue work? string? what about velcro?:)

Ask Max.

Some advice for you,

If you ever find yourself riding in the snow, make sure you do NOT lean

Would glue work? string? what about velcro?:)

Ask Max.

Yes.

#amidoingitright?

yeah superglue your trainers/shoes to your pedals, works a treat!!!

yeah superglue your trainers/shoes to your pedals, works a treat!!!

Whast the best way of doing it?

glue shoes to pedals first then tie once on bike and feet in shoes?

Yep^

I have different shoe/pedal combos for different occasions, so i have my Vans glued to my Odyssey pedals, and some brogues glued to some classy looking MKS pedals which i have. It can be slightly annoying if your in a rush, but you wouldn't want to turn up to an interview in Vans strapped to Odyssey's now would you.