Pick up my new bike today!

Getting my Spesh Langster 2011 today from Evans after work. Never ridden a fixed but after the total waste of space that was my Boardman geared bike I really am looking forward to the simplicity of it and the extra training benefits from riding fixed.

Will have to come down to beers/critical mass maybe. Definitely up for some of the local Birmingham rides, that number 11 route ride sounds fun and like a decent idea.

Sorry if this is of no interest to you guys, just looking forward to the new ride

I love the feeling when you get a new bike, so totally understand wanting to talk about it here.
Be prepared for possibly needing new pedals, saddle and maybe a new stem in the first few weeks. If something doesn't quite feel right as you get used to the new bike it'll probably be those.
As for local rides, none of them are particularly tough, it's mainly a social riding scene here. That might change now the weathers getting better though. But just come along to stuff, most of us are half-decent people.

Yeah, got a charge spoon and fsa carbon seatpost at post office to pick up tomorrow. Got my spds as well to throw on when i pick it up. Social/gentle rides sound ok. Do fancy trying a 50m when i get back up to speed/used to fg.

You local?

Harborne. Scary first fixed ride back. Totally new way of thinking about riding. Picked it up from evans after work, not ideal learning how to set off through the mad crowds. Better on road though, ace bike

Harborne. Scary first fixed ride back. Totally new way of thinking about riding. Picked it up from evans after work, not ideal learning how to set off through the mad crowds. Better on road though, ace bike

You fixed riders must be nuts. I don't miss that shit!

Especially Jason... he is nuts. I heard off Rob that he's doing a hilly 100 mile ride around Derbyshire soon. Up and down hills. NUTS

Standard.

Much better second ride today.

Anyone got any tips for coping with spinning so fast down hill?

Relax your arms and legs and just let it happen

Aye, It's easier just going with the spin rather than trying to resist it. Sprinting in to the spin helps too as long as you've got brake(s)/confident with your skidding

skidding = loss of control

I never lose control skidding, EVER!

what im trying to say it, by its very definition, skidding is losing control of your bicycle

in my dictionary skidding by its very definition is: stopping the real wheel from turning whilst the bike is moving. no loss of control need follow.

If your wheel is sliding over the surface of the road you blatantly have less control than if it's rolling. You can't turn as accurately and you definitely can't slow down as effectively.

Just added as a bit of controversy as that is the mood i'm in now but ... skidding is the act of slipping or sliding over a surface - and need not be limited to a rear wheel. In some cases, it can actually assist in speedier turning and a faster exit speed, without loss of control.

Look on YouTube for me 'backing it in' to a corner at Donington. If you cant find me, look for Valentino Rossi doing it instead. Aint no reason why you fit types can do it on a bicycle.

End of pointless (but accurate) statement. Happy new bike BTW.

:)

Interesting, but I doubt these fixie skidders with 1/4 horsepower could do that. Especially as it's their legs doing the skidding, which you have far less control over than a decent rear brake.

I get my back wheel kicking out round corners its far safer than turn sharply, as I don't risk striking the pedals on the floor

Lets all master the scandinavian flick...

Hope you get used to your new bike...i would like to try one but would probably die.

You fixed riders must be nuts. I don't miss that shit!

I get my back wheel kicking out round corners its far safer than turn sharply, as I don't risk striking the pedals on the floor

Yeah, I suppose you can get your back wheel out fixie-skidding, but it's still so much nicer to carve a low freewheel turn with your outer foot pushing the tyres into the ground. Fixed is nice and makes road riding more interesting/challenging and I'd probably still be riding like that if it didn't hamper my polo. But I'd still be bitter spinning down hills...

I actually used to find I could get to a much higher cadence downhill actually trying to pedal rather than just going loose.

Skidding fixed is a total waste of energy.

Birmingham's first Rollapaluza champion has spoken...

If a skid is intentional then is it really losing control?