To fix or not to fix THAT is the question

I am currently riding an old school Raleigh 8 speed racer converted to single speed, my ratio is 54-16 and I'm thinking about converting to fixed as i have been riding fit for a few months and want to try out fixed just wondering if someone could advise me on a good ratio to start off with.

a lot lower than 54 -16 that is for sure, I ride 52 x 18 which is biger than most so I would say 54 x 19 or 54 x 20. You will need a new rear wheel and quite prob a new bottom bracket andmaybe new cranks. If you get new cranks go for a smaller chain ring some thing like 48 x 18 or 46 x 18 is popular.

something around 69-73 gear inches is a good place to start.

[sarcasm]

if its your first ever go on a fix go for 50 : 14 without brakes and make sure you choose a very hilly route

[/sarcasm]

I'll second 48x18

flickwg [sarcasm]

if its your first ever go on a fix go for 50 : 14 without brakes and make sure you choose a very hilly route

[/sarcasm]

and don't forget to take the brakes off...

ok, jokes over...

whatever MrSmith said. you might want to try a little bit higher than 73 since you're used to pushing big gears. and depends on your crank length as well - shorter cranks are better for spinning at lower ratios. i currently run 165mm cranks with 46x19 (approx 64 gear inches) as my winter gear - it keeps me warm. will run a higher one when the sun's out.

48x18 is a good gear but i skidded through a tyre in 12 days (and i run a front brake) due to the small number of skid spots (3 or 6 if you can skid ambidextrously). Better to run an odd or prime number on either the front or the back. If you skid that is.

asm 48x18 is a good gear but i skidded through a tyre in 12 days (and i run a front brake) due to the small number of skid spots (3 or 6 if you can skid ambidextrously). Better to run an odd or prime number on either the front or the back. If you skid that is.

48x18 would always be 3 skid patches regardless of ambidexterity (unfortunately).

i see. dont bother explaining why, its nearly 11 pm so my brain has already gone to bed. but yes, on my 3rd tire in a month, lets hope a gatorskin will last a bit longer.. maybe i should just get a 19t rear cog instead.

**50:14

do it **

Hey yeah! that'll give me 4 more skid spots than i have now!! Hell i might as well take my brake off then.

and buy a bike from roberto.

...and age by 40 years.

......and ride to brighton, and crash into object 17 and flickwg.

:)

lol.

I bet he was all, like, "Humpf! I'll show these young bucks how we did it, ole skool! They ain't got nuthin' on ME!"

To be fair, I'm impressed he had the guts to ride a bike brakeless like that. I was intimidated by the distance and the hills and i'm young and... well i'm young. That guy is older than my dad!!! No mad props for the crash, but some slightly less than sane props for the effort/fearlessness.

Whoooo?

asm effort/fearlessness.

More like out of his depth/hanging on for dear life.

The guy on the left, not stompy.

all i can think of is my dad careening down a hill on my bike right now...

thanks for the advice guys but nothing is getting rid of my 54 in the front it looks way to sexy with my frame, i got a friend into fixed so i have had a little go but nothing serious and i aint gone downhill yet so thats the experience i look forward to at 4 am when the roads are clear no skidding neccessary lol

he looks like he's pushing 74, not 54

nimhbus he looks like he's pushing 74, not 54

Thats a bit harsh, depends on wheather he has had a coochy office job all his life or actually had to work for a living, that will make you look older.

flickwg [sarcasm]

if its your first ever go on a fix go for 50 : 14 without brakes and make sure you choose a very hilly route

[/sarcasm]

The spite in that comment is inescapable, even when riding 50*14, brakeless down a steep hill.
How's the injuries coming along?

Also can I steal another spoke card from you please.

is he rolling a fag too?

fucks sake, 59 years old, smoking weed and riding brakeless.

but how on earth did he even make it out of London? how did he even get going and stop on the flat?

Object17 [quote]flickwg [sarcasm]

if its your first ever go on a fix go for 50 : 14 without brakes and make sure you choose a very hilly route

[/sarcasm]

The spite in that comment is inescapable, even when riding 50*14, brakeless down a steep hill.
How's the injuries coming along?

Also can I steal another spoke card from you please.[/quote]

well i've been a lazyish bum

havent been into work this week, i refuse to take public transport and pain was too bad on monday,

i can limp/walk today, and it is getting better, getting bored of sitting at home, might have to ride for a test, but i can always pratice trackstands

yer spoke cards are cool, just had a look, only got bout 30 left, if i'm riding by the weekend, i shall try to get some laminated by my friend, maybe see you at polo?

hope your improving

btw what bars do you have, need a set for my build and yours look nice and straight and chunky?

talk/c u soon

Public transport is making me want to commit mass genocide but nevermind.
I don't know if I'll be back on the bike by Sunday, but if not I'll likely swing by polo anyways as it's fun to watch.

The bars are the cheapest easton flat bars (EA30) and retail for all of about 15quid. They've been doing the job perfectly for two years without me needing to spare them a thought (Provided you exclude my propensity to keep cutting them down and the thinking process involved in that).

TheBrick(Tommy) [quote]nimhbus he looks like he's pushing 74, not 54

Thats a bit harsh, depends on wheather he has had a coochy office job all his life or actually had to work for a living, that will make you look older.[/quote]

it depends on whether he's smoked fags and eaten shit food his whole life, it's got nothing to do with what kind of job he does.