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• #2
What did you find nasty about it? Where we were you riding? When I started riding fixed, I went up to Tooting common and spent a few hours just riding around to get used to it. This gave the opportunity to learn how to pull away, stop etc. without having to worry about traffic. I probably covered 100 miles in the week that followed, by which time I was totally converted (fixated?). It was still a few months before I got rid of the back brake.
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• #3
It's just the habits I know I have developed over the years and do without really thinking about them, like coasting and repositioning myself on the saddle, freewheeling around corners. I know thats gonna catch me out at some point. The riding in the park thing is a good idea, am just worried that 40 odd years of riding freewheel bikes and instinct will take over at some point and I will inadvertantly revert back to it causing me some horrific injury whilst riding fixed.
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• #4
It's just the habits I know I have developed over the years and do without really thinking about them, like coasting and repositioning myself on the saddle, freewheeling around corners. I know thats gonna catch me out at some point. The riding in the park thing is a good idea, am just worried that 40 odd years of riding freewheel bikes and instinct will take over at some point and I will inadvertantly revert back to it causing me some horrific injury whilst riding fixed.
Fixed gear will get rid of your bad habits, like coasting while drinking water on your geared bike.. and coasting in general.. also there's nothing more annoying than having to unclip because of a red light ;)
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• #5
Well I have no plans on getting rid of my present rear wheel so maybe I will give it another go in the future and die trying ;-)
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• #6
Riding fixed isn't the *be all and end all *P!MP, there's nowt wrong with riding SS... Give it another go at some point tho', I swear you'll never go back to SS once you've got the hang of it... :)
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• #7
It does take time, you might find it all a bit odd at first but it definitely takes time, a couple of weeks should see you good.
As for the corners, pedal around them, you have no choice ! :)
(+ get short cranks)
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• #8
Riding fixed isn't the *be all and end all *P!MP, there's nowt wrong with riding SS... Give it another go at some point tho', I swear you'll never go back to SS once you've got the hang of it... :)
Once you've had track there's no going back.
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• #9
The thing I did notice was that even after only a short time riding fixed when I went back to SS the drive/pedal action didn't feel as precise, kind of sloppy.
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• #10
The thing I did notice was that even after only a short time riding fixed when I went back to SS the drive/pedal action didn't feel as precise, kind of sloppy.
Yeah, it'll feel pretty shit... My flatmate's got a SS Fillmore which, in terms of ride, feels like piloting an oil tanker through treacle compared to the directness of riding a fixed bike... I really don't understand what he sees in it, but yadda yadda, I'm a complete fixed-nazi/unigear bore... I'll happily evangelise for hours to any poor sod fool enough to give me the time of day... ;)
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• #11
Ahhhh, I have an urgent appointment, gotta dash :-)
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• #12
Ahhhh, I have an urgent appointment, gotta dash :-)
Ha! :D
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• #13
You should give it another go P!MP, it does take a little while to get used to, most have the odd time when they forget to keep pedalling but once or twice at most I would say. Just take it extra easy for a couple of weeks and you'll be fine.
Someone put it really well to me the other day when they said that you don't forget to keep walking when travelling by leg, likewise you soon pedal without thinking about it when riding fixed.
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• #14
it's the same for everyone here. we all sht ourselves first time on fixed. the biggest worry is stopping and unclipping in your usual position. just take it easy and ride slow and unclip early if you must. you'll get used to it. same goes with taking corners...take it easy at first couple of go's.
i built my bike on a saturday, went around the block then did my usual commute route on a sunday. rode it to work on the monday very slow! got used to it couple of days later
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• #15
Went for my first fixed ride on Sunday and aside from the swearing and face pulling I loved it. I reckon it helped having someone with me who's been riding fixed for the last two years.The tips and encouragement made all the difference. Great fun.
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• #16
Yes. What they all said.
It feels odd at first. Hard to describe why, but initially I felt I had less control, even though you are still riding the same bike and it should not be that different.
A practice in the park, followed by a week of taking it easy, (with the odd try-to-freewheel moment), and after a couple of weeks I had virtually forgotten about it.
Took a couple of months to get back up to the same speed though.nb Speed bumps are the hardest thing to get used to pedalling over.
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• #17
i remember my first fixed ride too, to the pub of course. the constant pedal action nearly threw me straight out the saddle, i remember flying along with one leg strapped in, one waving in the air, bouncing up and down like a right twat. haha! after i got used to the resistance thing i was having a blast, getting in touch with my speed through my legs, cruising and learning the skids etc, fucking awesome. never had trouble cornering, its really just one of them adult things (you can imagine pain too clearly in your mature years, kinda puts you off stuff). go for it fixed riding is the most fun you can have not laid down. :D
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• #18
Learn to ride like a shark, not a goldfish!
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• #19
The thing I did notice was that even after only a short time riding fixed when I went back to SS the drive/pedal action didn't feel as precise, kind of sloppy.
You're hooked already mate, from the sounds of that. Also, my 2p...Try riding today in the rain and feel how much more control you have, than when relying on wet wheel rims and friction to stop you...
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• #20
I have forgotten I'm riding fixed a few times and tried to freewheel, there is no horrific injury, I just got thrown around in the saddle a bit and 'reminded' what bike I'm on. You think 'Oh shit' and get back on with pedaling. it takes a bit of getting used to but IMHO is worth it, have another go and remember you are learning to ride again, you cannot go into it at the same speed as you are riding SS.
EDIT: yes bad weather when the roads are a bit greasy fixed really works well.
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• #21
...and, on the assumption that you don't also ride road bikes, once you have ridden fixed for a while, single-speeding will feel just as alien as fixed does to you now...I don't have a road bike or bmx or anything, and when I ride one, it trips me the f*ck out hehe
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• #22
As stated the incidence of coasting fail drops off exponentially in your first month, and having just spent two weeks back on a freewheel whilst my frame was repaired can confirm it felt just as alien to not have your feet moving in direct relation to your speed. On the plus side I learnt how to trackstand on a freewheel at last.
And two Deore XT vee brakes with Swisstop pads are still no match for back- pedalling and a 105 in dry or wet
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• #23
I can identify with this as I only flipped my wheel last weekend. Rode around the block and then rode to work on monday morning fixed. It felt more in control and you have to anticipate and make judgements well in advance which is not a bad thing. I was definately riding more carefully.
It defo feels nicer than SS.
I'm not getting rid of the rear brake in a hurry though, I don't really rate my front brake on the Paddy Wagon, may need replacing.
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• #24
not a nice morning for it
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• #25
The only thing i miss about freewheel is the ability to slid down the side of traffic with your crank up so it doesn't hit the kurb, can't do that on a fixed.
Eveything else is great and i'm sure i'm fitter as a result of having to peddle constantly.
At the risk of being shot down in flames by the majority, this morning I tried riding fixed gear for the first time, flipping my rear wheel. I think I have been riding freewheel bikes for too long, I found the whole experience nasty. I take my hat off to you guys who ride fixed but think I will be sticking with SS.