First Fixed Ride

check the wheel at the back, if it's go a spiky thing on the other side where the chain thing is attached then un do the hexagonal thing, take it off, flip it over and tighten it back up.

enjoy your single speed.

So you think I should ride single speed and not fixed?

practice on a soft surface such as grass a bit more
there are literally hundreds of people who ride fixed and they have proved it isn't impossible
you can do it

Definately not!

Stick with it.. I found it to be completely alien when I first rode fixed.

But give it 2 weeks and you will be hooked.

I would never go back to geared.

Good luck and happy riding.

also what ratio are you on?? I tried to start with a 52x16 and found it really hard as it was impossible to skid....go for something lower and that might help???

Every one has this experience not normally as bad as you describe. Its all about the "just keep pedalling" mantra repeated over and over in your head.

When I go back to freewheel I sometimes almost crash because I try and resist and nothing happens

Make sure your seat is the right height. Leg needs to be almost straight when the crank's at the lowest point.

Literally hundreds...

foot retention whether it be straps or cages but whatever it is, must be considered essential. And if u have this many concerns I would say brakes are also a must and then as others have said practice. I mean really u shouldn't have to think about pedalling, I would be more concerned at being fully aware of what's happening in front of you. Thanks for the post, made me laugh a little, appreciate it. Have fun!

here's what to do.
how many times per minute are you spinning your feet?
divide that by two and you have x.
every x seconds audibly shout "don't stop pedalling" when you're cycling around

Noone has ever ridden a fixed wheeled bike before. are you a wizard?

Literally hundreds...

foot retention whether it be straps or cages but whatever it is, must be considered essential. And if u have this many concerns I would say brakes are also a must and then as others have said practice. I mean really u shouldn't have to think about pedalling, I would be more concerned at being fully aware of what's happening in front of you. Thanks for the post, made me laugh a little, appreciate it. Have fun!

You really hammered it home that time well done

My 2d worth...... don't bother thinking about skidding yet.....tell yourself to keep pedalling, just ease off pedalling and use your brakes (you do have 2 brakes, right?) to slow down/stop.... Once your happy that you won't be bucked off...start resisting the pedals to slow down.... when you get the feel for that, use it more.... get happier....ride more..... learn to skid if you fancy....

@CB. At the mercy of my crackberry!

It is pretty simple - don't try and coast because you can't.

lean

also what ratio are you on?? I tried to start with a 52x16 and found it really hard as it was impossible to skid....go for something lower and that might help???

What do you think about 46 x 16?

Literally hundreds...

foot retention whether it be straps or cages but whatever it is, must be considered essential. And if u have this many concerns I would say brakes are also a must and then as others have said practice. I mean really u shouldn't have to think about pedalling, I would be more concerned at being fully aware of what's happening in front of you. Thanks for the post, made me laugh a little, appreciate it. Have fun!

I will get cages then, and I am so glad I had brakes, I would have been screwed without them.

Don't lean.

Yeah, practice more on grass.

I'd also suggest "relaxing" instead of "coasting" - ride about and practice letting the pedals lift your feet with their own momentum. You're coming off and getting kicked about probably because you're freaking out and stiffening your legs when you feel the momentum begin to lift your feet. Just relax and it'll come.

I only switched to fixed a couple of months ago. I am by no means an expert. I'm unlikely to go back to single speed. To get used to it I just rode about the park for a bit and tentatively practiced stopping pedalling - what I found was that if I was gentle, the bike would just keep my legs moving. Gave myself a day or two to get used to the sensation and now we have an understanding.

The only times since that I've "forgotten" to stop pedalling have been in emergency situations where I've panicked because, variously, I was about to be squashed by an oncoming, right-turning tipper truck, I was about to be t-boned by a left-turning, non-indicating driver, and when I swerved over a metal drain cover in the rain to avoid an inattentive ped and my front wheel slipped. In all three cases, when I panicked, I stiffened my legs on the pedals and the bike gave me a kick in protest. In the second case I did my first ever skid which was fairly rad.

But yeah, just relax, don't panic, let the pedals turn.

Dolan.

fyif

Do I just need to constantly think about not pedaling

Don't do this.

don't try skids
don't try brakeless
don't lean
don't stop pedalling

untill you are 3 weeks into the Fixie Basics 101 Introductory Course.

fyif

feteldblock pls

I'd wear gloves and a helmet for the next few outings if I were you. Then..

Don't try to go too fast.

When you see a speed bump lift up your bum and KEEP PEDALING. < This is when you will forget.

Otherwise (mostly) good advice up above.

What does "leaning"/"not leaning" mean?

It is a joke. Ignore it.