First fixed commute..

ince
ince Posts: 289
edited July 2009 in Commuting chat
... and I survived. :D

Today I decided to take my fixed for the trip to work rather than the GT. So far I had only done small trips testing the bike as I was putting it together. But today as the sun was out and the wind appeared to light I thought I would give it a go.

For the most part my ride into work is flat(ish) and so I went for a 46t 16t combo, this ratio is a little taller than any gear I had managed to get all the way into work on but I thought best to go for a challenge than make it to easy.

First six miles and I'm happy spinning along at 19/20 mph. Then I start to approach the up hill part of my ride, I turn the corner and feel the wind pressure pick up :( . Straight away I'm thinking this is going to be hard. I get to the bottom of the hill still doing 18mph, but now into a head wind. So I put in some more effort and I can feel my legs starting to ache but I am going up the hill with the determination not to stop.

The only issue with this hill is that once you reach the top of the short climb you then have a mile drag on a slight incline, the type that just seems to sap all my strength. I would normally drop or stay in the gear I climbed the hill and recover. Not having that option today was hard work .

What surprised me about today's ride was how much I was thinking about getting up that hill. Not something I do on the other bike, normally I just ride as quick as I can to it, change down and carry on. Today I found my self setting a pace to save strength. It's going to take a little getting used to but I think I will enjoy riding fixed.

:D

Comments

  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    Good Lad.

    The thing - apart from the Bucking Bronco effect when you try to coast - that surprised me was slow speed man-oo-vering when just starting out.

    Clipped in - until you gain good control - you can't make sharp turns round stationary cars etc.

    You'll find that you anticipate more and preserve your momentum than previously.

    I'd suggest that you get dancing and attack your hill. It's the only way when fixed - long drags in low cadence are uber grim - stand up and pump.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Well done!

    Wih the slow-moving stuff, I actually find FG a lot easier than SS... don't know why, but it's easier to propel yourself with only one foot clipped in on a FG. Also, for reasons I don't understand, I find it harder to find the pedal on a SS when clipping in with the bike moving.

    Also, spinning is easier on a FG. I find it is anyway, the bike is helping you lift your leg up with the power of momentum.

    Furthermore, Greg's right - you have to attack hills. Try to make sure your cadence is as high as possible going up to the hill and do you best to keep it high as you climb. If it gets too low, stand up and start pushing before it slows right down.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    I now find slow speed man-oo-vering easier fixed as I have more control until i got it however I was ubique - all over the place.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • ince
    ince Posts: 289
    Yep, the whole starting and surprisingly stopping thing is odd. I have gone down the road more than once while setting the bike up with one leg clipped in and the other stuck out trying to time the moment to get back on the pedal.

    I already find my self slowing long before I would on the other bike and giving myself more space in traffic so I don't have to stop and unclip when its stop start.

    I also found I felt different after the ride, the closest thing I can think to how I felt was the difference between a high weight low rep gym work out and a low weight hi rep work out. I am sure this will change again, probably more a case of doing something new.
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    Give it a week and when you try a freewheel again it will feel broken.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • Oddjob62
    Oddjob62 Posts: 1,056
    Greg T wrote:
    Give it a week and when you try a freewheel again it will feel broken.

    Oh man... gave my old hybrid a once round the block before selling it to a mate... was sooooo freaky.

    WRT hills, i find what i do is initally come out of the saddle and attack hard, then one i start to feel the burn in the muscles and have good momentum i'll sit and carry on, if i find i'm losing momentum i get out of the saddle again for a quick blast. I find mixing the 2 keeps my legs fresher for longer.
    As yet unnamed (Dolan Seta)
    Joelle (Focus Expert SRAM)
  • ince
    ince Posts: 289
    Went out for another ride today to test my self on a few hills.

    I took onboard the advice about keeping the mometum and attacking the hills. On the flat i'm on the drops holding a steady 20mph, head down and keeping it smooth. Starting on the hill I keep pushing and keep the speed up. Next thing I know I'm at the crest of the hill :shock: still doing 18.5mph :shock: I have never got up there that quick before. Normaly by the top i'm at 12mph. I was done in but I was so chuffed I did a 10 min loop to have another go. :D
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    ince wrote:
    Next thing I know I'm at the crest of the hill :shock: still doing 18.5mph :shock: I have never got up there that quick before. Normaly by the top i'm at 12mph. I was done in but I was so chuffed I did a 10 min loop to have another go. :D

    Good Effort.

    Keeping your momentum and cadence are key when you've got no-where to go but walk.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • ince
    ince Posts: 289
    Aye and the fact I can't walk more than about 20m in the old cycle shoe 8) helps alot.
  • monkeycowboy
    monkeycowboy Posts: 186
    Greg T wrote:
    Give it a week and when you try a freewheel again it will feel broken.

    I thought it was just me that got this. Im glad someone else feels their geared bike feels broken after riding FG.
  • majormantra
    majormantra Posts: 2,094
    MonkeyCowboy wrote:
    Greg T wrote:
    Give it a week and when you try a freewheel again it will feel broken.

    I thought it was just me that got this. Im glad someone else feels their geared bike feels broken after riding FG.

    This is pretty normal I think. I've found that after a few months of switching back and forth it no longer bugs me. I ride fixed around town now and do long rides on my geared road bike.

    Matthew
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    MajorMantra wrote:
    MonkeyCowboy wrote:
    Greg T wrote:
    Give it a week and when you try a freewheel again it will feel broken.

    I thought it was just me that got this. Im glad someone else feels their geared bike feels broken after riding FG.

    This is pretty normal I think. I've found that after a few months of switching back and forth it no longer bugs me. I ride fixed around town now and do long rides on my geared road bike.

    Matthew

    It doesn't seem broken to me as when I'm on my geared bike I simply forget I'm allowed to freewheel so I don't do it!
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • _Brun_
    _Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    MonkeyCowboy wrote:
    Greg T wrote:
    Give it a week and when you try a freewheel again it will feel broken.

    I thought it was just me that got this. Im glad someone else feels their geared bike feels broken after riding FG.
    I got this after a couple of weeks fixed as well. Felt like there was something very wrong each time the cranks went past vertical at the top, almost as if they were sticking. Wasn't helped by me having just had the crank arm off to regrease it.

Categories