About to ride fixed for the first time.

EKE_38BPM
EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
edited February 2011 in Commuting chat
At long last my abandoned Banana framed fixie build is finished (almost, just gotta put the chain on).

The question I have is, do I ride on flat pedals until I get the hang of things, use toe-clips like I use on the Vitamin SS or stick my SPD-SLs on (in at the deep end)?

You have until I get my chain sorted to offer advice.
FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
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Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    do you have a brake?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Yes, front only.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    then you will be fine with the flats as you will be able to stop. but you will find it odd when trying to slow/stop when using your legs as you cant lock the rear as easily.

    I ride with flats and a front brake as it is a Pub bike.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Cool, cheers.


    Here I go, wish me luck.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Personally i'd go with spds - its easy for your feet to slip off the pedals when youre riding fixed.

    Then again - I also prefer 2 brakes rather than one.
  • fuelex
    fuelex Posts: 165
    +1 for spuds.
    My commuter is front brake and spd.
  • pastryboy
    pastryboy Posts: 1,385
    I would never ride fixed with flats - the front brake is really just an extra - the vast majority of the time your legs will be plenty for braking. I think it would be almost impossible to brake with flats.

    You'll find it a bit awkward at first but if you're already comfortable pedalling when you corner it won't be a big deal to get used to it.
  • langster
    langster Posts: 72
    SPD without a doubt 8)
    Specialized Langster
    Specialized Enduro Expert
    Specialized Rockhopper

    This season I will be mainly riding a Specialized
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Just got in after a spin around the park as a shakedown test.

    I'm already used to SPD-SLs, so its not like I'm learning to ride with spuds and a fixie at the same time. I think eventually I will get SPDs (not SPD-SL) and the double sided pedals. Best of both worlds.

    I got used to riding fixed pretty quickly and only had a 'fixie moment' when I forgot I was riding fixed and attempted to freewheel. I guess we all do that when making the transition.
    The only thing stopping me riding to work fixed on Monday is a problem with the bottom bracket meaning the driveside crank is wobbly.
    Once I get that sorted, I'll be ready to roll.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    How about posting a picture of the new bike?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    EKE_38BPM wrote:
    Just got in after a spin around the park as a shakedown test.

    I'm already used to SPD-SLs, so its not like I'm learning to ride with spuds and a fixie at the same time. I think eventually I will get SPDs (not SPD-SL) and the double sided pedals. Best of both worlds.

    I got used to riding fixed pretty quickly and only had a 'fixie moment' when I forgot I was riding fixed and attempted to freewheel. I guess we all do that when making the transition.
    The only thing stopping me riding to work fixed on Monday is a problem with the bottom bracket meaning the driveside crank is wobbly.
    Once I get that sorted, I'll be ready to roll.

    wait for the "bunny hop" moment.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • fuelex
    fuelex Posts: 165
    nicklouse wrote:
    EKE_38BPM wrote:
    Just got in after a spin around the park as a shakedown test.

    I'm already used to SPD-SLs, so its not like I'm learning to ride with spuds and a fixie at the same time. I think eventually I will get SPDs (not SPD-SL) and the double sided pedals. Best of both worlds.

    I got used to riding fixed pretty quickly and only had a 'fixie moment' when I forgot I was riding fixed and attempted to freewheel. I guess we all do that when making the transition.
    The only thing stopping me riding to work fixed on Monday is a problem with the bottom bracket meaning the driveside crank is wobbly.
    Once I get that sorted, I'll be ready to roll.



    wait for the "bunny hop" moment.

    Too true!
    Happens the other way round as well,
    Took the road bike in on Friday and tried to bunny hop a pot hole.....forgot I could freewheel,
    it was a very un stylish lumpy hop!
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    poor fuji :(
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    It is the 'bunny hop moment' that will cost you a chunk of skin.

    I'm not sure that flats/sods/toeclips will make much difference tbh as long as the dismount from connected is completely hard wired in your brain. And the front brake is NOT decorative as you're not going to be le braking as a reaction to traffic for a few days at least.

    Only one ABSOLUTE rule. Do not ride with any booze on board under any circumstances until
    It is muscle memory time 'cos you will crash and it will hurt.
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    SimonAH wrote:

    Only one ABSOLUTE rule. Do not ride with any booze on board under any circumstances until
    It is muscle memory time 'cos you will crash and it will hurt.

    it does not take long.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • _Brun_
    _Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    The muscle memory or the crashing and hurting?
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Gussio wrote:
    How about posting a picture of the new bike?

    When its finished (usable BB and handlebars cut to length & wrapped), I'll post a pic.

    I'll also be weighing it just out of my own curiosity. I've hefted it to compare to the Vitamin and my Giant OCR (RIP) and it is between the two, but much closer to the OCR than Vitamin (gotta get the weight of that beast too).

    This is supposed to be a commuter/pub bike that I can lock up unattended and not fret about. To this end, I'm thinking of sticking a few stickers on the frame and not keeping it too clean, the only problem with this plan is the shiny new wheels. I may have to de-decal and stickerbomb the wheels to disguise them a bit.

    Rest assured, I will be stone cold sober every time I ride this bike for a long time.
    I've got my muscle memory sorted regarding clipping in/out so its just the general riding fixed thing that I've got to get used to. I am now worrying about bunny hopping fixed. Bunny hops are not something I do often anyway, but I may have to practice, just in case.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • hatbeard
    hatbeard Posts: 1,087
    nicklouse wrote:
    SimonAH wrote:

    Only one ABSOLUTE rule. Do not ride with any booze on board under any circumstances until
    It is muscle memory time 'cos you will crash and it will hurt.

    it does not take long.

    two days for me :)

    In relation to the OP I run shimano m324 single sided spd pedals and have just (as in yesterday) fit a set of restraps to the flat side of the pedal (using the reflictor mounting holes).

    It's going to take a while to get used to flipping the pedal and getting my foot in the strap (especially the second one as with fixed you're dealing with two separate rotations).

    once I have that down it should be a pretty awesome setup. the weight of the restraps holds the pedals so the spd are always presented first so when riding clipless it should engage everytime, the straps are velcro and easy to fold up so simple to reduce the risk of them catching if they're hanging down. and all the while the bikes also ready to hop on and ride with normal shoes.
    Hat + Beard
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    HB, it sounds like you've got pretty much the set-up that I'm aiming for.

    Hows the trackstanding coming on?
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • hatbeard
    hatbeard Posts: 1,087
    I've only been riding fixed since last monday so not got given trackstanding a go yet. my light timings improved somewhat though so a lot of the time I don't need to (much to the dismay of the nodders desperate to pass me into the asl as I slowly roll up to the red lights ahead of us :lol: )
    Hat + Beard
  • hatbeard
    hatbeard Posts: 1,087
    here's some pics of the straps fitted to the pig...

    photo18o.th.jpg

    photo19kg.th.jpg

    photo17d.th.jpg
    Hat + Beard
  • nich
    nich Posts: 888
    SimonAH wrote:
    It is the 'bunny hop moment' that will cost you a chunk of skin.

    Urgh, me mate did that and came off, fractured his arm :?
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    RIGHT! NO MORE HORROR STORIES!!!!!!!!

    From now on I only want to hear about zen, one-ness and low maintenance.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • nich
    nich Posts: 888
    EKE_38BPM wrote:
    RIGHT! NO MORE HORROR STORIES!!!!!!!!

    From now on I only want to hear about zen, one-ness and low maintenance.

    He was at one-ness

    with the floor ;)
  • hatbeard
    hatbeard Posts: 1,087
    Just don't lean and you'll be fine.

    #obligatory fgss advice
    Hat + Beard
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    hatbeard wrote:
    Just don't lean and you'll be fine.

    #obligatory fgss advice

    You mean I have to turn using the handlebars? Strange.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • hatbeard
    hatbeard Posts: 1,087
    it doesn't matter what else you do, but never lean. ever. even off the bike just to be sure.
    Hat + Beard
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    hatbeard wrote:
    it doesn't matter what else you do, but never lean. ever. even off the bike just to be sure.

    Don't lean? Ah, incase of pedal strike?
    Well, don't get your knee down anyway
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
    CAAD12 Disc
    Condor Tempo
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    Hmmm...the whole leaning thing is what has stopped my flipping the hb from SS to FG. Running 172.5 cranks and feeling a bit paranoid about pedal strike. Overly cautious?
  • fuelex
    fuelex Posts: 165
    I was really paranoid about pedal strikes and toe overlap but in 3 years I've had no major incidents.

    Thats probably jinxed my commute for the morning!

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