I finally went fixed....

mpatts

Have a SS with a flip flop hub, so I flip flopped it yesterday and went out for a spin.

How long will it take for the wounds to heal on my shins?

jonny_trousers

mpatts wrote:

Have a SS with a flip flop hub, so I flip flopped it yesterday and went out for a spin.

How long will it take for the wounds to heal on my shins?

The same length of time as it takes your sense of self-righteousness at how "at one" you now are with the bike to fully blossom.

PS. You really ought to go clipless on a fixie

GiantMike

Please tell me you didn't dress like a hipster.

mpatts

GiantMike wrote:

Please tell me you didn't dress like a hipster.

As I have no idea what one looks like it is possible, albeit highly unlikely!

I predict it will be about a week before I swap it round again. I'm sure there is a point, but I can't see it at the moment!

jonny_trousers

It can be fun, but I ultimately decided I like being able to ride downhill without having my legs ripped from their sockets.

jjojjas

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

It can be fun, but I ultimately decided I like being able to ride downhill without having my legs ripped from their sockets.

ok, you just put me off the idea

fossyant

Now bin that freewheel. No use at all. Girls only (aged 10)

iPete

You riding without foot retention?

pst88

Sounds like you didn't have clipless pedals? Might stop your feet flying off the pedals and smacking your shins...

southdownswolf

Surely you just put your feet out in front of you and squeal "wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" as you go down hill?

Lassic

southdownswolf wrote:

Surely you just put your feet out in front of you and squeal "wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" as you go down hill?

Just wear some chinpads for when you need to get your feet back on the pedals!

goonz

mpatts wrote:

GiantMike wrote:

Please tell me you didn't dress like a hipster.

As I have no idea what one looks like it is possible, albeit highly unlikely!

I predict it will be about a week before I swap it round again. I'm sure there is a point, but I can't see it at the moment!

Are you still using your rear brake?

goonz

You are clearly on the wrong forum now go here:

www.lfgss.com

Oh and you need to dress in Wapha.

RDW

mpatts wrote:

GiantMike wrote:

Please tell me you didn't dress like a hipster.

As I have no idea what one looks like it is possible, albeit highly unlikely!

Here's a typical specimen:

pinarellokid

still laughing at the Weeeeeeeeeee comment.. i ride a fixed on my commute sometimes and indoors over the winter at the velodrome, different experience but really good fun too

charliew87

Have been commuting in London and nipping to the shops on a new Mango single speeder. Haven't flipped the hub yet, and having read this I think I may leave it a while longer.

Very intrigued to see what it's like though.

slowbike

charliew87 wrote:

Have been commuting in London and nipping to the shops on a new Mango single speeder. Haven't flipped the hub yet, and having read this I think I may leave it a while longer.

Very intrigued to see what it's like though.

Only ridden fixed in the velodrome - it was a track bike so no brakes either ... makes slowing down quickly very interesting! I was clipped in though so no problem with being smacked in the shins.

The only time I've thought a fixie would be handy was when coming down a narrow country lane descent in the wet & dark trying to keep my speed right down so on the brakes - a fixie would've helped - but been a huge hindrance on the 8-9% climb back up the other side!

wandsworth

RDW wrote:

mpatts wrote:

GiantMike wrote:

Please tell me you didn't dress like a hipster.

As I have no idea what one looks like it is possible, albeit highly unlikely!

Here's a typical specimen:

He might have the clothes but that bike clearly has gears and regular drop bars, so he isn't typical.

Back to the topic, I have often wondered what benefit fixed has over single speed. There, I've said it.

cougie

Fixed is fine - but dear god you need your feet secure. I'd not dream of riding mine without clipless pedals.

marcusjb

wandsworth wrote:

Back to the topic, I have often wondered what benefit fixed has over single speed. There, I've said it.

The major benefit is the warm, fuzzy feeling of self-righteousness over single speed riders......

I've haven't ridden a single speed bike since I was a small child, so can't really compare with what riding fixed is like, but the bike helping you over the dead spots in the pedal revolution must be of benefit particularly when climbing.

No annoying freewheel tick when going downhills is a big advantage - descending to just the sound of your knees exploding and lungs popping out of your mouth is all part of the fun of fixed.

I should try single speed one day, but then I worry that I might actually like it more than fixed and I won't be able to look at single speed riders with a unapproving glare at the lights any more.

jds_1981

marcusjb wrote:

wandsworth wrote:

Back to the topic, I have often wondered what benefit fixed has over single speed. There, I've said it.

The major benefit is the warm, fuzzy feeling of self-righteousness over single speed riders......
~~~~
I should try single speed one day, but then I worry that I might actually like it more than fixed and I won't be able to look at single speed riders with a unapproving glare at the lights any more.

I admit it. I really do have a certain amount of smugness when I see singlespeeders..

napoleond

If you're wondering what a hipster is, here's a song explaining it all-

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lVmmYMwFj1 ... VmmYMwFj1I

pinarellokid

funny, fit right in with te guys in the Northern Quarter in Manchester

mpatts

Another weekly update on fixed....

How do you go round corners at any speed?

marcusjb

With a wider line than you typically would on gears.

You'll build confidence and get into leaning more - but obviously not as much as you typically will on gears.