Steepest learning curves when riding fixed?
06-09-15, 05:44 PM
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Warehouse Monkey
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Steepest learning curves when riding fixed?
I rode my Kilo TT last year for a month fixed. I guess I got lazy and wanted to coast again and switched back to SS. Tomorrow I start riding fixed again and I had to wonder, with all the folks here who are FG full time (or almost), what was your steepest learning curve when you started riding fixed? Clipping in? Back pedaling on descents? Forgetting you couldn't coast?
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06-09-15, 06:18 PM
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Forgetting you cant stand and coast over bumps. You gotta stand and keep pedaling. Also... don't know how long your rides are but you'll find your legs getting tired faster at first. This is where you learn to recover while still moving your legs until your legs are used to the constant pedaling.
06-09-15, 06:23 PM
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I suppose soft pedaling to recover or "coast". I see people **** up the most when they try to built speed with some kind of sprint and then get tangled up trying to get seated again or forgetting to pedal.
06-09-15, 07:33 PM
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Having to pay attention to pedal position when making Sharp turns with toe overlap. Didn't have much overlap on first few fixed gear bikes but it's bad on my kilo. After falling on face a few times, I pay a bit more attention.
06-09-15, 08:20 PM
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just started riding FG, like literally. have 35 miles in
so far-
thats a steep decline, remember to keep pedaling
bumps, stand up a bit or ready for them
careful grabbing that water bottle
and mostly
gear ratio. a 46t / 15t sucks on hills and i am usually fairly strong on hills
so far-
thats a steep decline, remember to keep pedaling
bumps, stand up a bit or ready for them
careful grabbing that water bottle
and mostly
gear ratio. a 46t / 15t sucks on hills and i am usually fairly strong on hills
06-09-15, 09:19 PM
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We all know that any fart should not be wholly-trusted.
06-09-15, 09:35 PM
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grabbing that front brake as hard you can is never going to end well. Pedals are the best way to stop 
06-09-15, 09:57 PM
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I'm really surprised that I haven't had a major incident of this after switching between FG and geared bikes for the last few thousand miles. That upcoming pedal always bends my knee just right to remind me in time, I guess.
06-09-15, 11:38 PM
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I have mastered the sit down fart. It helps when there are women around because it is definitely more muffled.
For me it was teaching my brain to remember to tell my legs that there was to be no more coasting. I almost wrecked a few times the first time out because coasting is pretty instinctive. Bumps and potholes the same thing. Get a comfortable saddle because you will be doing some time in it. Standing and pedaling constantly isn't much fun.
For me it was teaching my brain to remember to tell my legs that there was to be no more coasting. I almost wrecked a few times the first time out because coasting is pretty instinctive. Bumps and potholes the same thing. Get a comfortable saddle because you will be doing some time in it. Standing and pedaling constantly isn't much fun.
06-09-15, 11:57 PM
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Trying to get my outfit to match my bike is pretty difficult, other than that it's just trying to work out some vegan farts while crushing jabronis.
06-10-15, 02:22 AM
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Getting my foot in the clip, definitely! If I get it on the first turn, I'm ok. But if not, I pick up to much speed and can't make it work anymore 
I end up having to slow down a bit, get the foot in and then zip past all the slower folks
I end up having to slow down a bit, get the foot in and then zip past all the slower folks
06-10-15, 03:00 AM
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maintaining a manageable speed on descents. I remember practically crawling down hills 
It was good that I had some big hills on my commute, so I got lots of practice and the incentive of shaving time off the ride kept me focused on getting comfortable.
ride a lot and do what feels uncomfortable (in a controlled area if possible) until it's no longer uncomfortable.
It was good that I had some big hills on my commute, so I got lots of practice and the incentive of shaving time off the ride kept me focused on getting comfortable.
ride a lot and do what feels uncomfortable (in a controlled area if possible) until it's no longer uncomfortable.
06-10-15, 03:19 AM
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My "Ah ha" moment was realizing that death or world destruction doesn't always happen when you let the bike roll backwards a foot or two when trackstanding.
06-10-15, 07:29 AM
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06-10-15, 08:33 AM
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06-10-15, 11:37 AM
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I rode my Kilo TT last year for a month fixed. I guess I got lazy and wanted to coast again and switched back to SS. Tomorrow I start riding fixed again and I had to wonder, with all the folks here who are FG full time (or almost), what was your steepest learning curve when you started riding fixed? Clipping in? Back pedaling on descents? Forgetting you couldn't coast?
A steep learning curve means you learn the skill quickly.
06-10-15, 11:54 AM
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Bunny hopping an obstacle. I understand it can be done on a FG, but I certainly can't.
06-10-15, 12:39 PM
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