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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Fixie riding

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Old 01-29-12, 04:07 PM
  #1  
ygoza
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Fixie riding

I just got a Fuji Feather on CL for 260. I rode it today for the first time. This is my first Fixie/road bike. I rode 6 miles to a lbs to get a front brake. Then i went to another lbs beucase it was too much for what i was willing to pay at this point in time. Anyway I don't really feel in control of my bike. Will this change as i get used to the fixed gear? or are fixes just not for me?
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Old 01-29-12, 04:10 PM
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It takes a little bit of time to get riding a fixed gear. At least it did for me. And then one day it occurs to you that it's just a bike, except that it doesn't coast. And that's it.
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Old 01-29-12, 04:16 PM
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Having a front brake definitely made me feel more comfortable, though I rode my first fixed gear brakeless in a pretty flat town for 6 months.
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Old 01-29-12, 04:22 PM
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I have to agree. The lack of a front brake is probably disconcerting if you are new to riding a fixed-gear bicycle. Learning how much time it takes to come to a complete stop on back pressure and a rear brake, combined with different riding characteristics at slower speeds means that you probably feel wobbly too.
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Old 01-29-12, 04:28 PM
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The worst part is the first 5 seconds you hop back on a road bike.
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Old 01-29-12, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Nagrom_
The worst part is the first 5 seconds you hop back on a road bike.
I've almost fall every time I do this.
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Old 01-29-12, 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by redpear
I've almost fall every time I do this.
It's literally the most terrifying sensation I can imagine.
"I'm coasting therefore I'm f*cked."
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Old 01-29-12, 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Nagrom_
It's literally the most terrifying sensation I can imagine.
"I'm coasting therefore I'm f*cked."
That would make a great signature!!!!! Lol, I needed that visual and laugh.
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Old 01-29-12, 04:54 PM
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7 days without coasting does not makes 1 week. and your worries will go away. you will begin to forget how to ride a coasting bike. and you will love your fixed gear from that point on. that is henceforth called the zen window.
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Old 01-29-12, 05:01 PM
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It takes a while to get used to. I also feel weird whenever I hop onto my girlfriend's bike and it starts to coast. Feels cool though when you coast downhill or are going fast and just chill. I guess riding in NYC, riding a fixie has never been zen. Especially being constantly aware that I can't stop as fast as someone with hand-brakes. In a sense you avoid more accidents on a fixie because of always being aware.
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Old 01-29-12, 05:02 PM
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You mean they actually sold the bike without a front brake? Wild
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 01-29-12, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Doohickie
You mean they actually sold the bike without a front brake? Wild
Dont need to if it is tarck
Cant stop, dont want to


Dude, get a brake. Cheap brakes are cheap
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Old 01-29-12, 10:05 PM
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ygoza
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yeah i hear its weird on the legs. Really weird.
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Old 01-29-12, 10:06 PM
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it ws a CL deal
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Old 01-29-12, 10:09 PM
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**** man, no they're not. haha i got one. it was the first thing i did. I got it today and i got the bike yesterday. the 6 mile ride to my lbs was hell. i nearly got hit three times and they didn't have the brake only the lever so i said **** this ****. I need it now. I went to another one and got a brake for 40 dollars. the kit. So i guess my safety is worth the 40 but i thoughts they'd be like 25 or so. I guess I'm ignorant when it comes to bikes. Well this is my first real one.
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Old 01-29-12, 10:10 PM
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ygoza
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he wanted 300 but gave it to me for 260 because it didn't have a brake.
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Old 01-29-12, 10:41 PM
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Old 01-29-12, 11:00 PM
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I need
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Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
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Old 01-29-12, 11:00 PM
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to increase
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What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
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Old 01-29-12, 11:01 PM
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my post count.
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What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
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Old 01-30-12, 07:13 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by ygoza
it ws a CL deal
That make sense. I read it wrong I thought you said BD (Bikes Direct).
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 01-30-12, 10:45 AM
  #22  
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Rode my Kilo TT the first time with no brakes. Went down a hill and decided my stupidity on that ride was at an all time high and learned something...put a brake on it.
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Old 01-30-12, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by ambitions2o
Rode my Kilo TT the first time with no brakes. Went down a hill and decided my stupidity on that ride was at an all time high and learned something...put a brake on it.
did you die?
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Old 01-30-12, 02:57 PM
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Doohickie
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Yes he did. This is a zombie thread of a different kind.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.


Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
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Old 01-30-12, 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Nagrom_
The worst part is the first 5 seconds you hop back on a road bike.
Originally Posted by Nagrom_
It's literally the most terrifying sensation I can imagine.
"I'm coasting therefore I'm f*cked."
+1, So funny, but then you think "oh yeah road ridin" and you're good
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