What was it like your 1st time?

Vélo

Well I did it. I took the plunge. I've changed from freewheel to fixed! Having spoken to Blorg last week he convinced me to change, mind you I still don't know how he did it, all I remember talking about was his accidents. I'm just checking if anyone has any tips? I know not to cycle too close to kerbs, not to take a bend at too much of an angle or stop pedalling but is there anything I mightn't be thinking of?

blorg

The three issues you mention would be the main ones I think. But you really just have to get out and ride it- you'll learn the quirks easily enough (and hopefully not too painfully.) I have had "reminders" of all three none of which were serious enough to crash. Be careful when mounting the bike though

One other thing to bear in mind is bunny-hopping over obstacles- pot holes, up onto a kerb, etc. This does not work like on a freewheel, as I found out the hard way (over the bars.)

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Don't overthink it!

NeilMcEoigheann

never ever put your finger near the chain while spinning the wheel as this may happen

DirkVoodoo

Ugh, I hate that image, its one of my reasons for NOT going fixed.

I might try it around my estate for a bit, but I don't think I would be able for commuting, I know my attention would slip for a second at some point.

"I wonder did I leave the iron on?....woops, down I go!"

I'm still suffering from bruised ribs after my latest fall, I don't think I could take another beating from my bike.

Chips Lovell

It was awkward, slightly embarrassing and all throughout I was asking myself should I really be doing this. Then it was all over before I really got going.....
























.... and I found myself holding onto the railings having just done my first lap of the Sundrive Road track.

TinyExplosions

Biggest tip is to watch out for the kerb -been a few occasions when I've heard this horrible scraping sound of pedals striking concrete when squeezing up the inside of a car (oo-er!)

You soon get used to it though... it's great fun!

My first time was brakeless, and I went to the pheonix park -going along the quays on a fixie with no brakes wasn't my smartest move, but it didn't kill me -I did manage to run into a bollard up near the zoo though

Canis Lupus

Christ Neil is that personal experience or something you just picked up on the net.

Raam

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Christ Neil is that personal experience or something you just picked up on the net.

You can find it here: http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

unionman

First time was in West Cork and born of necessity (I had manage to lose the workings of the freewheel all over the M7 because I didn't secure the back wheel on the carrier:o).

The first time I 'forgot' and tried to freewheel was a freaky moment, and it was months before I could comfortably look over my shoulder. I discovered that proper hills, like on the Beara peninsula, are nigh on impossible on a fixie (can't wait to go back and do same route on a road bike).

It was when I got it home and started going around the city on it that I really began to enjoy it. Have never replaced the freewheel on it, really couldn't be bothered.

Enjoy!

Seaswimmer

The main problem i found/find on fixed is trying to stop at a light or junction so that your pedal (the right hand one in my case) is at the top so you are ready to take off again. I often find myself lifting the rear wheel and spinning it to get the pedal lined up. Apart from that only the other issues outlined above and also remember to have the correct tool for wheel removal as your rear wheel is no longer quick release..

petethedrummer

First time I forgot there was a freewheel my right foot stayed on the pedal and lifted me out of the seat at the top of the stroke. left foot came off its pedal. I did a full revolution on one pedal and the left landed back on the pedal. If that makes sense.

Wez

One time while cycling home with a Superquinn wrap in my póca I reached down to adjust it and nearly went flying! Didn't think about high cadence having an effect on it, but with that pace it soon got risky!

Another time while avoiding curb strike I shoulder barged the back of a bus! With a packed bus sitting right behind it! Embarassing.. Couldn't get back on the saddle quick enough!

Enjoy it! Dying to get mine back on the road, hopefully puncture proof this time round!

blorg

Seaswimmer wrote: »

The main problem i found/find on fixed is trying to stop at a light or junction so that your pedal (the right hand one in my case) is at the top so you are ready to take off again. I often find myself lifting the rear wheel and spinning it to get the pedal lined up.

If you hold the front brake and just slightly push forward on the bars it is very easy to flip the pedals around to wherever you want them.

beans

On the subject of things to watch out for... raising one bum-cheek to pass gas has left me almost eating tarmac in the past, have since perfected a fixie-specific two-legged stance that does the job

The pedaling motion becomes instinctive after a while, as the urge to free-wheel is now. This changes after a while, a month maybe? Then all these little near-misses due to no spinning will disappear!

souter

Been fixed since summer and still haven't crashed. In order of decreasing nearness to falling, bunnyhops, kerb strikes and err.. adjusting tackle. The latter being the most dangerous as it is relatively infrequent and tends tp preoccupy the mind.
Thoroughly enjoy it, though I must be the least cool fixies hipster around - can't skid stop or trackstand, have full commuter baggage of brakes/guards/panniers and generally take an age to get up to speed whilst clipping in.