Fixed gear conversion

[betagirl]

LOL velo, certainly is. Though I got that Pista from the guy in my club. But thanks!

[roadfix]

LOL velo, certainly is. Though I got that Pista from the guy in my club. But thanks!

Install a front brake on it if it doesn't have one.....and preferrably front and rear brakes if running it as a single speed.

[betagirl]

Got the brakes on order. It has the brake handles already, so that's a plus. I installed some SPD pedals, which is a shift for me from the usual Look pedals. Going to pick up some cheap mtn bike shoes to use. Swapped out the saddle for a Terry. Other than that, I need to get the chain installed. The gearing is 48/18, so it's a pretty big gear. The guy at the LBS suggested I tool around town and get used to it before I go too far with it. He seems convinced I'll want to swap the front to something smaller. I tend to ride a bigger gear on my road bike, so we'll see. He had a lot of opinions....

[Nanci]

I listen to this podcast all the time, Zen and the Art of Triathlon. The guy made his (or his brother's) old teenage bike into a fixie, and says his hill climbing ability has skyrocketed. He even rode it for some big ride in TX- MS 150 or something?

I have a bike that would be cool to convert, if I ever had any spare money.

[xeney]

Even a single speed is good for hill climbing ability. I am a baby about hills, and my husband has always immediately dropped me when we hit a hill, but since I've been riding my single speed, I can almost always keep up with him, and sometimes I even pass him. Or sometimes he has to stand up on the hill and I just ride through it.

I do find that riding the single speed has really reduced my shifting on my road bike. Most of the time I just don't bother. (Don't talk to me about my mountain bike. I still push that up hills.)

[roadfix]

Good luck with the fixie!........like they say, guys dig chicks on fixies...