My experience going fixie

[Loraura]

I'd been looking for a used steel bike to commute on so I wasn't locking up my carbon cannondale outside of work. I originally used a hybrid bike to commute on, and had decked it out with a rack and all. But the thing weighs like 30 pounds. It's a tank. After getting my Cannondale, I couldn't force myself to commute on the tank any more. I didn't want to damage my Cannondale with mundane commutes, so it was time to upgrade the commuter.

I came across a Bianchi Pista in a pawn shop. Pawn shop said 30 day money back policy, so I figured, OK, I'll TRY it. if I hate it, I'll just take it back.

I get it home, clean it up, switch out the bars for bull horns and rewrap with tape I already had.

Then I realized, I have no idea how to ride a fixie. I thought about how this is going to work with stopping without coasting. Seemed complicated so I ran up to the LBS and bought a freewheel for the flip-flop hub. Read a bit more about single speeds and determined unless I have the bike drilled for a rear brake, I shouldn't ride it freewheel with only a front brake. So I put my big girl panties on, flipped it back to the fixed side of the hub, and went out to try my commute.

Day 1 - First commute was a bit of a learning experience, stops and starts weren't graceful but DID occur. Hills were not as bad as I thought. I was having fun!

Day 2 - ow ow ow. Sore leg muscles. Rode again anyway. Getting better at stops and starts. Feeling more confidant on the bike. Decided I'd prefer the clip ins I'm used to over the toe clips, switched them out.

Day 3 - Had the LBS check the bike over. Worked from home but took the bike on an errand. Still sore, but still wanted to ride. Did an "easy" trip to the pharmacy and back. First time I stood up to go up hill my legs cursed at me. But they still worked. End of day 3, arms are sore, too, from standing more than normal, I assume.

Day 4 - Commutted again. Stops and starts much more graceful. Sore, but not too bad. Having serious fun with this bike.

I'm happy to report that I can now get a drink of water or rearrange my shorts without coasting!

My husband and the Garmin agree, I'm faster on this bike. No more slugging up hills. I'm either working it, or walking it. I'd rather work it. Although I am considering slightly easier gearing. I'll see if I still feel that way in 2 weeks or so.

Not afraid of the bike any more. I know I can stop when I need to, however that front brake is not coming off any time soon.

Fixie definately uses muscles that don't get much action on my geared road bike.

Austin is pretty hilly. I thought anyone in Austin on a fixie was either not going very far on it, or completely insane. Turns out, it's not as hard as I thought it would be.

For anyone considering a fixie, but is unsure, I say try it out! I am pleasantly surprized.