Thread: One for the bicyclists out there.

Just got back from a 10 mile jaunt on my fixed gear track/road bike. For those not familiar with them these are used on the velodrome with a direct drive. In order to change the gear you have to remove and replace either the chainring on the front or the cog in the rear. When the bike is moving the pedals are turning IOW no coasting you pedal at all times. This bike is a Japanese Kerin racer and I have exchanged the track front fork with a road fork that utilizes a front brake and has a bit softer geometry for the uneven surfaces on the street.

Some that ride these fixed gear bikes don't use a brake at all but rely on back pressure on the pedals to slow down and stop. I know it sounds nuts and I wouldn't run without a front brake but the more you ride fixed the less you use the brake so it is possible if irresponsible to ride on the street with no brake. Of course on the velodrome there are no brakes allowed but that is another story. Any other avid cyclists out there ?

Very nice. I have a cannondale full suspension mountain bike. Big difference.I like your bike. I see ten speeders? go by my house all of the time. I guess ten speeder is a rather old term.It shows my age.

Ahhhh....the old fixed gear! Great training devices. I am a bike enthusiast and was once a cat 4 racer here in PA. I still go to the Lehigh County Velodrome built by rodale press...publishers of Bicycling Magazine. I never rode track, only criterium and road. Unfortunately fly fishing has captivated me and stolen most free time.

I now ride a Merlin titanium, campy equipped road bike; had a Ralegh Professional from the early 80s when you could buy a Reynolds frame, campy equipped for under $900!!! Then went to a custom frame that I still have. Also have a basement full of tubular rims, 5 speed cogs, leather "hair net" helmet, nail-on cleats, trap pedals and other obsolete parts.

Hey, is that a Brookes sadle? Broken in yet?

Originally Posted by jleeg

Ahhhh....the old fixed gear! Great training devices. I am a bike enthusiast and was once a cat 4 racer here in PA. I still go to the Lehigh County Velodrome built by rodale press...publishers of Bicycling Magazine. I never rode track, only criterium and road. Unfortunately fly fishing has captivated me and stolen most free time.

I now ride a Merlin titanium, campy equipped road bike; had a Ralegh Professional from the early 80s when you could buy a Reynolds frame, campy equipped for under $900!!! Then went to a custom frame that I still have. Also have a basement full of tubular rims, 5 speed cogs, leather "hair net" helmet, nail-on cleats, trap pedals and other obsolete parts.

Hey, is that a Brookes sadle? Broken in yet?

I used to go down to Ft Lauderdale to the Brian Piccolo park velodrome before gas went over $2.00. It is 50 miles one way and I have a full size van that loves gasoline. I have never raced on the drome but it is a lot of fun just riding it with the 33 degree banking and all. A real trip.

I've got a '73 Raleigh Pro and a '73 Schwinn Paramount 15 speed. I ride them alternately depending on my mood. I also have a bunch of rims, hubs, freewheels and other vintage parts from fooling with cycling for 40 years. No that Brooks is either going to break me in or I'm going to break it in. you know how that goes.

If you don't put straps in those toe clips you'll never get calves like Schwarzenneger! Or be able to "footbrake" properly.

Has been a long time since I rode my bike, I should really dig it out.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

If you don't put straps in those toe clips you'll never get calves like Schwarzenneger! Or be able to "footbrake" properly.

Has been a long time since I rode my bike, I should really dig it out.

I use Shimano SPDs on my other bikes. The fixed is not that easy to get your non starting foot in properly from a standing start. When I get to a traffic light I try to track stand ( being stationary with both feet in the pedals) but I don't always succeed and then I have to pull a foot. The clips line the foot up and I don't really need the straps. Now dig out the bike and go ride.

I have a Brooks in black. A real classic. As is your Raleigh Pro.... Chromed forks? Schwinn Paramounts are also hot. They once made a great bike. I remain partial to lugged frames...especially the British and Italian. I've got an old cycling buddy who has over 80 classic bikes!

Meanwhile, last week my 20 yr old son who is living in New York City for the summer went to a movie shown outside behind the Library: Breaking Away....he asked if I knew it! I can quote most of it. Refund Refund.

I'm a budding tour biker Never really got into other bike sports, I just rode my bike all over the place. I didn't get a driver licence till I was 21 or so, didn't need one as I had my bike (and a yard full of parts to keep it going).

So When I got back into riding I again stepped right into a tour config and have been doing that now for a few years.

Planning a tour in Hawaii in about 2 years for my wife and I's 20th

I have just started road riding. My dad bought a road bike some years ago and uses it often, I've been borrowing it. I am going to start using it more I think, I need to get fitter. I'm 135 pounds wet and I'd like to stay trim.

When I was in college I owned a fixed gear and rode it constantly. Strange, but I had the same basic setup as JimmyHAD: Front brake, brooks saddle, red paint. ha

My bike had a flip flop hub with a freewheel on one side ... just in case I became too pooped or found myself at the top of a large hill.

Suprisingly to me, I found it to be very reliable transportation. Absolutely nothing went wrong mechanically for the 4 years I rode it. I am guessing I put about 3500 miles on it when I sold it. It was perfect for city living.

Years ago, I was very interested in off-road riding. Every weekend I would pull down a solid 75-100 miles off road and at least equal that mileage on road over the course of the work week. I carried on like this for years until I met my wife. She slowed me down alot.

When I graduated college, I picked up a Cervelo SuperProdigy outfitted with Campy's Veloce gruppo as a graduation present to myself. At the time, the Cervelo was one of the few steel frames available new. I have been riding it since 2004 and still love it although now it is tough for me to get away like i used to... my riding time has been replaced with my daughter.

A trade up in my book