Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject: I Think My New SS Fixie was a Bargain!
Okay, I think I just bought a fixed-gear single-speed at a fantastic bargain. I priced everything out on-line and it came to over $2000 USD. I paid $500 for everything. Here are the details:
-Raleigh Rush Hour steel track frame with a very professional repaint job in metallic silver-grey
-Winwood fanaticist carbon fork (black)
-Sugino 75 track crankset (silver)
-Ritchey Pro carbon seatpost
-Ritchey comp stem
-Cane Creek Solos IS headset
-Cane Creek Volos wheels
-Continental clincher racing tires
-Specialized Toupe saddle (exactly the same saddle I use on my road bike)
-Tokyo Nitto anodized aluminum handlebars
-Paul component engineering brake e-lever (finger brake)
-Shimano Ultegra front brake
-Phil Wood bottom bracket and rear cog
-gold chain by unknown maker--looks awesome!
-Speedplay light action pedals (exactly the same pedals I use)
I stole it I think.
I rode it today for about 25 miles (21 mph average speed) and it was so much fun I am hooked. My knees ached a little like after a heavy set of lunges, but I feel fine. Anyone else out there single speeding on a fixie? I'm having a blast. _________________ END THE MADNESS
I dduw bo'r diolch
"This bike is so pimp it hit your mother and all she could say was 'Thank you, sir!'".
I ride a Specialized Langster bought standard, changed the pedals. Also I changed the rear cog to 13 teeth from 16. New chain and front chainring not the best/cheapest way of getting more gearing. I have about 85 inches now. I bought it for commuting to work and to the shops because it looks bog standard, thieves will eye something else up. One thing you can kill yourself on the road with this fixed gear thing, especially cornering. _________________ It could be worse!!!
Rode it again today for 40+ miles. Almost did lose it around a couple of downhill turns. I just leaned in and prayed the tires would hold. They did!
Bartali and Dr. W: The more I ride this thing the more I like it. It's so...simple. No decisions about shifting. You must always pedal, and so it's quite a workout! I think I like that aspect the best. No rest unless you stop. And stopping is a real challenge since you slow down by using your muscles to force the pedals in reverse as they keep pedaling forward. It's called an "eccentric contraction" in my business, of quads and the other leg muscles used in cycling. That's a weird feeling in the legs. You definitely feel the quads burn and the knees are vulnerable. Good thing I did all those lunges last winter!
It must be what they feel on the the track bikes, only with a bigger front crankset. I'm riding a 49 up front and not sure in the back yet. It gets me to about 25mph with a cadence of 110-115. I am also learning to pedal a higher cadence. The fast downhills are a bee-atch! You're pedaling much faster than you want to be.
I am hooked. Hope it helps my riding overall. I'd do anything to race faster, except of course, illegal PEDs. But hey, if you want to... _________________ END THE MADNESS
I dduw bo'r diolch
"This bike is so pimp it hit your mother and all she could say was 'Thank you, sir!'".
Cape .... Henri Desgrange, L'Équipe article of 1902:
"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 derailleur? We are getting soft... as for me, give me a fixed gear!"
Cape .... Henri Desgrange, L'Équipe article of 1902:
"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 derailleur? We are getting soft... as for me, give me a fixed gear!"
Desgrange was slightly mad to say the least _________________ Porridge makes you go faster
Cape .... Henri Desgrange, L'Équipe article of 1902:
"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 derailleur? We are getting soft... as for me, give me a fixed gear!"
Rode it again today for 40+ miles. Almost did lose it around a couple of downhill turns. I just leaned in and prayed the tires would hold. They did!
Bartali and Dr. W: The more I ride this thing the more I like it. It's so...simple. No decisions about shifting. You must always pedal, and so it's quite a workout! I think I like that aspect the best. No rest unless you stop. And stopping is a real challenge since you slow down by using your muscles to force the pedals in reverse as they keep pedaling forward. It's called an "eccentric contraction" in my business, of quads and the other leg muscles used in cycling. That's a weird feeling in the legs. You definitely feel the quads burn and the knees are vulnerable. Good thing I did all those lunges last winter!
It must be what they feel on the the track bikes, only with a bigger front crankset. I'm riding a 49 up front and not sure in the back yet. It gets me to about 25mph with a cadence of 110-115. I am also learning to pedal a higher cadence. The fast downhills are a bee-atch! You're pedaling much faster than you want to be.
So does that mean you can pedal and go backwards? _________________ A.S.O. + U.C.I. spells hypocrisy
Cape .... Henri Desgrange, L'Équipe article of 1902:
"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 derailleur? We are getting soft... as for me, give me a fixed gear!"
Cape .... Henri Desgrange, L'Équipe article of 1902:
"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 derailleur? We are getting soft... as for me, give me a fixed gear!"
Love it!
It is Desgrange who is responsible for all the doping today. He created the beast back when cocaine was a normal ingredient in Coca-Cola, and when smoking and drinking were considered a healthy part of the diet. He wanted to make the race so tough that you'd have to be on drugs to even consider it! _________________ END THE MADNESS
I dduw bo'r diolch
"This bike is so pimp it hit your mother and all she could say was 'Thank you, sir!'".
Cape .... Henri Desgrange, L'Équipe article of 1902:
"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 derailleur? We are getting soft... as for me, give me a fixed gear!"
Desgrange was slightly mad to say the least
And Cape ... ?
Mad? Me? No, Bartali, I want to end the madness! _________________ END THE MADNESS
I dduw bo'r diolch
"This bike is so pimp it hit your mother and all she could say was 'Thank you, sir!'".
Rode it again today for 40+ miles. Almost did lose it around a couple of downhill turns. I just leaned in and prayed the tires would hold. They did!
Bartali and Dr. W: The more I ride this thing the more I like it. It's so...simple. No decisions about shifting. You must always pedal, and so it's quite a workout! I think I like that aspect the best. No rest unless you stop. And stopping is a real challenge since you slow down by using your muscles to force the pedals in reverse as they keep pedaling forward. It's called an "eccentric contraction" in my business, of quads and the other leg muscles used in cycling. That's a weird feeling in the legs. You definitely feel the quads burn and the knees are vulnerable. Good thing I did all those lunges last winter!
It must be what they feel on the the track bikes, only with a bigger front crankset. I'm riding a 49 up front and not sure in the back yet. It gets me to about 25mph with a cadence of 110-115. I am also learning to pedal a higher cadence. The fast downhills are a bee-atch! You're pedaling much faster than you want to be.
So does that mean you can pedal and go backwards?
Yes it does. And I am going to learn how so I can entertain my kids and be a hit at the Sunday group ride. _________________ END THE MADNESS
I dduw bo'r diolch
"This bike is so pimp it hit your mother and all she could say was 'Thank you, sir!'".
Cape - do you think it will increase your fitness and pedaling style? Had a look on the web last night. It seems the fixed gear scene is much bigger over on your side of the pond.
Rode it again today for 40+ miles. Almost did lose it around a couple of downhill turns. I just leaned in and prayed the tires would hold. They did!
Bartali and Dr. W: The more I ride this thing the more I like it. It's so...simple. No decisions about shifting. You must always pedal, and so it's quite a workout! I think I like that aspect the best. No rest unless you stop. And stopping is a real challenge since you slow down by using your muscles to force the pedals in reverse as they keep pedaling forward. It's called an "eccentric contraction" in my business, of quads and the other leg muscles used in cycling. That's a weird feeling in the legs. You definitely feel the quads burn and the knees are vulnerable. Good thing I did all those lunges last winter!
It must be what they feel on the the track bikes, only with a bigger front crankset. I'm riding a 49 up front and not sure in the back yet. It gets me to about 25mph with a cadence of 110-115. I am also learning to pedal a higher cadence. The fast downhills are a bee-atch! You're pedaling much faster than you want to be.
So does that mean you can pedal and go backwards?
Yes it does. And I am going to learn how so I can entertain my kids and be a hit at the Sunday group ride.
Only if you learn to do it while juggling a bowling ball, chainsaw and flaming torch. _________________ A.S.O. + U.C.I. spells hypocrisy
Cape - do you think it will increase your fitness and pedaling style? Had a look on the web last night. It seems the fixed gear scene is much bigger over on your side of the pond.
I am feeling yesterday's ride today. I definitely think it will force one to become more fit, as one cannot stop pedaling while riding. I think I am going to end up pedaling a higher cadence. Carmichael and Armstrong were right about that, and it makes sense in terms of activating more Type I (slow-twitch) muscle fiber instead of Type II (fast-twitch). Type II burns sugars and leads to earlier bonking, while Type I burns fat and there's plenty of that on my body to spare!
I will post a few pictures very soon! _________________ END THE MADNESS
I dduw bo'r diolch
"This bike is so pimp it hit your mother and all she could say was 'Thank you, sir!'".
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