Part 1 - The Research Phase
Many fixed-gear bikes are equipped with "flip-flop" hubs, designed to accept sprockets on either side.
A larger rear cog will also make things easier by itself.
Start by installing the wheel at approximately the correct position and tightening the axle nuts.
So instead of changing both your cog and your chainring by a couple of teeth or so - you can make a bigger change to just either the cog or the chainring and get the same result (get the same gear inches).
The idea is that, most of the time you would ride the fixed gear, but if you found your self far from home and getting tired, or were in unusually hilly terrain, you would turn the wheel around and use the freewheel.75 represents one pedal revolution turning the wheel 2. A front brake, all by itself, will stop a bicycle as fast as it is possible to stop.
Whilst some seasoned cyclists may profess to riding huge gear ratios, that may not be right for everyone.
One of the wonderful things about fixed-gear riding is that the direct feel you get for rear-wheel traction teaches you exactly how hard you can apply the front brake without quite lifting the rear wheel off of the ground. This will actually tighten the chain a little bit more.
There is really no need for a rear brake on a fixed-gear bicycle.
This leads us to cadence.
the 49/19 is a lower gear than the 44/16. Ideal cadence varies between individuals and may depend on your height, sex, and body geometry. But a lot of fixies built for the road are being speced with a 42/43/44t front and 16/17ish cog in the back. And yeh, the width of the tire will make a very small difference. Google for "eccentric contraction" for more on this topic. They are designed to stop you. The wheel will then be skewed, and I need to readjust the left end of the axle, but this has little effect on the chain. Brake shoes are cheaper to replace when they wear out than clutches are. or anywhere between 2. Micro-tears in muscles are now known to initiate strengthening.0. use eccentric contraction -- you lift the barbell, or your body, or pull on a lever, then lower it down. But the number of repetitions in muscle-building exercises is much smaller than in cycling, typically only 2 or 3 sets of 10 repetitions, rather than thousands per hour of cycling. can be run differently depending on rings and cogs.
The popular BMX ratios of yesteryear from the top down would be 44/16 - 39/14 - 36/13. With manufacturers now offering track bikes for the road, the factory gearing is often quite high.
Going larger with the track crank is better, as in both discipline, bigger is better.
Why Go Fixed?
Modern 24-27 speed bikes are marvels of technology, and allow a cyclist to select the gear ratio that will make the most efficient use of his/her energy. I used to break chains all the time, at least 10-15 times per year.
Riding a fixed gear bike is just fun! In a way, it's like learning to ride a bike all over again and experiencing the subtle joys of discovering an efficient way to get from here to there with a lot less energy than walking or running.. A fixed gear gives a degree of control and one-ness with the bike that is not equaled by a freewheeling bike. Instead, you may care more about the actual experience of riding your bike. And with a lightweight bike that is designed for the task, you will rediscover cycling.
Mechanical Benefits
A fixed-gear bicycle has fewer parts and weighs less than an equivalent bicycle with multiple speeds.. The bike will force you to keep a constantly smooth, even pedal stroke at all cadences. Because you must keep pedaling at all times, fixed-gear bikes offer a greater workout.
You don't have to choose once and for all between fixed and freewheel, because the same bike can be both, if you use a reversible "flip-flop" hub. Be sure to work on the entire circle, concentrating especially on the top and bottom of the stroke.
This is generally the wrong way to approach it, in my opinion.
Having one speed allows for a lighter, more reliable bike with none of the shifting components that may go out of tune or get broken. The rear wheel itself is a lot stronger than one made with off-center (dished) spoking to make room for a whole bunch of sprockets on one side.
Having one gear allows you to focus on the ride and free your mind from the complexity of gearing and the dozen adjustments you could make to your bike. Downhill riding without brakes requires you to exert tremendous force on the pedals to stop, and you need some skill to prevent your bike from skidding.
It's easy to build a single speed as long as the frame you want to use has rear 'dropouts' (the area where the axle attaches) that are not vertical in orientation.
Expert Insight
Bike mechanic Buck Olen, interviewed by "Metroactive" writer Gabe Meline, noted that fixed-gear riders should start slow, with a low gear ratio for climbing hills and a front brake for stopping.
Vertical dropouts will still allow you to make a singlespeed, as long as you use a chain tensioning device in place of the derailleur, such as the Surly Singleator.
If you want to find more fixed gear info check out http://www.retrocyclingvintage.com/
Riding a fixed gear bike is just fun! In a way, it's like learning to ride a bike all over again and experiencing the subtle joys of discovering an efficient way to get from here to there with a lot less energy than walking or running.. A fixed gear gives a degree of control and one-ness with the bike that is not equaled by a freewheeling bike. Instead, you may care more about the actual experience of riding your bike. And with a lightweight bike that is designed for the task, you will rediscover cycling.
Mechanical Benefits
A fixed-gear bicycle has fewer parts and weighs less than an equivalent bicycle with multiple speeds.. The bike will force you to keep a constantly smooth, even pedal stroke at all cadences. Because you must keep pedaling at all times, fixed-gear bikes offer a greater workout.
You don't have to choose once and for all between fixed and freewheel, because the same bike can be both, if you use a reversible "flip-flop" hub. Be sure to work on the entire circle, concentrating especially on the top and bottom of the stroke.
This is generally the wrong way to approach it, in my opinion.
Having one speed allows for a lighter, more reliable bike with none of the shifting components that may go out of tune or get broken. The rear wheel itself is a lot stronger than one made with off-center (dished) spoking to make room for a whole bunch of sprockets on one side.
Having one gear allows you to focus on the ride and free your mind from the complexity of gearing and the dozen adjustments you could make to your bike. Downhill riding without brakes requires you to exert tremendous force on the pedals to stop, and you need some skill to prevent your bike from skidding.
It's easy to build a single speed as long as the frame you want to use has rear 'dropouts' (the area where the axle attaches) that are not vertical in orientation.
Expert Insight
Bike mechanic Buck Olen, interviewed by "Metroactive" writer Gabe Meline, noted that fixed-gear riders should start slow, with a low gear ratio for climbing hills and a front brake for stopping.
Vertical dropouts will still allow you to make a singlespeed, as long as you use a chain tensioning device in place of the derailleur, such as the Surly Singleator.
If you want to find more fixed gear info check out http://www.retrocyclingvintage.com/
Front Wheel Choices - Aerospoke Maybe?
Is it going to make me a hipster?!? I hope not because the reviews look good for a fatty like me!
Thinking about replacing my rims with aerospoke rims. You can't beat the price to value ratio. Once up to speed these wheels are super fast and look awesome!
If you are big rider (200+ lbs) and are concerned about true and reliability this is your wheel.
More Info
Aerospoke Natural rear track
Aerospoke use full aluminium rims from Velocity, using a combination of mechanical fasteners and a proprietary chemical adhesive. should be less. I'm 200 lbs. I have to give them a 75 overall. what a difference this wheel made.
There is a problem with failure modes for these wheels that does give one pause.
The wheel itself may or may not be bomb proof but it sure appears to be. Need to mention that their customer service is also top notch.
I have never regretted this purchase and would recommend them to people like me who are heavy (230+) to keep from having to perform regular maintenance on the wheelsets (rear wheel)
Strengths:
Strong, replaceable hub, never needs truing
Weaknesses:
No breeze from the rear wheel when riding stationary resistance trainers.
By the same token I would not take a minimally spoked wheel either. Last season any number of normal weight riders in our club went touring on the new low spoke count wheels after having been told by their LBS that these were wheels designed for a lifetime.
I just purchased this wheel (rear) yesterday and I already feel a difference.
So there are no magic bullets. I dont get as much road vibration, which is nice because I ride with a track seat. I could forgive the extra weight. almost a pound heavier than simular products.they are way over priced for what they are.They could have gone between 45-60.
Thinking about replacing my rims with aerospoke rims. You can't beat the price to value ratio. Once up to speed these wheels are super fast and look awesome!
If you are big rider (200+ lbs) and are concerned about true and reliability this is your wheel.
More Info
Aerospoke Natural rear track
Aerospoke use full aluminium rims from Velocity, using a combination of mechanical fasteners and a proprietary chemical adhesive. should be less. I'm 200 lbs. I have to give them a 75 overall. what a difference this wheel made.
There is a problem with failure modes for these wheels that does give one pause.
The wheel itself may or may not be bomb proof but it sure appears to be. Need to mention that their customer service is also top notch.
I have never regretted this purchase and would recommend them to people like me who are heavy (230+) to keep from having to perform regular maintenance on the wheelsets (rear wheel)
Strengths:
Strong, replaceable hub, never needs truing
Weaknesses:
No breeze from the rear wheel when riding stationary resistance trainers.
By the same token I would not take a minimally spoked wheel either. Last season any number of normal weight riders in our club went touring on the new low spoke count wheels after having been told by their LBS that these were wheels designed for a lifetime.
I just purchased this wheel (rear) yesterday and I already feel a difference.
So there are no magic bullets. I dont get as much road vibration, which is nice because I ride with a track seat. I could forgive the extra weight. almost a pound heavier than simular products.they are way over priced for what they are.They could have gone between 45-60.
