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Control Box: getting back on a road bike after riding fixed for 8 months!

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    it feels all wrong and unsafe lol! any tips on making the transition easier?
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      CommentAuthorEmilia
    • CommentTimeMar 7th 2010
     
    Heh. No, but I'll be making the transition myself in a couple of weeks - my Condor's been beaten up by New York drivers, and I have a shiny new Salsa waiting for me! I'll be watching this thread for tips on not dying...
    • CommentAuthoreggpie
    • CommentTimeMar 8th 2010
     
    #1

    When nailing it down marylebone road and a motorcycle changes lane right in front of you, do not be surprised when instinctively locking up the pedals has absolutely no effect, leading you to slam into the back of a small hatchback at surprisingly high speed.

    #2

    Do not forget the lack of backwardness and try and trackstand in front of black cabs. Repeatedly. Soo many times.

    #3

    Shifting goes down as well as up. Trying to out-accelerate a scooter, from a standing start, is not made easier by accidentally still being in 52x14 from coming down the col du pentonville "wicked fast". Ditto for shifting the chain right off the cassette in front of a rapidly approaching angry Addy Lee rider, who really wont appreciate you testing his emergency stop skills as you fall to the ground pitifully, still clipped in.

    #4

    You know that supercool hipster dismount you spent ages learning, where you unclip and let the pedals kick you up in the air and off the back so you catch the bike in your hand on the way down again and the girls go wild? Just try it with a freewheel. See if you survive with your scrotum intact.

    I should mention that despite all of the above, Im loving the road bike again...
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    ^ I concur. And would also add that geared bikes don't seem to take too kindly to not being cleaned and willl not put up with you generally treated them like shit. My little fixiewheelmobile used to thrive on dirt and grime.
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      CommentAuthornanu
    • CommentTimeMar 8th 2010
     
    '#2

    Do not forget the lack of backwardness'

    :rolling:
    inspired advice.
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      CommentAuthor24tee
    • CommentTimeMar 8th 2010
     

    ha! May I just confirm that it IS unsafe and potentially dangerous lol. Hmmm. lol

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    The best thing about going back to f/wheel after being fixed for a while is that wierd sensation you get in your legs the first time you freewheel through a corner.
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      CommentAuthornanu
    • CommentTimeMar 9th 2010 edited
     
    Too right,
    Also pretty good is discovering the joy of big hills, either with or against our dear friend gravity.
    And after fixt for some long time, your cadence should be pretty hot too...

    Track bikes are lovely, but for real long rides, gears and freewheel every time I reckon, enjoy!

    'Do not forget the lack of backwardness'
    Still tickled.
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      CommentAuthorteaboy
    • CommentTimeMar 9th 2010 edited
     
    For me, going back to freewheeling after a few years, was as big a revelation as the move in the opposite direction. Having to re-learn to stop pedalling was the strangest thing.
    • CommentAuthoreggpie
    • CommentTimeMar 9th 2010 edited
     
    " nanu
    'Do not forget the lack of backwardness'
    Still tickled. "

    ..and you know where I work. We have more than enough backwardness to spare..
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      CommentAuthoroverdrive
    • CommentTimeMar 10th 2010
     
    Ouch!

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