My First Fixed Gear Experience

I'm glad you're having a good experience, Tom.

You might find this interesting:- lists.davintech.cafixed gearOpen ↗

Good luck.
--
Lewis.

.........................

*******************************

"Thomas Reynolds" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Friday I had the day off from work and I spent it converting an early 80s Peugeot into a
fixed gear.

I got a 22 tooth BMX cog from a used bike shop for $1. I got a BMX chain from Performance for $10.
And I got Loctite for $4. So $15 plus a couple hours scrounging spares for axle spacers and
redishing the rear wheel and I was in business.

Saturday I went out for an 18 mile ride. My first couple of attempts at starting from a stop were
not a pretty sight but I got used to it. I have a 42/22 gear combo which seemed about right for
what I wanted to do, which was still climb (I live in the hills east of San Diego) and learn to
spin better on the flats.

The one thing I wasn't prepared for was how tired I was after such a short ride. Not being able to
coast downhill makes a big difference.

It is such a cool concept I don't know why I didn't do this a long time ago.

Tom

On 8 Dec 2003 13:25:12 -0800, [email hidden] (Thomas Reynolds) from

url='http://groups.google.com/'http://groups.google.com/url said:

The one thing I wasn't prepared for was how tired I was after such a short ride. Not being able to
coast downhill makes a big difference.

Not being able to coast makes a big difference. Not only will your spin improve, but you will learn
more about how to pace yourself. Plus, with your 22-tooth cog, you'll be spinning really fast just
to keep up a decent cruising speed. I know you need that gear for steep climbs, though. I've got
mine geared 42x14, and, when I hit a steep hill, I have to get up and mash. There aren't many steep
hills here, though, so, for the most part, I can have a reasonable spin for a 15 to 20 mph cruise.

--
real e-mail addy: kevansmith23 at yahoo dot com a yellow uptight librarian dissonantly sees in a
slippery circuit?!?

Kevan Smith said:

On 8 Dec 2003 13:25:12 -0800, [email hidden] (Thomas Reynolds) from

url='http://groups.google.com/'http://groups.google.com/url said:

The one thing I wasn't prepared for was how tired I was after such a short ride. Not being able to
coast downhill makes a big difference.

Not being able to coast makes a big difference. Not only will your spin improve, but you will learn
more about how to pace yourself. Plus, with your 22-tooth cog, you'll be spinning really fast just
to keep up a decent cruising speed. I know you need that gear for steep climbs, though. I've got
mine geared 42x14, and, when I hit a steep hill, I have to get up and mash. There aren't many steep
hills here, though, so, for the most part, I can have a reasonable spin for a 15 to 20 mph cruise.

20mph on 42x14 doesn't sound like spinning to me, assuming 700c wheels that's about 85rpm. If
that's a pedal speed you're comfortable with, go ahead and enjoy, but surely nothing under 100rpm
counts as spinning?

Kinky Cowboy

*Your milage may vary Batteries not included May contain traces of nuts.

Quoted message said:

I got a 22 tooth BMX cog from a used bike shop for $1. I got a BMX chain from Performance for $10.
And I got Loctite for $4.

I assume that you mean a track, not BMX cog. Since it sounds like you're using a road, not track
rear hub I suggest that you put a lock ring on it. It a standard British thread bottom bracket
lockring. If you don't have one your LBS does in the scrap box. Phil Brown

Thomas Reynolds said:

Saturday I went out for an 18 mile ride. My first couple of attempts at starting from a stop were
not a pretty sight but I got used to it. I have a 42/22 gear combo which seemed about right for
what I wanted to do, which was still climb (I live in the hills east of San Diego) and learn to
spin better on the flats.

I bet you'd be spinning on the flats. I'd recommend going to a considerably higher gear. You can
still climb, standing, a pretty good hill (see recent threads here) with a gear big enough so you
can spin at human rates and stay with a group on the flat. I usually use a 42/16 these days, and
have a 15 on the other side of my flip-flop hub.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win you're _`\(,_ | still a rat. --Lilly
Tomlin (_)/ (_) |

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thomas Reynolds said:

Saturday I went out for an 18 mile ride. My first couple of attempts at starting from a stop
were not a pretty sight but I got used to it. I

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a 42/22 gear combo which seemed about right for what I wanted to do,

which

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

was still climb (I live in the hills east of San Diego) and learn to

spin

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

better on the flats.

I bet you'd be spinning on the flats. I'd recommend going to a considerably higher gear. You can
still climb, standing, a pretty good hill (see recent threads here) with a gear big enough so you
can spin at human rates and stay with a group on the flat. I usually use a 42/16 these days, and
have a 15 on the other side of my flip-flop hub.

--

Y'all obviously have never been to East Co. San Diego! 42/22t is a BIG gear for some of the rides
out there.

If he's riding it in town, then yeah I'd go with the "bigger gear" recommendation.

Which part of East Co. do you (the OP) live in?

Mike

Quoted message said:

David L. Johnson

__o | The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win you're _`\(,_ | still a rat.
--Lilly Tomlin (_)/ (_) |

David, is your 42t chainring 3/32"? If not, where do you get your 42t chainring in 1/8"? Campagnolo
Pista 144 bolt pattern here. -tom

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I bet you'd be spinning on the flats. I'd recommend going to a considerably higher gear. You can
still climb, standing, a pretty good hill (see recent threads here) with a gear big enough so you
can spin at human rates and stay with a group on the flat. I usually use a 42/16 these days, and
have a 15 on the other side of my flip-flop hub.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win you're _`\(,_ | still a rat.
--Lilly Tomlin (_)/ (_) |

[email hidden] (Phil Brown) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I got a 22 tooth BMX cog from a used bike shop for $1. I got a BMX chain from Performance for
$10. And I got Loctite for $4.

I assume that you mean a track, not BMX cog. Since it sounds like you're using a road, not track
rear hub I suggest that you put a lock ring on it. It a standard British thread bottom bracket
lockring. If you don't have one your LBS does in the scrap box. Phil Brown

No I mean BMX cog. That's why I had to get a 1/8 inch BMX chain. And I do have a lockring on.

Tom (op)

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message news:<lXdBb.36202$9O5.30902@fed1read06>...

Quoted message said:

"David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thomas Reynolds said:

Saturday I went out for an 18 mile ride. My first couple of attempts at starting from a stop
were not a pretty sight but I got used to it. I

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

a 42/22 gear combo which seemed about right for what I wanted to do,

which

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

was still climb (I live in the hills east of San Diego) and learn to

spin

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

better on the flats.

I bet you'd be spinning on the flats. I'd recommend going to a considerably higher gear. You can
still climb, standing, a pretty good hill (see recent threads here) with a gear big enough so
you can spin at human rates and stay with a group on the flat. I usually use a 42/16 these days,
and have a 15 on the other side of my flip-flop hub.

--

Y'all obviously have never been to East Co. San Diego! 42/22t is a BIG gear for some of the rides
out there.

If he's riding it in town, then yeah I'd go with the "bigger gear" recommendation.

Which part of East Co. do you (the OP) live in?

Mike

I live near Jamul, right next to a 2600 foot 10 mile hill, part of SDBC Great Western route. I am a
rookie at fixed gear but I've been riding these hills for 25 years and I'm sure a 42/16 would be too
much for me.

Tom

(Thomas Reynolds) said:

[email hidden] (Phil Brown) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I got a 22 tooth BMX cog from a used bike shop for $1. I got a BMX chain from Performance for
$10. And I got Loctite for $4.

I assume that you mean a track, not BMX cog. Since it sounds like you're using a road, not track
rear hub I suggest that you put a lock ring on it. It a standard British thread bottom bracket
lockring. If you don't have one your LBS does in the scrap box.

No I mean BMX cog. That's why I had to get a 1/8 inch BMX chain. And I do have a lockring on.

Umm, BMX doesn't do fixed gear. They use a single speed freewheel that's usually a 3/32" thickness
and used with a standard derailleur chain. If you've got a threaded cog and it just screws onto the
hub, that's a track cog. Track cogs come in 1/8" and 3/32" thicknesses.

Tom Nakashima said:

David, is your 42t chainring 3/32"? If not, where do you get your 42t chainring in 1/8"?
Campagnolo Pista 144 bolt pattern here. -tom

Tom:

It seems that Salsa and Sugino make 144 bcd 42t rings:

sheldonbrown.comchainrings.htmlOpen ↗
thethirdhand.comindex.cgiOpen ↗

You can use a 3/32" ring with a 1/8" chain.

--Josh

Thanks Josh, just added the link my favorites. -tom

"Josh Gatts" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tom Nakashima said:

David, is your 42t chainring 3/32"? If not, where do you get your 42t chainring in 1/8"?
Campagnolo Pista 144 bolt pattern here. -tom

Tom:

It seems that Salsa and Sugino make 144 bcd 42t rings:

sheldonbrown.comchainrings.htmlOpen ↗

thethirdhand.comindex.cgiOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

You can use a 3/32" ring with a 1/8" chain.

--Josh

Tim McNamara said:

(Thomas Reynolds) said:

[email hidden] (Phil Brown) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

>I got a 22 tooth BMX cog from a used bike shop for $1. I got a BMX chain from Performance for
>$10. And I got Loctite for $4.

I assume that you mean a track, not BMX cog. Since it sounds like you're using a road, not track
rear hub I suggest that you put a lock ring on it. It a standard British thread bottom bracket
lockring. If you don't have one your LBS does in the scrap box.

No I mean BMX cog. That's why I had to get a 1/8 inch BMX chain. And I do have a lockring on.

Umm, BMX doesn't do fixed gear. They use a single speed freewheel that's usually a 3/32" thickness
and used with a standard derailleur chain. If you've got a threaded cog and it just screws onto the
hub, that's a track cog. Track cogs come in 1/8" and 3/32" thicknesses.

Plenty of 1/8" BMX chains and chainrings in my LBS suggest otherwise. Some BMX riders even use
3/16". Kinky Cowboy

*Your milage may vary Batteries not included May contain traces of nuts.

Tom Nakashima said:

David, is your 42t chainring 3/32"?

It is -- mountain bike stuff, 944mm bolt pattern -- so's all my chainrings are the same. All my
sprockets, and chains, are 1/8" though.

Quoted message said:

If not, where do you get your 42t chainring in 1/8"? Campagnolo Pista 144 bolt pattern here. -tom

My Campy cranks did not have that "low profile" bend to them. That bend gets the end of the crank
out of the way of my ankles, which is a blessing.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Let's not escape into mathematics. Let's stay with reality. -- _`\(,_ | Michael Crichton
(_)/ (_) |

KinkyCowboy said:

Tim McNamara said:

(Thomas Reynolds) said:

[email hidden] (Phil Brown) wrote in message news:<20031208195737.26112.00000400@mb-
m15.aol.com>...

> >I got a 22 tooth BMX cog from a used bike shop for $1. I got a BMX chain from Performance for
> >$10. And I got Loctite for $4.
>
> I assume that you mean a track, not BMX cog. Since it sounds like you're using a road, not
> track rear hub I suggest that you put a lock ring on it. It a standard British thread bottom
> bracket lockring. If you don't have one your LBS does in the scrap box.

No I mean BMX cog. That's why I had to get a 1/8 inch BMX chain. And I do have a lockring on.

Umm, BMX doesn't do fixed gear. They use a single speed freewheel that's usually a 3/32" thickness
and used with a standard derailleur chain. If you've got a threaded cog and it just screws onto
the hub, that's a track cog. Track cogs come in 1/8" and 3/32" thicknesses.

Plenty of 1/8" BMX chains and chainrings in my LBS suggest otherwise.

I've purchased 1/8" chain claiming to be a BMX chain. Aside from the silly finish -- shiny, but for
a chain??? -- it was OK, and cheap.

But if it's a fixed sprocket, that isn't BMX. They do use freewheel sprockets

Quoted message said:

Some BMX riders even use 3/16".

Really? You mean inch pitch? That I have not seen. In fact, I've never seen an inch-pitch
freewheel sprocket.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. _`\(,_ | That is easy. All
you have to do is tell them they are being (_)/ (_) | attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for
lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any <country. --
Hermann Goering

Quoted message said:

KinkyCowboy said:

Some BMX riders even use 3/16".

David L. Johnson said:

Really? You mean inch pitch? That I have not seen. In fact, I've never seen an inch-pitch
freewheel sprocket.

Not 1x3/16 with alternating length links - that stuff's all gone. Regular 1/2 x 3/16 chain from
other industrial applications has found its way to MX bikes ( actually grinding bikes but that's a
quibble - they have 20" wheels) as "phat chain".

The same way that we can run 1/8 chain on regular road rings, these aggressive riders (who just chew
up most bicycle parts so they seek big beefy alternates) run this extra-wide chain on their 1/8
rings and freewheels.

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971

We've got some pretty good hills here. I'd suggest trying Texas street,
or the short route up Torrey. 🙂

On Mon, 08 Dec 2003 23:24:24 -0500, David L. Johnson wrote: better on the flats.

Quoted message said:

I bet you'd be spinning on the flats. I'd recommend going to a considerably higher gear. You can
still climb, standing, a pretty good hill (see recent threads here) with a gear big enough so you
can spin at human rates and stay with a group on the flat. I usually use a 42/16 these days, and
have a 15 on the other side of my flip-flop hub.

--
Mark Wolfe wolfenet.orgwolfenet.orgOpen ↗ gpg fingerprint = 42B6 EFEB 5414 AA18 01B7 64AC EF46 F7E6 82F6
8C71 IBM: It may be slow, but it's hard to use.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

We've got some pretty good hills here. I'd suggest trying Texas street, or the short route up
Torrey. 🙂

That's interesting: we have a good training hill on a street named Torrey Rd, also ;-)

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

David L. Johnson said:

Quoted message said:

David, is your 42t chainring 3/32"?

It is -- mountain bike stuff, 944mm bolt pattern -- so's all my chainrings are the same. All my
sprockets, and chains, are 1/8" though.

A 42t ring on a 944mm bolt pattern? Your chain must not be the normal 1" pitch. And you either
push a *massive* fixed gear or that rear cog is about half as large as the wheel (assuming 622
wheel). I can't even imagine a 944mm chainring fitting between my legs. Is everything on your
fixie Chalo-sized?

;^)

Dave dvt at psu dot edu