Fixie's, messenger bags, retro cotton caps etc etc...

[-Adam-]

While dreaming of the day I can ride a bike again, i have decided im getting a fixie to commute to Uni this year (Kingston, not Liverpool!)

So, where would i find a super cool old battered courier bike? Otherwise im just gonna say sod it and buy a Specialized Langster...

Also, i hate rucksacks, and given the shoulder im not sure there a good idea anyway. So can anyone recommend a decent messenger bag...?

On the shoulder topic, saw the physio today. Was kinda positive. I am now to ween myself off the sling, which won't be hard, i hate it with a passion. And i have a host of excercises to begin the rehabilitation of the joint and my arm. As apparently three weeks strapped up in a sling really ceases the whole lot up.

On a less positive note, he did recommend i don't ride for approximately another 3 weeks. So im obviously doubtful for saturday now, but would really like to make an appearance. But ill see what happens. Its mainly the danger of falling and rupturing the ligaments once more. As if that happens the healing process becomes much more drawn out, and the end result is likely to be weaker and weaker the more times it has to regnerate.

As he said, whats 2-3 weeks of your life now versus the rest of your life. Fair point.

Anyway, fixed advice please!!!

Cheers,

Adam

[Andrew G]

[quote]Anyway, fixed advice please!!!

[virek]

For Messenger Bags, you can't beat Crumpler.

[Matt Robbins]

Adam,

Old track bikes are getting harder and harder to come by these days as everybody jumps on the fixie bandwagon (and I mean that in a good way)....so it's just a case of scouring ads etc...

Brick Lane Bikes will always have some in...but expect to pay over the odds.

They also stock the best courier bags money can buy...and don't let anybody try to convince you otherwise...they are called Pac bags and they are hand made in Canada....they are the only stockist in the UK...

Website here:

http://bricklanebikes.co.uk/

P.S. I have never bought anything from them....I would expect the usual arrogant know it all attitude that you get from the likes of Condor etc etc....it comes with the territory!

[Mike I]

If you go the e-Bay / small ads route, you might find yourself with just a frame or want to change things around. When I did that, I found Sheldon Brown's website really useful and quite a good read - if a bit quirky in places.

[url]http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed/index.html[/url]

Bike jumbles are worth a look too. I think there's one at Ripley on 14 October.

[url]http://www.bikejumbles.co.uk/[/url]

[Snoop Doug]

Pearson's fixie (think it is called a touché - can't get everything right) gets rave reviews - they sell stacks of 'em. Probably worth a buthchers?

Snoop (not on commission honest)

[huw williams]

Good work Adam. Henri Desgrange said in a L'Équipe article in 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!"

Yeah, whatever...

There's a Specialized Langster in Butler's and its painted like a London Tourist stall with "God save the Queen" written on it - its the worst bike I've ever seen. (I hear there's a special offer this week only - they'll paint a portrait of Lady Di on the down tube for an extra £50)

The Black one isn't so bad though.

Pearson's one is excellent but this is what you really want
http://www.condorcycles.com/pdfs/Singlespeed_07.pdf

I know you studes have got loads of money

[Dominic]

Adam.

You could also have a look at On-One. Their Il Pompino (Italian for blow job apparently) always gets good reviews. Steel frame, good clearances for tyres and mudguards and brazings for a rack. There are two models now, the standard with Midge bars that look a bit weird but are apparently very comfortable and the Pro which has drop bars and carbon fork and a slightly better spec.

Not very courier chic though

[Jon H]

Easiest way to get a fixed wheel bike is to hang around at pelican crossings in central London. When the red man changes to green start to cross the road. You're sure to find a courier on a fixie running the red light, at which point you put something suitable (like a long umbrella) through their front wheel. As they get carted off in an ambulance you say "I'll look after your bike for you mate". Hey presto, a fixed wheel bike at no cost (although you may need to replace the front wheel).

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

LOL

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

I might be dusting off my old fixed from the shed and use it this winter.

I always used 74" as I only have a 46 ring, but can be a bit bouncy on the steeper downhills.

How about a "fixed" group on the clubrun

[huw williams]

"I always used 74" as I only have a 46 ring, but can be a bit bouncy on the steeper downhills."

Blimey - I'm only using a 68"

Suggested a fixed group last winter and got a lot of interest but never followed it up - must try harder this year to make it happen

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]Blimey - I'm only using a 68"

[Tony]

If you haven't done much riding on the track, I'd recommend having a few sessions there, before taking the plunge. I'm not a massive fan of riding fixed and there are others like me too. My brain is so hard-wired to free-wheel whenever you see a hazard plus I stand-up so often that I am forever getting thrown around. I've never got thrown off or crashed yet - but have been extremely close.

Apparently most poeple get used to this pretty quickly - but it's never really happened for me. I'm happy throwing the geared bike round at silly speeds in to corners and finding the cornering limit in a crit (I was anyway - before I got wiped out) - but the thought of not being able to free wheel when you want or need to ....

P.S. What frame size are you, Adam? I'm actually considering selling my track bike. It's been ridden to some respectable places in several Hill Climbs and is slightly large for me....

[Andrew G]

Just got a Pearson's Touche and it is very nice. Only had 2 rides so far but well pleased.

Riding 68.2" (48x19).

Old fixie would probably be too small for you Adam, but my Dad's quite keen to keep trying to relive his youth so will be having it back anyway.