Comments on: Old Dog Learns New Tricks http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/ Live to Bike! Work to Live! Bike to Work! Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:06:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: TStevens http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1620 TStevens Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:18:18 +0000 http://www.spokesnspin.com/?p=1208#comment-1620 Bike Porn - Sweet! As a good MN resident I ride a Surly LHT :-) Bike Porn - Sweet!

As a good MN resident I ride a Surly LHT :-)

]]> By: Red http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1593 Red Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:43:04 +0000 http://www.spokesnspin.com/?p=1208#comment-1593 Inger-Lis, No old bimbos either. Inger-Lis,

No old bimbos either.

]]> By: Kate http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1592 Kate Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:14:15 +0000 http://www.spokesnspin.com/?p=1208#comment-1592 That is a beautiful bicycle. Congratulations! That is a beautiful bicycle. Congratulations!

]]> By: Inger-Lis http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1591 Inger-Lis Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:12:13 +0000 http://www.spokesnspin.com/?p=1208#comment-1591 So what about an old bimbo? Bimbos don't stay young forever you know. And I would probably buy that bike based solely on the paint job! It is awesome! So what about an old bimbo? Bimbos don’t stay young forever you know. And I would probably buy that bike based solely on the paint job! It is awesome!

]]> By: Red http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1590 Red Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:23:02 +0000 http://www.spokesnspin.com/?p=1208#comment-1590 Tom, The "zip" Tom is part of the appeal. All other things being equal the fixie is zippier than a free wheel. This is because you are more directly connected to the tire and road surface. Sure I can't accelerate from a stop as fast as if I had gears. But, if I am just cruising along and decide to pick up the pace I think my acceleration is faster. The climbing of short hills such as going over an over pass is also faster. On the fixed gear you get the momemtum thing going and it helps. Tom,

The “zip” Tom is part of the appeal. All other things being equal the fixie is zippier than a free wheel. This is because you are more directly connected to the tire and road surface. Sure I can’t accelerate from a stop as fast as if I had gears. But, if I am just cruising along and decide to pick up the pace I think my acceleration is faster. The climbing of short hills such as going over an over pass is also faster. On the fixed gear you get the momemtum thing going and it helps.

]]> By: Red http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1589 Red Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:18:00 +0000 http://www.spokesnspin.com/?p=1208#comment-1589 Sansauto, Wow! Your story sound pretty painful. But having been riding the fixie for a few weeks now I can see just how that type of thing happens. Sansauto,

Wow! Your story sound pretty painful. But having been riding the fixie for a few weeks now I can see just how that type of thing happens.

]]> By: Tom http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1588 Tom Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:57:48 +0000 http://www.spokesnspin.com/?p=1208#comment-1588 I'll admit Im not nearly the bike enthusianst you are but a fixed gear bike?! I just dont see the appeal, the coasting and the speedy zip of a bicycle is what appeals to me the most. Thats all gone with a fixed gear bike. I didnt even know you could buy one that wasnt a kid sized bike either! I’ll admit Im not nearly the bike enthusianst you are but a fixed gear bike?!
I just dont see the appeal, the coasting and the speedy zip of a bicycle is what appeals to me the most. Thats all gone with a fixed gear bike. I didnt even know you could buy one that wasnt a kid sized bike either!

]]> By: Sansauto http://www.spokesnspin.com/2009/07/21/old-dog-learns-new-tricks/comment-page-1/#comment-1587 Sansauto Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:57:07 +0000 http://www.spokesnspin.com/?p=1208#comment-1587 Bunny hopping--20,000 miles on my fixie and I have not figured out how to bunny hop. I've learned to hit railroad crossings and small potholes at speed. Skipping to stop--First you'll need to invest in tires because you go through them FAST if you skip much. As your leg goes around the bottom of the pedal stroke, emphasize the upward pull and lift the rear tire off the ground. The emphasized upward pull will stop the pedal stroke until the rear wheel touches the ground and tries to rip your leg off at the knee joint. When the other leg comes around the bottom of the pedal stroke, emphasize the upstroke again. It really feels like you are skipping like you were a kid. My best fixie story-- I was coming out of a round about and trying to accelerate when I pulled my foot out of the pedal. My weight was going forward so I landed with my crotch just behind the stem and my right foot that had been pulled out was bouncing off the side of the front wheel. I got my balance, and kept my foot out of the spokes, but I found myself sitting on the top tube behind the stem with my left foot still clipped in going around and around. I wonder what people thought as they drove by... I then had to push myself with my arms back over my left leg that was still going around so that I could get on the saddle and start chasing the other pedal with my right foot. I have no idea why I didn't crash. I really should have. Bunny hopping–20,000 miles on my fixie and I have not figured out how to bunny hop. I’ve learned to hit railroad crossings and small potholes at speed.

Skipping to stop–First you’ll need to invest in tires because you go through them FAST if you skip much. As your leg goes around the bottom of the pedal stroke, emphasize the upward pull and lift the rear tire off the ground. The emphasized upward pull will stop the pedal stroke until the rear wheel touches the ground and tries to rip your leg off at the knee joint. When the other leg comes around the bottom of the pedal stroke, emphasize the upstroke again. It really feels like you are skipping like you were a kid.

My best fixie story– I was coming out of a round about and trying to accelerate when I pulled my foot out of the pedal. My weight was going forward so I landed with my crotch just behind the stem and my right foot that had been pulled out was bouncing off the side of the front wheel. I got my balance, and kept my foot out of the spokes, but I found myself sitting on the top tube behind the stem with my left foot still clipped in going around and around. I wonder what people thought as they drove by… I then had to push myself with my arms back over my left leg that was still going around so that I could get on the saddle and start chasing the other pedal with my right foot. I have no idea why I didn’t crash. I really should have.

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