fixed rider soon to try road bikes

[Gunjira]

Hi everybody,

I have been a passive consumer of the TCC BBS for quite some time, but until now mostly stayed in the realm of track/fixed gear cycling. As such I am more of a city rider, knowing Tokyo by the back of my hand. I could not imagine living here without the freedom a bicycle gives you, whether you have one gear or many. Since I got here in 2004 every year I covered more than the 14000k distance Tokyo to my native Cologne riding within the 23ku.

Recently, I started to tour a lot more and my achievements this year include completing the Shikoku pilgrimage and a ride Kyoto-Tokyo. This was on 49x15 gearing, which made me (curse) ripe for a change of mind and bikes. Soon I will receive a hand-me-down road-bike from a friend and once I have found a new rear wheel I look forward to my first freewheeling and shifting experiences around Tokyo.

I was also thinking about the 300k brevet in Saitama on October 24th for a start, but haven't yet finally decided upon going.
Here's to good times to come meeting some of you on the road!:beer1:
Gunnar

 

[Phil]

I was also thinking about the 300k brevet in Saitama on October 24th for a start

Glad to see you're starting with modest goals and working your way up.

Seriously, glad you've started posting, and welcome to the geared dark side. Hope to see you on the (rural) roads soon... :beer2:

 

[Gunjira]

Glad to see you're starting with modest goals and working your way up.

I thought road bikes are made for coasting long distances?
Worst that could happen is a DNF. More likely (I hope) would be a mediocre time to improve on in times to come...
But first I have to figure out how to use rear brakes properly...

 

[FarEast]

Use your rear break? what crazy nonsense you fixed gear riders speak! Its purely cosmetic!

 

[ProRaceMechanic]

Eventually it happens to us all.

I love fixies but nothing beats coasting down a mountain you just murdered yourself going up. I live at the bottom of a mountain and I love knowing the work is over but the ride has just begun! Riding a fixie for training or racing on a track is great but going down hills just murderrs yur knees. Keep the track bike though, youllle be back, they always come back...

 

[kiwisimon]

Just go Single speed and coast the hills and still look hardcore. Gears are for cry babies.