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Teamfixed
Tim Lewis
Definitely take Sharkeys advise and change those brake levers for conventional ones. As said descending at 150 rpm with your hands in the middle of the bars would not be safe and where do you put your hands with no hoods? AND stick to having both brakes despite what some say, having two makes it much easier and more comfortable.
I have always used 48x19 which is about 68 inches or 48x20 65 inches (which is a bit too low really) and I just about manage around fairly hilly bits of Kent on that for shortish rides. Have fun!
I have always used 48x19 which is about 68 inches or 48x20 65 inches (which is a bit too low really) and I just about manage around fairly hilly bits of Kent on that for shortish rides. Have fun!
Velosolo is a good source of fixed/single speed stuff.
If the bike comes with a 16t, worth stocking up with a 17, 18 sprockets. With horizontal fork ends, you can usually cope with a sprocket difference of about 4 teeth, without adding or removing chain links.
Also a chainwhip if you haven't got one already and a nice spanner for your saddle bag to cater with the wheel nuts. Should be 15mm, but older imperial wheels were 1/2" and 9/16" sizes. A small adjustable spanner is a useful addition to carry with you on the bike.
If the bike comes with a 16t, worth stocking up with a 17, 18 sprockets. With horizontal fork ends, you can usually cope with a sprocket difference of about 4 teeth, without adding or removing chain links.
Also a chainwhip if you haven't got one already and a nice spanner for your saddle bag to cater with the wheel nuts. Should be 15mm, but older imperial wheels were 1/2" and 9/16" sizes. A small adjustable spanner is a useful addition to carry with you on the bike.
Where we live, all bits of Kent are hilly. On a 68", I can just manage "Terry's Lodge", but Exedown & Vigo would defeat me.
Is Bill Lewis a relative - He's pushed me off a couple of times, in a TT meaning.
Teamfixed
Tim Lewis
Nooo I stay clear of the Kent Alps on fixed! I use it for short rides about 15-20m loops around Darenth, Well Hill, Eynsford Shoreham etc, so mostly short and sharpish. We descended Exedown recently and I did think briefly of fixed but then maybe not! Strictly a gears ride now.
One bonus of lockdown is that I've got my partner into road riding, can remember Easter Sunday looking down on the M20 from Fawkham and seeing zero cars
however she dislikes me riding fixed as apparently I am faster on it haha. No, dont know Bill.
One bonus of lockdown is that I've got my partner into road riding, can remember Easter Sunday looking down on the M20 from Fawkham and seeing zero cars
however she dislikes me riding fixed as apparently I am faster on it haha. No, dont know Bill.
