4-12-09 Update – now found at http://kestrachern.net/gt-gutterball/
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Today I became the owner of a new fixed gear bike - GT Gutterball. I had some alterations (look for the blue bits) from the stock design, new handlebars, changed the gearing, longer chain. Right now I’m running 53/15 gearing on both sides of the flip hub. One side is a single speed and the other a fixed gear. I’m right now running in single speed so I can get use to riding the new bike and learn to get my toes into the pedal clips without too many problems.
Only had time for a short ride from the bike shop to the house so far. I likes it. I likes it. I likes it a LOT!
The bike is lighter and I can travel much faster than on the mountain bike. My next chance for a longer ride will be Tuesday when I head to Gulfport.
Adventures continue!
———–Original Post————————
Anyone own a fixed gear bike? Ride it much?
In the last two weeks I have come aware of fixed gear bicycles. I think I want one. There is a fixed gear bike shop just over a block away from Chez Kitteh. Each time I pass it by I consider going in…
What are the advantages you’ve found with or without a fixed gear? Are they practical in non-flat areas eg. Can I viably ride it back in San Francisco? What kind should I get?
I like the premise behind a fixed gear bike. Direct connection between the pedals and the road with no option of coasting (and no brakes when you get good enough) I’ve started riding my present bike using the highest gear only which if I counted right is about a 45/14 ratio. I’d like the next bike to have a higher ration that that, but am concerned about starting/pausing riding and getting going again. In the few days that I’ve been riding only in the high gear I can feel muscles re-developing to cope with the new stresses.
Anyway.. thoughts and comments are appreciated. Advice is welcomed! (and donations are well proof of your being an amazing human being!)
More to learn!
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That’s a nice looking bike. What size frame is it?
If I remember it is the large frame – 800mm…
and what do you ride?
I’m thinking of picking one up myself. Would you mind taking a few more detailed shots of the ride? There are plenty of them from the side but I would be really happy if you could snap a few from the front and back so I can get a feel for the model.
Cheers Kesrachern!
I am looking to buy a new Gt GutterBall.
I was wondering, what size do I buy?
I am 5’9″.
And, what are some cool upgrades I can do?
Like handle bars, etc.
And, can I put longer cranks on?
I raced BMX for years with a 180 mm crank for more tork.
I love to tork and get leverage out of my cranks.
So can I put 180′s or is that a bad thing to do for fixies?
And if so, why? Oh, I am only going to ride with freewheel side.
And, I am now riding a Gt Bmx pro with 45 16 gearing. I am trying to
figure out something that is just about the same or maybe a bit easier, on the Gutterball… Thanks. I am stoked!
Heya Mike.. when were you thinking about getting your bike?
With the questions you are asking making a trip to your local GT dealer is probably the best solution for you. As I’m sure you already have a favorite place for parts and service those guys are most likely able to give you the best advice for setting up a bike to match your riding style.
Good luck!
Hey Kestrachern. I just ordered it 2 days ago…
I couldn’t wait… I have been looking at the GutterBall
for over 2 years. I bought a New GT Pro BMX bike for a really good
price because the new models were already in and they wanted to get rid of it. I bought it so I could get my legs back in shape. Haven’t ridden bikes since I raced BMX Nationally years and years ago…
I bought the Medium. Everyone said that would be my size..
I am so looking forward to riding it. I live 15 minutes from San Francisco and I am right here in Marin County Home of the Mountain Bike. The county just made a huge, paved bike path all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge… I am so stoked…
Ride on Gear Heads!
Thanks though, I appreciate it…
Mike Kollin
Oh, what I meant to say, was I bought that Pro BMX bike 2 or more years ago to get my legs in shape to ride a mountain bike or road bike, but wasn’t sure which, until I discovered the GT Gutter Ball about 2 years ago… so now I am in shape and ordered the New 2011 GT GutterBall 2 days ago… I’m so pumped!
Hey Mike,
How’s your GT Gutterball riding?
My GT Gutterball is great…
I have had it for about 3 months now and I love it.
I ride it 4 or 5 days a week because my legs need 2 or 3 days off a
week…
It rides really good. I changed the gearing from 48 x 18 to 48 x 19 and it seems to go great. I also put wider bars on and 175 mm cranks to get more torque…
I am planning on putting on bullhorns bars now…
Great!!! How far are you riding each day? Fixed gear or single speed?
Well, I ride 4 to 5 days a week…
It depends. Sometimes I ride from San Rafael, Ca.
to Sausalito. It takes about 4 hours or so…
]
Most the time I just ride a 1.5 to 2 hour ride.
Not really sure how far it is though…
OH, and I ride Freewheel…
I am thinking about getting a 20 tooth fixed gear so I can ride
with an easier gear to get used to riding it fixed!
Hey, what’s the name of those bull horn bars you have on?
And, where do I get those brakes you have on the bars?
Thanks…
Mike!
Nice ride!
Been looking at the bullhorns to get make/model but the are covered with tape right now… I do plan to rewrap soon so will get it to you then.
As for the brake levers… Just stock levers..
I’d recommend you chose a fixed gear size similar to what you ride freewheel, i found it an easy transition that way
Ok, cool…
Well, looking forward to hearing from you, about the bullhorn bars, when you find out…
Or, can you recommend another company! I prefer wider if possible!
Thanks…