Kestrachern

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!

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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!)