Mark Vieselmeyer <
[email protected]> writes:
> Michael Press <
[email protected]> wrote:
> : Mark Vieselmeyer <
[email protected]> wrote:
> :>I just put together a fixie out of some spare parts, but
> :>I'd never ridden one before. The first thing I noticed
> :>was how awkward it was just mounting the bike. The only
> :>way I could get going was to straddle the bike before
> :>clipping in. So my question is, is there a gracefull
> :>technique for mounting these things?
> :>- mark
>
> : Here's the technique I use on my new fixie:
>
> : 1. Straddle the bike.
> : 2. Clip into the lead pedal (left for me) and move it to
> : 2:00 (to get to 2:00, apply the front brake and put
> : pressure on the bars to lift the rear wheel; move the
> : pedal to 2:00 while the wheel is in the air).
> : 3. In one motion (takes practice), stand on the lead
> : pedal to start moving, put your other foot on its
> : pedal as it comes around to 12:00, sit down on the
> : seat, and clip in the 2nd foot as it goes down toward
> : 6:00. It's smooth and graceful when you get the hang of
> : it.
>
> : You can gently apply the front brake during this
> : maneuver to help slow the pedal motion.
>
> I guess I was thinking more along the lines of the "cowboy
> start" that Sheldon recommends against. It sounds like
> some folks here can to do it on a fixie, so maybe if I get
> bored I'll practice some more. I've been fiddling with the
> gear ratio a bit, and that seems to make a difference. I
> started with a 42-20 and then tried 52-20 and that slows
> the pedals down a bit.
>
> - mark
I have not tried it yet, but there is a page about "The
Handlebar Mount" at
<url:http://www.63xc.com/gregg/101_5.htm> Looks like it
would not apply stress to the wheels in any unusual
directions.