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comment by elizabeth
elizabeth  ·  3398 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The "Get to know Me" Thread

What kind of bike did you build for yourself?





goldbludgeon  ·  3398 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Standard road bike. 12 speed. I actually joined a program called "The Bike Project" that takes old bike parts and teaches you how to build your own. It was really fun and it took me about a month to build it. Because of them, I now have an alternate mode of transport during the warmer months.

elizabeth  ·  3398 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Nice!

I've built a fixed gear bike last year and i'm improving it little by little. I'd like to repaint it this winter if I have the time. It' definitely a fun way to pass the time.

goldbludgeon  ·  3398 days ago  ·  link  ·  

A fixie? I am not sure why, but I'm a bit scared of those bikes. I've never ridden one, but the concept of no brakes terrifies me. Is it really that much of a danger? What color are you going to paint it?

elizabeth  ·  3398 days ago  ·  link  ·  

It does have brakes. First I can break using my feet (which is what I usually do) and I also have a front wheel brake. I actually feel way more in control because when I go downhill on a regular bike, i can only brake using the hand brakes. This one time I was on a really old bike and the brakes worked fine but then it started raining... Brakes went to shit and I was going downhill hoping the light will stay green. My fault for riding an old bike but I wish i had a fixie at that moment.

I also feel the reaction time is faster. I can speed up/ slow down faster. And I'm more mindful of my surroundings. Since braking takes a lot more effort, I slow down more gradually when I see a red light ahead of me and things like that. It takes some getting used to but I like it more than regular biking. My bike is also way lighter, easier to fix and more exercise since you pedal constantly.

I don't really care what color but black would be nice. I did a quick paint job last summer with white spray paint and it's really starting to look like shit. I'm hoping to repaint it more "properly" this time.