getting my fix

Categorized | Blog

Tags | benotto, fixed, fixed gear, fixie

Posted on 03 October 2008 by john

As a Junior racer it was common practice for me to convert my road bike to a fixed gear sometime in December. I’d ride the 42×16 for a month or so before going back to normal set up. I am not entirely sure why I did it. To “round out your pedal stroke” was one commonly accepted reason. Or, because that’s what Eddie B. told us to do. For me it was a nice diversion and something different to do for a while. While at InterBike recently, I noticed an explosion in all things fixed gear — bikes, components, then of course all of the accessories that people think are necessary like a big bag, knit hat, stretched out earlobes, full sleeve tats, tube socks, and on and on. I wonder why these bikes have become so popular? Did bike messagers give them the image of counter culture? Where do these people ride their fixies and what the hell is in those giant shoulder bags?
Anyway, seeing all the stuff in Vegas whetted my appetite to get on my fixed. It’s a Benotto track bike circa 1982. I’ve got the full Campy Record track group for it, complete with Cinelli bar and stem, but for road purposes I modified it a bit. It is pictured here with an ancient Dura Ace front brake calliper, Cobalto Record levers, a Super Record crank, Dura Ace flip flop track hub, QR front wheel with some Campy rim (the wheel is from the old LA Sheriff’s team), TTT Primo bar and stem, and something still most sought after even today… a Mavic SSC Paris Roubaix tubular rear rim 36 hole. I am running the track chain ring, chain, and cog – 50 x 19, which is about the same as my 42×16 of days gone by. Mikey and I went out for 2 hours yesterday. It’s great on the rollers and flats, not too good up (or down) steep hills.

19 Comments For This Post

Double G Says:
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:45 am
Hey, even Lance is riding fixies and hanging out with dirty hipsters, so you know it must be cool.

http://www.mashsf.com/

Scroll down for video
Kevy Metal Says:
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:51 am
In Seattle, if you’re jumping on the fixed gear bandwagon at this point it’s too late. You’re not a hipster but a hipster wannabe. It won’t be long before you can pick one up at an Urban Outfitters near you.
bikefool Says:
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I’m more happy that I sold my fixie last month to a needy student at UCSB. It sold for $100 more then I paid for it. I was amazed by the demand when I posted it on craigslist.

Time to start freewheel unicycling to make a anti-establishment statement.
John A. Says:
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Schlumf makes a 2-speed unicycle hub, I hit 17mph on my friend’s 29er racer.
Sarcastic Cyclist Says:
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
That video is 100% proof that Lance is a jackass. Nobody can argue otherwise now.
Soul_Rider Says:
October 4th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Post of the year:

That video is 100% proof that Lance is a jackass. Nobody can argue otherwise now.

There is a large intersection where they blow through red lights in the heart of the University of TX campus and it controls traffic coming in from SIX directions and two convenience stores. Thanks a lot to those guys for coming into our town and making cars mad at bikes, then leaving.
Double G Says:
October 4th, 2008 at 8:54 am
In Chicago the hipsters have moved onto old 10 speeds (schwinn Varisties, crappy peugeots) that they run single speed or geared, or old townies. They then put a basket on the front or a rack on the rear and ride to the liquor store to pick up a case of PBR cans. I guess I have to give them some credit for using the bike for an actual purpose instead of just a fashion staement.
Alan Says:
October 4th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
wow a rare glimpse into John G’s man cave!
Hot Beth Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Full sleeve tats are hot
Sarcastic Cyclist Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Hi Beth:
I have some awesome tats. Wanna see them?
Hot Beth Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Yea, no, so does my grandpa. I should have prefaced my comment by saying tats are hot on hot guys. If either of the johns want to show me their ink i’d be down…ha.
urbanhermit Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
It only took 3 months….but I think John G called it.

http://www.velonews.com/article/84039/schumacher-tests-positive-for-epo
Sarcastic Cyclist Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
score one for John G. Who will be next? There are supposed to be more positives…i mean non-negatives….soon.
e mcbee Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 5:23 am
“That video is 100% proof that Lance is a jackass. Nobody can argue otherwise now.”

Come on! How can you not like a guy that has a coffee shop called Juan Pelota Cafe?
Floddizle Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
By the beard of Zeus! LA Sheriffs front wheel? Man, that was a loooong time ago, back when I was racing juniors doing domestique work for Mariano Friedick and Heath Sandal. Now, only if you had the requisite team-issued Litespeed with Sachs ergo-shifters!
john Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Another recent LA Sheriffs connection… Kurt Stockton, who I interviewed at the InterBike Media Center. You can see it at on a previous post here or at http://www.missingsaddle.com.

As for the front wheel, it has the initials “TC” on it. Your riders from teams-gone-by quiz for the day is, who was on the LA Sheriffs team with the initials TC? I’ll give the answer tomorrow if nobody gets it.

BTW – I see Mariano at some of the races. He has been doing some DS’ing for Rock Racing.
Floddizle Says:
October 10th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Could it be Tom Craven, former teammate of Malcom Elliot? Who, BTW, is still racing if anyone caught a glimpse of the 40-something year old in the Tour of Ireland.
nmanhipot Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
You’re complaining about a black on black stealth CX bike with road tires and aero bars when you present this gawdawful mess of a SS/Fixie?? Let’s go down the list: 1) mismatched wheels 2) mismatched tires 3) brake hoods that haven’t been washed since Bill was boinking Monica 4) black bar tape with white brake hoods and a white saddle, 5) top tube protector with fully wrapped bar tape on road bars. I’m going to wretch. I hope to see a makeover of this ride in the near future with some white bar tape and matching rubber.
Brodirt Says:
October 17th, 2008 at 4:57 am
I have to disagree with nmanhipot…John G’s track bike is the shizzle on the frame and crank alone.