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.