Over the weekend just past, I took the plunge and bought that Origin 8 (run together and pronounce 'originate' Uno) fixed-gear bike which had been hanging out at The Velo. Sealing the deal was finding out that I would not have to buy a new rear wheel to convert it to a single-speed, non-fixed gear. Ain't innovation (in the form of the flip-flop hub) wonderful. I made the 10 mile trek to work on it today, as well as the 12 mile return, and let me tell you it is a different demon entirely with just one gear, 46-16 in this case. I have never been one to do a lot of shifting anyway, but it became a bit of a task to maintain speed on the run in to work (slightly downhill). Not much difference on the evening return home, but then the prevailing headwind pounds me no matter what I ride. I can certainly see why riding a single-speed bike will make you stronger. Now I do not see this new bike replacing the ol' yellow Basso as top road dog in the garage, but it does present a new challenge, and I do like a good challenge.
Cool ride...I admired it in the window just recently...where do you commute to?
ReplyDeleteI was kind of surprised it was there for as long as it was. Commute takes me into Rancho Cuc.
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