Fixed Gear - but not Hipster Fixie

I finished my first fixed gear build last week, a converted Trek 520:

I plan on using this as my commuter. I had never ridden a fixed gear bike before. I've now got three rides and one Arte Johnson manuever under my belt. The first ride was with the pair of SunTour Cyclone pedals in the above picture. Before the second ride I swapped those out for one of my Look sets. I was nearly home from work on my third ride (second commute) when I tipped over trying to start after a green light.

Things I like:

• Learning a new skill
• Complete "Silence of the Bike"
• The extra workout your legs get
• No hunting for the "perfect" gear that is never there
• Instant preparation for those little "insults" that pass for hills here in Chicago

So far the only obvious downside is the tip-over, but I'm sure that problem will clear up as I improve my skills at hitting that moving target with my cleat.

Components:

• Trek 520 frame with original Dia-Compe cantis (Kool-Stop Salmon pads)
• Some no-name wheels from Ebay (Roval?) shod with Panaracer Pasela PT 700x32 tires and covered with SKS Chromoplastic 700x45 fenders
• Sugino Mighty Competition Pista crank (151BCD) w/ 47T Sugino chainring
• ProType bottom bracket
• Miche 16T track cog with carrier, no-name lockring I had mixed in with a bunch of bottom bracket lock rings
• SRAM PC-1 chain
• Nitto bar, Specialized stem, Shimano BL-400 levers, Selle Italia Flite saddle and no-name seatpost I saved from a previous Trek I used to own

The "plush" tires and fenders mark this build as something different than the typical hipster fixies you see around.

Aside from the time it took to assemble the parts, the chain was the only real "adventure." a KMC K710SL chain was recommended on the single-speed forum at bikeforums.net, so I bought one, not paying any attention to its length. Unfortunately, it only comes in one length - 100 links. With my long chainstays and rather large chainring, that didn't cut it.

I looked at the QBP catalog and saw that the K710SL purportedly came in a 112-link length, so I ordered one from my LBS. No such luck. 100 links... I finally just bought the PC-1 from my LBS.

I really like the way it rides, though that has nothing to do with the fixed gear aspects of the bike. The longer chainstays and 32mm tires make this thing float over all the little bumps in the streets. (The 520 was a touring bike that originally came with 27-inch wheels, so the chainstays are pretty long.)

I have my eye set on a 60-on-my-60th ride in late November. Before that time, I need to tweak the gearing a bit. The 47x16 setup is a bit too high (2.94:1 ratio), certainly for all the starting and stopping I do when commuting. I'll initially see if I can get away with a 17T cog (2.76:1). If that's not enough, I'll scrounge up a 46T chainring (46x17 == 2.71:1). The stem is also a bit long. I'll find a suitable replacement eventually. I may also switch to the levers that were original to the bike, as the Shimano levers, while comfortable, don't have quite enough leverage for the cantis. It's not a bit deal though, as I've got my legs as an "engine brake." :-)