Hello everyone,
I would need your help to assess my first fixie and what I should upgrade next. I will use it for daily commuting and food delivery.
So, I made the first move into the fixie world with the purchase of a GT Gutterball for 280$. Seemed like a good deal, but I am also new to this game.
Now I have it, frame 56 for a 5’10 height and long legs. I have never ridden track/fixie bikes before and I feel not super comfortable with my upper body being leaning a bit too much forward (my feeling).
Then my first question regarding upgrades would be the handle bar/stem to have a more upper body position, so I feel more comfy/confident. And can I only modulate the steer height with spacers?
Next, I am open for your thoughts and advice and how I could revive and upgrade this bike!
Thanks for your help,
A happy newbie
by Ok_Imagination8095
8 Comments
Great purchase, in terms of not super expensive bikes this is about as cool as it gets. Every component on this bike is actually quite nice. The only reason to upgrade basically anything would be for comfort or swag points.
The only real upgrade that is needed would be a nice pair of straps, they are a must. Other than that buying a new set of tires is just a nice quality of life and swapping the brake to the front. They will basically improve every aspect of the bike but totally not required. Having a rear brake though is uglier and worse lol.
As for the riding position, its actually pretty upright already, I would just ride it around for a few weeks and then assess from there.
One thing you could look into is cleaning the bike up and maybe painting / paint stripping and polishing a few things. This is what the bike could look like, just for future refrence.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/FixedGearBicycle/comments/xtvlip/my_first_fixed_gear/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixedGearBicycle/comments/xtvlip/my_first_fixed_gear/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Jealous, I love these triple triangle frames.
You might be able to slip another spacer under that stem, but it really depends on where the top of your steerer tube is relative to the stem. Maybe find a stem and riser bars with more rise.
The pedals look like they can take some straps, so you should prioritize those or other foot retention. Allows for better control, particularly back pedaling to slow down.
That brake set up is weird. If you want to run one brake, it’s typically the front as you can back pedal or skid to slow the rear wheel. Fortunately, you have the front caliper, so you could just run a shorter cable from the lever you have. Alternatively, you could get a second lever and cable and run a two-brake set up.
Enjoy the new whip!
Clean and reoil the chain, level out your seat so it’s parallel to the top tube, replace rusted components, get foot retention either cages or straps at first. You can upgrade to clipless pedals/shoes once you’re comfortable. Switch the break to the front, and do a fit check. If you feel to stretched over the front you could get a shorter stem, or try a shorter stem with bullhorns for more hand positions. You may need to lower the seat a smidge. And invest in some lights. At the very least a rear blinky light. If you don’t feel confident doing all this yourself taking it to your local bike store and asking for a tuneup wouldn’t run too much.
Get straps or spd pedals, replace anything rusted(will be a problem if it gets more rusted and harder to remove, breaklines seem to be worn out and repack some components, last but not least replace the chain(chain looks like it saw ww1)
Outside of some foot retention don’t buy a thing until you’ve ridden your bike around & got used to it. Clean lube polish & ride. The easy cheap way to get your body not leaning forward is to lower the seat a little & turn the nose up just a smidge to get your weight off your wrists & hands. Then ride & feel.
I’d loooooooooveeee a Gutterball or a Meatball man, they are sick bikes
If it fits get it! Good deal!
As a gutterball owner it’s a great bike enjoy
great purchase! I see them go for much higher in tri state area.