I’m thinking about getting a training bike to add to the stable and was curious to know what everyone thinks about the virtures of using a fixed gear bike for training. I love the simplicity of the idea and ride pretty much flat lands but wasn’t sure if many people use them and if so is there any particular reason.
I’d suggest searching on here, or google, for articles and threads regarding fixed gear work. There are many opinions regarding its use.
From a bike maintenance point, it makes quite a lot of sense - especially if your area has bad winter weather.
It’s a great tool if you want to work on your cadence, by putting a low gear on the bike.
Equally, it can be a good strength tool, by putting a large gear on, and doing standing starts or short climbs.
As a track rider I train on it quite a lot, doing short interval style sessions based around cadence drills. As an example my race cadence is about 90rpm in 50x15. I’ll do a session involving a warm-up in a low gear, then switch to something like 51x14 and do a 1km effort at 90rpm. Because the gear is bigger I’m going faster, and getting a load increase which hopefully leads to improved race performance. Sometimes I finish with a flying start 500m on race gear, getting the cadence up to >120rpm, simply to get used to spinning.
modern fashion aside - it is the traditional spring training device. as such, it is supposed to be geared low - 42X17 is what God himself has on his in march. nowadays of course that’s not good enuf, and everybody gears them higher.
Go for it by all means! I have a Kona Paddy Wagon with a fixed/single-speed flip-flop hub. My gearing is 48/16t, and if you ride on flats this is perfect. Because the bike is so simple, it requires almost zero maintenance, can be ridden in all kinds of conditions, and will not break down. Riding fixed will work miracles for your pedal stroke and is the perfect way to build up your base before the weather gets nicer, you hop on your race bike, and start including some intensity/interval workouts.
Don’t use the fixed gear for training. Use the fixed gear for FUN!!!
with enough willpower you can get the same fixed gear workout on a freewheel equipped bike =)
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with enough willpower you can get the same fixed gear workout on a freewheel equipped bike =)
Except for the down-hills. Those can hurt worse than the climbs on a fixie.
Yes, you should use a fixed gear for training. However, the fixed season is almost over. Riding a fixed gear will show you that you have muscles in your legs you did not know you had. They also teach you control, and force you to really pay attention when riding. Your gearing should be something like 42x17. This would allow you to spin on the flats, but not get killed if the road goes north somewhat. If you are going to go this route, then make sure you do it right, and NOT go single speed. Riding a fixed gear is hard, and it is supposed to be. You will not develop the same sort of leg turn over with single speed. As for proof, just look at how fast Mark Cavindish is.
I do not currently own one. I have had the opportunity to group ride with Azfixed for the last three weeks. My opinion has changed dramatically. Out of 15 guys 6 were fixed. I thought sweet I will have no problem keeping up with this group. I was amazed how they were the fastest people in the group up to 27 MPH. The group hosted “Rollerwars” at my local bar. They used 2 single speed bikes with 48/16 gears on rollers. Drag raced to 300m. The winner finished in 14.86 seconds. That is 45MPH at -----195----- RPM. Here is the video of the race. It is a little dark but amazing to see the turnover.
I keep thinking to get a Langster for commuting…
I switched from single to fixed for commuting this winter. I can tell some difference, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say that you only get a benefit from fixie but not from single. climbing is easier on fixed than it is on a single.
I got a fixie in December and have been loving it. I like it mostly because it’s a change from my road and TT bike. I get bored easily, so I like having a choice of which bike to ride. Also, like some other posters have said, it’s great for bad weather since there are less parts to get dirty. I don’t know if it actually ads anything to training, but it does get me on the road more, so I find it effective.
with enough willpower you can get the same fixed gear workout on a freewheel equipped bike =)
no way, the direct link to the rear wheel is what makes a fixie a fixie. I try to spend as much time in the spring riding fixed as I can. It makes you strong and teaches you technique. Hill intervals on a fixie are probably the greatest thing out there.
Fixed gear have been around for a long time. Many old school cyclists swear by them. This training method has been around for so long that nobody dares to question it.
For a given gear ratio, it is much easier to to high rpm workouts on fixed gear bikes, as the bike’s momentum will help pull the crank around the dead spots.
Supposedly muscle memory will take over when you go back to riding on a standard bike, and you’ll be able to spin easier. I don’t know of any data to support this theory.
Great tool for all the traditional reasons and also for the non traditional reason of mixing it up and killing boredom. Gear it easy and go spin for an hour. Gear it hard and find a ride with rolling hills and you can get a mountain bike style interval workout.
The old school of thinking is that fixed gear is a winter/early spring thing but last year I threw mine into the mix once a week all year. Really helps to keep things fresh.
i got fixed this last summer for commuting primarily, and, as a result, i’ve started training on it too. and now my geared bike has been sitting quite a bit. 
i’m at 46x16 and that seems to be pretty good for me. the longest i’ve ridden it is 49mi (with a group of all geared riders)…good workout!
i don’t know if i believe the spin translates as effectively as you hear about. but it does do a positive effect, and i find i do less soft pedaling on my geared bike (ie more work) and my climbing is a little better based on better leg strength
I also picked up a cheap one to use commuting. It is fun. I am not sure I believe all that the other fixiephiles say about it. But it will make you a better rider. It will help you bike handling skills and traffic riding.
The funny thing is, it get ridden more than any of my other bikes. But costs 25% of my next cheapest bike and 6% of my most expensive. Heck, my whole commuting setup gets ridden probably 200 times a year and costs half of my front racing wheel. Wow. Please don’t tell that to my wife.
Fixed is fun, it has some physical benefits. and some skills to be gained too. Not to mention cheap and reliable. But I don’t really subscribe to the hipsters fervor.
t
My fixed is my most expensive bike
Yes I am cheep
I ride it cause it is fun
42-16 works for me
Plan on lots fun this year riding it long distance.
I’ve been enjoying my fixie… but I got one with brakes because a) stopping hurts my already bad knees and b) I like riding on the bike trail where there’s too many squirrels and kids that jump in your way. It’s been a fun diversion and it definitely is a workout. It is amazing how fast you can get going. It’s also a great workout with my wife and non-training obsessed friends which used to be junk zone 1 miles previously.
I do have a question for the masses though. Several people have told me it helps perfect your pedal stroke. I’m not finding that. You can easily still mash just at the top of each pedal stroke (say 3-6pm) if you want to be lazy. I do agree it can definitely help you feel any flat spots and it does force you to keep moving, but it doesn’t force you to actively apply pedal force all the way around. Am I missing something or just expecting too much?
Can’t wait to take it to the Velodrome!
This is my first year doing real fixed-gear training. I also have a fixed gear cross bike for commuting - but the commute is short. 46-19 on the training bike, 44-19 on the commuter. I mainly like how fun they are to ride and how easy they are to clean. Wisconsin is dirty this time of year.