There is a Century ride coming up late this month in my geographical region, there is a relatively low amount of climbing. So I have a buddy who isnt in “great” riding shape and we sort of decided that he would ride the century on his road bike if I did it on a fixie. Who here has done a fixed gear century, what advice do you have for the strategy or setup of the bike?? thanks
If it is a "track bike " it will be a long day. If it is a fixed touring or road bike it should be a long fun day. Real track bikes are built very stiff for hard left turns at high speeds. After about 3 hours they aren’t that much fun to ride. I have done a couple three centuries fixed and they are harder than on a road bike, but do able. If you get off every couple hours I would think you should be having fun. My fixed gear bikes for the road only have 1 waterbottle cage, be sure you drink plenty of fluids if you only have one bottle. Other than that enjoy.
I’m somewhat of a curmudgeon about fixies outside of velodromes, but I think your idea considering the fitness difference sounds reasonable. Another option with riders of varied fitness is riding a tandem, but you may not want that much togetherness. Another option yet is to take a pull on the front for pretty much the entire ride.
If you do go fixie, make sure the damn thing has brake and if it doesn’t, have one installed.
Yeah, the fixie has a brake, I was thinking maybe putting a rear on just to save the legs some ??? Maybe??? anybody???. And the bike is not a true track bike, it is a true fixie, but not a track bike, it is a steel fixie intended for road use.
They are fun, but you need to change your paradigm. They are neither fast or easy. I do not recommend that you do a century on a true steel/fixie combo. If you have a flip flop hub than you can switch back and forth every 20 miles, or go free wheel the full time. After that stay consistent and familiarize yourself with the terrain and pick your gearing accordingly. You need to know when to bur your matches.
I sponsored someone to do London-Edinburgh-London (about 1400km) on a fixie a while back. Remember that when things start getting hard!
I definitely think you should do it!
Just remind the people how your experience of a long distance event went on a fixie, bro. Also, I think Brad is US based based which would mean an imperial century not a metric one!!
You made the deal… Now follow through!
Just take a phone, some cash and make sure theres plenlty of food shops on the way. Sounds like a good day out! Have some fun!
You can always call in a car if it gets too much.
I love the idea and you will have your mate with you so whats the problem?
Each year, a few of us do a 50-mile charity ride on our fixies. Only half as long as your ride, but we have hills. I say go for it, if you are in shape. I typically lighten up my gearing from my usual commuting ratio in order to spare my legs the abuse. Make sure you have a flip-flop rear and bring a wrench in case you want to switch to single speed.
I have done the 100 3 times on fixed
Just lots of fun
Thom
Ps flip flops ! Never
There is a Century ride coming up late this month in my geographical region, there is a relatively low amount of climbing. So I have a buddy who isnt in “great” riding shape and we sort of decided that he would ride the century on his road bike if I did it on a fixie. Who here has done a fixed gear century, what advice do you have for the strategy or setup of the bike?? thanks
I’ve come close! I did 77 miles on a fixed gear de bernardi. I will tell you it is not fun at all. The first 30 miles was okay, but the entire time I was limited to an average of about 20 miles an hour other wise I would over spin. My ratio was a 48 x 17. Consider your gearing before venturing out. I had just one front brake and a hug camelbak since my frame wasn’t drilled for any kind of bottle cage. I also like to think my pain was cause by my saddle. It had a brooks professional on it and I don’t think I rode it enough to actually ever break it in.
It shouldn’t be very difficult if you are used to doing longish rides on it. As others have said, if it is a true track bike, then it will be very uncomfortable for that distance. I’ve done a few 4 hour rides on my fixed steel bike (closer to touring geo though), and I had no issues. Every now and again on the down hills, I take my feet out of the pedals and let the cranks spin for a little stretch. If your partner is weaker than you, he will probably want to start more often than you are used to, so that will help for sure.
What’s really fun is going mountain biking on a fixie. Now that takes some real skill. I converted my single speed mnt bike to a fixie for a bit last year - that was tough. You really have to time your pedaling as to not hit rocks and stuff.
Get the gearing right!! I gear mine so I spin out at around 36km/h (~115 rpm), but cruise at around 31-33 km/h.
Good luck - sounds fun!!
“POS bike Mafia”
I’m thinking it’d be more like a gang or pack. Maybe crew. how about army?
plague? sort of like locusts
Completely doable.
A guy blasted by my friends and I who are all good riders on a steel fixie on the tour de shore century in southeastern MD (June, '08). The guy averaged about 23 mph. Think about it. If the terrain is flat then you don’t need gears. And if you are training then why coast? how much will you coast during a race?
I commute on gravel about 15-20 miles/day on my fixie. Go with a 42/16 and throw any time goals out the window.
It sounds like a blast. I double wrap my bars with gel tape, shorten my stem by 1 cm and add 1 cm of spacers compared to my road bike.
One of these years I am going to do the RAGBRAI (week long 500 mile bike tour across Iowa) fixed.
As long as it’s not to bad elevation wise, you have at least a front brake, and you have the right gearing for you, piece of cake! I rocked on on a 46x16…easy 
*how much will you coast during a race? *if its a triathlon and i’m already doing 23mph or higher, i’ll coast every chance i get.
I’ve done the century distance twice on a Langster, 48 x 18 gearing. It was a blast and that gearing will get you up short steep climbs if you’re in shape without a problem. It’s pretty flat out here so I’ve had no issues. Make sure you’re comfortable on the seat and watch yourself if in a pack–if you’re not experienced, stay away from the other riders. Front brake should be adequate and take advantage of the rest stops. Have fun, it’s a blast.
It’s going to be a long day if you have to pedal all the time. When I retired a couple of years ago I thought I’d do the occasional 50-80 km (not mile) ride on my fixie. I did 70 km once and wouldn’t do it again. I was bored as much as I was tired. Flattish century on a single speed? Maybe. Fixed gear? Not for me. Try riding 50 miles or something like that and see how it works for you.