I like riding a fixed gear bicycle but I have never used it intentionally for training. I read a comment by Tyler Hamilton on the Cervelo site about how he uses his. Anyone have any advice? Will this really help clean up the pedal stroke?
I will be. I ride fixed year round. Unfortunately, I can’t give you any tips on how it will make you faster/smoother/more efficient - I’m about as slow as they come.
just started riding my first fixed gear bike a few weeks ago. I was disappointed at first that it didn’t feel more different. however after a week or so I really started feeling the circular pattern more than ever before. I’m riding a 64 gear inch.
max speed so far 34.8mph (181rpm)
min speed so far 3.9mph (20rpm! man I was fried and the hill was steep)
many of my comments about riding sound like the threads on the power/rotor cranks. I can’t ride as far, I get a better workout, etc. I live in a hilly area, so I get a good mix of spinning with high rpm (downhills) and low cadence force work.
the verdict will have to wait until next summer.
just ride. learn the bunny hop stop if you are going no brakes. if you are going no brakes get the best helmet money can buy. you don’t need any riding tips, you will feel the love rather quickly.
if he goes no brakesm he should make shure he wears gloves to grab his front wheel if he has to stop fast, or if his chain breaks.
I just got my first fixie yesterday. I was going to spend the next few months building one up myself, but my LBS had one in stock, built up, in my size, and priced to move. So I got weak and bought it.
I’ll probably have to drop the gearing a bit as the 48/17 I’m running now is now is going to kill me on the hills.
-Mark Rebuck, http://www.markrebuck.com/
Since I got my fixie, I’ve been riding my regular bike very little. Will it clean up your pedal stroke? YMMV, but you may find the biggest gains when riding at super low & super high cadences. FYI - I ride 61.3 gear inches (42x18x700c) and I frequently find myself @ 110rpm+. I think it’s time to got to a 17t soon.
And oh yah, cleaning is much simpler!
Impressive! I don’t think my legs could spin an 18t everywhere, although you have a good point re: pedal stroke. I would definitely try a 17t or maybe even 16t.
I have had a fixed gear for the last year and a half. I think it helps leg strength by forcing me to use power instead of spinning going uphill and then spinning going down hill instead of just selecting a larger gear. It also makes riding with my wife or a slower “social” ride much more interesting.
As for advice…
You are ridding on the road with cars don’t be macho install a front brake. Don’t sink a bunch of money into the bike unless you are going to race it on the track. Use a real fixed gear rear hub and not a freewheel hub with the gear loctited into place.
Enjoy,
Ron
http://magthree.com/Thoughts/Single_Speed.html
a local (Seattle) triathletes page on fixed gear riding. He’s got some good links to other info at the bottom.
I suggest a 62" gear also. It should be a higher RPM on your normal steady LSD rides vs. your road bike. 110 rpm is a good start. Fixed gear riding is a great way to maximize your time on the bike as there is no coasting ever. Practice seated climbing and accelerating from a stop. Your saddle position may vary, and I run shorter cranks to ease the amount my legs have to move and provide greater cornering clearance.
My best years on the bike have come after 500+ miles on the fixed gear from Nov-Feb. I race most of my Time Trials here in Michigan on a fixed gear. I ride with a 52tx22t gear in the off-season, and when the group rides start, I switch to a 48x18. I’ve done centuries with both set ups. While I do race on the track, and commuted on a fixed gear for years, I still run a front brake; just in case.
You may be able to run a slightly higher saddle height, esp if you run shorter cranks.
Fixed is fun, enjoy the purity of the origin of our sport.
-SD
I’ll probably have to drop the gearing a bit as the 48/17 I’m running now is now is going to kill me on the hills.
That’s a HUGE gear for general all 'round town riding - especially if you live in a hilly area. I run a ~65 gear inch (42x17) for general riding in Vancouver BC, and find it about perfect for the hills. There are times that I’d like it to be a little bigger/smaller, but overall I find it to be a good balance.
Get yourself a smaller ring up front and your knees will thank you.