As an experiment, I have recently converted my SS Carlton to fixed gear using a spare wheel. Owing to having a cold, I haven't rode it all that much but one thing is bovious to me. Nothing has changed on the bike apart form the absence of the freewheel but the Wrights "B17 clone" saddle which has been unbelievably comfortable for several thousand miles gives me a sore arse very quickly when I ride it fixed. If I put my other wheel with the freewheel back in, it is comfortable. How can this be? FWIW, the gear ratio is the same in both cases.
Fixed gear and saddle adjustment
- Thread starter tyred
- Start date
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Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Is it possibly because you are leg breaking when riding fixed and hence being pushed out of the seat and then sitting back down a lot? So in effect sort of bouncing on the seat.
Or maybe the increasing cadence when going down hills where you would typically freewheel?
Or maybe the increasing cadence when going down hills where you would typically freewheel?
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
your sitting position is different when riding with a fixed gear as for part of the stroke you legs are being driven by the pedals rather than having a drive dead spot.
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
I have my saddle slightly higher & further forwards on the fixie but the bike is a very aggressive "female" geometry frame, I can't remember how I had the current frames predecessor setup. Basically I just dialled it in by riding & if it didn't feel right adjusting 1 thing at a time, don't adjust the saddle in 2 axis at one time (if you think the saddle wants to go down & back, lower it if that's better then push it further back & try again). The general observation I have is that if it's good for fixie riding then it's fine for freewheel but the reverse isn't always true.
