Fixed Gear Climbing

[Ming the Merciless]

I rode fixed at a track day at Lee Valley velodrome. One event I forgot it was fixed when coming round to the centre island entrance. Overshot it, and did another lap and arrived at slower speed next go.

 

[Profpointy]

As someone who commuted for years on a fixie my impression certainly backs that up. Not claiming it's objective science but I seemed to be able to climb far steeper hills than I'd have been happy with with the same ratio on a freewheel / geared bike. OK granted I had no choice !

I was an unfit middle aged man in a hilly city (Bristol)

 

[Cycling Badger]

Riding fixed is also good for strengthening hamstrings….I do miss that bike.

Sorry to hear about accident, but great your cycling again. My S/S was bought 2nd hand from someone who sold theirs after a physical issue, recovered and then regretted selling it. They replaced it - fortunately for me replacement was a size too small and they had to sell the replacement. Keep an eye on the classifieds - I spotted a very nice Day One for sale a few months back for fair money.

 

[fossyant]

Sorry to hear about accident, but great your cycling again. My S/S was bought 2nd hand from someone who sold theirs after a physical issue, recovered and then regretted selling it. They replaced it - fortunately for me replacement was a size too small and they had to sell the replacement. Keep an eye on the classifieds - I spotted a very nice Day One for sale a few months back for fair money.

I've had more since, fractured hip socket and pelvis. Back riding in 3 months - that was last year and my fault, ice. Had the NHS spotted it I'd be sporting a total hip replacement, but they didn't until 6 weeks later when I went back with an email from my physio who thought my hip socket was fractured. Turned out a hell of a lot more serious than I thought. Ah well, still riding.

 

[simongt]

I have ridden with forum members who used fixed up 20% climbs!

And back in't day, folk used to tour on single speeds - !

 

[mrushton]

older riders used fixed in winter. I found that 10% was my limit on 48x19. Luckily my rides had very little of those gradients. Having a gear selection is prob good. Steep climbs on an audax and you are better with lower gearing subject to the terrain

 

[Sharky]

Have been riding gears for the last few weeks, but today used my SS 68" freewheel. There is one hill, which has been taking me circa 5 mins to get up.

On the gears , I've been changing down and kept the cadence as high as possible and for most of the ride, stayed on the saddle.

Today, as soon as my cadence dropped, I was out of the saddle and honked up the hill. A few stretches where I had to dig deep, but got up on that segment in 4:30.

SS WINS!

 

[colly]

I have ridden with forum members who used fixed up 20% climbs!

In one case, including a track stand on the steepest ramp so as to enjoy the views!!

Longers?

I recall Longers (of this forum) using a fixed wheel on a ride. Climbing from Beamsley up Lanshaw Bank past Langbar, near Bolton Abbey.

Was I impressed? You bet I was. I was in my lowest gear and it was hard going.

 

[Cycling Badger]

Have been riding gears for the last few weeks, but today used my SS 68" freewheel. There is one hill, which has been taking me circa 5 mins to get up.

On the gears , I've been changing down and kept the cadence as high as possible and for most of the ride, stayed on the saddle.

Today, as soon as my cadence dropped, I was out of the saddle and honked up the hill. A few stretches where I had to dig deep, but got up on that segment in 4:30.

SS WINS!

Some data points - excellent. Do you have any ideas on “Why” it was faster?

 

[ColinJ]

Longers?

I recall Longers (of this forum) using a fixed wheel on a ride. Climbing from Beamsley up Lanshaw Bank past Langbar, near Bolton Abbey.

Was I impressed? You bet I was. I was in my lowest gear and it was hard going.

You have a VERY good memory - exactly right!!