Forgot how much harder riding fixed is

[derrick]

I'm not trolling here but is it much fun riding a fixie?

You don't get to freewheel down hills.

Why would you want to freewheel any where?

 

[4F]

I'm not trolling here but is it much fun riding a fixie?

You don't get to freewheel down hills.

Freewheeling is so last year, finding a big hill and going balls out with you legs doing 200 rpm is where it is at

 

[fossyant]

I'm not trolling here but is it much fun riding a fixie?

You don't get to freewheel down hills.

Yeh... It's bloody good training.

 

[fossyant]

Freewheeling is so last year, finding a big hill and going balls out with you legs doing 200 rpm is where it is at

Can't do 200. A smidge over 150 for me, but not at the minute. I'd be back in A&E with my knackers if I went for it. Still riding to work every day on fixed. Am I mad ?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Still riding to work every day on fixed. Am I mad ?

No. I tend to max out at around 150-160, less if its really cold.

 

[Smurfy]

No. I tend to max out at around 150-160, less if its really cold.

About 30mph tops then? That's about my max for a 65" gear. For me that's only achievable for seconds at a time, rather than minutes!

 

[Smurfy]

I'm not trolling here but is it much fun riding a fixie?

Try it!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

About 30mph tops then? That's about my max for a 65" gear. For me that's only achievable for seconds at a time, rather than minutes!

yes 30-35, I'm on a 66" 48x19.

 

[Dan B]

I admire the refreshing honesty of the subject line. What happened to all the claims of greater efficiency due to straight chainline, "flywheel effect", lower weight ...?

(I also commute on a fixed gear bike and I don't believe them either. But thy rarely seem to be challenged)

 

[Smurfy]

Unless you have a very hilly commute it isn't harder (once you've got used to it).

 

[MrGrumpy]

37 mph on a 48 x 17 not quite as spinney, however that is a very short hill I reckon a longer one could up it a bit more. Been riding fixed since 2007-2008 and its great, fitness and actually improves I reckon you riding once you switch over to gears.

 

[MrGrumpy]

I admire the refreshing honesty of the subject line. What happened to all the claims of greater efficiency due to straight chainline, "flywheel effect", lower weight ...?

(I also commute on a fixed gear bike and I don't believe them either. But thy rarely seem to be challenged)

I can certainly sprint quicker on the fixed gear I`m on compared with the geared road bike and also climb faster on manageable gradients, that is my experience.

 

[Smurfy]

With respect to sprinting. I believe fixed eliminates the six o'clock and twelve o'clock dead spot, which is an unwanted complication and encumbrance, as you have to expend energy using the ankle joint and associated muscles to yank the pedals through and past the dead spot.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Freewheeling is so last year, finding a big hill and going balls out with you legs doing 200 rpm is where it is at

got up to 180 rpm today, and still felt in control just............

 

[jazzkat]

I went for a ride yesterday and while riding up Kirkstone pass (on my geared bike) I started thinking "this feels like hard work".
I haven't really been out since before Christmas and I put it down to being a 'bit out of form' then I looked down and realised that I was still in my middle ring rather than the smallest ring I'd probably have used before.
Riding fixed has recalibrated my effort, I now try harder