How stupid? This stupid...

[Bicycle]

There was chat on this forum recently about descending at speed on fixed.

I started to think. This was the first bad sign. I thought too much. That was a worse sign.

Then while fettling and sorting my fixopholous today, I popped an old cadence computer on it.

Part of the pleasure of the fixie for me had been the complete absence of both gubbins and choices. Now it has a toy on the handlebars.

I am a slave under the yoke of the computer... But it is also quite fun.

Over a 40-mile shakedown I didn't spin at over 165 today (and that wasn't for very long), but to my surprise I did get some geeky pleasure out of knowing how fast my feet were moving.

Is anyone else so utterly stupid that they'd measure their cadence on a fixie?

Part of me hopes not, but part of me celebrates the likelihood that there are other idiots out there.

 

[biggs682]

no i just ride , but have only got to single speed not tried fixie yet

 

[Theseus]

I used to have a speed computer and if I had recoreded a fast speed would bung it in a spreadsheet to work out the cadence.

Now I don't bother. I ride as fast or slow as I want/need/can and my feet flap accordingly.

 

[fossyant]

Yes - first thing I got for my fixed was a Cateye Double Wireless, and I know I can't spin much over 160. Did used to run out of RPM at about 31mph, but with the bigger gear, it's 33-34 mph now.

On the flat, I start running out of power vs RPM at about 110 rpm, but that's good enough for 24-25 mph, and just about enough to keep up with decent road bike riders.

Sad, I know ! Comfortable cadence is about 100

 

[PpPete]

On very rare occasions I've caculated it back from the max speed on the GPS. Not often I take the GPS on the fixed.
I've improved my maximum from 130 to 160 at spinning classes, not sure that I'm really ready for 160 on the road though.

 

[GrasB]

you don't need a cadence meter on a fixed gear just your road speed. so I don't bother my self. That said I know I'm hitting low-170s on 175mm cranks & I'm producing some power at that kind of cadence.

 

[bonker]

Ha ha. I thought it was just me. I put a Cateye Double on my fixed to watch the cadence. I bought it for my son for use on the turbo. Only thing is once I get above 130ish I'm too scared to look away from the road so never see my max. You are right though, it clutters up the bike unnecessarily, it's coming off.

 

[totallyfixed]

Once you know what speed on your bike equals what cadence, no need to look any more. I know I have to hit 45mph to better my max leg speed but I won't be doing that any time soon.

 

[Roadrunner78]

My max is 150 thus far. I check my max speed on my cycle computer then use this. You just need your gear ratio & top speed.

http://www.machars.net/1-bikecalc.htm

 

[Farky]

I'm one of the stupid ones although I do tell myself that it's a speed sensor as well and I also like the fact it now keeps track of your pedal strokes...having said that, I did buy the speed and cadence sensor before that was available

 

[dellzeqq]

Those of us who've seen fixedwheelnut (aka Steve A) descend Reigate Hill will know that anything under 198 just isn't worth bothering about.

(He went up Ditchling later in the morning)