bonker
Reged: 17/09/2008
Posts: 4
|
|
I've got a fixed which I have been commuting on for a couple on months. On my normal bike I usually start taking in hills to mix things up and get a bit fitter. I have a 12-13mile commuted each way but can stretch that to 16 miles of hills if I want.
I started riding fixed to improve my pedalling actions. I also occassionally used to get a sore right knee which I don't on a fixed but do on my knackered old winter bike.
Anyone have any thoughts on the wisdom of riding hills on a fixed?
|
tvrbird
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 1135
Loc: slumped over the keyboard
|
|
What gearing do you have? And how hilly? On 44/16 my commute - usually between 13 and 20 miles, with a handful of short and sharp hills and one longer, softer climb - is pretty comfortable. I too have dodgy knees but never have an issue on my fixie. Allowing yourself to get out of the saddle occasionally helps, in fact after a while it starts to feel like the bike is doing some of the work. But maybe I'm just imagining that. The only real issue I have found with riding hills on a fixed is the moment when you concede defeat on something steep is pretty tricky to negotiate because of the whole can't-stop-pedalling-while-unclipping-going-too-slowly-to-stay-upright moment. And starting off again, ditto. 
--------------------
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger - Friedrich Nietzsche (German Hill Climb Champion and sub-19 man)
|
bonker
Reged: 17/09/2008
Posts: 4
|
|
I think it's a 42/17. It's a Giant Bowery off the peg.
Hills are in the Epsom Downs, Box Hill Mickleham area so over 15 miles or so there's about 400m of climbing.
There's a real killer between Box Hill and Polsden lacey which must be close to a 1:4 in places.I realsie I might be defeated just wondered if it was a good idea to try.
|
bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2286
|
|
Oh no, someone said 'fixie' - it will cause anger!!!
Riding hills on my s/s has definately made me a stronger climber - no question. You shouldnt be scared od trying even the steepest slopes provided you pace yourself right. Its like a weights work out whilst still on the bike, aaaah heaven!
|
scm
Reged: 24/06/2006
Posts: 1735
|
|
Quote:
Oh no, someone said 'fixie' - it will cause anger!!!
But she's a fixie chick! 
|
bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
|
|
Ah the joy of riding a "fixie" with a "Campy" crank fitted on a beautiful classic Colnago frame with Shimano dura ace calipers, sora hubs and a nice Halfords whale tail crud guard listening to Phil Collins on an i-pod in busy traffic while wearing full Discovery team kit..including the team pedals at night with no lights....oh I can hear some readers growing horns from here and many will wake in the wee small hours in a cold sweat thinking the world has ended  !!! 
--------------------
I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
|
bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2286
|
|
But phil collins ? That was a bit much dont you think???
|
tvrbird
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 1135
Loc: slumped over the keyboard
|
|
Forum elders - I have been righteously punished for my sin of calling my beloved fixed 'fixie'....riding home from work tonight the freehub on Bunchy gave up so I had to ride 9 miles as if it was a fixed gear bicycle.
--------------------
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger - Friedrich Nietzsche (German Hill Climb Champion and sub-19 man)
|
bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2286
|
|
Struck by the devine wind of doom!
|
tvrbird
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 1135
Loc: slumped over the keyboard
|
|
Hoorah! The sun is shining this morning, I'm escaping for a quick spin and don't have time to dig out and reinstall my other wheels. OH NO, I'll HAVE to ride the carbon....
--------------------
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger - Friedrich Nietzsche (German Hill Climb Champion and sub-19 man)
|
bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
|
|
Me to...well half carbon...I'm poor!!!!
--------------------
I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
|
colnagodram
Reged: 06/04/2008
Posts: 769
Loc: Langholm, Dumfriesshire. 10 mi...
|
|
Sun is out here as well  ,at least I think that's what it is  , will have to let the breakfast settle(porridge with raisins)first  ,then be out on the Colnago  .Good forecast for to-morrow as well  , we'll wait and see!!
|
tvrbird
Reged: 21/06/2008
Posts: 1135
Loc: slumped over the keyboard
|
|
Porridge with cranberries - raisins are too sweet
--------------------
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger - Friedrich Nietzsche (German Hill Climb Champion and sub-19 man)
|
rover1971
Reged: 09/06/2008
Posts: 349
Loc: Aberdeen, Scotland
|
|
I normally ride a 48x17 fixed or 48x18 singlespeed, but I tend to use biggish gears so that might be too much for a beginner.
But yeah, riding fixed in the hills is a great idea and you will feel the benefit of it when you go back to your geared bike in the spring!
--------------------
Former Deeside Thistle loon!
|
bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
|
|
Quote:
Hoorah! The sun is shining this morning, I'm escaping for a quick spin and don't have time to dig out and reinstall my other wheels. OH NO, I'll HAVE to ride the carbon....
...and empty your P.M box!!!!
--------------------
I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
|
colnagodram
Reged: 06/04/2008
Posts: 769
Loc: Langholm, Dumfriesshire. 10 mi...
|
|
Quote:
Porridge with cranberries - raisins are too sweet
Will try that sometime , got 45 miles in to-day ,first in a long time 25 into the wind ,last 20 with but hilly , tender calf muscle now
|
bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 3653
Loc: Sticks ,Scotlandshire
|
|
It was a bit windy up here today wasn't it!! tomorrow is meant to be calmer, wind today, hills tommorrow...perfect!!!
--------------------
I now accept PAYPAL!!!!
|
eric09
Reged: 14/11/2007
Posts: 675
Loc: Doc Fuentes' lab
|
|
When I first rode the fixed on the hills I was petrified, but I found that the momentum you build up prior to the hill carries through much better than a geared bike, it was really great and surprisingly fun!
|
colnagodram
Reged: 06/04/2008
Posts: 769
Loc: Langholm, Dumfriesshire. 10 mi...
|
|
Quote:
It was a bit windy up here today wasn't it!! tomorrow is meant to be calmer, wind today, hills tommorrow...perfect!!!
Got a hilly 33 miler in yesterday(Sun.) not used to this in November 2 good days in a row!!!
|
parttime_shifter
Reged: 24/04/2008
Posts: 68
Loc: east kent
|
|
When you say fixed do you mean you cant stop pedling ...that would be strange !!
--------------------
Its not that I cant spell Im dislecsic !
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
