One-speed cycling

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2017-10-17 9:07 PM

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Extreme Veteran
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50010025
The Redlands, QLD, Australia
Subject: One-speed cycling
Hi guys.

Wondering if anyone has either tried training on or rides a fixie or one-speed bike.


I've been riding my road bike as a one speed for a couple of months as I get back into cycling and noticed some good improvement. I got the idea after remembering my time in London and seeing how powerful the fixie riding couriers were.

I basically just select a gear for the whole ride and stick with it on the flats and up and down hills. On the flats my cadence would have to be about 50-60 i think. I try to ride 4-5 times a week with 2-3 really easy (trying to keep hr less than 120hr for a 35k ride) and twice a week a bit faster with about half a dozen all out smashes, usually up hills.

In about 10 weeks I've went from 1st gear with an average of 20.5kmh to 10th (on a 13-29. Waiting on a 11-25 to arrive) with an average of 25kmh. Same hr. Still feel like there's a lot more improvement in there too. And 25kmh feels really easy now whereas about 18 months ago I felt like it was a hardish effort.

My plan is to get to the 11 of the 11-25 and then just start spinning faster.



Edited by pipsyboy 2017-10-17 9:15 PM

2017-10-18 6:01 AM
in reply to: pipsyboy

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Expert
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Floriduh
Subject: RE: One-speed cycling
Interesting approach to bike training, but i've never heard anyone do this before. If you have a cadence of 50-60 on the flats, what is your cadence on a moderate uphill? I'm afraid it might be a bit low.
2017-10-18 6:50 AM
in reply to: pipsyboy

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Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: One-speed cycling

My only MTB is a single speed monster-crosser that I use mainly at work during my lunchtime rides. So far this year that represents almost 40% of my riding time (I track time rather than distance). There really aren't anything I'd consider a "hill" on the work site, and nothing really steep, so I can get away with a gear that I spin out at around 18-19mph on flat pavement. For simplicity, it's great. The whole reason I do it is that I want to have very little to go wrong on these rides so that I'm back at my desk on time. I've done both single speed and fixie on the road, and consider it a novelty and a way to make sure I keep a low output more than a regular training regimen.

YMMV, obviously.

2017-10-18 3:58 PM
in reply to: Oysterboy

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Extreme Veteran
633
50010025
The Redlands, QLD, Australia
Subject: RE: One-speed cycling
Originally posted by Oysterboy

Interesting approach to bike training, but i've never heard anyone do this before. If you have a cadence of 50-60 on the flats, what is your cadence on a moderate uphill? I'm afraid it might be a bit low.


Yeah, pretty low.
2017-10-19 11:01 PM
in reply to: #5229804

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Veteran
720
500100100
Aurora, Illinois
Subject: RE: One-speed cycling
I use a fixie mountainbike for commuting to the train station (7 miles each way) for work.

Good workout but not sure it makes a difference in overall training.

Tony
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www.endorphinhub.com
2017-10-20 6:44 PM
in reply to: pipsyboy

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Pro
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Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: One-speed cycling

I do winter training and races in the velodrome, so yeah, but probably not what you are looking for.

I do know people who train on a fixie during the winter, but I think they usually use an easier gear and spin more.

 

2017-10-25 4:10 AM
in reply to: pipsyboy

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60
2525
Lierskogen, Buskerud
Subject: RE: One-speed cycling
I ride a rigid 29er singlespeed more than I ride my "race" mtb. I love the simplicity, and when I climb on my road bike, I 'feel' stronger, so I think there's a benefit for sure. I've raced it a fair bit too, and it's a real treat when you pass someone on it

So, in answer to your question, I do incorporate it for my training, but it's not the only riding I do. All my road riding is done on a geared bike, for example.
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