Silly STRAVA Racing

[Rob3rt]

Besides the weight saving (minimal) why would fixed be superior to geared? How many hills are you going to find the exact cadence that is required to suit your efficiency?? Even if the hill/climb was the same all the way up, why wouldn't one just ride a geared bike in one gear?

IMO fixed is a preference for the purist. It can have very little benefit regarding VAM.

Because your momentum on a fixed gear bikes carries the cranks through the dead spot at the top of the pedal stroke.

It doesn't need to be a big benefit, just enough to pip the competition. On a 3-4 minute climb like the rake, the time gaps are not going to be very large!

 

[potsy]

I have a feeling I won't be on top for long - I knocked Potsy's work colleague off top spot - I'm sure he'll get it back !

Luckily for you he's away this week, it might not get noticed

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Because your momentum on a fixed gear bikes carries the cranks through the dead spot at the top of the pedal stroke.

It doesn't need to be a big benefit, just enough to pip the competition. On a 3-4 minute climb like the rake, the time gaps are not going to be very large!

I'll take your word for it. Sounds a reasonable explanation though as you say, maybe not a huge benefit.
I personally don't ride any events where fixed would help me anyway. The concept has raised my eyebrow a few times but i could not have another bike without needing another missus.

 

[VamP]

Besides the weight saving (minimal) why would fixed be superior to geared?

A lot of the hill climbing specials are pared down to the barest minimum - 10/11 lbs - the prospect of knocking another 200-300 grams will be tempting to all weight weenies.

Actual impact? Marginally significant.

Which makes it good enough reason by itself.

 

[Rob3rt]

VamP also has a point, this is not normal weight weenie stuff, this is taken to the extreme by HC specialists, their bikes simply aren't even roadworthy in many cases.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EDyLObj8W1U

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

The last thing I would ever do is use Strava - I suffer enough from depression already - but I know it's very popular. I was wondering whether any of you strava-masochists have tried using RitMO yet as an encouragement/training aid and whether it's been useful to them.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

A lot of the hill climbing specials are pared down to the barest minimum - 10/11 lbs - the prospect of knocking another 200-300 grams will be tempting to all weight weenies.

Actual impact? Marginally significant.

Which makes it good enough reason by itself.

Just become uber anorexic, ride a lightweight BMX and ride fixed then. That way you are sorted for any hill up to a mile long.

I prefer longer distance stuff anyway, as i am sure most do. I'd probably get my behind handed to me on a super steep hill climb challenge. Maybe............

 

[Hacienda71]

Just become uber anorexic, ride a lightweight BMX and ride fixed then. That way you are sorted for any hill up to a mile long.

I prefer longer distance stuff anyway, as i am sure most do. I'd probably get my behind handed to me on a super steep hill climb challenge. Maybe............

Yep @400bhp always gets the better of me on the super steep climbs and he isn't the quickest..............

 

[Mapster1989]

At the end of the day does it really matter? Fixed, gears, Strava or no strava?

Just ride the damn thing and then next time just make sure you ride the damn thing a little quicker!

 

[400bhp]

Yep @400bhp always gets the better of me on the super steep climbs and he isn't the quickest..............

That "@" thingy isn't working again?

You just need to drop a few stonespounds

 

[400bhp]

At the end of the day does it really matter? Fixed, gears, Strava or no strava?

Just ride the damn thing and then next time just make sure you ride the damn thing a little quicker!

EXACTLY.

Just a bit of cycle snobbery poking its ugly head a little earlier.

 

[Rob3rt]

At the end of the day does it really matter? Fixed, gears, Strava or no strava?

Just ride the damn thing and then next time just make sure you ride the damn thing a little quicker!

No it doesn't but if we don't argue about this, we will only argue about something else.

 

[Sittingduck]

No it doesn't but if we don't argue about this, we will only argue about something else.

Oh no we wouldn't!

 

[400bhp]

Oh no we wouldn't!

Yeah, shurrup you loser.

 

[HLaB]

Besides the weight saving (minimal) why would fixed be superior to geared? How many hills are you going to find the exact cadence that is required to suit your efficiency?? Even if the hill/climb was the same all the way up, why wouldn't one just ride a geared bike in one gear?

IMO fixed is a preference for the purist. It can have very little benefit regarding VAM.

Its not just the weight saving (although to some hill tt'ers its important, lol somebody posted up a good vid a while back ) but its also the better chain line which allows for a more efficient power transfer, the in built inertia and theres probably other things too, why on earth otherwise would champion hill climbers choose it