Quote:
Originally Posted by fizzwheel
I dont think there is one. It has lots of disadvantages, single gear, hill climbing is a bitch, descending is well heart stoppping to say the least.
What I have found is that it makes me think about my pedalling technique and applying equal pressure on upward and downward pedal strokes. Also when you get the gear spinning, the rear wheel acts like a flywheel and pushes you along on the flat so you get the benefit from that to.
I think though its more of a fashion thing.
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Fizz is nearly there.
Riding fixed is supposed to smooth out your pedalling. So instead of pedalling in squares, you pedal for the whole rotation of the crank.
Edit: Teaches your legs to ride small gears, which should keep your leg muscles supple. The French term is 'Souplese' I think.
Armstrong learnt to use smaller gears after his cancer, so his cadence was higher, but keeping the same road speed. Compare him and Ulrich in the mountains, Ulrich always trying to mash a big gear up the mountains. Armstrong dacing along in a much smaller gear. Same in the time trials.
Most hill climb competions are riden on fixed, as you power up the climb, plus you save so much weight by junking the gears. Although fixed won't be used for long hill climb races.