Comments on: Riding a Fixed Gear Bicycle Does Not Improve Pedal Stroke http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/ Training, nutrition, cycling, mountain biking, and racing advice for cyclists. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:40:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Why A Geared Bike Makes For Better Training Than a Fixed Gear http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-33749 Why A Geared Bike Makes For Better Training Than a Fixed Gear Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:24:46 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-33749 [...] already debunked the myth about fixed gear bikes improving pedal stroke, but everyone still thinks they are better for cadence and power development. Why? Because on the [...] [...] already debunked the myth about fixed gear bikes improving pedal stroke, but everyone still thinks they are better for cadence and power development. Why? Because on the [...]

]]> By: Another try at the "Biomechanical Evaluation of Pedalling Mechanics-Big Lance' thread - Page 17 http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-33731 Another try at the "Biomechanical Evaluation of Pedalling Mechanics-Big Lance' thread - Page 17 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:52:45 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-33731 [...] Evaluation of Pedalling Mechanics-Big Lance' thread check the comments on this article , Why Riding a Fixed Gear Bicycle Does Not Improve Your Pedal Stroke __________________ Anything is [...] [...] Evaluation of Pedalling Mechanics-Big Lance' thread check the comments on this article , Why Riding a Fixed Gear Bicycle Does Not Improve Your Pedal Stroke __________________ Anything is [...]

]]> By: Ted http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-33748 Ted Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:45:49 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-33748 This has been debated back and forth forever but i feel that riding fixed actually hurts your form because the cranks carry your leg through the dead spot at 12 and 6 o'clock. Over time this can cause you to get lazy. The original training-related justification for riding fixed in the offseason was to improve spin (the ability to pedal at high cadences), not to improve your pedal stroke. This has been debated back and forth forever but i feel that riding fixed actually hurts your form because the cranks carry your leg through the dead spot at 12 and 6 o’clock. Over time this can cause you to get lazy. The original training-related justification for riding fixed in the offseason was to improve spin (the ability to pedal at high cadences), not to improve your pedal stroke.

]]> By: How to Fit Single Speed and Fixed Gear Bike Riding into Offseason Training http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-28055 How to Fit Single Speed and Fixed Gear Bike Riding into Offseason Training Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:34:51 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-28055 [...] here for my explanation of why fixed gear bikes do not improve pedal [...] [...] here for my explanation of why fixed gear bikes do not improve pedal [...]

]]> By: Levi http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-28054 Levi Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:10:57 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-28054 @Kristian I did not mention cadence because this article is specifically about fixed gears and pedal stroke. Nothing else. And it's not an argument against fixed gear bikes - I have absolutely no problem with fixed gears. Nor do I have a problem with anyone riding a fixed gear if they have a good reason for it. If you haven't witnessed numerous people spouting off nonsense about fixed gears improving (i.e. smoothing) pedal stroke, you're lucky! It's those people and their invalid argument, not the bikes or the legitimate reasons for riding one, that I am arguing against. @Kristian

I did not mention cadence because this article is specifically about fixed gears and pedal stroke. Nothing else. And it’s not an argument against fixed gear bikes – I have absolutely no problem with fixed gears. Nor do I have a problem with anyone riding a fixed gear if they have a good reason for it.

If you haven’t witnessed numerous people spouting off nonsense about fixed gears improving (i.e. smoothing) pedal stroke, you’re lucky! It’s those people and their invalid argument, not the bikes or the legitimate reasons for riding one, that I am arguing against.

]]> By: Kristian Hansen http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-28052 Kristian Hansen Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:28:20 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-28052 Levi, I think you are missing the point regarding why coaches and riders have been referencing fixed gear riding for the off-season. Its not about the pedal stroke, its about the cadence. You did not use this word a single time in your argument against fixed gears. Its the fact that you are forced to pedal at higher revolutions for longer periods of time that wins the argument for increased usage of track or fixed gear bikes for training purposes, not pedal stroke as you reference. The more you train your legs for higher cadences, the more likely you are to pedal at higher a higher cadence during your road race. Muscle memory is the source for this theory. Levi,

I think you are missing the point regarding why coaches and riders have been referencing fixed gear riding for the off-season.

Its not about the pedal stroke, its about the cadence.

You did not use this word a single time in your argument against fixed gears. Its the fact that you are forced to pedal at higher revolutions for longer periods of time that wins the argument for increased usage of track or fixed gear bikes for training purposes, not pedal stroke as you reference.

The more you train your legs for higher cadences, the more likely you are to pedal at higher a higher cadence during your road race. Muscle memory is the source for this theory.

]]> By: Nathan http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-28048 Nathan Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:52:03 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-28048 more food for thought: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/fitness/article/training-get-your-fitness-fixed--18458?CPN=RSS&SOURCE=BRROADFIT the comments are worth reading. I personally have no opinion and won't have until I but a fixie... in about 9 months ;) more food for thought: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/fitness/article/training-get-your-fitness-fixed–18458?CPN=RSS&SOURCE=BRROADFIT

the comments are worth reading.

I personally have no opinion and won’t have until I but a fixie… in about 9 months ;)

]]> By: Bradly Fletchall http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-28047 Bradly Fletchall Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:50:53 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-28047 You need PowerCranks http://www.powercranks.com/v4pages/home-concept.htm Each leg is independant of the other, thus forcing you to work out the dead spots in your pedal stroke. I've used them, they are awesome You need PowerCranks

http://www.powercranks.com/v4pages/home-concept.htm

Each leg is independant of the other, thus forcing you to work out the dead spots in your pedal stroke. I’ve used them, they are awesome

]]> By: Matt Perry http://coachlevi.com/cycling/fixed-gear-bicycle-pedal-stroke/#comment-28046 Matt Perry Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:57:13 +0000 http://coachlevi.com/?p=3210#comment-28046 Your whole argument is that a fixed gear bike is doing the work not the rider? Nothing could be further from the truth. When you ride a fixed gear, you learn the negative consequences of letting yourself slow your legs down - its jolting to the legs and not very pleasant. You learn to instinctively avoid this unpleasant feeling by actively applying pressure to the pedals throughout the pedal stroke. At least that's how I've trained myself to ride... I NEVER apply back pressure or even let the pedals spin my legs. I rely on the brakes a lot! I have no idea how people survive riding fixies without brakes. Your whole argument is that a fixed gear bike is doing the work not the rider? Nothing could be further from the truth. When you ride a fixed gear, you learn the negative consequences of letting yourself slow your legs down – its jolting to the legs and not very pleasant. You learn to instinctively avoid this unpleasant feeling by actively applying pressure to the pedals throughout the pedal stroke. At least that’s how I’ve trained myself to ride… I NEVER apply back pressure or even let the pedals spin my legs. I rely on the brakes a lot! I have no idea how people survive riding fixies without brakes.

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