Triathlon - Fixed Tri, Anyone?

I've been riding a fixed gear most of the winter, mostly for commuting and rain training, and I'm absolutely loving it. My spin is smoother and faster than ever and the fixie feels light and fast even with relatively heavy and non-aerodynamic Open Pros.

So I'm thinking about doing a relatively flat Olympic distance tri this summer on the fixie.

Has anyone else done a tri fixed? If so, were you just showing off, or did you find any advantage?

thought about it for chicago last year, but then the wind on the lakeshore drive made me think otherwise....i didn't like the idea of hitting a 10-15mph head wind and having nowhere to go :)

mashing through that would have left nothing in my legs for the run

good luck and let us know if you do it

what is a fixed tri?

you'll get your ass kicked.

Ya, you wont be able to spin out for the last 2-3kms of the bike to get your legs ready for the run. I think that your legs will cramp up on the run.
Though this is all speculation. Do some brick training and find out.

Man, I wouldn't if I were you, bu I'm not... :)

Like Batman said, I really like spinning out for a few minutes before I head off on a run!

Good luck if you decide to try to pull it off.

Man, I wouldn't if I were you, bu I'm not... :)

Like Batman said, I really like spinning out for a few minutes before I head off on a run!

Good luck if you decide to try to pull it off.


Check this out if you haven't already!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/giro05/tech/?id=wilier

I thought it was really neat. Of course this was only for a very short drag race, not a longer time trial like you tri guys do.

Cheers

Dave

If you're not looking to place I'm sure it could be done, but the run will cripple you. Why not train on the fixie right up to the race, then switch over to the geared bike and set a PR? I love training on mine, and the bricks are killer after riding the fixed, but I can't imagine doing it with all the adrenaline of race-day. But do let us know how it turns out if you decide to try it!

I used to MTB in Phoenix with a guy who rode a fixed on occasion. It was brutal watching him crank up some of the hills we rode. Even more brutal watching him toss his cookies on the side of the trail once he reached the top! He was a glutton for punishment. I think IF I did it, I would be thinking sprint or supersprint. Good luck and post if you do it!

man, Now I want a fixed to do a tri-a-tri(like only a 10km ride)...would be fun to try.

That Willier is amazing. Now that's what I'm talking about!

I appreciate all the responses, which I can sum up as "Oh, no! You're nuts! But YOU try it and let us know how it goes...." :)

nicely put....cause basically the rest of us don't have the b*lls :)

I think it would be neat for you to try if the course was relatively flat and not too windy. I'm sure you would get a lot of comments after the bike leg - you'd be cooler than those folks on $10,000 machines, I'm sure.

Let us know what you decide to do. It probably wouldn't cost too much if you had a well-fitting road frame with horizontal dropouts, otherwise, you could always pick up a frame and bolt much of your existing equipment to give it a shot. This sounds pretty neat, I hope someone has a go of it soon!

So my vote is - give it a shot, what's the worst that could happen?

Cheers

Dave

Well, I think I might just have to, just to see what it's like. I'm not likely to podium anyway, not without a body transplant.

As Dylan said, When you got nothin', you got nothin' to lose!

I was actually popping in to ask a similar question. I am going to tri-a-tri in 9 weeks, and was wondering if anyone had ever done a short tri on single speed or fixed. I have a pretty fast single speed bike, and the course is basically flat, so I can figure out my pace, choose my cog size, and I'll be set.

From what I've read, the disadvantage to this is that I can't spin out the last few minutes to get ready for the run.

Riding a geared bike is not an option, as I don't own one. It's only a 10 mile ride anyway, so I could basically do it on beach cruiser if I wanted. That would actually be kinda cool...

I think a flat 10 miler would be perfect for a fixie. What gearing are you thinking of?

Actually, the first poster is interested in fixie, I'm prolly going single speed.

My gearing right now is 42/17, which is a gain ratio of 4.9, gear inches=65. This translates to 15-16mph at 80rpm, which is my usual around town casual riding speed (I have a short commute on this bike, no racks/etc.).

I was thinking about moving up to the big chainring anyway, so that would be 52/17, GR=6.0, GI=80.4, and 19.1mph at 80rpm, 24mph at 100rpm. I think I would be pretty comfortable riding 10 miles in the 80-100rpm range, probably even higher. I should get out and test that though. In fact, I'll probably do that in the next couple days and report back...

Actually, the first poster is interested in fixie, I'm prolly going single speed.

My gearing right now is 42/17, which is a gain ratio of 4.9, gear inches=65. This translates to 15-16mph at 80rpm, which is my usual around town casual riding speed (I have a short commute on this bike, no racks/etc.).

I was thinking about moving up to the big chainring anyway, so that would be 52/17, GR=6.0, GI=80.4, and 19.1mph at 80rpm, 24mph at 100rpm. I think I would be pretty comfortable riding 10 miles in the 80-100rpm range, probably even higher. I should get out and test that though. In fact, I'll probably do that in the next couple days and report back...

Ummmm, yeah. Well the OP is nuts so I'd just disregard him anyway.

I haven't seen any fixies at Triathlons!

Though like the Wilier, in TT's fixed bikes have been used! This photo is of New Zealander Peter Latham racing in the Mens 40km TT, at the Commonwealth games in Melbourne last Month. He is riding a BT track frame with front brake...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/mar06/commgames06/index.php?id=men_road_tt/DSC_8315

I saw a few last year at the Carlsbad Tri. But let me add that it was San Diego, after all, and the people riding them were also wearing grass skirts and leis...

Hell yeah, do it. Tri's used to be about having fun and challenging yourself, not slavishly following the crowd. Leave the wetsuit at home, ride the fixed, and have fun! Don't count on winning though.

Actually, the first poster is interested in fixie, I'm prolly going single speed.

My gearing right now is 42/17, which is a gain ratio of 4.9, gear inches=65. This translates to 15-16mph at 80rpm, which is my usual around town casual riding speed (I have a short commute on this bike, no racks/etc.).

I was thinking about moving up to the big chainring anyway, so that would be 52/17, GR=6.0, GI=80.4, and 19.1mph at 80rpm, 24mph at 100rpm. I think I would be pretty comfortable riding 10 miles in the 80-100rpm range, probably even higher. I should get out and test that though. In fact, I'll probably do that in the next couple days and report back...


This is my report back: the axle bolt broke last night, leaving half a bolt in the bottom bracket axle. I'll have to test this out later...

Ummmm, yeah. Well the OP is nuts so I'd just disregard him anyway.

Ok, I deserved that :)

better check out the race rules and if it's a USAT sactioned race, they're pretty clear on bike specs and you can get DQed for only having 1 or no brakes.

on another note, there was a guy a few years back who did IM lake placid on a 3 speed with a bananna seat, cutoffs, a wife beater and chuck taylors (white on the bike, black on the run).

My fixie has both brakes.