Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Which bike to take to a time trial tonight?

30 mile ride, 10 mile tt

Road bike: Totally dialed for comfort and speed. Has aero bars. Did a pb on the bike two weeks ago with allergies in full swing.

Fixie- Bike's comfort still at issue, not quite set up. 40-15 ratio, but can swap out cr to get a 42-15. Just put on moustache bars. Looks really cool. Special brownie points at tt for brining a fixie. Might be faster than road bike, but not if there is any wind. There might be wind.

I know opinions here might be just a little bit biased, but help me decide.

This really sounds like a no-brainer.
You wanna do a 30 mile ride, 10 mile tt on a bike where "comfort is still at issue?"

...and you're considering forgoing a road bike that you've already gotten a PB on, which is equipped with aero bars, and can adjust gear ratios based on wind in favor of a converted fixed gear with mustache bars?

Bro, I'm all for fixed riding, I think it's great and all, but damn. Use the right tool for the job.

time trials can really suck when you're worried about pedal strike

Road bike.

Special brownie points at tt for brining a fixie. .
How are these points awarded? Do you 'feel' them, do other stare and gossip?
Or is there actually a fixed gear results category for this race?

Al

If actual brownies were awarded for fixed gears, then I'd say go for it.

The fact that you are even asking the question means you should take the fix. You want to be stupid, just be stupid. Stupid awesome.

The course is very flat and straight.

What I wasn't thinking of though, is that while my fixed gear bike is quick, I'm not sure I can hold the speeds that I can hold on my road bike.

The time trial is a series that is every other Wednesday night throughout the summer.

And I think I took my bike in a different direction when I replaced the drop bars with moustache bars.

I've been racing in the local time trial series in Cincinnati on my fixed-gear, equipped with a 42-15 and bullhorns. The course is 10.2 rolling miles, with not much in the way of climbs, but just hilly enough to make gearing a deciding factor. I've been right at 27.05-27.35 on my fixed, with time being lost to spinout on the slight descents. I've got a 14 tooth cog I'm going to throw on and an aero bar setup to narrow my profile.

Yesterday my fixed-gear was out of commission, so I raced the course on my Redline Conquest CX bike. I got a 26.39. The best time of the day was a 24.50, set by a warhorse on a Felt TT bike with a complete aero setup.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that you can be pretty damn fast on a fixed. Go out and see what you can do.

How are these points awarded? Do you 'feel' them, do other stare and gossip?
Or is there actually a fixed gear results category for this race?

Al

They put "(fixed gear!)" next to your name on the results. The atmosphere is very laid back.

I also put the question to my first grade class that built and painted the bike. They said I should use the road bike. They're not experts, but they do know the mechanical differences between the two bikes.

They put "(fixed gear!)" next to your name on the results. The atmosphere is very laid back.
I decided my vote after seeing this. Definitely fixed gear, with the 42 on front.
Al

time trials can really suck when you're worried about pedal strike

Yep. Unless it's flat and straight, bring the gears.

time trials can really suck when you're worried about pedal strike

I've never seen a time trial, even a TdF TT, that had cornering so sharp that one had to worry about pedal strike. Unless the TT you're racing is in the middle of the city or on a criterium-like course (which I doubt), then I wouldn't worry much about hitting your pedals on the ground while doing some wacky cornering.

Anyway, whatcha gonna do?

Anyway, whatcha gonna do?

I took the road bike. It was a little breezy and it's a good thing I did. My speed going out was around 17, but coming back in I was hitting 26 mph, which I don't think I can do in a fixed gear. I actually even used the big ring. Later this summer, I might try using the fixed gear just for fun if it's really calm one night.

Put the aero bars on the fix and ride it. When you take off the moustache bars, do the right thing and take them to one of those metal recycling yards. (what are they called in English?)

Edit: too late.