Run a fixie/ss at a tri?

[Hellbilly]

I've been thinking lately that tri bikes are all about the latest hi-technology, carbon fiber, aero components, etc.; and it got me thinking in the opposite direction--has anyone ever run a tri on a fixed gear/single speed bike? Or even thought about it?

Let the flame begin....

[Psydotek]

I'm going to do it on my fixed gear bike this december and next year in april. The courses are flat. :D

[and yes, i'm doing it because i wanna see how many people i can suprise when i pass them with a single gear]

The fixie has been getting the majority of my recreational ride miles lately and all i've gotta do is swap over the aerobars.

[Flak]

I saw a guy fly passed me on a fixie once.

It can be done, and i wish i was man enough to try...but alas im not :p

[Hellbilly]

I'm buying a fixie in the next few weeks, and originally it was for training and recreation. But the more I think about, the more I figure it might be fun to take it into the tri direction as well.

Personally, all of the $$$ and OCD around gear in triathlon gets tiresome. I'm much more interested in having fun and taking on different challenges within the tri format. A friend of mine and I joked about running it with beach cruisers with baskets (and you couldn't leave anything in the transition--it all goes in the basket).

[Edonis13]

if the course is flat i dont see a reason not to. if its hilly i wouldnt though. too much mashing will kill the legs for the run.

[celerystalksme]

when i was at my LBS shopping for a tri bike, the guy was telling me if the course is flat and you can find the right gearing for you...you can p0wn people on the cycling portion of a triathlon. he knew several local guys that have done that and DESTROYED the competition on the cervelo p3c's and their kuota's and felts and whatever other whiz-bang wonder people spent $5000 on.

alas...i need my tri bike...it's like a security blanket...i'm not skilled or ballzy enough to do the fixed/ss on a triathon! :(

[GrantParkerB]

I'm buying a fixie in the next few weeks, and originally it was for training and recreation. But the more I think about, the more I figure it might be fun to take it into the tri direction as well.

Personally, all of the $$$ and OCD around gear in triathlon gets tiresome. I'm much more interested in having fun and taking on different challenges within the tri format. A friend of mine and I joked about running it with beach cruisers with baskets (and you couldn't leave anything in the transition--it all goes in the basket).

Hahahaha Hellbilly, I thought I was the only one with the Tri Beach Cruiser Idea! You'd look like a badass even if it was on a flat sprint course! Somebody on here should do it and post pics when thier done! Cheers,

[cjbruin]

Did the beach cruiser thing in a Bud Light Tri when I was 17. It was the only bike I had...platform pedals and all. I even had that foam stuff on the handlebars to make them softer when you were riding with your girlfriend on the bars.

[Hellbilly]

Funny that I'm not the only one who's thought about racing a cruiser. Maybe I'll have to do it?!

I'm certainly thinking about using the fixed gear for my C priority races and training bricks, and I'm figuring on making sure my new fixie frame has more of a TT than trackish geo.

Anyone have recommendations on that note?

[Dalai]

I have'nt raced on my fixie, but it does appear to have a solid following in the UK.

A couple of examples here - http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=35323

[Treefox]

You would be 'that hardcore guy on the fixie.'

Go for it, if only to be able to say that you did.

There's a guy around here who does duathlons in a gorilla costume. He's 'that hardcore guy in the gorilla costume.'

[spinner]

Not sure if it was fixed, but I saw a guy do IM Canada on a single speed complete with tassles on the bars. Think it was 99 or 2000. Also saw another guy doing it on a mustang style bike complete with top tube stick shifter.

[Lachlan]

I almost did an Olympic with my Breezer folding bike, but I could find an airport case for it in time.

[rplong]

Fixie wouldn't be that big of a deal. I know a guy who does crits on single speeds, so anything is possible. Despite the obstacle of hills, single speed bikes are easier to ride because you don't have to think, just pedal and go fast.

Here is another idea for some of you who throw around the beach cruiser idea. I have thought about doing this, but not enough $$. If a tri is out of town, go there with no equipment needed for the event. Locate the nearest Wal-Mart, but the bike, swim suit, goggles, shoes, etc. and use them for the tri. Donate the stuff to people who probably need it more or the local Goodwill. I think you could do it for less than $150.

[GrantParkerB]

Another rad idea!

[andygates]

I did my first on a fixie. Span out, could've really used some bigger gears.

Under British Triathlon rules, they're not allowed. Check with your governing body before entering wacky bikes - mine was a "pretty please".

Next year, a pennyfarthing. :)

[Stallionforce]

If it's almost dead-flat, why not? You've probably got the advantage, actually. If it's got a minor hill in it somewhere you could probably still run a SS -- although I wouldn't run a fixie in such a situation because of the ridiculous waste of energy you'd suffer on the downhill, spinning out like a sewing machine.

[achiii]

I rode my fixie in a duathlon today. Third time Ive ridden fixed in a du or tri. Flattest course Ive seen, so i kicked ass on the bike portion. Though It did occur to me that I'd have done even better if I had checked out the course more beforehand and then swapped cogs. I could have turned a bigger gear.

[f.cabot]

I'll be doing the WIldflower Half-Ironman on a fixed langster.

[DDYTDY]

I did a Cross race fixed today. My friend rode a Langster fixed!

I just registered for the Duathalon in Wrentham Massachusetts on 4/20/2008. I'm going to ride my Bianchi Pista.

[ThrottleJock]

rrrrrr

I mean, I'm going to give it a try. Gearing up and going single speed (instead of fixed) though, I run an 81 inch gear now and that's not enough for the sort of pace I'd need to keep in a sprint triathlon, and spinning 170rpm down hills in "fixed mode" is counter-productive, it's faster to tuck and coast beyond a certain point. I'll keep you posted. :)

[Michelleleigh]

I did a couple of Century training rides on a SS in NYC that was great until we got to the hilly part of manhattan on the upper upper west side. There was one hill i had to walk up, and I consider myself a strong female cyclist.

As for a tri on a SS, if Chicago weren't an A race for me I'd definitely do it on a ss... it's incredibly flat, and with a pair of aerobars you could fly by the rest of the field. However I don't think I'd ever choose to do it fixed. I ride fixed for a commute, but I'd imagine a TT on a fixed is a totally different scenario - spinning a high cadence for 26 miles without being able to coast and then having to get off and run? I think my legs would turn to jello.

[Psydotek]

Well as mentioned in my previous post, i did do one in December last year. However it was a short reverse triathlon so the swim was last. I was flying by alot of people and i never got passed. :D Then again, all the people that could have passed me were already in front of me from the run which was first... :(

[oh, and getting a calf cramp on a fixed gear is NOT fun... passing people while pedaling with one leg is fun though.] :D

[caloso]

There's a race here in Sactown that's dead flat, save for an overpass. I think I'll throw the aerobars on the FG and gear up to 80 g.i. or so (normally I run 75 in the spring). It would be fun.

[caloso]

BTW, you need a front and rear brake.

[f1junkie]

Gave this link on another thread I believe - maybe this'll give you some ideas....

Cheers

Dave

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

[Law Rance]

I run a single speed in xterra races and all my local biathlons. I know quite a few people who do . no big deal really.

[Psydotek]

BTW, you need a front and rear brake.
Shhh... I've only got a front brake... The other brake lever is hooked up to a bell mounted in the vicinity of where the rear brake should be... :D

[The Hammer]

I did three sprints last year, and was amazed at how many cruisers I saw in the transition area! How about that guy who did RAAM last year on a SS!

[GrantParkerB]

The RAAM on a single speed, holy s*** lol!

-Grant