Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixie Time Trial?

Have any of y'all ever done one of these?

Our local FG boutique shop is putting on a TT that is open to FG riders only. Like most TTs, it's a basically flat course. Not sure the total distance yet, though.

Anyways, what gear would you run? I keep my track bike at 49/18 b/c Austin is pretty hilly, but I'm thinking I might want to gear up for this time trial. What would you guys run?

EDIT: I've never done a TT, period, let alone fixed. Any other advice would be appreciated. I guess you just try and stay aero the whole time?

i just rode 52/15 in a triathlon, on a SS. During the race, i felt i could have gone higher, but i probably could have pedaled faster too ;)

go as high as you feel comfortable.

I'd love this. And as an amazing coincidence, I was just building up my old Trek 660 as a FG TT machine. I'm going to go 52x16 or 15, I'll see how it goes.

Is this going to be a Merckx-style TT, where no aero equipment is allowed? Or can you do aerobars and such?

No, AFAIK you can use any aero equipment you want; there is only one rule: no freewheels.

I'm going to be on my NJS bike, so track drops will have to do as the only bullhorns I have are a 26mm clamp. But I think as long as I stay in the drops, I will be relatively aero. I will be using my road clipless and wearing a kit, and I might be able to borrow my friend's TT helmet.

Right now I have a 49t chainring, so I'm thinking a 14t cog would be good. I would have to buy it, though. I do have a 13t cog, but do you guys think 49/13 would be TOO big? I've never ran a gear that large on my FG...

If its on a closed course and you have the fitness I think 49/14 would be about ideal. Most moderate level track racers run something similar on longer races. Also I think you would be better off buying a different stem and swapping it out with the bullhorns. Its much nicer feeling on your back/abs/theighs/etc and will help you get into a more aero possition.

For the state track pursuits here, I rode much better times with a pair of crappy short bullhorns and a goofy heavy block stem, than I did with my really nice drops and stem.

Play around with different combinations here: http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html

I like this better than Sheldon's gear calculator for FG/SS because it allows you to click and immediately see your speed at different cadences.

For a closed course its much more about how long can you hold a set cadence than speed. If its an open or turn-filled course spped matters a bit more. Any info on the route, PedallingATX.

And if you want to have even more info to dork out over. FixedGearFever(the best track racing forum/site around) has a gear calculator that figures in average speeds and times including a standing start. The other one listed assumes a set cadence/speed with no change(such as accelerating up to speed. Its here http://www.fixedgearfever.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=1 then download The Ultimate Gear Spreadsheet

My local velodrome limits gear inches. If you limited gear inches to 82, allowed anything except freewheels and derailleurs you'd find most just stuck tri bars on their track bikes and hammered.

It would be a nearly "engine only" race if you limited the gear inches. The prize should be some lame collector place or silver tea set plate, call it the "restrictor plate". Nascar fans will get what I mean.

after looking at that chart, I think I might just go with 49/15. After all, this is kind of a "renegade" TT (read: not a closed off course) so there is a possibility that I won't be able to blow through every single stop sign...

I'll see if I can borrow a quill bullhorn setup from one of my friends.

i prefer this, no applets or javascript to get in the way. print it out for the garage
http://www.aboc.com.au/tips-and-hints/track-bike-gear-chart


After all, this is kind of a "renegade" TT (read: not a closed off course) so there is a possibility that I won't be able to blow through every single stop sign...
that makes a HUGE difference for gearing. forget what i said about going high ;) I ride 48/15 on my commuter and it's good enough to go fast with traffic but doesn't hurt my knees at the frequent stoplights

Even if you dont normally ride full brakes, front and rear will help since youll want to be able to top on speed, you will want as quick of stopping as possible.

How long is the course? I'd say 48/14, 49/14, or 49/15 would be good for some of the flatter parts of Austin.

Also, Kayce is right about the brakes. Having them/one will allow you to run higher gear inches and still be able to slow down quickly for stops and what-not. It'll save you some energy in your legs too, since you won't need to use them to slow down/stop.

How about aero-bars? If you've used them before and know how to use them and are comfortable using them, go for it. Otherwise, stick with what you're used to.

With it being an open course this wont run like a time trial at all. It will run more like an alley cat with only one check point. No need for aero equipment.

The route is a 8.5 mile loop through Austin's flattest area. Pretty low traffic, probably a dozen stop signs in total, all of them runable to varying degrees. Though this TT is happening at 6:30 on a Friday night...

I would run brakes if I could, but my bike is an NJS track frame, so it's not drilled.

Honestly, I don't know what to expect. I know most the ppl who will participate, though, and I think I have a decent shot at winning this thing.

I'll let y'all know how it goes

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?663216-Fixed-gear-TT-ing-is-AWESOME! (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?663216-Fixed-gear-TT-ing-is-AWESOME%21)

We had a Fixed Gear only Team TT last week in LA, and as far as gearing goes i don't think any one exceeded 82 Gi, I mean it is an unsanctioned race and you are riding in the street brakeless im sure everyone esle will be using street gearing as well(unless you all have some massive legs). 49/15 seems way to high tbh. Then again i've never ridden in tx so i have no idea how traffic/streets are out there :).

That was Lord Of Griffith right? I wish I could have gone

when is this??

if it was flat the most I'd run is 49/16. I'd heave, spit and potentially puke too.

fixed TT

http://www.fixedwheel.co.uk/index.htm

That was Lord Of Griffith right? I wish I could have gone
Nah, that was 2 weeks ago. I wasn't able to go either, but heres the vid of it http://vimeo.com/14225311
This was the TThttp://strykerlosangeles.com/blog/

yeah, the more I think about it, the more i wish i had a 16t cog. Buttt, I only have a 15, so that will have to do. Plus side is that I ride this road 3-4 times a week, so I know where all the stop signs are and stuff. But 85.8GI is the highest i've ever ran brakeless...

It's either that or an 18t cog, which seems too low to keep up a decent pace.

Craig--meet at 630 at the capitol. race starts/finishes at 35th and Shoal Creek. Fast Folks FB page for more info

ah, blast not having a car/road bike anymore. im stuck in san marcos at school. sounds fun though.

Doing a TT on public road with traffic seems like a terrible idea. Stay safe!

sounds like a blast,

what's the grand prize??? kiss from a sexy woman?

I finished 2nd place

course was 8.56 miles
I finished in 20 minutes and 10 seconds
averaging 25.4mph
profit: $20

Course had 2 stop signs, 2 lights and 3 turns

Nice! congrats man, I wish my LBS would do those kind of events.

sick! i need to get a fixie again, FF is doing a lot of cool stuff that i want to get in on haha.

yeah, this shop is our local "fixie boutique." But they are a fixie-ish in a good way as in they put on lots of events, etc. They aren't snobby or anything. In fact, compared to some of the triathlon/roadie shops in Austin, Fast Folks is very friendly.

also, craig, i have a bianchi frame u can have for cheap if u want to make a conversion. it's black w/ celeste lettering

do 52x15 or equivalent.

I'm about to take this out to check out the fitment. 43x14 now, but I'll probably go 52x15.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/Bikes/fgtt.jpg

that looks like a lot of fun. I had a blast during my TT...way more fun than crit or road racing, IMO. I'd love to do a proper time trial...

we have a weekly closed road freebie if youre ever in philadelphia.

we have a weekly closed road freebie if youre ever in philadelphia.

that's sweet. I wish there were free races around here. Even our crits are $20, and road races/triathlons/time trials are way more than that...

I'm too poor for this sport. Can't wait till I'm on some cush student loans again...if only the bank knew they were really investing in the next Lance Armstrong and not the next Bill Kunstler...

I did my own little tt on my fixed today at our local park trail. 8 miles, pretty flat.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7119/img20100905191240.jpg
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/1358/img20100905192426.jpg
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/4050/img20100905191149.jpg

unrelated,
saw some guy on a pk ripper from bd and it looked pretty damn cool. I think I kinda want one. :haha:

the road forum did the following.

during a certain week, people post gps verification and overall time for 20 flat miles. the biggest liar is crowned.

we could do the same with the added requirement of having one speed.

pATX, 25mph avg including all the stops is some serious riding, good work. Did you use any aero equipment?

pATX, 25mph avg including all the stops is some serious riding, good work. Did you use any aero equipment?

Thanks, man. No aero equipment, just stayed in the drops the whole time. Also, I didn't exactly follow all traffic rules if you know what I'm saying, but I did have to slow down a lot before each light to make sure the intersection was clear before I ran through. Also, I do a lot of riding, so it's gratifying to see it pay off in actual competitions like this.

I really like the feel of doing time trials b/c you have no idea how you compare to anyone else until you're done. So the whole time you just push yourself as hard as you can with the theory being that there might only be a few seconds between you and the other guy. I find group races to be disheartening whenever you fall off and realize you're not going to win. Or, if you know you're going to win you get lazy (not that this ever happens to me haha)

Adriano--that would be sweet but how many of us have the ability to GPS verify our speed/distance? There's probably an app for my iPhone, but I don't have garmin or anything...

iMapmyride app.

for android and iphones!

I did my own little tt on my fixed today at our local park trail. 8 miles, pretty flat.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7119/img20100905191240.jpg
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/1358/img20100905192426.jpg
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/4050/img20100905191149.jpg

unrelated,
saw some guy on a pk ripper from bd and it looked pretty damn cool. I think I kinda want one. :haha:
What was your time?

16 miles. 57 minutes~ ish.

iMapmyride app.

for android and iphones!

i've used sportypal and mytacks, both wil get screwed up when riding downtown because of GPS signals bouncing off buildings. makes for some extreme "top speeds" being displayed