samzy

Hi guys, I'm a total newbie to fixies.

Long story short, I started to look at fixies because I have bad knees. I read articles such as this one: https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-knees.html and the idea stuck in my head that maybe riding a fixie might solve my knee problem. For the record, my knees feel really weak, like they can't really support my weight. Also, my kneecaps kind of face outwards, and when I squat they kind of roll to the side, something like this: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management...topic-overview. A physio who trains at my training place diagnosed me as having patellar tracking disorder as well, if that helps.

Yesterday, during training, my partner accidentally came into contact with the outside of my right knee. There was a "pop" sound and the pain was excruiciating. After icing it, I went to see a medical officer in my camp (We Singaporeans have mandatory army national service for 2 years), and after a lot of moderate pulling, pushing and palpation he said that he was pretty sure that I hadn't torn my ACL or my MCL, but that I had strained it my MCL and probably my meniscus pretty badly, which was in line with the moderate swelling I had around my knee and a somewhat limited range of painless motion.

I'm quite sick and tired of having all these knee problems TBH, and I'm hoping to be able to recover and strengthen my knee(s) through fun exercise. I used to mash pedals on MTBs, but I have never heard of actually spinning gears until recently when I started my fixie research.

So can someone kindly explain to me if riding fixed will strengthen your legs and knees, and if so what is the proper way to ride/spin?

Thanks a lot guys, and sorry for the long wall of text.

Jared.

No exercise can strengthen your ligaments. You can only strengthen the muscles around your knee. In addition to that you may want to get an MRI if that is a possibility for you. Typically even orthopedic specialists cannot determine whether you have torn ligaments without an MRI.

Cycling will strengthen your legs, but riding fixed doesn't seem to gain any specific advantages for the rider in that area.

samzy

Oh.....I was under the impression that fixies provide more of a challenge since you can't coast, and that the lower gear ratio meant spinning the wheels, which would be way better at building the knee up than mashing.

bmontgomery87

It's worth a shot. Worst case you're going to discover a new hobbie, spend a few grand, and get in better shape.

Having a lower ratio should be fine for your knees. I know if I try to skid with a high ratio my knees don't exactly feel great afterward.

I'm also quite positive that exercise can strengthen tendons and ligaments over time. That's how athletes adapt to being able to handle loads.

samzy

Yeah that was my idea as well, I was actually considering the Supreme Lo from Throne Bikes.

However, I'm going to university soon and I'm not sure if I'll have the time to be able to cycle regularly. Besides, I haven't been able to find conclusive evidence that riding fixed and spinning your gears gives tangible benefits to leg and joint strength, but I've found a lot of naysayers who talk about how going without the ability to coast will damage your joints, etc etc. I'm pretty leery on buying something that in the end turns out to be the opposite of what I expected it to be I don't want to buy a fixie, find out that it actually puts more stain on my knees and then have to sell it.

That's actually why I decided to ask around on this forum, since the only credible and positive article about fixies that I've found seems to be Sheldon Brown's webpage.

bmontgomery87

I can't say without a doubt that it will improve your knee health.
But I can say, that the inability to coast is not going to be "bad for your knees".

Yes, if you ride a century you're going to be sore from pedaling constantly, but riding around town it won't be an issue.

samzy

So it all just comes down to price and preference?

bones_mcbones

Is that even true?

Sounds like op needs a full rehab regiment. Fixie alone ain't going to do ****.

bmontgomery87

IMO yes. If your main concern is fixing your knee, see a good doctor and start physical therapy.
If you want something fun to do that will keep you in shape and may improve your knee health, hunt down a bike you like and ride it.

Phil_gretz

Sounds like you need a regimen of supervised physical therapy from qualified and properly equipped therapists, possibly affiliated with an orthopedic surgical team. They would be the type of folks who help athletes recover full strength after undergoing surgery.

They'll need:
- qualified medical supervision
- diagnostic methods, including imaging and other equipment
- a program/plan tailored to your specific injury
- facilities where you can go for assisted/supervised therapy
- medical follow-up

Whether or not riding a bicycle is part of your program should be left up to the professionals. We can't help you on this or any other internet forum.

As someone who has had two back surgeries and numerous sports injuries over the years, that'd be my course of action for you. PG

bmontgomery87

No

jezmellors

Spinning is better than mashing, this is a universal truth that you can relate to riding any bike. If you want to spin all the time then a fixed or Single speed bike is not the best way to achieve it because of the slow-turning starts. Typically cruising around the town or neighbourhood on this kind of bike you will spend a significant proportion of your ride straining to gain speed whilst pulling away from the lights and at junctions. Better gear technique on a geared bike is the way to go.

hairnet

Fwiw the more dynamic sitting/standing/pushing/pulling mix up of riding and climbing on a fixed gear has been beneficial for my knees over the years. At times I have felt that the constant cadence and repetition on geared bikes has been worse for my knees when they do start to act up. Since I sold my FG and bought my SS mtb, my knees have been happy again. That said, the OP's condition sounds really bad and riding isn't going to fix it.

samzy

Hey guys, thanks for all the answers so far. I had overnight duty, and I've been regularly icing my MCL area since Wednesday, elevating my knee and doing small minute exercises to regain mobility. Surprisingly, I've almost fully regained my mobility and swelling has gone down, and I'm able to walk and use stairs without much effort.

I'm not really looking for speed, I'm more interested in good form to repair my knees and strengthen my legs/joints, and I'll probably use the fixie for commuting as well.

So the gist of all the comments seems to be that riding fixed doesn't have any significant benefits for your knees, nor does it have any actual detriments unless i start bunny-hopping/skidding or something, and that if my focus is on my knee I should go see a health-care professional instead?

Cute Boy Horse

Go to the hospital.

street_sweeper

from personal experience exercise when done properly will help stabilize and improve your joints. Now a large part of this is knowing your body pretty intimately and knowing what is good and what is bad for it and what corresponding exercises/movements are good and bad for it. That being said if you are over weight the additional weight is putting excessive wear and tear on your joints. if it is arthritis im pretty sure you are out of luck but i could be wrong because i am still young and not had to deal with it personally.

Ive noticed my knees and ankles are less likely to hurt when i ride fixed. But i feel like part of that is because riding fixed is less forgiving so if something is not right i will make adjustments much sooner.

But if you do not know what is wrong with your body i would see a orthopedic specialist. Undergo some supervised physical therapy and educate yourself on your condition and on what exercises do what in terms of what joints/muscles they work.

Jared.

You are correct, I misread and definitely answered incorrectly. Please disregard my initial response.

postprimepedal 

Cycling is great for my arthritis. The more I ride, the better my knees feel. Is fixed gear good for arthritis? Pro: Your legs are constantly moving, circulating blood and flexing stiff joints. Con: You mash when you climb, which isn't good for anybody - advice which I don't take.

bmontgomery87

Mashing hasn't bothered my knees yet. But I notice if I'm going downhill and having to resist a lot to slow down, or if I skid with a large gear my knee feels like crap later.

Definitely agree that you don't want to mash all the time though

WeekKnees

I have the same experience with skidding.

I started riding fixed two years ago and that's when I started to pay extra attention to my knees (note my username). When I noticed discomfort I talked with a trainer and they recommended leg curls, to even out the quads. The theory here is the quads are getting stronger relative to other muscles, leading to imbalance in the knee cap.

Now I regularly do leg curls, extensions and squads.

The OP's case sounds way worse, and I recommend talking to a professional first. Personally I think riding fixed has a learning curve of its own that is mismatch with your knee recovery. If you take a fall you then have two problems instead of one.

In my experience, skidding or resisting to slow down harms my knees, I'd never think of them as a recovery exercise.

xkjzix

Absolutely. It sounds like you have some significant biomechanical dysfunctions that need to be addressed by a corrective exercise professional. If you don't you will eventually tear or avulse a ligament, tendon, or your meniscus.

europa

It's braking with your legs and particularly skidding that stuffs up your knees. The answer is simple, use brakes.

I can't see a real problem with the OP riding fixed, provided he gears low (mid 60s) and uses brakes. With his issues, physical stuff is always going to be problematic, the trick is to be aware of and sensitive to his knees and to do the riding sensibly.

JohnDThompson 

With knee problems, I'd suggest short crank arms (165mm or shorter) regardless of whether you're riding fixed or free.

samzy

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm going to see a sports physio in about a week and I'll definitely ask more about my condition before making any decisions.

By the way I'm still not entirely sure about gearing. Could someone explain it to me (e.g. what does mid-60 entail)?

stilltooslow

'Yet' being the operative word. So how old are you? Give it some time…..mashing will definitely take its toll if you do it too much over the years.

And in response to the OP's initial question, there is no way that a fixed is better, or even as therapeutic for your knees as a geared bike. The mashing and resisting required on a fixed will tax your knees, while spinning on a geared bike will reduce the stress on your knees, while building the muscles supporting them.