Originally Posted by
carleton
FG being "bad for the knees" is like squatting being "bad for the knees"...only if you do it the wrong way.
In my experience, the people with knee issues get them from either riding too big of a gear and/or skidding. Proper bike fitting is key, too, with an emphasis on cleat placement.
Yea, riding fixed has actually helped my knees which have been shot since my early teens... I rode geared for a while and that helped my knees (actually cant walk very well, hurts too much) then switched to fixed, now my knees are doing good... Im 29 so not in the 45 range but I see no reason why I wont be blowing by the kids when Im 45-60+ (I still get school by the old guys). Hell I met a 62yo guy a couple years ago who had ridden across the country after having a stroke, still couldnt feel the left half of his body and had retaught himself to ride a bike again...