Originally Posted by noumena9
Mr Monster Legs and I hit 37mph on the Prospect Park downhill this morning. I'm riding 49x15 and I think He is riding 48x16. My gearing (as some folks who saw me on River Road on Saturday will tell you) makes uphills any steeper than the one in PP a total nightmare. I mashed up the hills coming home from Nyack at 8mph until I cramped my calves.
I think fixed gear gives you a tremendous advantage in traffic where it is all about control and confidence and it gives you an advantage on the flat (if your gear is right) because fixed gear is all about going with what you got and not fussing with the machine, but hills up and down are where you get handicapped for your lifestyle choice! That being said I find that on the hills that don't shut me down I pass roadies all the time... they seem happy to do 100rpm spinning up a hill at 5mph... which I think is odd.
49x15 is a bit much for the uphill. It's ideal for the downhill, however.
I started riding 48x16 in the park. On the suggestion of a few of the roadies that also ride track bikes, I dropped to 48x17. This allows me to climb a bit easier but the downhill is a bit more challenging. I can hit 32mph spinning like crazy. I'm going to switch back to 48x16. I really don't need the advantage uphill (I can hit 20mph if need be and let's face it, most of the roadies draft uphill anyway) but I believe the difference is significant downhill and the flat right after it.