Originally Posted by
JohnDThompson
Advantages to me are 1) it smooths out my pedaling. 2) It breaks me of the insidious habit of coasting. 3) It's a better workout. 4) It's made me a stronger rider. 5) I just plain enjoy it.
That's my reasoning... well, I don't have anything against coasting. I actually like both ss free or fixed.
The main reason is it really develops your spin.
Spinning is not just trying to spin as fast as you can- I can do that on my road bike in 39x23.
Fixed helps develop your spin: putting power down all the around your pedal stroke at 100+rpms.
Riding at 120-150rpms, smoothly, just that feeling of laying power all the around your pedal stroke- feels like what I imagine surfers feel catching the perfect wave.
It peels away all the excuses (gears, freewheeling, stuff) and just lets you to focus.