Originally Posted by
hairnet
The bike is moving forward regardless fixed vs freewheel, There is no power input unless you're pedaling.
Of course.
The point is that only a fixed gear system has the ability to SLOW the bike, a freewheel doesn't ever have the ability to do this. And this slowing effect doesn't necessarily have to be intentional on the part of the rider.
Whenever I read lines about how a fixed gear can help push the riders feet through the dead spots, (like when their legs tire while climbing a hill) I always think, well of course it can... but that energy had to come from somewhere.
Unless you have a
Magic Gear!