Originally Posted by
wphamilton
You learn a different technique, including sometimes less fast, less tight corners.
Yes, also I run slightly shorter cranks (170 v. 172.5) on my FG bike. And a true track bike has a higher bottom bracket for even more clearance.
The fixed gear trains you better on the range of cadences, more so than the freewheel single speed, and when you become accustomed to it, it physically feels better. On a single speed I like being able to go downhill without concentrating on the speed, keeping my feet on the pedals. When it's fixed gear, I like the immediate and direct feedback, and overall prefer the fixed gear. It's something you have to try out, rather than imagine, to know if you like it.
Exactly. The thing about a fixed gear is that it's frequently in the "wrong gear." That's a feature, not a bug. Going uphill or into the wind, it's too big of a gear so you are forced to mash. This helps to develop strength. Going downhill or with the wind, it's too small of a gear and you are forced to spin. This helps to develop supplesse. Put those things together and it helps you widen your effective power band, and that's a benefit for any rider.