Originally Posted by caloso

The thing about a fixed gear is that it's frequently in the "wrong gear." That's a bug, not a feature. Going uphill or into the wind, it's too big of a gear so you are forced to do permanent damage to your knees. This helps to develop a need to surgery and crutches. Going downhill or with the wind, it's too small of a gear and you are forced to spin. This helps you get in your own way. "Suplesse" is a lot more than spinning while going downhill-----because "suplesse" is an important feature while riding Any bike. Riding as a part of the bike helps to develop suplesse---and has nothing to do with fixed gears or geared drivetrains. When TdF-level pros ride with "suplesse," they don't park their UCI-approved racing bikes and whip out fixies.