Originally Posted by
downtube42
Fixed can be faster climbing if the grade and duration are in a specific band than allows sustained out of saddle climbing at a higher level of effort than one is willing to do with gears. Fixed is speed limited descending, whereas SS is not. So I feel like technically, SS can be the fastest if the terrain is right.
That was a mouthful. Basically, fixed or SS demands out of saddle climbing just to keep moving, whereas geared you can gear down and spin. But if the grade or duration exceed physical limitation, fixed/ss you either slow to a crawl or walk. BITD, racers would crack, meaning they just flat couldn't push the gear. Massive time would be lost. With today's gearing, a pro who blows up can gear down, spin, recover, and manage the losses. Riding fixed or SS is retro like that.
Just a half-baked idea, but I think the reason fixed gear feels good is that it's natural. Like walking/jogging/running. Speed = cadence. It feels right.
I agree with all.
I never used to climb standing, but then I biked mostly on flat land, always spun up small inclines. Moved to mildly hillier terrain, went 2X to 3X on road bike, still spun. Moved to terrain with steep climbs, converted 1X folder to wide 2X, still spun, but not enough on some long climbs. Started standing climbing for the first time. After a while, learned proper cadence, which is:
- too low a gear, too fast, tire out quick
- too high a gear, too slow and pulling on handlebars too hard, tire out quick
- geared just right when I'm using mostly my weight on the pedals, not pulling hard on the handelbars, I'm guessing a cadence of about 50.
Also, added bar ends to my flat bar; The more forward position on the front of them gives better body position when standing, and, hand orientation is better for pulling on the bars.
Standing climbing is easier on my knees than pushing a tall gear sitting.
Also, standing climbing works stomach muscles better than spinning. And I need all the help there that I can, I'm overweight.
All of the above is probably somewhere online if I had bothered to look. Amazing how I've been a serious road biker for 35 years now but didn't know the above until recently.