Originally Posted by
Tadashi
Thanks for the detailed answer.
I want to become an amateur sprinter. I really like the track discipline, especially sprint. Unlike road racing here you get lots of muscles and don't look like alien, you have strong legs, strong arms and you're fast as hell. Keirin would be sweet, but I wonder if it's possible for a gaijin.
90'' is mostly ok, my main problem is my weak arms though, not enough power to accelerate. I guess, I'll put a 16 cog on the other side of the wheel (I have 50/15 for now) and try them both. Have to train more with weightlifting.
Unless your 200 is already near 12s you shouldn't be doing much work in a 90 by yourself. It's just too high and your cadence will be to low. Leg speed is just as important as strength to a sprinter and you are at a greater risk of hurting yourself.
If you're not the type of person that naturally carries a reasonable amount of muscle you are probly going to have trouble becoming a sprinter naturally. Likewise if you do well in medium length efforts compared to freinds of the same general fitness but they can outsprint you it's probably another bad sign. There is plenty of track racing left for those lucky enough not to be cursed with large amounts of bulky fast twitch muscle. The best thing to do if you're not sure is to start training without much specialization and see what happens when you race.
If you do decide you are a sprinter or are determined to become one against your bodies wishes short efforts with complete recovery are key. fixedgearfever is a cornucopia of information if you want to start training seriously.