Had ACL reconstruction/meniscus removal about three years ago.

Been riding fixed about a year and a half and only really ran into trouble when I first started riding...and that was a 48x16 ratio. Had some knee pain. I am WAY stronger now, and I currently run 48x18 pain-free. I also use my front brake for any major stoppages.

I wrecked my ACL about 11 years ago riding MTB (HOLY CRAP.. was it that long ago?)..
It took me a year of physio to get it back to normal after the surgery, and then it wasn't 100% for another couple of years.

No problems whatsoever riding a fixed gear. (72 gear inches with a brake)

If you ride heavy gears it can breakdown the knees. start and stopping and skidding with 53 x 13, 50x15, 49x14, 48x15.

It is up to you to learn what are training gears and racing gears. I have ridden the gears listed and finally ride with 46x16 for street.

Yes this was through trial and error.


S/F,
CEYA!
Strength and Honor!!

When I skated regularly from the age of 10 till about 20, I always ran into knee issues. I also did some MTB-ing back in those days which also didn't help. I started to wear a knee brace and by the time I started to wean myself off skating I wore a knee brace full-time and typically ankle braces (I've sprained and tweaked my ankles more times than I care to remember).

After I started riding fixed a few years ago, I haven't had any issues since and I've long said goodbye to knee braces (and ankle ones too!).

Anecdotal but that's my experience.

This is a good thread.

Ditto Ceya. I ride low gears on the street (I like to spin) which are 49x18 and 48x18.

For track, I've been riding 50x15 -- there's no way that I'd ride that in the street. That's bad news. I think 48x16, the typical gear that most off-the-shelf track bikes come with is a tad high too -- especially if you're starting out. But I guess, they're supposed to be "track bikes" anyway. ;)

just try to keep skiddin' to a minimum.:eek:

I will start walking soon. I hope to be back on the bike about Sept. I hope really soon.

S/F,
CEYA!
Strength and Honor!!