I just finished building my first fixie, and I've been riding for 3 weeks so far, every day roughly 5-10 miles in Philadelphia (not that hilly). I feel like I can skid properly, by putting myself up on the handlebars nice and far and locking up comfortably. However, I feel sore fairly often now, but I'm hoping it's not from the fixie. I'm convinced that they would help you build up knee strength. I guess I was wondering if anyone had any routine stretches that really help them feel good before riding? I used to ride a 12 speed bike set in top gear all the time and I never shifted...that was for about 6 months. I think that is almost definitely the contributing factor to knee pain, although during that time period I felt fine and was hauling ass everywhere. Currently I ride 42:15. Should I give it time and see if my knees improve, or drop the ratio down immediately? I'm pretty worried, because fixed is the new love of my life and I don't want to ruin myself because of something simple I'm not noticing. Thanks for any input.

it's the skiddin' dude. it puts unnatural stresses on the knee. cut back on it. it ain't the best way to stop anyhow.

Brake?

42x15 is a bit of a high gear to start, I'd start with 42x17, learn to spin, and move from there.

Skip and back pedal for stopping. Skid for fun or emergency stops.

More brakes, less skidding and take time off when you're really sore. While I'm sure you're really excited, if you're having knee problems you need to allow them to properly heal so you can keep riding for years to come. As time goes on, my knee problems have gotten better from riding, but there have been times I've had to take a week off because I was having really bad pain that was keeping me up at night. Ice your knees for no less than 20 minutes after a hard ride, and take ibuprofen as well to help keep the swelling down (which is probably causing the pain).

hey evan! you still livin' the dream ya lucky dog?

yeah, but it's getting a bit boring during the day. i need more unemployed friends! less rain would be nice too!

https://sheldonbrown.com/pain.html#knees

Especially the part about saddle height - usually does it to me, for me.

yup. the same.

After riding is more important for stretching, in my opinion. Stretch your hips, quads, hams, groin, and calves. That's all the major muscle groups in your legs.

Second the advice to check the bike fit. Poor fit will get you every time.

Check your saddle height and position and make slow changes towards the proper position for you. Theres a ton of online guides to help you out here.

just get a brake it'll save you money on tires too.

another vote for bike fit. i'd put money on your seat being too low.

ice no MORE than 20 minutes...dag...you tryin' to fuk people up?

dag is right. don't be tryin' to fuk people up, yo. indeed. that be triflin.

</teenage ebonics>

you really don't need to ice more than 20-30 minutes at a time... after that heat works best.

Thanks for all the input, didn't expect it! As far as stopping, I guess the proper term I meant is skipping, I do the hop-skip stopping...I only do skids in the rain and that's when it feels great to do anyway.

As for the fit, I'm 5'11" and I ride a 53. I've been experimenting with seat post height, I've lowered a little bit starting. I'm trying to avoid maximum knee extension but yet be efficient with my pedaling. I'm going to look into upping the cog as well.

while you don't want your leg to be totally straight at the bottom of your stroke, i like mine to be pretty close. try raising your seat as high as you can without it interfering with your spin (or your junk) and see if it feels better.

the first couple weeks of riding fixed i was sore alot in my legs, specifically the muscles right behind my knee on the back of my leg. Skipping, skidding and locking your legs and all that junk highly uses some muscles in your leg that before were rarely used in regular bike riding. I also had a little trouble with my ankles for like a week or more, i guess from all the strain that's placed on them from tugging and pushing with your feet.

I got over it all pretty quickly though, just takes a little time for your body to adjust