fixed gear for fitness?
05-08-08 | 12:35 AM
#1
Thread Starter
SWAAAAAAAAAAAT
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 336
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From: alief houston texas
Bikes: masi speciale fixed (urrringe), haro f1 (black), haro x2 (red)
fixed gear for fitness?
well aside from looking hella awesome and rolling my pants up and jamming a mini u lock in my back pocket, i also bought my bike to exercise
so far i've just taken my bike to the trail here, 10 miles sometime during the week and 20 miles on saturday.
any tips? i've also tried to eat a little healthier. what's a good plan? i'm sorta trying to lose weight too.
so far i've just taken my bike to the trail here, 10 miles sometime during the week and 20 miles on saturday.
any tips? i've also tried to eat a little healthier. what's a good plan? i'm sorta trying to lose weight too.
05-08-08 | 12:38 AM
#2
not actually Nickatina
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,447
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From: OR
Get a road bike.
Haha just kidding. Just put in miles. Eat smart. Only time to gorge on sweets is after a long ride / workout, ideally. Build muscle. Muscle cells burn more calories during rest and exercise than fat cells. Cardio+resistance.
Haha just kidding. Just put in miles. Eat smart. Only time to gorge on sweets is after a long ride / workout, ideally. Build muscle. Muscle cells burn more calories during rest and exercise than fat cells. Cardio+resistance.
05-08-08 | 12:41 AM
#3
Thread Starter
SWAAAAAAAAAAAT
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 336
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From: alief houston texas
Bikes: masi speciale fixed (urrringe), haro f1 (black), haro x2 (red)
haha i usually just try to trail some random roadie because they're hard to pass. not ride his ass of course just use him as a template.
05-08-08 | 12:52 AM
#5
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,238
Likes: 6,039
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
+1
Sum good training tips:
Get comfertable doing a few regular rides, and push yourself harder as you continue learning the route.
On days that you aren't doing a routine/familiar ride, go farther and explore on what some call L.S.D riding (Long slow distance).
Once you find new routes/roads on your LSD days that you find enticing, become familiar with them (hopefully slightly longer).
Then start pushing hard and getting faster on those new rides as well.
Wash rinse repeat.
While a road bike is a superior machine for the open road and variable conditions, a fixed gear on the road is a great workout! I plan on hitting the road at 7:00 tommorow for ~2ish hours before a 9:30 class. It's hectic but routine so I make it happen.
If you ride far/hard/often enough than you should for sure invest in some clipless pedals and lycra/nylon shorts +jersey.
But for now just hit the road! Never underestimate what you're capable of.
05-08-08 | 12:55 AM
#6
bike punk
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 61
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From: pdx
Bikes: giant cadex (road bike), specialized conversion fixed gear (rip), brassknuckle track bike that's a pink monstrositybi.
i'm vegan
get your miles in, best thing to do.
after my accident i'm finally able to do so again, which i'm stoked and have started to notice the difference almost immediately.
drink water, cut out soda and sugar drinks.
if you can't drink soda water.
take vitamins in the morning, don't eat late or before you go to bed.
get your miles in, best thing to do.
after my accident i'm finally able to do so again, which i'm stoked and have started to notice the difference almost immediately.
drink water, cut out soda and sugar drinks.
if you can't drink soda water.
take vitamins in the morning, don't eat late or before you go to bed.
05-08-08 | 02:46 AM
#8
bike punk
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 61
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From: pdx
Bikes: giant cadex (road bike), specialized conversion fixed gear (rip), brassknuckle track bike that's a pink monstrositybi.
i do normally do about 6 a day depending on if I get out before work or not, if i do then it ends up being about 15-20 that's about 3-4 times a week.
I wouldn't try to think about it and just go where you need to go then start to really worry about it.
I wouldn't try to think about it and just go where you need to go then start to really worry about it.
05-08-08 | 03:14 AM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
From: Van BC
Training for longer distances is a nice concrete task to work on. It's a great way to get to know your local back roads too. A 50-60 miler is well within your reach right now as a beginner, you just need to do a little bit of training by doing a weekly "long ride" that gets a bit longer each week, on top of your daily "puttering around" rides.
Last edited by mander; 05-08-08 at 03:20 AM.
05-08-08 | 03:29 AM
#10
bike punk
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: pdx
Bikes: giant cadex (road bike), specialized conversion fixed gear (rip), brassknuckle track bike that's a pink monstrositybi.
agreed I wish i didn't work as much as i do, so I could do the longer rides more often.
it's a good thing to work on, longer rides don't mean having to do them super quick start out slow, pace yourself and set a goal time even to help you improve. each bit. this has been what i've been doing or trying to to get my knee back up to shape. it's working.
it's a good thing to work on, longer rides don't mean having to do them super quick start out slow, pace yourself and set a goal time even to help you improve. each bit. this has been what i've been doing or trying to to get my knee back up to shape. it's working.
05-08-08 | 07:03 AM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 670
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From: Jacksonville, Florida
Bikes: Bianchi Axis (commuter), Specialized Tricross S-Works, BMC Team Machine SLT01, Mercier Kilo TT
I have 2 fixed gears (Langster, Trek t1) that I only use for "fitness" riding on a trail, and it takes time to build yourself into good shape. With the right gearing, over time you'll notice a improvement in your speed and overall health.
If your really going to ride regularly on a trail, you'll probably want to have shorts/jersey and get a seat bag for your stuff (tube,pump,levers, etc). Don't forget to bring water if its not accessible on your route, I say this because some fixed gear frames don't have mounts for bottles.
Just my .02 if you want to ride on a trail.
If your really going to ride regularly on a trail, you'll probably want to have shorts/jersey and get a seat bag for your stuff (tube,pump,levers, etc). Don't forget to bring water if its not accessible on your route, I say this because some fixed gear frames don't have mounts for bottles.
Just my .02 if you want to ride on a trail.
05-08-08 | 04:14 PM
#14
My bicycle is fixed
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 2
From: Auckland, NZ
Bikes: '08 Surly Steamroller, '07 Surly Cross Check
I wouldn't worry too much about distance. Get out there and get your heartrate up -- if you're riding on a trail without traffic control, which it sounds like you are, try to keep a steady pace and you'll burn calories like mad and your heart will get really healthy. Don't concern yourself with speed so much as a steady pace. You will just nautrally start riding farther and faster. And if you really want to build leg muscle, sprint up hills.
These two strategies are pretty much what I do. My commute is where I get my sprinting in and our weekend and weeknight rides are long, and steadily paced. At 34 years old, my blood pressure is finally back to normal -- down from 175/115 seven years ago --, my resting heartrate is down by about 20-30 bpm, I can eat (and drink!) whatever I want, I feel better than I ever have in my life, and at my annual physical in February my doctor said "whatever you're doing, keep doing it".
These two strategies are pretty much what I do. My commute is where I get my sprinting in and our weekend and weeknight rides are long, and steadily paced. At 34 years old, my blood pressure is finally back to normal -- down from 175/115 seven years ago --, my resting heartrate is down by about 20-30 bpm, I can eat (and drink!) whatever I want, I feel better than I ever have in my life, and at my annual physical in February my doctor said "whatever you're doing, keep doing it".
05-08-08 | 07:22 PM
#16
n=x+1
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 119
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From: Vancouver, BC
Bikes: 2006 Giant TCR Comp2, 2003 Giant Iguana, Formerly a 1982(?) Allegro Ninja, now known as "the 'Coon", 1999 Cannondale R600
keep your HR up, and ride everywhere... in the first 20-30 minutes of a workout, you're not burning any fat. You start by using creatine phosphate. A few minutes in, you'll enter the glycolytic process, which basically just uses sugar stored in your liver, blood, and other tissues...
Once you hit 20-30 minutes, you start turning stored fats into energy, so you want to make sure that you're working WELL into that time... try to do at least 45 minutes to an hour at a time, and do it at least 3-4 times a week... but seriously, just ride everywhere you go, make it a routine, and you'll slim down and feel great.
*Body Break!*
Once you hit 20-30 minutes, you start turning stored fats into energy, so you want to make sure that you're working WELL into that time... try to do at least 45 minutes to an hour at a time, and do it at least 3-4 times a week... but seriously, just ride everywhere you go, make it a routine, and you'll slim down and feel great.
*Body Break!*
05-08-08 | 07:36 PM
#17
Hired geek
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 197
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
Maybe this is covered elsewhere ad naseum, but I find the lack of freewheel helps keep my heartrate up on my fixie. Since you have to pedal all the time, even when you aren't putting the wattage into the cranks you have to keep your legs moving. To me, this feels like more exercise than on my freewheel bike.
And then there are the tarck stands at stop signs... skid and skip stops... and the barspinnzz and wheeliez... lolzerz
Steve
And then there are the tarck stands at stop signs... skid and skip stops... and the barspinnzz and wheeliez... lolzerz
Steve
05-09-08 | 12:41 AM
#19
bike punk
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: pdx
Bikes: giant cadex (road bike), specialized conversion fixed gear (rip), brassknuckle track bike that's a pink monstrositybi.
i remember going to the doctors after riding hard and fast to get there cause i was late and they took my blood pressure and it was at 110/70 then took it again before i left and it was wayyyyyyyy below that. i think 70/55 they were shocked
05-09-08 | 06:09 AM
#20
your ad here
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 293
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I started in fixed gear after a get off on one of my Ducatis. My right foot was pretty much ruined and I was off my feet for almost a year. My doctor told me to try fixed to rebuild my leg. Worked great, with freewheel you can "cheat" and coast. Riding my fixed is like having a drill sergeant along for the ride not allowing you to coast pushing you harder. This is my foot now.
My Foot
My Foot
05-09-08 | 12:00 PM
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Maybe this is covered elsewhere ad naseum, but I find the lack of freewheel helps keep my heartrate up on my fixie. Since you have to pedal all the time, even when you aren't putting the wattage into the cranks you have to keep your legs moving. To me, this feels like more exercise than on my freewheel bike.
And then there are the tarck stands at stop signs... skid and skip stops... and the barspinnzz and wheeliez... lolzerz
Steve
And then there are the tarck stands at stop signs... skid and skip stops... and the barspinnzz and wheeliez... lolzerz
Steve
Originally Posted by Shedon Brown
Fixed for Fitness and Form
iding a fixed gear on the road is excellent exercise. When you need to climb, you don't need to think about when to change gears, because you don't have that option. Instead, you know that you must just stand up and pedal, even though the gear is too high for maximum climbing efficiency. This makes you stronger.
If you have the option of gearing down and taking a hill at a slow pace, it is easy to yield to the temptation. When you ride a fixed gear, the need to push hard to get up the hills forces you to ride at a higher intensity than you otherwise might. Really steep hills may make you get off and walk, but the hills you are able to climb, you will climb substantially faster than you would on a geared bicycle.
When you descend, you can't coast, but the gear is too low. This forces you to pedal at a faster cadence than you would choose on a multi-speed bicycle. High-cadence pedaling improves the suppleness of you legs. High rpm's force you to learn to pedal in a smooth manner--if you don't, you will bounce up and down in the saddle.
Most cyclists coast far too much. Riding a fixed-gear bike will break this pernicious habit. Coasting breaks up your rhythm and allows your legs to stiffen up. Keeping your legs in motion keeps the muscles supple, and promotes good circulation.
iding a fixed gear on the road is excellent exercise. When you need to climb, you don't need to think about when to change gears, because you don't have that option. Instead, you know that you must just stand up and pedal, even though the gear is too high for maximum climbing efficiency. This makes you stronger.
If you have the option of gearing down and taking a hill at a slow pace, it is easy to yield to the temptation. When you ride a fixed gear, the need to push hard to get up the hills forces you to ride at a higher intensity than you otherwise might. Really steep hills may make you get off and walk, but the hills you are able to climb, you will climb substantially faster than you would on a geared bicycle.
When you descend, you can't coast, but the gear is too low. This forces you to pedal at a faster cadence than you would choose on a multi-speed bicycle. High-cadence pedaling improves the suppleness of you legs. High rpm's force you to learn to pedal in a smooth manner--if you don't, you will bounce up and down in the saddle.
Most cyclists coast far too much. Riding a fixed-gear bike will break this pernicious habit. Coasting breaks up your rhythm and allows your legs to stiffen up. Keeping your legs in motion keeps the muscles supple, and promotes good circulation.
05-09-08 | 12:41 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,357
Likes: 167
From: Sacramento CA
Bikes: Too Many
One should really use the word pernicious as often as possible.
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I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
05-09-08 | 12:53 PM
#23
Tireless Tenderfoot
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1
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From: Austin, TX
Bikes: Cannondale Carbon2 and soon Bianchi Elena
05-09-08 | 01:37 PM
#25
Ride simple.
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Colorado Mountains/New Mexico highlands
Bikes: vitus 979, g fisher, specialized, trek, bridgestone rb1, Trek SS, Hiawatha SS, 54' Schwinn SS, Trek SS CX conversion