vw addict

Post ride beers, not PBR.

chas58

I do it.

1st thing: flip the wheel do to SS and not FG.

1st day with the group, I borrow a geared bike to see what the pace is really like, and if I can do it SS. I’ve been on” B” rides that average 18mph, and others that average 25mph. Every group is different.

Realistically I can personally do an 18 or a 20mph ride all day SS. Rolling hills aren’t too bad, although I would rather go faster up them then the guys who have gears (i.e. everyone else). Downhill, if I draft good, keeping up is no problem with coasting, and occasional bursts of speed (180rpm is my max).

Many groups have an A ride, B ride and even C ride. A SS bike will be able to keep up if you drop down a notch in group level.

Some of the rides I have done (geared this time) cruise at 25mph, sprint into the mid thirties and peak out close to 40 on rolling hills. This is basically a race pace, and something I could do SS only if the sprint sections had a point where they slowed down and wait for stragglers. With this pace, I use gearing like 42x15, 42 x 14, or 48 x 16. (76-81 gear inches).

Really, you are going to have to ride with people below your ability if you are on a SS bike, unless the group has no sprints and rides on a flat course.

Learning to ride in a pack is a whole different subject. Start out with an easy group, and work your way up.

Best advice – take a trip to the nearest velodrome. That is way more fun fixed than a club road ride, and they will typically teach you everything you need to know.


P.S. oh yes, some roadies are incredibly snobby when it comes to what bike you ride
P.P.S – yes riding fixed is easier to ride in a pace line, but the nature of the ride is going to determine whether this is possible or not. Do your first ride SS, and then decide.

Jandro 

Why? I'm pretty sure he asking specifically about doing it fixed; which is totally doable.

Incorrect.

Correct.

What kind of people do you ride with? I ride with a ton of dudes ranging from Cat 6 commuters to Cat 2-1 racers to Ironman dudes and no one has ever turned their nose up at someone else's bike. If anything, when I ride my fixed they are genuinely interested/impressed/cool about it.

What? Why do you think that? Riding in a paceline is no different fixed vs. geared vs. ss. The principles and etiquette are exactly the same. Do you even own/ride a road bike because of a lot of what you are saying it totally a) wrong or b) opinion.

Jaytron

homebrewk

I have to say gearing is one of the most important things when riding with roadies.

Keep in mind that with a geared bike you can completely change your gear ratio with the flick of a brifter. They can go from 50 GI when climbing to 75-80 GI when on the flats or descending. You have to find a gear that works for you and the ride that you are going on. You may change your cog/chainring often to suit the ride you are going on.

spazzkid

Thanks for all the replies guys! It was all helpful and encouraging.

I came from a morning ride with a local cycling group (everybody's on a roadbike). It was really fun. As expected, the uphills were a challenge, but its very doable and I kept up pretty good. I didnt have any problems on the flats. Downhills are fun, but as expected, I'm only limited by how fast my cadence is (wich isnt a problem if one has a freewheel). So far so good, I'd see myself coming back doing more group rides with these guys. Also, they were quite impressed how I can keep up overall.

Also, its cool that a lot of them also ride fixed for training.

GeoKrpan

Awesome.
You might just try flipping your wheel around to the freewheel side.

spazzkid

I might, one of these days. Maybe if i get over my allergy for the "clicking" sound of the freewheel

Thanks!

Jaytron

Easy, don't coast.

chas58

Kudos to you for giving it a shot. Sounds like you had a nice group to work with. I'm always impressed to see someone showing up FG or SS.

spazzkid

Thank you sir! I just had to give it a try. Thankfully it was really fun. There are alot of things to be learned in terms of group pacing and dynamics, but its all part of what makes it exciting for me. And yes, a lot of those guys were quite impressed how I kept up all the way. I also like it that I'm working harder keeping up with the group, hopefully that gives me good training/workout.

dsh

I think if anyone is gonna be a jerk to you, it'll be because of your attitude rather than your bike.

If you show up reasonably dressed, and warmed up, and are friendly and genuine, then it won't matter whether you're riding fixed or on an internally geared belt drive. People will be cool.

If you show up in cutoff jean shorts wearing a campagnolo cap and no helmet while drinking a natty boh while you ride your brakeless fixed gear no handed in traffic... they'll probably think you're an *******.

chas58

Yes, you will be getting a good training workout! Were you riding fixed? I like to ride fixed when I can - makes it a little easier to modulate your speed in a paceline. Keep up the good work - I expect you will be back for more!

chas58

Very true - it usually has mostly to do with how you ride, how dangerous (or much of a liability) they think you are, and whether they think you fit in. There are so many different personalities of group rides (as well as individuals in the group) – the competitive racer types won’t cut you any slack (until you earn your stripes) while the more recreational “no drop” rides are naturally much more inclusive. In either case, you have to be a safe and aware rider.

spazzkid

Truth.

spazzkid

yes sir. I indeed am riding fixed. you are right about speed modulation, a little back pedal force is very much like feathering the brakes. And i will! Thanks for the encouragement!

EpicSchwinn

bwahahah

I know this type. I was doing a shorter/informal charity ride on campus and a guy from my dorm showed up on his carbon roadie in full lycra. I showed up on my steel conversion wearing skinny jeans and vneck sweater. He got 1st place and I got 2nd. Although he technically beat me I felt like the winrar.

homebrewk

He was probably all like "sup guys. Check out my new ride!"

EpicSchwinn

Here he is on his way to the supermarket

Jandro 

Yep, totally. Which is why I had a problem with the "roadies are snobby about what bike you ride" statement. I have not witnessed this behavior and a) I am a roadie and b) I ride with roads of all sorts every other day. If you come across those kind of people, regardless of what bike they have, they are not representative of the population and probably just a**holes.

Jandro 

Fail. Not wearing bibs, arm warmers with a sleeveless jersey, and poor number placement. Very un-tranquilo.

Nuggetross

^those aren't arm warmers.

Leukybear 

Pantyhose?

Nah, they're blood circulation aka compression sleeves.

zazenzach

THIS

im in good shape and a proficient cyclist, and i still find group rides challenging with my geared bikes. can't imagine doing it on a fixed or SS

any worthwhile group has some pretty good riders in the bunch. i dont see you keeping up with their pace.

spazzkid

That is true. And they have! I dont see myself riding in any faster paced A groups anytime soon. I think I'm more than happy riding and keeping up with a group (B or C), and learning new things along the way. It would be nice to keep up with faster riders but I understand it's close to impossible on a FG, totally cool with that.