Mi amici, Not to beat a dead horse (SOP on this list)...I do ride a track bike on the road until it's race season. Just so I get a smattering of scrunched noses (as if smelling fetid socks)--it's a early '90's cannondale. When fall/winter arrives I simply swap out the track fork (steel, short rake) for a road fork (carbon with a larger rake) and add one front brake. I change stems with an adjustable hi riser and use a set-back seat post. This compensates for the steep track angles and smoothes out the ride. When it's time to race at T-town, I swap out to the original stuff. Personally I think fixed gear riding is an awesome training tool--especially if you go on undulating profile....hills to grind up, flats to tempo, and downhills to spin like a monkey. Studies show that typical roadies coast 40% of the time. With a fixie, never. You must work 100% of the time. I think everyone should have a fixie in the shed. One day a week will make a huge difference. As you get stronger, add gear inches. Giacomo "Campione di Pista da Virginia" Bellora Steve Neago <questor@cinci.rr.com> wrote:True track bikes on the road??? Criterium & road frames yes, but I always that that true track frames has steep frame angles and VERY stiff frames to maximize acceleration for short distances... they can be uncomfortable to say the least. It seems that use of track frames on the road gives new meaning to the saying "no pain, no gain!"
Regards, Steve Neago
Cincinnati, OH
> Matt Ritz wrote:
> >
> (cut)
> > Regarding riding a fixed on the road, I used to ride 12 miles from
Cerritos to downtown Long Beach, CA on a fixed, including riding over Signal
Hill. Anyone from that area knows the traffic circle at PCH and Lakewood.
I used to ride down the hill into the circle daily on a 75" gear and no
brakes. These days I ride a Rickert road bike with a fixed to work, but old
age has convinced me to add a front brake. I even wear a helmet!
>
> I know some ride track bikes on the road without a brake as a matter of
pride.
>
> I say: Pride goeth before the fall ;)
>
> Chuck Schmidt
> L.A.
>
> .
> _______________________________________________
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