Chuck, I am surprised you get "naysayers" at all. I am frankly a little in awe at the prospect of riding around in the gear you use (48 x 16, right?). I know, I know, you are not "spinning" per se.., but that is still a big gear to be pushing around, whatever your motives. Richard Rose (Toledo, Ohio) 45 x 19 and that's all I can handle into the wind. Maintaining any kind of cadence that is.
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Chuck Schmidt Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 2:13 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Track Racing - "no pain, no gain"
James \"Giacomo\" Bellora wrote:
>
> 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
Hi James,
You forgot to say what gears you ride (I think you just didn't say to avoid the off list naysayers like I get :) I'm at the edge of the bell curve on the gear size so you won't get a scrunched nose here...
Chuck Schmidt L.A.
.