High Cliff fixie test

 

The Raleigh Record is over 30 now, so it was time to give the headset bearings some new life. My pa had a magical elixir that cleaned the buildup out of the bearing cups. Then I loaded it with grease and planted the bearings. Smooth as butter!

I took the fixie out Monday night. The wind gusts were 25-35, so mother nature simulated a good hill climb as I started out on my "quick Kaukauna loop". The mist became sleet-like, but then seemed to go away. Overall, it was a quick 11.5 mile jaunt and I was glad I got out.

Tonight I headed out on the fixie again with Jesse riding Brian's old road bike. We headed to High Cliff and did the hill a few times. I have been waiting to see how the fixie handles (or how I handle) the hill. The gearing (48x16) was just enough that it kept me out of the saddle for the entire climb. I was sucking wind at the top, but it was a good climb and I left Jesse a bit behind. Going down the hill required a bit of resistance at all times and a few times with reverse pumping to bring the speed back down. Overall, not too bad, and I decided to let 'er rip at the end.

Jesse and I switched bikes and we climbed for the second time. I didn't shift during the climb, but I was in a smaller gear than the previous climb. Jesse reached the top ahead of me. Maybe there is something to the fixed gear / single speed? I decided that it is faster because it NEEDS to be. If you slow down too much, you won't be able to go again when you have to mash a big gear. So you keep hammering because you have to. If I had a lower gear, I would probably shift because I wouldn't want to be totally spent before I reach the top.

Jesse and I switched back and we climed again. This time he made a point to stay with me and he succeeded. However, it was definitely to prove a point, where I climbed at the pace I felt I needed to to ensure I kept my momentum going. So, I think riding a fixed gear or single speed is good training at a minimum. It forces you to keep pedaling, downhills force you to use resistance, and climbs force you to mash it out. If you are in good enough shape, being forced to keep mashing it when you would normally settle down and downshift is probably a good thing. We'll see.