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I find by timing things you can use a little bit of this momentum. If you are slowly rolling but still going you can use it to restart, on a freewheel not so much.
As a recent convert to riding fixed, I'm not sure how much I'm noticing momentum 'giving back' through the pedals, but i definitely use my momentum a lot more effectively overall. I guess i'm slowing down a lot in places where i'd previous do a last minute hard brake which means i'm not having to start up again from a standstill as much. I'm using brakes less and less so i'm riding a lot more fluidly than i did on gears.
AlexD-
Me too. But it seems my physics ideas is wrong and #pubscience :)
Will the real physics tutor pls stand up ;)
JWestland
"The rear wheel of a freewheeling bike is just as much a flywheel as the rear wheel of a fixed-gear bike."
Yes that's correct, I agree that's an oversight on my part.
But on geared bike: Bike momentum does not carry through drivetrain onto you as you can freewheel. If you stop pedalling, the freewheel kicks in. If you then want to stop, you have to brake
On fixed wheel: No freewheel. So the momentum of the bicycle gets carried forward into you via your legs. So either you relax if you want to slow down, and let friction/weight of your legs do it's job, actively resist with weight/muscle strength by standing up or get bucked off the bike.
I find by timing things you can use a little bit of this momentum. If you are slowly rolling but still going you can use it to restart, on a freewheel not so much. That's of course my subjective experience...physics may prove me wrong.