My fixie is fixing my poor cycling technique

Hi all.

I've been cycling for years, mostly as a kid on a shitty BMX. Haven't really done it for a decade since. However I decided that I couldn't be arsed waiting at bus stops and paying through the nose for transport.

I got a fixed gear bike a couple of weeks ago... I thought it was handy because of the lower maintenance and lightweight and comparative low cost. I've had a bumpy couple of weeks with 2 flat tires... which prompted me to get a set of Duranos.

Anyway today I had this odd realisation, that all this 'one-ness that's put about with the road stuff isn't just BS. I'm finding that each pedal stroke is sort of melding into the next, whereas before before it felt like I was pumping leg after leg... instead this is a kind of fluid motion which involves movement in every part of my leg, from my upper thigh to my foot to my toe. It also seems to be a hell of a lot more efficient... I'm able to quite easily keep up 20+mph whereas just before this clicked in my mind this was a hell of a lot harder. It's nice to think that riding this way may actually be making me making me a more efficient cyclist. I'm guessing this is a fairly common experience with people who are new to fixed gear?

Was pretty much the same for me too.

Plus it makes you look cooler

That's it! I'm buying a sprocket.

Plus it makes you look cooler

or a bit pretentious...

Anyway today I had this odd realisation, that all this 'one-ness that's put about with the road stuff isn't just BS.

Yeah, maybe, but ChainBreaker still wishes he didn't crash so often.

have you tried pedaling on a descent?

or a bit pretentious...

Isn't that the point?

Much as wanting to feel at one with my bike, I do find it restricts my ability to fart.

Nothing wrong with "pumping leg after leg".

You would get the same effect of a "fluid motion" if you rode a freewheel/geared bike on a lower gear ratio.

Much as wanting to feel at one with my bike, I do find it restricts my ability to fart.

Or retrieve uncomfortable bib shorts that are burrowing north, or adjust the ratchet on your shoes.

Nothing wrong with "pumping leg after leg".

You would get the same effect of a "fluid motion" if you rode a freewheel/geared bike on a lower gear ratio.

Fuid motion, gear ratio, a man skill to learn FTW