Thanks John:
For backing me up that is. I've had a few people write and tell me I'm crazy. They can think what they want, but sometimes I think I feel more at home on a track bike than a road bike.
Back in '73, when I first got my Bob Jackson track bike, I cut two pieces of Black Walnut wood to fit around the seat stays and hold a brake in place (I would never recommend drilling a fork crown or brake bridge of a track bike in order to have a brake). So you see, at one time I too was less confident in my own abilities and skills with a fixed gear. Now, when someone asks me how I do it, I find it difficult to explain how easy it really is. I hope your explanation helps.
"Bicycle Mark" Perkins Fresno Cycling Club - Historian Fresno, California, U.S.A.
On Mon, 17 Mar 2003 11:04:15 -0500 "John Pergolizzi"
<jtperry@worldnet.att.net> writes:
> Doc Simont wrote (snip):
> "I think the relevant point here is (cut)it's the (mis)use of a bike
> designed for a particular use in an inappropriate environment."
>
> Sorry Doc, but your wrong one this one. I believe Chuck's
"heh,heh"
> was tough in cheek sarcasm.
> What youse guys are missing is the use of the fixed gear on the road as
a
> training device. Remember that fixed gear on the road was the "only"
way not
> all that long ago.
> The specific benefits of fixed gear on the road were first
explained to
> me by Sam Zeitlin (2ed to Disney, match sprints Nats in 67) Sam
published
> an article on the subject in Velonews in 1977. I will gladly send a
copy to
> any list member after my return to N.Y. at the end of the month.
> Basically, benefits include: developing muscle memory, development
of
> opposing muscle groups, learning how to get "the BIG picture" (just
like in
> driver's ed). You Loose dependency on brakes because you ride more
> conservatively and don't get your ass into "tight situations".
> For sure, it takes allot of rider attention, getting use to, and is
not
> a training technique that would be used by a rider living in a super
hilly
> area. Don't try a 48x14(92inchs) to start. 48x18 (72) would be much
more
> appropriate. Even a little lower.
> The idea is to develop "spin", which is really the ability to relax.
> Since muscles can only so two things,contract or relax, you'll push
down
> allot harder unless the opposing muscle group relaxes pretty quickly.
That
> , plus power, is what sprinting is. Plus a little technique and
tactics.
> Heh,heh.
> It is fun to ride the fixed gear road bike. You don't have to use
it
> only to "train". And ANY bike can be fitted with at least a rear brake
with
> out degrading the originality or integrity of the frame( through the
use of
> a double brake hanger "plate" that sandwiches the seat stays at the
brake
> bridge area). Even among racers traing on the road, it was common
enough to
> see it installed.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
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