single speed / fixed gear cycling...anyone here do it?

[iboga]

Hi
was wondering coz im considering buying one to help me shed a few pounds but wanted to know if it was worth it?

 

[Teepee]

Track work/flat work with no wind only really. You need gears to shed weight , single speed will have you buiding shwarzenegger legs and putting on muscle, spinning quickly at over 80 rpm is the way to burn fat.

 

[woof]

Yep a fixed wheel is a specialist thing, single speed is good, but just get a normal bike, then specialise later on.

Rob

 

[robin wood]

Hi
was wondering coz im considering buying one to help me shed a few pounds but wanted to know if it was worth it?

I have always found buying stuff the fastest way to shed pounds.

 

[tiger stacker]

A single speed is good way to train. as other above say start out with gears to shed weight, sweat suit is good way also just mind and keep hydrated.

 

[iboga]

thanks for the replies all :] I actually thought riding with one gear would provide more of a workout...shows how much I know!

Right then, back to square one!!


@RobinWood -

 

[sam_acw]

For some reason cycle couriers here use track style bikes - single fixed gear and no brakes nd very narrow handlebars. Probably illegal but they're hard to catch!

 

[Bush Matt]

Couriers use single speed fixed as they are light, fast and as close to unbreakable as you can get on a bike. Good work out from single speed - the first few weeks will build your legs. Not so great if you live in a hilly area. Don't choose an aggresive cog ratio (you can change that later for more speed) and you will be fine. If your looking at fixed wheel rather than floating try one first - completely different when the breaking is controlled by your legs.

Alternative is hub gears - have a look at the charge mixer - gives you 8 gears in an almost as unbreakable hub, downside is weight - fair bit heavier.