dpc1192

Hello! I have been riding fixed for about a month now and have my gearing at 48x18

Today I messed with the speedometer, and came up with some results.. If I'm cruising (how I ride most of the time) I am at about 23MPH, if I'm chilling or sort of relaxing I'm at about 19-20MPH, and if I push it and am going for top speed I got up to 32MPH on a flat.

How are these numbers? what should I shoot for? any indication for me needing to gear down to a 17t or is this good until further notice?

Elvo

You should consider racing if your z1/z2 is 20 mph

dpc1192

really on the velodrome?

UltraManDan

Didn't you just post this in another thread?? Look Here for a response

Elvo

Well if you've only been cycling a month, doing 10 mile rides, and 20 mph is very easy to you, you probably have a lot of natural talent.

mihlbach

How do you know your speedometer is correctly callibrated?

UltraManDan

He mentioned in the other post that he was using the "top rated free speedometer app". So it's not

IamNed

Me relaxing at 20mph is something to work toward.

I am IamNed

murrellington

I don't have a speedometer but I imagine those numbers are pretty incredible.
Maybe I'll get the free speedometer app and see if I can hit 50mph.

dpc1192

i mean should i turn it on as i drive and see if it's calibrated correctly?

Jared.

You should turn it off and ride your bike.

mihlbach

NO...why would you think your car speedometer is calibrated?

You need a real cyclocomputer that is calibrated to your wheel circumference to get an accurate measure of your speed.

mihlbach

agreed

JeremyLC

I had a dude shout "You're going 25 miles per hour!" out his window at me as he drove past the other day. The speedo on my bike said about 21.8 So, no, I'm not sure I would trust your car's meter.

Bakersb

It depends, some people like spinning, some like mashing.

Generally, keeping yourself at a 60-80 cadence is best. You can use this calculator Fixed Gear Calculator - Ratio & Skid Patch for all! to calculate your cadence. Find your true average speed, and get a gearing where you are spinning 60-80. This is a good general rule.

My average speed when working hard is about 16mph. My gearing currently is 52/18 on the street. I like to lean towards the spinning(80rpm) side.

TejanoTrackie 

60 to 80 rpm is hardly what I'd call spinning.

Bakersb

Oh sorry i never meant spinning. I used the word spinning to say the physical act of spinning. Not to reference a high cadence. Yeah spinning is way high (100+) but thats not ideal for everyday street use & commuting on a fixed gear.

seau grateau

You'd be surprised. Once you get used to moving your feet quicker, 100rpm can be a pretty comfortable cruising cadence. OP, if you want to know how fast you're going, you will need an actual speedometer.

Bakersb

Hm i see. Something to be learned everyday.

JeremyLC

I thought 60-80 was more like "overgeared" territory (potential knee problems?) .90-110 feels pretty good to me.

hairnet

+10

europa

60-80 is way too low, you'll stuff up your knees doing that whether you're on a fixed gear or a geared bike.
Even as an old bloke, I find rolling along in the 90s quite leisurely on the geared bike. When I'm on the fg, I sit at those same speeds but with a cadence over 100, again quite comfortably - I'd consider gearing higher only I've got a lot of hills to get up as well. It's just a matter of fitness and getting used to it but if you over gear your bike, you'll never give yourself the opportunity to learn. Start with a low gear and work your way up.

bbattle

Get yourself a cyclocomputer with a cadence function. That will help you work on your spinning as you keep your rpm in the right range. The computer will also give you speed and distance.