I rode the same route fixed and geared, fixed was about 5 minutes slower and about 1mph slower over the 34 mile route pretty much same conditions and some stop lights.
I pass geared riders all the time and they pass me as well, the thing is with fixed, you have to keep your speed up all the time and that disciplines you into hammering all the time.
punchy climbs and little rolling hills are fun.
Geared riders become complacent, they coast on the small downhills and down shift on the little climbs. I just try to hammer through the whole thing.
If you’re going to get a fixed and want to tear it up, set up your bike proper, no platform pedals no disco fixie shi+
You only have 1 gear so you have to make the most of it.
fixed gear is a great training bike to teach you to hammer and suffer.