How to Climb on a Fixed Gear
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- čas přidán 18. 03. 2020
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Get exclusive behind the scenes access by becoming a Super Subscrider on Patreon: / zachgallardo Many cyclists consider climbing on a fixed gear impossible, masochistic, or at the very least, just plane stupid. But part of the fun of riding a fixed gear in the first place is doing your best with the wrong tool for the job. Sometimes, doing something stupid like riding up mountains on a fixed gear can lead you to learn your limits, or even redefine what's possible for you. It's not easy, but that's the point. If you want to learn how to climb hills and mountains on your fixed gear, here's exactly how.
Timestamps:
1. The most important thing for fixed climbing: 1:23
2. Optimize your fixed gear for climbing: 3:05
3. Fixed Gear Climbing: 5 Stages of Grief: 7:23
4. Climbing techniques to get you to the top: 11:51
Fixie Famous Shoutout:
StanStrong108
Ryan Witt
Patreon Singlespeed Shoutout:
Carlos Flores
nicodache
@ffnivas
Barak S
Pat Bateman
Simon Newton
Gregory Tomlinson
Connect with me:
/ strava
/ strava
/ zachygallardo #fixedgearvlog #fixedgearclimb #fixedgearhills
Timestamps for your convenience:
1. The most important thing for fixed climbing: 1:23
2. Optimize your fixed gear for climbing: 3:05
3. Fixed Gear Climbing: 5 Stages of Grief: 7:23
4. Climbing techniques to get you to the top: 11:51
Wonder if the bar set up will factor in?? If the hoods are too far below the saddle level how does that impact your ability to....
Love the Taiwan game you got going!
fixed no brakes is my dayli ride on 2nd category climbing (+-10%) with 44/18 ratio. have to step up the saddle in stiffer segments but I never stop on a 11km cimb... allways forcing, up and down! 😁
@@zipias Nice!! I prefer a different ratio but, the concept is pretty close. Gears have to relate to RPM's to save yourself and understand how the low and high ends work. at 40rpm, you are going 7.6 mph, 60=11.5, 90=17.2 and 100=19.1 mph. However, I have found that if you build up your bike with a lower bar/seat drop, you are unable to stand as effectively and it is also harder to push the higher RPM's for a greater distance. For me, I am happy slowing to 8/9mph if I can pull 23/24 comfortably....
go Zach and the zig zag... looping back helps too!
www.bikecalc.com/gear_speed
Upon arriving on the top of the climb it sounded like you need to replace your chain and cog.
49/17 is insane. I struggle on 49/19 on short hill climbs. 49/17 on a mountain is another level! Mad respect!
The "zig-zag" technique it's actually a way to effectively lower your gear ratio--by makiing the road less steep at the cost of making the journey up longer.
I do that all the time. Every little trick helps. Wider bars help too. Pick a spinny gear and learn how to spin everywhere else.
Buy more bikes.
Thrifty ruins lives.
So many things have been designed to get rid of pedalling.
You're still talking about it.
And also way to get into accident
Yes until ur riding in a public road and the space on the bike lane is a single lane type
Read the title, and though Zack was going to tell us how to, literally, get on a bike. Thought poor Zack was running out of content ideas. Was quite wrong. Good video!
You think too much.
Climbing brakeless is just pain.
Going up? Pain.
Going down? Hold on to dear life!
Hotel? Trivago.
Death? Death
Excellent video!!! You did not just give us a journalist's report of a sporting event, you took us on the field, play by play.
He changed his gearing to make it harder for our entertainment. I love this guy learned everything from his channel.
I thought I was the only one who can't ride uphill in a straight line. Thank you for making this video. I just get off the bike and start walking.
Love the 5 stages 🤣. I’m not fixed but I’m exclusively Single Speed and I go through these stages. Gravel group rides are always a compromise(gear wise) of keeping with the geared majority while also making all the climbs. An audience always seem to mentally force me to not walk.
Even on the extreme antisocial edges of society, you're experiencing peer group pressure.
After all those things invented to get rid of pedalling, you're still talking about it.
They cater for your whinges but you refuse to stop doing it.
A group ride would actually consist of Tandem bicycles. Not soloist rebel antisocial bikes.
@@dreyn7780 get a life
@@Rocket-Man-765 you weren’t waiting for your chance to react.
You deliberately attack, and because you’ve trained yourself to attack, you’re being reported to the authorities.
You’re both freaks.
@@dreyn7780 eh? I hope you don’t still say stuff like this
Good going Zach. I've done my fair share of climbing, out in Colorado, but mostly on MTB.
So dig the positive vibes Zach!
Thx (again) for another thoughtful video Zach.
I just rode a .5 mile- 8.1% gravel climb as part of a 55 mile gravel grinder ride w/ 2600ft of climbing. I thought about that hill for the first 30 miles- getting my mindset ready. Humble brag- I made it! (40 x 16 gearing)
Awesome vid! Favorite quotes: "I am coming in hot", "Am I glad I have a front brake".
Ya you would have had a much easier time on 48/19. Another tip is to take the steep turns wide, going through the apex is shorter distance but you’ll lose momentum and cadence and be slower on the exit of the turn. Just have to make sure it’s safe to use up the other side of the road with no oncoming traffic.
There is no shame in walking parts of the climb. Really steep sections will have you grinding at 3-5mph which is inefficient for long periods of time. Walk those parts so you have more energy to push up sections where you are riding 5-15mph uphill. Fixed gear cycling is an extension of your body, so a walking section here or there is fine if it means you don’t bonk and can conquer the climb.
Finally embrace the pain, but know when it is healthy pain, and pain that is leading to injury.
Get a run up from mount Everest.
nothing wrong with climbing on fixed, as long as the one gear is a decent gear! :)
Dude for real. I switched not to long ago to 50/17. Feels awesome on flat. On hills....😭 🔫
48 : 13 here 😂 flat ground feels like a hill
@@xavieredwards6156 I'm on a 53 : 11
Stop adapting to stuff.
If you were driving a 1 gear car, you'd just have to abandon the mountain journey.
A bicycle allows you to get off and carry your bike up the hill.
That's part of bike life.
Just Stop having a whinge about it.
Dirt bike riders have to give up the journey. The hill is too steep, to slippery when wet.
Why do you go to the point of snapping your knees?
@@dreyn7780 Because it's rewarding, feel free to give up though
Definitely that was a good effort and a sense of achievement in the end! Young knees!
Thriftiness and silly.
If it was a Dirt road you'd have a different life.
Its OKAY to abandon the ride.
Nice vid! I have got a 48/17 and i climb one hill her daily and a mountain once every two weeks.. i gotta say though, when i stay on the saddle and just grab the handlebars by the straight part (i got a bullhorn) i find it easier that way. Also make sure to keep breathing with each pedalstroke and also, and that is the thing i learned the hard way, drag and push on your pedals..
Oh whhhaaaa no way! Greetings from the sac/bay area brotha! Your videos have inspired me to start riding again.
Awesome video thanks! I love how you showed us your climb first and then the detailed advice, just great editing and everything
I did my first climbing on a bike today, and I did it on a fixed gear, 88 wheels, 2.7 ratio, no brake…. It’s got to be the hardest thing I have done in any sport so far, I end up cramping all the way down the mountain, no excuse, but it was so painful even after get home, I still have neuromuscular fatigue, spasm on my quads… lol. But this experience has taught me a few things that will make next time a more successful ride.
1.) front brake is important, or be super skilled with skid
2.) stay hydrate and bring electrolyte
3.) don’t wear a backpack if you don’t have to.
4.) eat breakfast!!
I am also going to do a few adjustment on my bike…. definitely going to practice until I can beat it, I will never want to feel weak again. I learned the hard way but watch il overcome this soon!
I love climbing on fixed, prefer to go uphill than downhill
good stuff man, I bet that descend was well worth the climb
Hey, great video! I usually ride 46:15, but when I face a long climb, I do a quick flip-flop to 17 sprocket. But I live in a relatively flat place, no mountains like that you just smashed.
🌤️
Nice ride, you made it!
Okay Zach! As a beginner on a fixed, this video was pretty dope and honest. I’ll subscribe
And unwise
Probably fit a 42/22 if I lived in the 'tains, or went there. The magic of single speed to glide down. Might fit a 22 and new chain on my 725 for the summer local climbs with 48/22 instead of the current 48/16.
I always think there are 3 gears when riding fixed - sitting down, standing up and then the old 24" gear ie 2 feet :)
When I was younger almost a lifetime ago (literally) riding single fixed during winter was common because of the simplicity and better control when it's icy. My choice of gear was 65" (46x19) which got me up most of the local hills and wasn't so low that I couldn't 'disconnect' my legs on descents. I always had 2 brakes.
Also most hill climb TT competitors opted for single fixed if the gradient didn't change too much because of weight saving.
good on you for climbing fixed bro, i can barely do it with gears.
Maybe we should report him for self harm.
Legs and feet are designed for walking not pedalling.
Big muscle, ripped skin, destroyed joints.
You're an ABSOLUTE legend and after seeing this, i believe the impossible is now possible and can't wait to try. Great about the oxygen intake which will, in the end, improve your wellbeing and mood (provided one doesnt risk heart problems). About the bike, i have only ridden geared/freewheeled bikes so far, so can't say about fixies (am curious :) ), but on them i'm afraid a hard gear would put a bit too much strain on the chain and sprocket teeth, resulting in their shorter life maybe? This is more of a question than an actual statement, would be glad to hear opinions on that :) PS. From the boxes you stuff into your backpack, i guess you ride also some laidback custom cruser lowrider? I'm in Italy and dream about getting one some day soon... never seen one live, even :) ciao!
I agree with everything you said. While I have yet to attempt fixed gear, I used to ride metric centuries on a single speed. Not bad on flats but you have to grind out the hills. While in theory the single allows coasting, when climbing hills with a 7-12% grade, there is no coasting, only grinding. I’m currently looking to get a Single speed Brompton and covert it to a fixed gear. Why? If you ask you wouldn’t understand… it’s just because…
Congrats to making it to the top. Would you consider setting up a climbing fixed bike with gearing inches in the fifties? Why didn't you cover more of the downhill? Downhill with one front brake is gnarly.
Respect man 🙌
We are under lockdown here in Illinois in the U.S. Must be nice to go out and play.
ratoneJR You can ride under lockdown. Indeed, riding is the perfect socially distant workout. I’m riding in the morning.
descending is tougher
yes sir it is
sg rider here really just be careful make sure nothing is in the way and it wont be so hard lastly ride safe!
As long as you keep your speed to what youre confortable with youre good
But boy is it fun. I love being in what my ex called, "the danger zone." I miss living where there are hills.
@@gambitexe240 ride safe!
Great attempt!; well done!
Personally I’d drop that gear down to at least 65 inch and spin more on the flat/downhill. You’d fly up there on a lower gear.
As long as you got momentum and mental toughness you can do it
Bull horns, Bull horns, bull horns. I have old set of Mavic Bull horns. I’ve tried every type of handle bar every type. The Mavic bull horns are the best.
Hello I have an 1985 Raleigh with Campagnolo dropout welded on it a true warrior my set up gears is 48-22 total cruzin’ to tell you the truth I did the Century ride here in Hawaii. On steep hills I was passing people on expensive road bikes. Try this gearing ratio no joke you will love it. Before I got to 48-22 I tried every gear and spent a lot of money on all gear ratios. I found this the best hands down. Just try it 48-22. We only live once. Let me know. I requested to follow you on IG. I really love hills. My road bike I converted it to mountain gears to ride steep hills. Peace out. Aloha, Sammy D
I'm going to do a challenge now, 1400km and 30000m difference in level, it will be 60% dirt road, I'll do it at singel speed, but I promise the gear ratio, until now I didn't know what gear to go with doing! Thanks!
I once saw a dude uphill with a single speed lazy bike with riser bars and seemed like he'd explode anytime while climbing.
Then I saw a lady behind him with a multi-cog setup cruising upwards with ease 😂
Hi Zach, which bars are you using here? The shape of them looks absolutely perfect I would love to know, thanks
you had me at "5 stages of grief" lol.
Love my mtb lol. I commute on a hilly terrain and this reminded me why I dont own a fixie
I’m a roadie, but there was this one time I just refused to get out of the biggest gear I had (52/14). To get to my house on top of a hill, I’d sprint at the base of the hill and have my momentum carry me up until I went down to like 5mph. Then, since I don’t have foot retention, while mashing on the pedal, I’d push the other pedal back with my other foot to get the crank down. A year later I broke my first freewheel, and I now go up with 52/16.
as an unnecessary suffering enjoyer i thank you for making this video
This is just so funny to watch haha
Lodiiii
good to know this a normal kind of crazy... though not a fixie, i try my single gear Brompton (54 and 12 on 16" wheels) up some gradients here in SG. though not exactly a "mountain", managed to bring it up to Mt Faber via 2 routes already (bit of walk on the steeper one). true about the cadence, be it on flat or up grades, it gets way harder when you lose you cadence
Normal crazy doesn't exist.
Normal is having a scooter bike with a motor.
Your ankles and feet are designed for walking.
Do a review on a SELLE ANATOMICA SADDLE.
I’m a new subscriber and new to fixed gear riding what stem. Does anyone know what stem that is on the yellow bike ? It looks good with the style of bike
Content suggestion: like State Bicycles' series, but "Riding fixed, up mountains, with lo-pros"
Thanks for this excellent post, Zach! I love how fixed gear forces you to pace yourself and create a strong core, strong upper body and legs conditioned for sprinting and climbing. I climb at least 2,0000+ ft in under 15 miles with some 5-10% grades like Mt. Soledad and Torrey Pines in San Diego using a 50 x 14 on a 16 lb. aluminum frame with carbon fork, seat post, saddle and bullhorn bars, which are the best for pulling hard while out of the saddle on climbs. It's not punishment when you're well rested before the ride, have proper nutrition before and during the ride, don't go too, too hard, and are in good enough shape that you can recover super quickly (like in just 10-15 pedal strokes (I think they call that a micro-rest). How do you recover when going up a steep hill, you may ask? By changing your riding position in and out of the saddle, balancing your weight properly over the wheels to use gravity to your best advantage, and feeling a nice stretch at the end of every push. Mind over matter is relatively easy once you get in really good shape and you know how to pace yourself. I regularly pass other riders with gears three-quarters of the way up a climb who didn't pace themselves properly, and that's where I'm really starting to lay on the power. It's great how the power you gain from climbing fixed also translates nicely to sustained speed and endurance when riding into strong headwinds, too!
@BeboSaab I have 105 crap on my road bike, and it's boring.
@BeboSaab My orientation has nothing to do with your dumb comment. Go on other channels with your road bike b.s. Your legs are weak, that's why you need a big cassette with long cage 105.
@BeboSaab In your fantasies
@BeboSaab In your dreams.
@BeboSaab Talk to your bf.
That’s what I live for is climbing on my fixed! I ride with a 48/15 gear ratio to
I smiled when he said, "why? Why do i do this to myself?" 9:35
Always rode 46 20, 50 21 and 50 20 as l got fitter. 46 20 is a good gear with a saddle bag and stuff. Bigger gears destroy your knees. 50 21 gets you up most hills with a good cadence and you dont loose dignity with snails passing.
you sound like the announcer from OG The Price Is Right when you give your slogan. gj hf
So then in terms of the gear ratios being the same is a fixie easy to get up a hill as a single speed?
I love climbing on my fixie, in most parts of Costa Rica you b really have a choice if you want to ride fixie bikes... I use drops... the trick for me is pacing
can i ask what your gear ratio sir?
@@maddoxarquiza1794 49/16 and sometimes 49/18
I began feeling slightly bad for what you had to go through on this climb. I ride single-speed instead of fixed-gear. I would probably ride fixed if I had some practice first… It kinda concerns me. I might turn one of my bikes into a fixed gear and the other as an single-speed.
What brand of toe clips are you using?
that's some good ass content
Since you live in California, try climbing Baxter street hill in San Francisco?
48x16 I make it work, there is some hills I still walk, but they’re like, 30+ inclines
Good video! How do you record on your bike?
pulling up is brutal on the hip flexors so I've always preferred pushing down vs pulling up.. anyone else?
A tip I’ve used is to turn around and do a little circle down the hill to regain my cadence speed. Anybody else do the same?
What gear ratio is best for both climb mountain and city?
If one wants to punish himself, isn't developing autoimmune decease smarter way to do this? Or at least, biting nails down to flesh or pulling out hair?
you wildin wildin
In my experience there’s nothing worse than climbing a mountain, at least until you have to go back down.
Respect ✊🏿
What’s the bag at 2:00 please?
“Just keep swimming” 😂
49x17 is about the same to 52x18 and 46x16, which are my fave relations :)
I have a 46x16. What are my strengths and what are my weaknesses ?
Could anyone tell me the product name of the brake levers on Zachs yellow wabi? They look so dope!
TRP RRL Road levers
Sharp looking levers with DRILLIUM!!
@@rollinrat4850 thnx!
based on the anime yawamushi pedal, dancing helps
lmao
Why not have a flip hub wheel with different size gear?
I don't know what kind of mountains you have there, but here in the south Carpathians it's just physically impossible.
let me put it this way, even with a geared bike you will run out of gears on a steep climb... but with a fixed gear the power transmission is at least better.
Hey. I took a dare and did some pretty big rides fixed. Has anyone done the numbers for the Taiwan KOM race? What is the minimum speed required to finish?
I figure that a flip flop with a max cog to reach the end of the drop out and the min cog to hit the minimum with a prestretched chain may yield a pretty good range to flip at the end when the road gets pretty angled.
Let’s also help Zach earn some jack by sharing the vid and commenting here.
Please share how to go descend too
So, I love your videos. However, I'm not a fixed-gear cyclist, and I'm not interested in getting into fixed-gear cycling at this point. Can you recommend any other cycling youtubers who are also amazing youtubers like yourself, but who ride geared bikes?
Whats with the clicking sounds while your riding?
Hey guys what’s a good fixed gear bike for starters?
Don’t get me wrong I like you I want to follow you. Your awesome I just have my views also. I love hill climbing. You know who got me started inhil
Young knees
I ride fixed offroad on singletrack and Im 58. You just need to pick a spinny gear and learn how to pedal really fast on flats. You definately don't get any rest on descents!
What really hurts your knees is braking, skidding and grinding big gears in the saddle. I use brakes.
Amazing voice brother
Please make a "Reasonably Dangerous" tank top!
Or even a transfer print or something and I'll do the work!
No because I just started my part time job and I have to go up this hill everyday and its so embarrassing having to walk it up😭 It feels like the walk of shame 💀
Thanks, but I will carry on the bike and start walking. the BPM and cadence seem crazy..
"why Jesus?" Buhahahaha! That shit had me crying 😭🤣
42-18. There's no avoiding hills where I live.
Pedal 3 or 5 times and then coast for barely a second before you start pedaling again
Damn my mtb ways 22 kilos and can still climb I wonder how well i could do on a lighter bikes
Can anyone answer what does 49/18 mean? I’m really new to riding fixed gear
48t chainring, 18t cog
Practical life advice on disguise of biking tips
i tried to climb up to the griffith observatory and i gave up halfway
Is it fixed gear? Why do you have 2 brake levers then?
what happens if you put 22 teeth on the rear gear?
as someone that pedals up hills in the hardest gear on their 27 speed bike, this is for me.
show us
Turning the pedals snap the bottom bracket
single speed fixed gear no freewheel, kinda like "loving " yourself and cannot stop, literally LOL gonna try it Z