Are those track cycles one gear?

[Srengam]

I've cycled to work for the last 3 years until I got one with an engine recently (we moved from a 4 mile commute to a 15 mile commute), but I've really liked watching it at the olympics, wouldn't mind giving the short length races and sprint a go.

Their's a hill up the lane from our house, a good 400 or 500 metres with a steady slight gradient. I reckon if I was to go up it as fast as I can, say 3 times a day with 30 mins break in between each sprint, I'd be as fast as Street Hawk within a year (I'm already pretty quick after 3 years of giving it some beans up a decent hill until we moved).

So is it one gear I need to use for practicing if I actually decide to give it a go?

[mooserx]

I believe they are of a fixed wheel style as opposed to a single gear, so no freewheeling, constant pedaling, hence why when they finish the race they are still pumping their legs like billy-o.
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TL1000r-handful.

[Teaman]

they are fixed gear and built around a riders preference. Gear ratios and working out how far the bike travels forward with one complete turn then working out how many turns to win and base your training around that is loony.
Sold a few Orbit track bikes as the owner of Orbit owned us (Freewheel)and have ridden in Manchester velodrome and might I say its scary. when your not used to it.
the tubeless tyres are pumped up to pressures far above the "safe" rating to reduce friction and I honestly believe that some people go to watch in the hope of a blowout or crash.

Oh and if you do try to stop peddling it just tries to throw you off the bike.
I used to see a bloke in Sheffield riding a fixed gear everywhere around town. nerves of steel
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Someone stupid does not realise they r stupid.stupidity is indistinguishable from malice U just have to accept that some people are thick as p1gsh1t and work around them.

[stinkwheel]

Fixies are quite good fun.

I'm currently riding singlespeed and thoroughly enjoy the simplicity of it. I may progress to fixed gear once my fitness level increases because I do like the smoothness of progress they give.

Sheldon Brown has a lot to say on the subject and knows what he's talking about.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixeda.html

You can have some real fun making yourself a fixie too. Most big towns have a bicycle re-cycling charity place. Pop down and see if you can pick yourself up a tasty 1970's racer frame in reynolds 531 tubing with horizontal dropouts.

Fit a flip-flop rear wheel. Get the chainline sorted and attach a nice new double-acting front calliper.

Tarting:
My single speed Specialized mountain bike.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/CIMG0722.jpg
My single speed 1973 Puch Alpine road bike:
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/1CIMG0589.jpg
Mrs stinkwheels 1976 Raleigh Competition fixie
https://cdn.bikechatforums.com/files/katsfixie.jpg
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[D O G]

[Bred2shred]

[chris-red]

My dad has a 'Sun Solo' Racing bike in the Garage I was thinking about getting another set of wheels for my mountain bike to do some road stuff but cleaning that up should be cheaper!
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[sickpup]

[stinkwheel]

[stinkwheel]

[Srengam]

Hmm, nearest velodrome is pretty far away, I could probably commit to once every other week at that distance for practice.

If I did get the passion for it then obviously I'd up it for event prep etc (thinking way far ahead now, I'm sure somebody who comuted for 3 years on a bike won't stand much of a chance for a few years), but you never know, I'm pretty fast, fit and strong (done kettlebells since before they were really heard of over here so in pretty good condition).

I'll see about getting down to watch the next session

[Teaman]

[Alpha-9]