I Tried Spin to Win On My Fixed Gear for 30 Days

Cyclists preach "spin to win," the idea that it's more efficient and ultimately faster and more efficient to spin a lower gear ratio at a higher cadence versus grinding a bigger gear ratio at a lower cadence. But this mindset never quite made its way to fixed gear riders. I tried spin to win on my two fixed gear bikes for thirty days to see if it would make me faster, more efficient, and have more fun or if I would crawl back to my normal 49/17 gear ratio. The results surprised even me.

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0:00 - Spin to Win Never Made It to Fixed Gear
0:35 - My Spinny Gear Ratios
1:13 - 30 Days Trying Spin to Win
5:29 - Is Spinning Winning?
8:41 - Tradeoffs
9:14 - I Like Spinning Now
11:20 - Sponsor: Wabi Cycles

#fixedgear #spintowin

[robertmyers]

Damn boy. I came away from this with several takeaways. Also this is one of your best and most encouraging videos in a while.

First, I've been following you for several years and your videos were a big part of getting me back into cycling and fixed gear riding. Some time back you published a documented ride with a rather high gear and an average cadence of 65rpm, and I sent a comment that you should try a lower gear and spinning and see how the speed compared. Glad that you are finally trying it.

Second. When I was younger, I really tried to sell everyone I knew on spinning. I tried explaining that cycling should come from your lungs and heart not your legs. 90-100 rpm should be a good target cadence, even for a recreational rider.

Third. This brings me to now. I'm old and slow. On my Kilo TT Pro I've got a 48x19 and an average ride is 65rpm, fast parts 80-90. My excuse is that I'm old, 74, 7 years post heart surgery. At my age heart rates in the 120s, are good exercise, with around 140 as peak, and this seemed to match. However...

Fourth. Tomorrow before I go out for a ride, I'm going to swap over to a 44T chainring. Practice what I preach(ed). Spin to win.

[CalmoOmlac]

That's pretty much my ratio on my singlespeed mtb. 38/18. I'm 42 years now and the older i get the more i'm in spinning rather than pushing :)

[myNamezMe]

If you want to keep it apples to apples, shortening the cranks might also be necessary to maintain the same stroke velocity. Increasing cadence with the same crank length just raises stroke velocity, potentially recruiting more fast-twitch muscle fibers than before.

My knee issues went away when I tried shorter cranks, resulting in a more straight piston-like pedaling motion.

[JogieGlenMait]

My brother is definitely getting older now. 😅 I still remember the early days of the channel.

[johnhatfield]

I’m 67 live in the uk. Quite hilly. Two bikes. 46/20 and a 48/22. Did Great Britain end to end last year on the 48/22. I think Zac you’ve finally seen the light, considerably earlier I did though. Spin to win!!

[jregulatori]

I run a 47/19 or a 47/18 living in hilly Seattle. Think it's one of the better ratios that allows you to cruise around at 20mph but can still take on hills. Keep thinking I'm going to change it but it's now been my go-to for 5+ years.

[charlotte]

Haha its so funny how as fixed gear riders if we want to change gear we have to rebuild our bike and test it out for 30 days while every other cyclist just clicks a lever on their handle bars 😭 what are we doing

[cryingrocknathanaeledwards]

Big time! I’ve settled on a 46/18 for my main bike, and 46/20 on my casual bike. Love it!
I will say that downhill was tough for a bit, but that what my front brake is for lol

[dereklorenz]

Part of what attracts me to fixed gear street riding is the lower cadence because I really like to spin when I have gears.

[BB-xzcc]

46/18 I'm here in Colorado. I can hang with the group riders, Mob through traffic with the homies, gravel goon whenever I want and I eat up big hills for breakfast. Iv been on the spin it to win it train for quite some time. Nice video. I feel glad to see your excitement around this experience.

[anibalbibal]

I've been running 46/18 for about two years now, and it feels amazing. It's heavier than what you tried but definitely lighter than what most people ride, and as a commute and trick rider it hits the spot just right.

[jojohnhernandez]

You are not kidding on the stop start went from 46/16 to 46/20 feel faster without killing the legs

[anielyantra]

38/22 in a hilly town. Flat I would probably do a a 42/22

[stard]

Dude, that Knee injury you said at 7:30 is what happened to me, it was really painful for a few months, then:

I started slow running every morning for 1 hour
I started doing CrossFit, BUT I stayed at Level 1, no weight and go slow
And most Importantly I stretched for 30+ minutes focusing on the Hips

Good to 'see you', take care

[benc]

Very interesting to hear your experience! I ride quite a spinny gear anyway (48/19) and it works for me. The heavy gear might make you strong but spinning is a skill too and fixed gear is especially good for it because there is no dead spot.

[barryrobbins]

Crank length matters too. The guy that won the Tour de France this year used 165mm (172.5mm is normally used for his height). Even with the same gear ratios, shorter cranks are more efficient — you don’t have to have a higher cadence. Someone the height of Zach could easily use 165mm. It’s better on the knees too.

[solomon__ejay]

I live in Rwanda(the land of a thousand hills) And spinning to win is the only way to win here. Not an option. So so much so, I run a 48/28😂😂😂. You climb hills way easier, and you don't have to pedal down hills 😊

[RedLevine]

SS 44/19 with 165mm cranks on Gravel King SS 38's. Works for me in LA.

[bavarianhero]

I use 44/13 on my 727. Once you get up and going, you are definitely moving with that ratio too.

[tay-lore]

This made my knees hurt just watching. I hate feeling spinny