Knee pain from fixed gear is almost always a result of over developed quads and tight underdeveloped hamstrings. The weakness presents itself as kneecap pain called patellar tendinopathy, or, runners knee. Hamstring curls and deep squats or leg press fixed my discomfort. Edit: you touched on adductors and abductors too! I put those in my gym routine for the same reasons... also glutes!
Glutes are the engine. After I had to start working on them, I barely ever stand up from saddle on starts or climbs. Legs just got that torque to spin pedals without standing on pedals.
Na it’s facts I’ve been riding over 8 years now and I’ve had a 1-2 year breaks from not riding bikes. Before I took that break I was riding for 4 years straight from riding 10-15 miles per day consistently, to riding to school everyday, to have track meets on Wednesday, which obviously led to long rides. I’ve rode over 100 miles a couple times. That was probably 14-17 years old me. Other than fixed gear riding, I was playing futbol, basketball and volleyball a lot. Once I took that 1-2 year break, after buying a new bike after those years. It wasn’t hard to get back on the bike but the after pain after riding 10-15 miles after not riding for 1-2 years. I’d say it was some pain I never felt in my life in my knees. I got the bike I always wanted and it was perfectly my size. The pain wasn’t so bad but it was pain that I never felt in my life and I was scared. Then I took couple weeks break and I did more leg workouts during those weeks. Once I rode my bike slowly and slowly, I started to get the feeling back and I wasn’t really so afraid anymore. I’d say if you are currently riding fixed gear, don’t ever stop, even if you’re riding your typical 10-40 miles you ride everyday. Take it slowly and allow your legs to move and stretch. I’d be honest those 4 years of me consistently riding fixed gear, I had the one biggest quads and calves for a teenage kid who just rode bikes. I’d admit I use to like wearing short shorts back then to show them off but that was nearly 8 years ago. I’m about to be 23 now and I bought another bike not long ago and it honestly feels good now. No knee pain or anything. I’d advise if you haven’t rode fixed gear for awhile and you don’t naturally workout at home or a gym like your suppose to, just ride your bike 5-10 miles slowly, don’t push yourself. Just develop the habit of having strong knees and pedal strokes.
When I rode pedicabs I had a ride and one of my shoe bolts fell out on my clipless. My foot dragged through the pedal stroke crooked with all that weight and my knee exploded. I ride with a bigger cog now
@@2ball434 Gear exist helped the bad fitment problem doesn't mean it stop being the problem? If you have shit fit on bike with gear, the fit problem is still there, you just dodge it consequence by using the gear. Competitive folks who actually push the bike have the same problem cuz they cant hide behind gear switching.
@@anhhy5486 not saying it doesn't but grinding a hard ratio could lead to bad knees. Not hating fixed gears but most beginners have that issue cause of the singular ratio and them wanting to brag. Bad fit is greatly exagerated in fixed single speed riding.
About clipless, I disagree. They don't necessarily lock your knee in an angle. With spd, you have like 10 degrees or so of wiggle. You don't need more. In fact, I got injured in straps because my foot wiggled all over the place and my knee worked to compensate.
I've been a BMX purist my whole life and being 35 with a number of injuries that just built up over the years from working and riding and living a fairly harsh lifestyle I've had to just switch it up. What kept me on the BMX is that I didn't know regular bikes came in sizes and every geared bike I'd ever tried was wayyyyy too big for me so I always hated it. I just got a Brilliant L Train and this thing is amazing. And, coming from the single geared world, I can ride this thing so fast and it's easy.
Nice Video, Zach! I have not read all the comments, but there seems to be a lot of bad news out there. I would like to throw in my good story. I have ridden fixed gear 80% of my miles for the past 30 years. That is because I commuted daily in Cleveland, Ohio, with round trip distances ranging from 22 to 30 miles each day. Early years it was 9 months out of the year, with climate change, it was 12 months a year from about 2007 on. In addition, Iregularly did 60-100 mile fixed gear rides on weekends, with my longest single-day fixed gear ride being the Ride Across Indiana (RAIN) at 160 miles. In that time, I had two knee injuries requiring surgery - neither of them occurred while cycling. I broke my left ACL and got it repaired a little over a year later. About 10 years later, I fell on the same knee and broke the kneecap. Another surgery, more screws and wires in the knee. In spite of these injuries, at the age of 67, I am still riding fixed gear, and I have no knee pain. In fact, I think that the discipline of leg motion in a planar circle, with no impacts or twisting made the cartilage and ligaments heal with optimal alignment and, in fact saved that left knee. My recipe for knee longevity incorporates some of the very advice you have given. (1) I ride with a saddle height just above all the fitters’ absolute limit rules. If I lower the saddle and try to pedal more flat footed, knee pain lurks around. (2) I have used toe clips and straps, Power Grips, and now, half toe clips, because I prefer avoid foot hot spots by shifting my feet around slightly. The knees apparently benefit because my legs automatically adjust to the overall most comfortable position. (3) I ride weanie low gears. Over flat Cleveland terrain my everyday gear ratio has ranged from 65” (46X19) to 72” (48X18). The only time I used higher gears was whenever I raced (one season) on the Cleveland Velodrome. (4) I use a front brake. I use backpedaling on the rear wheel as an assist when braking hard, and to scrub speed when something squirrelly is happening with he poor slops driving their cars ahead of me. So I do like the flow of the fixed gear because I hesitate when danger looms ahead, and my legs slow, so my bike is slowing even before the situation has registered in my conscious mind and I have made a decision to grab the brake lever. To make a serious stop, even for a stoplight, I use the front brake and spare the knees. So Zach, ride on, don’t worry!
Stuff I do at age 30 to keep my knees happy riding fixed-gear: 1) Lower gear. I run 46*19, which is still plenty fast to hang with the party ride while being SO much easier in the hilly parts of town. 2) Fitment. Got my bike fitted professionally, worth every penny. Not just the saddle, but also 165mm cranks instead of 170mm since I have short legs for my height. 3) Dual rim brakes. I gave up on looking cool, at least on my daily bike, because I live in a dense hilly city where there's not always room to skid. 4) Working out in the gym, and especially not skipping leg day. 5) Shorter rides with occasional recovery days. This mostly all lines up with Wabi Boy's list but, worth reinforcing
Not being negative in my comment respect to Zack and all. 26 years old ? Mmm ok cool ? I'm 45 years old still riding fix, uh I started like in my early 30's. Injuries, pain, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha I've got day's for them. From bashing my knee on the curb, to falling in to thorn bush. Oh and can't forget sprang both wrist. Most recent injuries like recent as July 24 2023 I can not forget ! Broken clavicle ! From my front tire hitting a branch I couldn't avoid. Yeah still hurts the hell what the doctor say ! I'm still riding fix. I can't stop, don't want to.
People like to blame FG for bad knees instead of looking at bike fit or posture. The key to knee health is hamstring strength but how many people actually do something about it. Like Justin, just quit.
I’m 33, been riding fixed/no brakes (46x16 ratio) for a decade. 15-25 miles avg ride. I don’t skid. My knees are fine and never hurt. I live in Florida and it’s all flat though.
Good fit is really important. I did some (single speed) rides with clipless spd pedals, and I already started to feel that my knees didn't like that. I didn't try to adjust the fit since I prefer to use regular shoes while riding, and got power grips instead. Haven't felt anything in my knees after that.
Cartlidge can be rebuilt as well by doing light cycling with low resistance. Also by taking supplements that support the health of cartridge like glucosamine and chondroitin. I get it at Costco.
My outer calf muscles are stronger than the inner muscles, pulls my knee cap out of alignment. To correct this I do leg lifts, with my feet angled outward by 30 degrees. This has worked for me for over 50 years. As well I do not used clipless, I use MTB pedals instead so I can get my feet angled properly for my body type. Clipless for the vast majority of riders is useless, only makes a difference if putting down high wattage.
12:57 I was 44 when this started happening to me. It's a tough pill to swallow but not insurmountable. I had to become obsessed with effortless pedaling, no exceptions. Avoided fight or flight situations with vehicles. Were you have to overly exert yourself. And reduce weight at all costs. Including your own body weight. Honestly though it was the seeds of your videos that brought me back. And I've never been happier.
One of those people who’ve been riding fixed on road and track longer than you’ve been alive. Although you have figured out a way to get some income from your hobby, bravo 😊 Spot on about proper bike fit, gearing and technique. One thing I’ve learned over the years is there’s a group of smaller muscles, hip flexors and adductors and the like that stabilize the knee, and when they are weak that can result in knee getting out of line while pedaling. Sitting at a desk job is the worse thing that can happen to these muscles. In my case, when knee starts hurting I know it’s time to get out bungee and start doing a little PT for the iliotibial band. Body is an amazing thing, a little maintenance goes a long way. Most dangerous things for a cyclist are still cars and the couch.
Maybe pulling with your legs should be #1, my personal take is that your knees have evolved over millions of years for pushing, not pulling. And pulling happens all the time when you regulate your speed, not only when you skid. So if the above is true, all it would take to fix the problem is start using a front brake to regulate your speed and stopping (and possibly stop skidding).
I was going to chime in also about short cranks, there's a lot more new research & talk about how bike industry neglected this area for cost savings, but shorter cranks (same power to the wheels) make a huge difference, in efficiency and biomechanics.
also your ankles. rode fixed daily for 10+ years, then got doored by a double-parked uber. shattered my ankle, and have only rode a handful of times since. i miss it.
For 'internal leg muscles' one can use not very big, not very hard ball and do squeezing series of it keeping between knees. Then keep knees with hands and try to push knees outwards.
Whats your crank arm length? Maybe try cranks 10 or 15mm shorter. That stem is well below the saddle, so it's probably not well fit to your body either.
I ride Fixed now since 2006.I don't skid.Just ride my old Peugeot from 1983.I ride in sight .Im also drive a car .Fixed gear makes you :Be careful.look foreward.
44x16.. 2.75.. on 700x38. close tho the old school 46x16 BMX standard.. or 2.875. That number being revolutions per crank.. sprocket T# ÷ by the freewheel T#.. Been my standard for yrs. The circumference blah blah is dumb. Right now have 30x12..2.5, on a 29" s&m booze Cruz with 2.5" tires. Am going down to a 28x12.. 2.33 tho, just for old man comfort. Key is.. don't go above 3 typically.. and below 2 or lower is just weird. No one likes that stock 32x16.. 2.. gearing. Gtfo here with that.
It's been said already, but I want to emphasize it: avoid a too high gear ratio in the first place and dismiss any false vanity (which is present quite often). False vanity belongs to roadies (sorry). 17/46 to 17/48 has worked fine for me. Never went "up" when becoming stronger after starting fixed gear riding. Secondly, I've always ridden 165mm cranks on Dura Ace, Miche Primato Advanced, BLB Super Pista, BLB Track and two or three more - also no worries about toe overlap with aggressive, tight track frames and pedal scrape when flying through sharp corners.
Something that happens to me on and off is hip flexor strains, usually the sartorius of my dominant leg. Im curious if you’ve felt this or heard of others that have experienced them? Maybe it’s also pulling up too much when im skidding? It’s usually when im going down too many steep hills maybe without proper warm up… haha. Love your vidoes !
I think people involved in fixed gear bicycles don't even consider comfort, they all want to be stylish, with ultra-high saddles, aggressive postures, saddles at completely absurd angles, and of course, no brakes. Obviously, the fixed gear bicycle is always associated with knee pain, but the fault is not in the bike, it's in the people who care more about being stylish. Just use the brakes, it's that simple. A bicycle that is comfortable for you, whether it's a mountain, road, or even fixed gear bike, has a minimal chance of causing issues. Listen to your body, don't sacrifice comfort for style, it's not worth it.
Knee grinding problems come with ridiculous gear. 48-14 might be ok for people who have legs for near olympic level track racing, stick to something reasonable if you just commute.
I’ve got no glutes and have weak hamstrings and quads. I can’t have a high seat because it affects my lower back, which is already weak due to a bulging disc. I had to resort to easy-but-steady peddling to commute 5 miles to work, where I lift heavy. It makes it a lot easier when trying to get home. Fitness will hopefully solve the issue.
I mainly get gooch pain from wrong saddles lol but it’s good now. Knees feel fine maybe because I push and pull evenly when skidding? Been fixed for 3 years now, before that I was and still am a mtb boi
Very needed topic. Nowadays even young people are stiff and get sore fast because of long screen time and cramped position. Investing in yourself, strengthening core, legs, back and stretching will let one ride his bike longer and more enjoyable. Previous video about Justin who has accumulated several very nice bikes but couldn't ride fixed anymore 'cos knee pain speaks for itself.
I read somewhere that it's pressing down hard with the knee bent a lot that's the killer. Because a fixed gear has no dead spots it's quite easy when climbing to only push on the last part of the stroke, if necessary standing up a bit. YMMV.
Bad fit doesn't fix naturally weak knees. As much as I'd like to go fixie, all the big steep hills in my area and the state of my knees means I need gearing to get around practically :/
I would go further than saying seatpost too low to saying just bike fit in general. Roadies have one thing right and that is fit is so important to your enjoyment of cycling. The fit calculator on competitive cyclist is actually not half bad.
You're by far my favorite bike-tuber AND have lived in Michigan! I've been very afraid of this exact thing lately as well. I live in Grand Rapids where things are... mostly flat with some significant hills and it's all on pavement. I have a State 4130 bike that I think comes with 46x16 for the ratio and it *feels* okay, but I'm not sure if it's really optimal for my riding. Do you (or anybody else) have any suggestions for a gear ratio that'd be good for this kinda terrain
@@rogerwinright2290 I think he meant up the fixed sprocket. 17 felt good when I did it. 18 is too spinny imo and if you're bike isn't perfectly fit then it might feel like you're over doing it.
Zack, duuuude. I'm an old subscriber and through last year I've got a note to share. It's veeeeeery likely that your knee pain (one sided it-band syndrome especially) actually comes from your seat being too hiiiiiigh. I watched almost all vids on your channel and your ankle and knee joints really experience an odd amount of flexion at the bottom of the pedal stroke. You almost flex your knee straight and point your toes severely which in 99% of the time leads to it-band syndrome. Since we all asymmetrical creatures we prefer saving one (more developed) leg over the other - that's where the pain comes from. So overreaching is the key. The second one is foot-pedal interface. Toeclips almost always align your foot in BOFOPA position which is unnecessary if you're not a passionate short-effort crit sprinter. Such positioning overloads the knee since the balance platform of the foot is extremely unstable under the load - this forces your quads to overdo the job. Annnnnnnd the last one - the setback being too far back can also be an inobvious culprit. When saddle is too far back and hight at the same time you kick out when you pedal rather than pushing firmly in a stable, controlled manner. So play with these 3 Xs to solve the equation. Saddle a bit lower, pedal spindle a bit further behind the 1st metatarsal. Hope you read the comments, cheers
That is also the case for me. I put my saddle 30mm lower, pedal mid-foot. I was over-extending my legs before and put my knees into miss-alignment. Came across a video by BikeFit James before and do some self positioning experiment. My 44 years old knee is free from pain now.
Pistol squats are insane. Try walking lunges, Bulgarian split squats, front squats with a dumbell. Calf extensions are a good idea. I've been fixed gear for decades with Speedplays. 64 yrs old and never had a knee issue. 🤞✌🚲
People often fall into trap of "if it's hard to do it must be very beneficial". Regular exercises with gradual load increase in the long run are more efficient than doing some very hard stuff now and then. You are giving me big hopes to still ride FG at that age 🤞
I might have same thing. been riding not fixed but singlespeed bikes for about 8yrs as main mean of transport (no car) at 27 went big into long distances( first on the single then on a proper road bike) but 29 now def having something with my right knee as well, I can relate with all the thing you said (sprained ankle, knee going inside when flexing, right knee pain). For me it's the swelling of the popliteus. I NEED to try that foam rolling thing
Just back off if something seems a bit wrong with your knees. I used to take the coldest two months off and enjoy coming back to it fresh later. And switch it up. Sometimes ride crazed, sometimes slow-mo. Even coasting sometimes has its place.
After 8 years of riding fixed my right knee got a torn meniscus. It happened on a cold day while commuting. I was running brakeless and had to emergency stop in busy traffic. I used to skid from the seat which already was a bad habit (damn macaframa) on that day it was too much and bam with a sharp pain it was goodbye fixed gears. Doctor said to operate but I refused. I instead used my left leg to compensate for 3 years while doing some therapy riding on XC bike and lots of walking. Today I can't for example jump on my knees from height because both are now bad (right from the tear and left from being abused for over 3 years while recovering) I also absolutely never going to ride fixed again unless both brakes are present, my knees are glass now. I ride 2.3 ratio on my old moser that tore my knee but with a single speed configuration this time and so far I'm fully recovered but extra fragile.
Yo Zach, you ever try a Berthoud seats? I couldn't get along with Brooks but the Berthoud is money! Berthoud looks expensive on ebay but if you buy direct they give USA discounts. I got one during their Christmas sale and got it for about $145. i have a Mente cuz i have wide sit-bones and its the cheaper riveted model.
I just remember the one who deliver pizza at his age,, he is my inspiration till now why i am riding my fixed gear for 10 yrs... At the age of 35.... Luckily i didnt experience any issue on my knees. Maybe coz my gear ration is 47/19
I've had 3 leftfoot surgeries from falling being stuck in the straps at the end of 2021. Lisfranc ligament tear and ankle shatter. Ive recovered well and been back on the bike, but I do a lot more nonbike exsercise/stretching/balance work now. Knee pain is the last thing I worry about, gettin the squats up 😅
IF you don't skid, or hop curbs and add a front brake for extreme hills, your knees will love you. Of course, the front brake means no bar spin, but think of the Endo's. I threw a freewheel on my ride years ago, so I'm a poser. -If you never stop pedaling, how will they know? 😆
I used to skid all the time too, my right knee was over, and I started roadcycling with gears and it repaired my knee 🫡 now im basicly starting to open up for other kinds os bikes, but I still comute with my fixed gear and the knee pain is gone, but skiding everywhere as well 🤷♂️ and I ride 3,2 on kind of flat terrain 🫡
Size yourself and work yourself out right! i think there's a lot of great stuff you can do with sizing that can keep your knees from blowing out that you mention--shorter cranks, different sized gears and cogs, different saddles, different cockpits, different pedals, different shoes. And then of course, there are physical exercises and stretches you can do to bulletproof your knees. Strengthening your tibs and keeping ankles and knees flexy can help a lot. I'm a big fan of working up to single leg bridge and single leg exercises that help you figure out whole body motion. Anyone else have a great exercise they do to keep their knees happy?
I’m buying a circa 1977 Raleigh Grand Prix that’s been converted to a fixie in about an hour. I bought a different one two weeks ago. Thanks bud, appreciate the addiction.
I think this is what I needed to hear. I injured my knee (I think my MCL) in a crash, and I can’t bring myself to stop riding. I sure as hell don’t want it to become chronic, so I might just have to
I didn't hold much hope for this video initially. Then it turned helpful. Give us more stretches and exercises to prevent and heal, please! I have ankle issues. Whatcha got for that?
A great video, you're so right on the sprained ankle,,, I got one earlier this year that lasted a month. I was terrified and had to be conscious of only skidding with the other foot lol it wasn't that fun lol but now I'm thankfully out if it
I had chronic knee pain for several years following a sprained ankle. Two factors contributed were identified when my employer-provided insurance changed and I could see a decent specialist. My kneecaps are 50mm out of position, big quads had pulled them upward out of the "saddle" they normally sit in and they were grinding abnormally. And my muscles had all become tuned to compensate for that - up until the ankle sprain and recovery time disrupted the balance of muscle tension.
Low saddle means a tighter knee angle at the top of the pedal stroke, which is likely causing knee pain more than not fully extending at the bottom of the stroke. I'm married to and live with a physical therapist who has successfully addressed any knee pain I've experienced. Know your body, know your bike, know how to stretch.
Well, no matter how young you are, the saying goes: the more you use something, the more you will lose it. Ironic, because if you don’t use something, the more you will lose it as well. Goes to show there is a balance, because the less you use something, the quicker you lose it. I’m confusing myself. F%#k this.
Stretching, hydration, and a balanced diet can only do so much if you are predisposed to certain conditions. Only one who says that they've been ridinh fixed gear bikes for well over a decade and do not have any issues is merely sharing anecdotes, not facts.
Stretching is a necessary part of long strenuous activity … your lower back your pelvis and knee and ankle tendons will be in use for the next few hours … it is essential to stretch and recover, remember STRETCHING PREVENTS INJURY …. I’ve done 6 hours of fixed cycling repeatedly …
@docouchi7929 Yes, but like it said, it can only do so much if you are predisposed to certain conditions. Not everyone is going to have the same results as you.
I was one who hurt my knees riding my fixed. I was younger and more crazy in my riding style. That same bike that hurt my knees was also the same bike that i was able to recoup my knee health. Once i figured out a riding style for me that wasnt always full agression. My knees are great. And i now can go all day with out issues. My stopping style is more of a back pedal force vs a straight up locking of the tires. When i have to i do. Ive been riding fixed on and off since the late 90s. Fixed are my favorite style of pavement pounders.
Knee pain from fixed gear is almost always a result of over developed quads and tight underdeveloped hamstrings. The weakness presents itself as kneecap pain called patellar tendinopathy, or, runners knee. Hamstring curls and deep squats or leg press fixed my discomfort.
Edit: you touched on adductors and abductors too! I put those in my gym routine for the same reasons... also glutes!
Glutes are the engine. After I had to start working on them, I barely ever stand up from saddle on starts or climbs. Legs just got that torque to spin pedals without standing on pedals.
@@event4216 i learned long ago mountain biking that sitting in saddle and pedaling is actually easier than standing...
Na it’s facts I’ve been riding over 8 years now and I’ve had a 1-2 year breaks from not riding bikes. Before I took that break I was riding for 4 years straight from riding 10-15 miles per day consistently, to riding to school everyday, to have track meets on Wednesday, which obviously led to long rides. I’ve rode over 100 miles a couple times. That was probably 14-17 years old me. Other than fixed gear riding, I was playing futbol, basketball and volleyball a lot. Once I took that 1-2 year break, after buying a new bike after those years. It wasn’t hard to get back on the bike but the after pain after riding 10-15 miles after not riding for 1-2 years. I’d say it was some pain I never felt in my life in my knees. I got the bike I always wanted and it was perfectly my size. The pain wasn’t so bad but it was pain that I never felt in my life and I was scared. Then I took couple weeks break and I did more leg workouts during those weeks. Once I rode my bike slowly and slowly, I started to get the feeling back and I wasn’t really so afraid anymore. I’d say if you are currently riding fixed gear, don’t ever stop, even if you’re riding your typical 10-40 miles you ride everyday. Take it slowly and allow your legs to move and stretch. I’d be honest those 4 years of me consistently riding fixed gear, I had the one biggest quads and calves for a teenage kid who just rode bikes. I’d admit I use to like wearing short shorts back then to show them off but that was nearly 8 years ago. I’m about to be 23 now and I bought another bike not long ago and it honestly feels good now. No knee pain or anything. I’d advise if you haven’t rode fixed gear for awhile and you don’t naturally workout at home or a gym like your suppose to, just ride your bike 5-10 miles slowly, don’t push yourself. Just develop the habit of having strong knees and pedal strokes.
Not a fixed gear rider, but my physical therapist told me the same thing. Knee pain caused by muscle inbalance 🦵
When I rode pedicabs I had a ride and one of my shoe bolts fell out on my clipless. My foot dragged through the pedal stroke crooked with all that weight and my knee exploded. I ride with a bigger cog now
It's sad that some people are quick to blame fixed gears for knee pain instead of just realizing that bad fitment on any bike can cause it too.
It really is though when you're never in the right gear that can literally cause knee pain
@@2ball434wtf is the right gear? humans didn't evolve to ride bikes, it's all about a good fit. your muscles are the gears
@@2ball434 Gear exist helped the bad fitment problem doesn't mean it stop being the problem? If you have shit fit on bike with gear, the fit problem is still there, you just dodge it consequence by using the gear. Competitive folks who actually push the bike have the same problem cuz they cant hide behind gear switching.
@@anhhy5486 not saying it doesn't but grinding a hard ratio could lead to bad knees.
Not hating fixed gears but most beginners have that issue cause of the singular ratio and them wanting to brag.
Bad fit is greatly exagerated in fixed single speed riding.
About clipless, I disagree. They don't necessarily lock your knee in an angle. With spd, you have like 10 degrees or so of wiggle. You don't need more.
In fact, I got injured in straps because my foot wiggled all over the place and my knee worked to compensate.
The SPD-SL black cleats (apparently) have zero degrees of freedom (and, therefore, one should never ever use them)
Hey Zach, it's "Brakeless Ill-EYE-Nye" as in, Illinois
I've been a BMX purist my whole life and being 35 with a number of injuries that just built up over the years from working and riding and living a fairly harsh lifestyle I've had to just switch it up.
What kept me on the BMX is that I didn't know regular bikes came in sizes and every geared bike I'd ever tried was wayyyyy too big for me so I always hated it. I just got a Brilliant L Train and this thing is amazing. And, coming from the single geared world, I can ride this thing so fast and it's easy.
Nice Video, Zach! I have not read all the comments, but there seems to be a lot of bad news out there. I would like to throw in my good story. I have ridden fixed gear 80% of my miles for the past 30 years. That is because I commuted daily in Cleveland, Ohio, with round trip distances ranging from 22 to 30 miles each day. Early years it was 9 months out of the year, with climate change, it was 12 months a year from about 2007 on. In addition, Iregularly did 60-100 mile fixed gear rides on weekends, with my longest single-day fixed gear ride being the Ride Across Indiana (RAIN) at 160 miles. In that time, I had two knee injuries requiring surgery - neither of them occurred while cycling. I broke my left ACL and got it repaired a little over a year later. About 10 years later, I fell on the same knee and broke the kneecap. Another surgery, more screws and wires in the knee. In spite of these injuries, at the age of 67, I am still riding fixed gear, and I have no knee pain. In fact, I think that the discipline of leg motion in a planar circle, with no impacts or twisting made the cartilage and ligaments heal with optimal alignment and, in fact saved that left knee. My recipe for knee longevity incorporates some of the very advice you have given. (1) I ride with a saddle height just above all the fitters’ absolute limit rules. If I lower the saddle and try to pedal more flat footed, knee pain lurks around. (2) I have used toe clips and straps, Power Grips, and now, half toe clips, because I prefer avoid foot hot spots by shifting my feet around slightly. The knees apparently benefit because my legs automatically adjust to the overall most comfortable position. (3) I ride weanie low gears. Over flat Cleveland terrain my everyday gear ratio has ranged from 65” (46X19) to 72” (48X18). The only time I used higher gears was whenever I raced (one season) on the Cleveland Velodrome. (4) I use a front brake. I use backpedaling on the rear wheel as an assist when braking hard, and to scrub speed when something squirrelly is happening with he poor slops driving their cars ahead of me. So I do like the flow of the fixed gear because I hesitate when danger looms ahead, and my legs slow, so my bike is slowing even before the situation has registered in my conscious mind and I have made a decision to grab the brake lever. To make a serious stop, even for a stoplight, I use the front brake and spare the knees. So Zach, ride on, don’t worry!
"I'm turning 28, I'm no spring chicken"
Me turning 40: 😳
Thanks for the thoughts, have fun out there!
Supplement with single speed or add a road bike to your quiver to toggle up your skeletal musculature dynamics
This is the way.
The R word to fixed gear riders 😂
But yeah I agree, it's good to change it up
Stuff I do at age 30 to keep my knees happy riding fixed-gear:
1) Lower gear. I run 46*19, which is still plenty fast to hang with the party ride while being SO much easier in the hilly parts of town.
2) Fitment. Got my bike fitted professionally, worth every penny. Not just the saddle, but also 165mm cranks instead of 170mm since I have short legs for my height.
3) Dual rim brakes. I gave up on looking cool, at least on my daily bike, because I live in a dense hilly city where there's not always room to skid.
4) Working out in the gym, and especially not skipping leg day.
5) Shorter rides with occasional recovery days.
This mostly all lines up with Wabi Boy's list but, worth reinforcing
Got a steel fixed gear with a cruisin 43x17 ratio. my knees are happy
hahaha “wabi boy” is hilarious
Me at 35yrsold 47/19 😅 with front brakes... Still no more knee pain since 2010
Wabi boy is absolutely brilliant. This is his name from now on
Not being negative in my comment respect to Zack and all.
26 years old ? Mmm ok cool ? I'm 45 years old still riding fix, uh I started like in my early 30's. Injuries, pain, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha I've got day's for them. From bashing my knee on the curb, to falling in to thorn bush. Oh and can't forget sprang both wrist. Most recent injuries like recent as July 24 2023 I can not forget ! Broken clavicle ! From my front tire hitting a branch I couldn't avoid. Yeah still hurts the hell what the doctor say ! I'm still riding fix.
I can't stop, don't want to.
People like to blame FG for bad knees instead of looking at bike fit or posture. The key to knee health is hamstring strength but how many people actually do something about it. Like Justin, just quit.
I’m 33, been riding fixed/no brakes (46x16 ratio) for a decade. 15-25 miles avg ride. I don’t skid. My knees are fine and never hurt. I live in Florida and it’s all flat though.
I only run high ratios like 52/15 or 48/13 in velodrome 52/17 52/16 48/14 on street
Good fit is really important. I did some (single speed) rides with clipless spd pedals, and I already started to feel that my knees didn't like that. I didn't try to adjust the fit since I prefer to use regular shoes while riding, and got power grips instead. Haven't felt anything in my knees after that.
Cartlidge can be rebuilt as well by doing light cycling with low resistance. Also by taking supplements that support the health of cartridge like glucosamine and chondroitin. I get it at Costco.
Jokes on you. My knees and ankles were destroyed before I started biking
My outer calf muscles are stronger than the inner muscles, pulls my knee cap out of alignment. To correct this I do leg lifts, with my feet angled outward by 30 degrees. This has worked for me for over 50 years. As well I do not used clipless, I use MTB pedals instead so I can get my feet angled properly for my body type. Clipless for the vast majority of riders is useless, only makes a difference if putting down high wattage.
12:57 I was 44 when this started happening to me. It's a tough pill to swallow but not insurmountable. I had to become obsessed with effortless pedaling, no exceptions. Avoided fight or flight situations with vehicles. Were you have to overly exert yourself. And reduce weight at all costs. Including your own body weight. Honestly though it was the seeds of your videos that brought me back. And I've never been happier.
One of those people who’ve been riding fixed on road and track longer than you’ve been alive. Although you have figured out a way to get some income from your hobby, bravo 😊
Spot on about proper bike fit, gearing and technique.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is there’s a group of smaller muscles, hip flexors and adductors and the like that stabilize the knee, and when they are weak that can result in knee getting out of line while pedaling. Sitting at a desk job is the worse thing that can happen to these muscles. In my case, when knee starts hurting I know it’s time to get out bungee and start doing a little PT for the iliotibial band. Body is an amazing thing, a little maintenance goes a long way.
Most dangerous things for a cyclist are still cars and the couch.
Maybe pulling with your legs should be #1, my personal take is that your knees have evolved over millions of years for pushing, not pulling. And pulling happens all the time when you regulate your speed, not only when you skid. So if the above is true, all it would take to fix the problem is start using a front brake to regulate your speed and stopping (and possibly stop skidding).
Any podcast soon? Would love to see that. Anyone agree?
shorter cranks are awesome as well to reduce knee stress injury.
I was going to chime in also about short cranks, there's a lot more new research & talk about how bike industry neglected this area for cost savings, but shorter cranks (same power to the wheels) make a huge difference, in efficiency and biomechanics.
also your ankles.
rode fixed daily for 10+ years, then got doored by a double-parked uber. shattered my ankle, and have only rode a handful of times since.
i miss it.
For 'internal leg muscles' one can use not very big, not very hard ball and do squeezing series of it keeping between knees. Then keep knees with hands and try to push knees outwards.
Whats your crank arm length? Maybe try cranks 10 or 15mm shorter. That stem is well below the saddle, so it's probably not well fit to your body either.
I road my fixed last summer and my right knee went to hell for like 2 months. Never had knee issues before.
only my skidding knee hurts, any tips im 19 so its not the age jaja
There’s really no way to skid without doing harm to your knees. Only if the roads are wet I guess that will minimize the damage lol.
Much needed topic Zach - keeping it real......👍🏼
Honestly, Warm ups is the second best thing to do before starting riding.
I ride Fixed now since 2006.I don't skid.Just ride my old Peugeot from 1983.I ride in sight .Im also drive a car .Fixed gear makes you :Be careful.look foreward.
Forget doctors!Hop on a horse!🐎🐴🦄🤘🤘
44x16.. 2.75.. on 700x38. close tho the old school 46x16 BMX standard.. or 2.875. That number being revolutions per crank.. sprocket T# ÷ by the freewheel T#.. Been my standard for yrs. The circumference blah blah is dumb. Right now have 30x12..2.5, on a 29" s&m booze Cruz with 2.5" tires. Am going down to a 28x12.. 2.33 tho, just for old man comfort.
Key is.. don't go above 3 typically.. and below 2 or lower is just weird. No one likes that stock 32x16.. 2.. gearing. Gtfo here with that.
Even single speed is painful. I ridden BMX, fixed/SS, DIRTJUMP.
I just need gears ⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️⚙️.
It's been said already, but I want to emphasize it: avoid a too high gear ratio in the first place and dismiss any false vanity (which is present quite often). False vanity belongs to roadies (sorry). 17/46 to 17/48 has worked fine for me. Never went "up" when becoming stronger after starting fixed gear riding. Secondly, I've always ridden 165mm cranks on Dura Ace, Miche Primato Advanced, BLB Super Pista, BLB Track and two or three more - also no worries about toe overlap with aggressive, tight track frames and pedal scrape when flying through sharp corners.
Front brake maybe. 🙂
Something that happens to me on and off is hip flexor strains, usually the sartorius of my dominant leg. Im curious if you’ve felt this or heard of others that have experienced them? Maybe it’s also pulling up too much when im skidding? It’s usually when im going down too many steep hills maybe without proper warm up… haha. Love your vidoes !
I think people involved in fixed gear bicycles don't even consider comfort, they all want to be stylish, with ultra-high saddles, aggressive postures, saddles at completely absurd angles, and of course, no brakes. Obviously, the fixed gear bicycle is always associated with knee pain, but the fault is not in the bike, it's in the people who care more about being stylish. Just use the brakes, it's that simple.
A bicycle that is comfortable for you, whether it's a mountain, road, or even fixed gear bike, has a minimal chance of causing issues. Listen to your body, don't sacrifice comfort for style, it's not worth it.
Knee grinding problems come with ridiculous gear. 48-14 might be ok for people who have legs for near olympic level track racing, stick to something reasonable if you just commute.
I’ve got no glutes and have weak hamstrings and quads. I can’t have a high seat because it affects my lower back, which is already weak due to a bulging disc. I had to resort to easy-but-steady peddling to commute 5 miles to work, where I lift heavy. It makes it a lot easier when trying to get home. Fitness will hopefully solve the issue.
I mainly get gooch pain from wrong saddles lol but it’s good now. Knees feel fine maybe because I push and pull evenly when skidding? Been fixed for 3 years now, before that I was and still am a mtb boi
Very needed topic. Nowadays even young people are stiff and get sore fast because of long screen time and cramped position. Investing in yourself, strengthening core, legs, back and stretching will let one ride his bike longer and more enjoyable. Previous video about Justin who has accumulated several very nice bikes but couldn't ride fixed anymore 'cos knee pain speaks for itself.
I read somewhere that it's pressing down hard with the knee bent a lot that's the killer. Because a fixed gear has no dead spots it's quite easy when climbing to only push on the last part of the stroke, if necessary standing up a bit. YMMV.
At a cadence of 70RPM it would take only 238 hours of saddle time on a fixgear to reach 1 million rotations.
Bad fit doesn't fix naturally weak knees. As much as I'd like to go fixie, all the big steep hills in my area and the state of my knees means I need gearing to get around practically :/
I would go further than saying seatpost too low to saying just bike fit in general. Roadies have one thing right and that is fit is so important to your enjoyment of cycling. The fit calculator on competitive cyclist is actually not half bad.
So interesting, same exact thing happened to my knees but from long distance running! I also bike single speed, so maybe it didn't help either.
I broke my clavicle and didn’t have surgery or medical treatment for 2 weeks … god bless murica healthcare
I also heard low cadence is another cause of knee pain. Ive never ridden a fixie but I assume low cadence is common when going uphill.
Dude Zach gotta do a Collab video with Bob and Brad the most famous physical therapists on the internet
I'm thinking about ordering a Wabi, was hoping for a discount code to push me over the edge 😢
I didnt ride too much fixed gear in the late 80's, but I did crush big gears all the time and my knees are dead now at 60.
Probably the most dangerous thing about riding a track bike is calling it fixed gear.
You're by far my favorite bike-tuber AND have lived in Michigan! I've been very afraid of this exact thing lately as well.
I live in Grand Rapids where things are... mostly flat with some significant hills and it's all on pavement. I have a State 4130 bike that I think comes with 46x16 for the ratio and it *feels* okay, but I'm not sure if it's really optimal for my riding.
Do you (or anybody else) have any suggestions for a gear ratio that'd be good for this kinda terrain
Maybe go up a sprocket size
@@TheSpaceBrosShow 47x16? That could be interesting
@@rogerwinright2290 I think he meant up the fixed sprocket. 17 felt good when I did it. 18 is too spinny imo and if you're bike isn't perfectly fit then it might feel like you're over doing it.
Zack, duuuude. I'm an old subscriber and through last year I've got a note to share. It's veeeeeery likely that your knee pain (one sided it-band syndrome especially) actually comes from your seat being too hiiiiiigh. I watched almost all vids on your channel and your ankle and knee joints really experience an odd amount of flexion at the bottom of the pedal stroke. You almost flex your knee straight and point your toes severely which in 99% of the time leads to it-band syndrome. Since we all asymmetrical creatures we prefer saving one (more developed) leg over the other - that's where the pain comes from. So overreaching is the key. The second one is foot-pedal interface. Toeclips almost always align your foot in BOFOPA position which is unnecessary if you're not a passionate short-effort crit sprinter. Such positioning overloads the knee since the balance platform of the foot is extremely unstable under the load - this forces your quads to overdo the job. Annnnnnnd the last one - the setback being too far back can also be an inobvious culprit. When saddle is too far back and hight at the same time you kick out when you pedal rather than pushing firmly in a stable, controlled manner. So play with these 3 Xs to solve the equation. Saddle a bit lower, pedal spindle a bit further behind the 1st metatarsal. Hope you read the comments, cheers
That is also the case for me. I put my saddle 30mm lower, pedal mid-foot. I was over-extending my legs before and put my knees into miss-alignment. Came across a video by BikeFit James before and do some self positioning experiment. My 44 years old knee is free from pain now.
Pistol squats are insane. Try walking lunges, Bulgarian split squats, front squats with a dumbell. Calf extensions are a good idea. I've been fixed gear for decades with Speedplays. 64 yrs old and never had a knee issue. 🤞✌🚲
People often fall into trap of "if it's hard to do it must be very beneficial". Regular exercises with gradual load increase in the long run are more efficient than doing some very hard stuff now and then.
You are giving me big hopes to still ride FG at that age 🤞
This video was like the opposite of David Goggins.
riding a fixed in sandiego is insane
I've said it a bunch of times in the comments on this channel in the past, go to the gym
Now that I think about the root of many injuries you talk about take root in ego.
Oh, you are STILL a spring chick! (He said trying not to sound creepy) 😂
I might have same thing. been riding not fixed but singlespeed bikes for about 8yrs as main mean of transport (no car) at 27 went big into long distances( first on the single then on a proper road bike) but 29 now def having something with my right knee as well, I can relate with all the thing you said (sprained ankle, knee going inside when flexing, right knee pain). For me it's the swelling of the popliteus. I NEED to try that foam rolling thing
Just back off if something seems a bit wrong with your knees. I used to take the coldest two months off and enjoy coming back to it fresh later. And switch it up. Sometimes ride crazed, sometimes slow-mo. Even coasting sometimes has its place.
After 8 years of riding fixed my right knee got a torn meniscus. It happened on a cold day while commuting. I was running brakeless and had to emergency stop in busy traffic. I used to skid from the seat which already was a bad habit (damn macaframa) on that day it was too much and bam with a sharp pain it was goodbye fixed gears. Doctor said to operate but I refused. I instead used my left leg to compensate for 3 years while doing some therapy riding on XC bike and lots of walking.
Today I can't for example jump on my knees from height because both are now bad (right from the tear and left from being abused for over 3 years while recovering) I also absolutely never going to ride fixed again unless both brakes are present, my knees are glass now. I ride 2.3 ratio on my old moser that tore my knee but with a single speed configuration this time and so far I'm fully recovered but extra fragile.
Been feeling some pain in my left knee lately bros...
a million pedal strokes are only ~5000 km
Just don't climb with a fixie lol
The into indirectly aimed at Justin lol
What is your thoughts on knees over toes atg exercises 😊for knee recovery ❤️🩹
Yo Zach, you ever try a Berthoud seats? I couldn't get along with Brooks but the Berthoud is money! Berthoud looks expensive on ebay but if you buy direct they give USA discounts. I got one during their Christmas sale and got it for about $145. i have a Mente cuz i have wide sit-bones and its the cheaper riveted model.
I just remember the one who deliver pizza at his age,, he is my inspiration till now why i am riding my fixed gear for 10 yrs... At the age of 35.... Luckily i didnt experience any issue on my knees. Maybe coz my gear ration is 47/19
I've had 3 leftfoot surgeries from falling being stuck in the straps at the end of 2021. Lisfranc ligament tear and ankle shatter. Ive recovered well and been back on the bike, but I do a lot more nonbike exsercise/stretching/balance work now. Knee pain is the last thing I worry about, gettin the squats up 😅
I found this video to be very honest & Thanks for sharing :) Quite a learning :)
IF you don't skid, or hop curbs and add a front brake for extreme hills, your knees will love you.
Of course, the front brake means no bar spin, but think of the Endo's.
I threw a freewheel on my ride years ago, so I'm a poser.
-If you never stop pedaling, how will they know?
😆
I used to skid all the time too, my right knee was over, and I started roadcycling with gears and it repaired my knee 🫡 now im basicly starting to open up for other kinds os bikes, but I still comute with my fixed gear and the knee pain is gone, but skiding everywhere as well 🤷♂️ and I ride 3,2 on kind of flat terrain 🫡
Size yourself and work yourself out right! i think there's a lot of great stuff you can do with sizing that can keep your knees from blowing out that you mention--shorter cranks, different sized gears and cogs, different saddles, different cockpits, different pedals, different shoes. And then of course, there are physical exercises and stretches you can do to bulletproof your knees. Strengthening your tibs and keeping ankles and knees flexy can help a lot. I'm a big fan of working up to single leg bridge and single leg exercises that help you figure out whole body motion. Anyone else have a great exercise they do to keep their knees happy?
I’m buying a circa 1977 Raleigh Grand Prix that’s been converted to a fixie in about an hour. I bought a different one two weeks ago. Thanks bud, appreciate the addiction.
I think this is what I needed to hear. I injured my knee (I think my MCL) in a crash, and I can’t bring myself to stop riding. I sure as hell don’t want it to become chronic, so I might just have to
I didn't hold much hope for this video initially. Then it turned helpful. Give us more stretches and exercises to prevent and heal, please! I have ankle issues. Whatcha got for that?
Wow, there are so many things I couldn't even think of in my whole life. People, watch this video in its entirety!
A great video, you're so right on the sprained ankle,,, I got one earlier this year that lasted a month. I was terrified and had to be conscious of only skidding with the other foot lol it wasn't that fun lol but now I'm thankfully out if it
I think we know the drill know, upload 6 of asking for fixie point videos to come back!
Business medicine makes us sick.
I had chronic knee pain for several years following a sprained ankle. Two factors contributed were identified when my employer-provided insurance changed and I could see a decent specialist. My kneecaps are 50mm out of position, big quads had pulled them upward out of the "saddle" they normally sit in and they were grinding abnormally. And my muscles had all become tuned to compensate for that - up until the ankle sprain and recovery time disrupted the balance of muscle tension.
lol my mentality for hospital visit is same. Hope you get a better health insurance in the coming future
Literally watching this video cause I wanna get the tyrant beastie and can’t afford the frame yet, just here to look 🫡
Low saddle means a tighter knee angle at the top of the pedal stroke, which is likely causing knee pain more than not fully extending at the bottom of the stroke. I'm married to and live with a physical therapist who has successfully addressed any knee pain I've experienced. Know your body, know your bike, know how to stretch.
Great plan marrying right person!
I wish he had looked into excessively high saddle as well; hyperextension is just as much a danger
Those one legged squats you did are called pistols . Awesome video.
you getting older
9:23 thats a foot arc problem, but almost any one has that,but is because of the shoes we wear
Well, no matter how young you are, the saying goes: the more you use something, the more you will lose it.
Ironic, because if you don’t use something, the more you will lose it as well.
Goes to show there is a balance, because the less you use something, the quicker you lose it.
I’m confusing myself. F%#k this.
Next episode Zack will have a geared road bike😂
Low gear - low body weight - low risk!
Taiwan rocks, hope there is never a war over it. Sounds like you need to ease up with the thing you love the most.
brooo whaaaat zach u cant skid with flats ?
Come on man. The knees yell from skids and too small of a gear on the down hill.
Stretching, hydration, and a balanced diet can only do so much if you are predisposed to certain conditions. Only one who says that they've been ridinh fixed gear bikes for well over a decade and do not have any issues is merely sharing anecdotes, not facts.
Stretching is a necessary part of long strenuous activity … your lower back your pelvis and knee and ankle tendons will be in use for the next few hours … it is essential to stretch and recover, remember STRETCHING PREVENTS INJURY …. I’ve done 6 hours of fixed cycling repeatedly …
@docouchi7929 Yes, but like it said, it can only do so much if you are predisposed to certain conditions. Not everyone is going to have the same results as you.
I was one who hurt my knees riding my fixed. I was younger and more crazy in my riding style. That same bike that hurt my knees was also the same bike that i was able to recoup my knee health. Once i figured out a riding style for me that wasnt always full agression. My knees are great. And i now can go all day with out issues. My stopping style is more of a back pedal force vs a straight up locking of the tires. When i have to i do. Ive been riding fixed on and off since the late 90s. Fixed are my favorite style of pavement pounders.
1000 Hindu squats a day and you’ll be alright.
Just go for an easier ratio
Foot plant can be too? Strap use