Riding fixed gear in a Criterium Race

I have never participated in a Crit Race. I know what type of race it is( short, slow -fast race with lots of cornering)......Im thinking about participating in my first one next week, but I dont ride geared.

I have two fixed gear cycles. One is my beater, and the other one is my trainer.....On my beater, I ride 40/15, which is about 73 gear inches ( I like to spin more on my daily rides to build up cardio)

On my trainer, I ride 53/18, which is about 80 gear inches ( I use this bike to build up lower body power) .

If fixed gear is allowed in a crit race, which gear set up would be more advantageous?

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Permalink Reply by J on March 13, 2010 at 8:45am

You cannot race a crit fixed. You can race with a freewheeling single speed, but if you are referring to the Gaper's Block crits -- even though there is really only true corner on that course, the field tends to bunch up and then string out on the straightaways. Most novice riders would find it extremely difficult to stick with the pack with one gear.

But you can and should race at Northbrook!

http://www.usacycling.org/forms/USAC_rulebook.pdf

1M3. Bicycle Types
(b) For road, cyclocross and MTB races, only a bicycle with a freewheel and one working brake on each wheel shall be used, except as allowed elsewhere in these rules.
1M4. In roller races, either road or track bicycles may