For most people who don't ride for the 5+ months of cold weather, i'm not sure I totally agree with the SS to "get those legs back". Though I don't follow the whole base mileage concept religiously, I do agree with it somewhat and don't think hopping on a single speed after not having ridden for 5+ months and mashing up hills is a great idea or pedaling at such a low cadence/high power output.

Which is why a road fixed gear should not have such high gearing
I think once again we're on the same page. I do not advocate mashing up a hill at 40rpm. There's a clear issue with going up a climb at that rpm.

But ok - good conversation. If you don't agree with riding a single speed to get the legs back, are you advocating that riding a faster, more efficient geared bike is better? Most people with the option of "copping out" on a climb and dropping a few gears will take it. That isn't doing them any favors with regards to building fitness.

And yes, one can force themself to ride a lower gear early season on a road bike, but ultimately, you aren't forced to spin as you otherwise would on a fixed gear (read: no coasting option)...so the benefit is not identical to riding a fixed for a couple months before swinging a leg over the geared bike.

I think people like 355si can advocate for me with regards to my ability to spin. That didn't come out of no where. And I'd argue that most people who strictly ride a geared bike generally would not have a similar range of "operating cadence/rpm". There are benefits to be had there.

I am afraid this is a c2k troll thread, he isn't getting a bike.

The only way to find a real winner in the geared vs. fixed battle is to have a good old fashioned race

I am afraid this is a c2k troll thread, he isn't getting a bike.

LOL!
No!!! You are missing the point!
I'm saying fixed gear is a good training tool--not it's the fastest thing on 2 wheels! A geared bike is!!!

And as for "no one does it"--actually, it's an old school roadie training method. Still commonly adopted. When I say "roadie", i dont mean rich dentists and layers. I mean true road cycling enthusiasts (read: not bike porn lovers). Oh and Lance has a fixed training bike also...sooooooooo...

And and and! Sure, lance spins up mountains at 110rpm. He isn't downshifting and copping out. He is still riding a big gear--he only happens to be able to turn it! That's the key point. No sense riding a bigger gear if one cannot even turn a small one. There is a lot of fitness benefit. All this is akin to driver training beginning with a go kart before moving to a formula ford

Anyway, like you said--different strokes for different folks. I will continue stubbornly training on my crappy fixed gear XD

EDIT: I'm saying no copping out and spinning a small gear--context is that at least in the GTA, there are no real climbs. I can stand and climb every hill I've encountered, and still be able to keep up with a roadie. Now, take me to blue mountain and the story changes. Fact is, there are no real climbs in an 80km radius around me. 1 gear for training is all that's needed.

lol you are missing my point as well. I understand there are benefits to training on a fixed gear bike, if you are a pro! To suggest a fixed gear bike for anybody but a professional is silly. You yourself use one to "train", what are you training for? Are you racing? How much did you ride over the winter? See where i'm going with this... it's an extreme measure with minimal benefit for a recreational rider. Again, this is just my personal opinion.