Fixed Gear on Track Bikes - Technology, Advantages & Gear Ratios 2025

The fixed gear (German: Fester Gang or Track Gear) is the most characteristic feature of track bikes and fundamentally distinguishes them from road racing bikes. With a fixed gear, the rear wheel is rigidly connected to the drive, so the pedals always rotate at the same rhythm as the rear wheel. This mechanical design has far-reaching consequences for riding technique, efficiency and safety on the velodrome.

How Fixed Gear Works

Mechanical Basics

Unlike freewheel systems on road bikes, the fixed gear has the sprocket rigidly connected to the hub. There is no freewheel mechanism that would allow the pedals to remain stationary while the wheel continues to rotate. This rigid connection means:

No coasting: The pedals always rotate when the wheel rotates
Active control: The rider can brake by applying counter-pressure to the pedals
Permanent connection: Every movement of the wheel is directly transmitted to the pedals
Mechanical simplicity: Fewer moving parts mean less wear

Technical Structure

The fixed gear consists of several precisely coordinated components:

Component

Function

Special Feature

Track Sprocket

Power transmission to rear wheel

Fixed mounting, no freewheel body

Track Chain

Connection chainring-sprocket

Particularly robust and low-maintenance

Chainring

Power intake from pedal

Larger number of teeth for high speeds

Rear Hub

Mounting of sprocket

Special threads for track sprockets

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fixed Gear

Advantages

Maximum Efficiency
The direct power transmission without freewheel enables an efficiency of almost 100%. Every pedal movement is immediately converted into forward motion, without mechanical losses from freewheel bodies or pawls.

Precise Control
Track cyclists can control their position on the track with millimeter precision through the permanent connection to the pedals. This is particularly crucial in sprint duels and in the banking.

Reduced Weight
The absence of brakes, gears and freewheel makes track bikes significantly lighter than road racing bikes. A sprint bike often weighs under 7 kg, an endurance bike under 8 kg.

Low Maintenance
Fewer moving parts mean less wear and lower maintenance requirements. The chain only needs to be correctly tensioned and regularly cleaned.

Improved Riding Technique
Training with fixed gear promotes a smooth, even pedaling motion and improves coordination between both legs.

Disadvantages

No adaptation to course profile
The lack of gears means that the gear ratio is fixed for the entire course. For different requirements (e.g. sprint vs. pursuit), the sprocket must be changed.

High demands on riding technique
Riding with fixed gear requires practice and experience. Beginners must first get used to the permanent pedaling motion.

Limited braking options
Braking by counter-pressure on the pedals is less effective than classic brakes. However, this is not a problem on the velodrome, as braking maneuvers rarely occur.

Gear Ratios for Different Disciplines

The choice of the right gear ratio is crucial for success on the track. It is determined by the ratio between chainring teeth and sprocket teeth.

Sprint Disciplines

Discipline

Chainring (teeth)

Sprocket (teeth)

Gear Ratio

Characteristic

Sprint Men

54-56

13-14

4.0-4.3

Maximum top speed

Sprint Women

50-52

13-14

3.7-4.0

High acceleration

Team Sprint

54-58

13-15

3.9-4.5

Very heavy for starting rider

Keirin

52-54

14-15

3.6-3.9

Balance between acceleration and top speed

Endurance Disciplines

Discipline

Chainring (teeth)

Sprocket (teeth)

Gear Ratio

Characteristic

Pursuit

52-54

14-16

3.4-3.7

Optimal balance for 4000m

Points Race

50-52

15-16

3.3-3.5

Endurance over longer distance

Madison

50-52

15-17

3.1-3.5

Sprint ability with endurance performance

Omnium

52

15

3.5

Compromise for all disciplines

Calculation of Development

Development indicates how many meters the bike travels per pedal revolution:

Formula:
Development (m) = (Chainring teeth / Sprocket teeth) × Wheel circumference (m)

Example:

Chainring: 54 teeth
Sprocket: 14 teeth
Wheel circumference: 2.13 m (with 700c wheels)
Development = (54 / 14) × 2.13 = 8.2 m

At a cadence of 120 rpm, the rider achieves a speed of:
8.2 m × 120 = 984 m/min = 59 km/h

Sprocket Change and Adjustment

When is a Sprocket Change Necessary?

Switching between sprint and endurance training
Adaptation to different course lengths
Optimization after performance diagnostics
Consideration of track altitude
Individual adaptation to cadence preferences

Performing the Sprocket Change

Required Tools:

Chain whip
Sprocket remover
Torque wrench

Procedure:

Remove rear wheel
Fix and loosen old sprocket with chain whip
Screw on new sprocket (torque: 40-50 Nm)
Check chain for correct tension
Test ride for verification

A loosely mounted sprocket can come loose during riding and lead to serious crashes. Always use a torque wrench!

Chain Tension with Fixed Gear

Correct chain tension is particularly important with fixed gear, as the chain is permanently under load.

Optimal Tension

Guideline: The chain should have 10-15 mm play in the middle between chainring and sprocket.

Too tight:

Increased wear on chain and sprockets
Higher rolling resistance
Risk of chain breakage under peak loads
Stress on bearings

Too loose:

Risk of jumping off in banking
Unsteady running
Inefficient power transmission
Rattling noises

Adjusting Chain Tension

Tension is adjusted via horizontal dropouts on the frame. By shifting the rear axle forward or backward, the tension can be precisely adjusted.

Check chain tension after every sprocket change and before every training or competition. A loose chain can loosen further during riding.

Braking with Fixed Gear

Physical Basics

When braking with fixed gear, counter-pressure is applied to the pedals. Braking force is determined by the muscle power of the legs and the gear ratio. The larger the gear ratio, the higher the possible braking force.

Braking Technique

Controlled Deceleration:

Even counter-pressure on both pedals
Shift body weight backward
Keep upper body upright
Look forward

Emergency Braking:

Maximum counter-pressure
Body far back
If necessary: Short lock by fixing pedals
Caution: Risk of flipping over!

Important: The braking effect of fixed gear is significantly lower than with rim or disc brakes. However, this is not a problem on the velodrome, as full braking practically never occurs.

Training with Fixed Gear

Benefits for Riding Technique

Training with fixed gear has been proven to improve various aspects of riding technique:

Pedaling Optimization:

More even power distribution over the entire pedal cycle
Better coordination between left and right leg
Reduction of dead spots in pedaling motion

Cardiovascular Training:

Constant load without recovery phases
Improved lactate tolerance
Higher average heart rate

Muscular Adaptations:

Strengthening of the back of the leg (hamstrings)
Improved core stability
Higher maximum strength

Specific Training Sessions

Training Type

Duration

Intensity

Focus

Technique Training

30-45 min

Low (60-70% HRmax)

Smooth pedaling, coordination

Strength Endurance

60-90 min

Medium (70-85% HRmax)

Muscular endurance

Sprint Training

20-30 min

High (>90% HRmax)

Maximum strength, acceleration

Threshold Training

45-60 min

Threshold (85-95% HRmax)

Lactate tolerance

UCI Regulations on Fixed Gear

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has clear regulations for fixed gear in track racing:

Mandatory Regulations:

Fixed gear is mandatory for all track competitions
No freewheel mechanisms allowed
No brakes on the bike allowed (except for juniors)
Sprocket must be fixed to hub with screws
Lock washer must be used

Technical Inspection:

Inspection by commissaires before every competition
Test of rigid connection between sprocket and wheel
Check of chain tension
Safety check of mounting

Materials Science and Innovation

Modern Sprocket Technology

Steel Sprocket:

Highest durability
Heavier than alternatives
Affordable
Standard for training

Aluminum Sprocket:

Significantly lighter than steel
Shorter lifespan
Medium price range
Ideal for competitions

Titanium Sprocket:

Optimal weight-strength ratio
Very long durability
High price
Premium option

Chain Development

Modern track chains are specifically designed for the high loads of fixed gear:

Reinforced links: Higher tensile strength
Optimized lubrication: Reduced wear
Precision manufacturing: Minimal play between links
Special coatings: Corrosion protection and efficiency

Common Problems and Solutions

Sprocket Comes Loose

Causes:

Insufficient torque
Missing lock washer
Worn threads

Solutions:

Use torque wrench (40-50 Nm)
Always mount lock washer
Regularly check threads

Chain Jumps Off

Causes:

Too loose chain tension
Worn chain or sprocket
Crooked chain line

Solutions:

Correct chain tension
Replace worn parts
Check chain line

Unsteady Running

Causes:

Eccentric mounting of sprocket
Bent chainring
Warped rear wheel

Solutions:

Remove sprocket and recenter
Check chainring for true running
Have wheel trued

Frequently Asked Questions about Fixed Gear on Track Bikes

Question

Answer

How does a fixed gear differ from a freewheel on a road racing bike?

On a fixed gear, the sprocket is rigidly connected to the hub, so there is no freewheel mechanism that would let the pedals stay still while the wheel keeps turning. The pedals therefore always rotate at the same rhythm as the rear wheel. That means no coasting, permanent power transmission in both directions, and the option to brake by applying counter-pressure to the pedals. Road bikes, by contrast, use a freewheel body with pawls, which allows coasting but introduces additional mechanical losses and more moving parts.

Which gear ratios are typical for sprint and endurance track disciplines?

Sprint disciplines use heavier ratios for top speed and acceleration. Men’s sprint often runs chainrings of 54–56 teeth with 13–14-tooth sprockets (ratio about 4.0–4.3), while women’s sprint commonly uses 50–52 with 13–14 (about 3.7–4.0). Team sprint can go as heavy as 54–58 / 13–15, and keirin sits around 52–54 / 14–15 for a balance of acceleration and speed. Endurance events use lighter ratios: pursuit around 52–54 / 14–16 (3.4–3.7), points race 50–52 / 15–16, madison 50–52 / 15–17, and omnium often a compromise such as 52 / 15 (ratio 3.5).

How is development calculated for a fixed-gear track bike?

Development is the distance the bike travels per pedal revolution. The formula is: Development (m) = (chainring teeth / sprocket teeth) × wheel circumference (m). With a 54-tooth chainring, a 14-tooth sprocket and a 2.13 m circumference on 700c wheels, development is (54 / 14) × 2.13 = 8.2 m. At 120 rpm that equals 984 m/min, or about 59 km/h. Riders use this figure to match gear choice to cadence targets and desired race speeds.

What is the correct chain tension for fixed gear, and why does it matter?

The guideline is 10–15 mm of play in the middle of the chain between chainring and sprocket. Because the chain is under permanent load with fixed gear, tension must be checked after every sprocket change and before training or competition. A chain that is too tight increases wear, rolling resistance, bearing stress and the risk of breakage under peak loads. A chain that is too loose can jump off in the banking, run unevenly, rattle and transmit power poorly. Tension is adjusted by shifting the rear axle in the horizontal dropouts.

How do you brake with fixed gear on the velodrome?

Braking is done by applying counter-pressure to the pedals; braking force depends on leg strength and gear ratio, with larger ratios allowing higher braking force. For controlled deceleration, apply even pressure on both pedals, shift body weight backward, keep the upper body upright and look forward. In an emergency, use maximum counter-pressure, move the body far back and, if needed, briefly lock the pedals—while watching the risk of flipping over. Fixed-gear braking is weaker than rim or disc brakes, but full stops are rarely needed on the velodrome.

When and how should the track sprocket be changed?

A sprocket change is needed when switching between sprint and endurance training, adapting to different course lengths, optimizing after performance diagnostics, accounting for track altitude, or matching personal cadence preferences. Required tools are a chain whip, sprocket remover and torque wrench. After removing the rear wheel, loosen the old sprocket with the chain whip, fit the new one at 40–50 Nm, recheck chain tension and verify with a test ride. A loose sprocket can unwind while riding and cause serious crashes, so a torque wrench and lock washer are essential.

What do the UCI regulations require for fixed gear in track racing?

Fixed gear is mandatory in all UCI track competitions: freewheel mechanisms are forbidden, and brakes are not allowed on the bike except for juniors. The sprocket must be fixed to the hub with screws, and a lock washer must be used. Before every competition, commissaires inspect the rigid connection between sprocket and wheel, check chain tension and verify that the mounting is safe. These rules ensure consistent equipment standards and reduce the risk of mechanical failure in racing.