Good Q&A website about the fixie phenomenon
http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/1980/why-ride-a-fixed-gear-bike
Also when I was riding a fixie I wanted to look cool so I generally wore a bandanna instead of a cycling helmets so if anyone back home is thinking of investing in a fixie go the whole hog and buy a bandanna too
Wow
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman]What is a Fixed-Gear Bicycle, and Why Would You Want One?[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=16px]http://sheldonbrown.com/oldeng24/t.gif he oldest and simplest type of bicycle is the âfixed-gearâ bicycle. This is a single-speed bike without a freewheel: that is, whenever the bike is in motion, the pedals will go around. You cannot coast on a fixed-gear machine.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]http://sheldonbrown.com/oldeng24/m.gif any enthusiastic cyclists ride such bicycles by choice, at least part of the time. Why would anybody do that? It is not easy to put into words. There is an almost mystical connection between a fixed-gear cyclist and bicycle: it feels like an extension of your body to a greater extent than does a freewheel-equipped machine. If you are an enthusiastic, vigorous cyclist, you really should give it a try.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]There are many reasons, including: Fun, Fitness, Form, Feel & 'Ficciency![/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman]Fixed for Fun[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=16px]http://sheldonbrown.com/oldeng24/i.gif t takes a bit of practice to become comfortable on a fixed gear. Most cyclists, trying it for the first time, will automatically try to coast once the bike gets up to a certain speed. The bike will not allow this, and it is disconcerting. It takes a couple of weeks of regular riding to unlearn the impulse to coast, and become at ease on a fixed gear.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]It is worth going through this learning experience, however, because once you do so, you will discover a new joy in cycling. When you ride a fixed gear, you feel a closer communion with your bike and with the road. There is a purity and simplicity to the fixed-gear bicycle that can be quite seductive. Somehow, once you get past the unfamiliarity, it is just more fun than riding a bike with gears and a freewheel! If you wonât take my word for it, read some Fixed-Gear Testimonials.[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman]Fixed for Fitness and Form[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=16px]http://sheldonbrown.com/oldeng24/r.gif iding a fixed gear on the road is excellent exercise. When you need to climb, you donât need to think about when to change gears, because you donât have that option. Instead, you know that you must just stand up and pedal, even though the gear is too high for maximum climbing efficiency. This makes you stronger.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]If you have the option of gearing down and taking a hill at a slow pace, it is easy to yield to the temptation. When you ride a fixed gear, the need to push hard to get up the hills forces you to ride at a higher intensity than you otherwise might. Really steep hills may make you get off and walk, but the hills you are able to climb, you will climb substantially faster than you would on a geared bicycle.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]When you descend, you canât coast, but the gear is too low. This forces you to pedal at a faster cadence than you would choose on a multi-speed bicycle. High-cadence pedaling improves the suppleness of your legs. High rpmâs force you to learn to pedal in a smooth manner â if you donât, you will bounce up and down in the saddle.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Most cyclists coast far too much. Riding a fixed-gear bike will break this pernicious habit. Coasting breaks up your rhythm and allows your legs to stiffen up. Keeping your legs in motion keeps the muscles supple, and promotes good circulation.[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman]Fixed for Feel[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=16px]http://sheldonbrown.com/oldeng24/a.gif fixed gear gives you a very direct feel for traction conditions on slippery surfaces. This makes a fixed gear particularly suitable for riding in rainy or icy conditions.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]This same feel for traction will help you learn exactly how hard you can apply your front brake without quite lifting the rear off the ground. Most fixed-gear riders only use a front brakeâa rear brake is quite unnecessary on a fixed-gear machine.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]Because you are more solidly connected to the bike, you have better control of it in bumpy conditions or in difficult corners.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]On any road bike, the rider must learn to un-weight the saddle to ride over bumps. Most cyclists coast to do this. A fixed-gear rider will learn to âpostâ over bumps without breaking stride.[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman]Fixed for (e)Fficiency[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=4][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=16px]http://sheldonbrown.com/oldeng24/a.gif fixed-gear bike is considerably lighter than a multi-speed bike of comparable quality, due to the absence of the rear brake, derailers[/URL], shift levers, and extra [URL=âhttp://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_sp-ss.html#sprocketâ]sprockets. A fixed-gear bike also has a substantially shorter chain.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16px]A properly set-up fixed gear has a perfectly straight chainline[/URL]. This, plus the absence of [URL=âhttp://sheldonbrown.com/derailer.htmlâ]derailer pulleys, makes a real improvement in the drive-train efficiency, an improvement you can feel.[/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=13px][FONT=arial]All fixies are single speeds, but not all single speeds are fixies. That is, both types have only one final gear ratio. But those that have a freewheel in the back are not fixies. A fixie cannot be freewheeled, that is, you cannot coast. If the rear wheel is moving your legs must be moving.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=13px][FONT=arial]To complicate the answer, some single speeds have a flip-flop rear end, with a sprocket on each side. One side is fixed and the other side freewheels. So all you have to do to convert it is to remove the wheel and flip it over. I have this setup on my track bike. Since I no longer race on the tack I use it on the freewheel side for tooling around the neighborhood and some winter training.[/FONT][/SIZE]
It is illegal to ride a bicycle in Australia without a helmet.
The queen is the head of state in this godforsaken shithole so itâs laws are meaningless to me
1 Like
I never knew you were a hipster The Wild Colonial Bhoy.
The Wild Colonial Bhoy
Can you tell me what is the difference between a fixie and a High Nellie
[quote=âThe Wild Colonial Bhoy, post: 803565, member: 80â]Good Q&A website about the fixie phenomenon
http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/1980/why-ride-a-fixed-gear-bike[/quote]
Ive often heard rovers fans discussing where theyd get their next fixie.
Twcb are you lonely pal ?
Usually from stealing bikes, ironically enough.
Fixed that.
He has no idea who he is any more.
Its been a farcical couple of years for the lad. Farcical.
I just heard that the impossible dream of the invisible helmet has been invented
It kind works like an air bag in that it goes around your neck and if you fall off your bike it inflates and protects your head
what does this mean to you and me
A safer cycle on your fixie and it means you can wear whatever head gear suits your fixie best e.g, bandana
anyone have any views on brakeless fixies?
An essential part of city living.
good shout Sid
im loathe to put this up here but here is a cracking fixie joke
Wanna know the absolute without a doubt best way to enrage a fixed gear riding hipster?
Suggest that he actually ride his track bike on the track.:D:D:D