Single-speed vs fixie | Why fixed-gear bikes are ridiculous, except for these three things
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มิ.ย. 2020
- I've always found the idea of using a fixed-gear bike in a city to be fundamentally absurd. But then how to explain the cult of fanatics who love fixies? To try and better understand that cult, I decided to give a fixie another try, and to give it a close comparison to the fixie's sibling, the single-speed.
What I found was that, yes, fixies are fundamentally ridiculous. Except for these three things, which are helping me better understand the cult.
#cycling #bike #fixed
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I drive a truck with air in the brake lines & no seatbelt as it "improves my situational awareness"
You should knock the floor out and use your feet to stop and go, like the Flintstones.
No brakes = NO BRAINS
Utterly and completely irresponsible, negligent, selfish, idiotic, arrogant and or vane. INSANELY Ignorant of laws of motion, gravity and inertia. These laws BREAK YOU, not the other way around. Ive seen the gory results in San FranSHITsco. The laws in most places regarding necessity of brakes are quite obviously NOT SO COMMON SENSE!
Try to think with your brains, not your ego.
In my shop,
"No helmet, no brakes = NO BRAINS, NO SERVICE. "
I am NOT an enabler!
You want my services, you WILL buy these things, even a new bike!
I'll bear witness, waste my time and do my civic duty to
PROSECUTE BRAKELESS IDIOTS. Ive done it once already. You'd be lucky I don't kick the shit out of you while you're down. You deserve whatever fate awaits you. Assholes.
lol that's some funny comment right there!
@@rollinrat4850 lmao live a little bud
@@rollinrat4850 Fixed gear is a brake. Just stop pedaling lol
"What am I missing about fixies?" Fucking straps, they make such a difference
Was hurting me the whole time 😓
What's a strap?. I'm new to bikes (only ordered a fixed gear bike a few days ago).
@@WyattOShea foot retention you need straps clips or cages to properly stop
@@Dfkpro Thanks for the info :).
I like clip-less!
A lot of my bikes growing up were fixed gears. I remember flying down hills with my feet off the pedals as they whirled around like blender blades. Getting a bike that allowed you to coast or even pedal backwards while moving was a strange concept.
I grew up with fixed bikes so the way I would "coast" is by taking my feet off the pedals and just going, then when my bike starts to slow down I would put my fit back on, of course timing it. I also grew up with a little bit of single speed bikes so I would just leave my feet for that, honestly didn't even know its not considered coasting for a fixed gear bike, thought they were interchangeable till last year.
I miss some of the bikes in the 80s growing up the brakes were the pedals just pedal back word or I used to put foot on back tire to stop
@@RaymondEdmondsyou can still pedal backwards, coaster brakes
I rode fixed for 6 mos as a commuter and got pretty good at it...track stands, skid stops, all that. I admit there’s something pretty cool about being able to control your speed so directly through your legs and cadence. I kept waiting to feel that fixed gear bliss people go on about, but it never happened. Never being able to coast, plus the risk of pedal strike on tight corners, never made it feel very fun. I switched back to a single speed freewheel and felt completely liberated. My bike actually felt lighter even though I had added the weight of the rear brake back on. To each their own, but fixed gear just wasn’t as fun for me.
Yeah a lot of pedal strikes, I get it. I am not fond of that either. I would that could be avoidable with fixies >___< It's the thinking cyclist's ride and to think you need to slow down. If you can't slow down and analyze and ride defensively then it's pretty crazy.
It also creates exceptional situational awareness that stays with you no matter what bike you ride.
Riding a fixie gives me the spider sense
Especially if you've riden brake-less for any length of time
Laughable
BeboSaab lmao I wanted to give a rebuttal so bad but literally a week ago I almost broke my back on my fixie cause my pedal caught the curb on my way down, and then the crack in the road caught my front wheel causing me to fall on my side and for the last week walking hurts more than riding. Besides the death trap aspect, I def prefer fixed over my other bikes. I know a bunch of people that ride their legit track bikes on my local trails (saw one dude break his fork on a gnarly downhill line)
great, but i nearly hit a car the other day WITH brakes, how bad would it be without them?
Great video, as an experienced track bike racer the first thing I noticed is that you rode the fixed-gear with for pedals. This is rule number 1 of riding a fixed gear, you want your feet to be attached to the pedals. Either by toe straps, or more ideally through clip-in cycling shoes. All of the control of your bike is in your feet and you actually slow and stop yourself by "reverse pedaling." This is nearly impossible and dangerous when your feet are not attached from the pedal.
He has brakes
@@diegoenrique4510 exactly he has brakes which is not okay on a fixed gear really dangerous
@@diegoenrique4510 you need foot retention such as clippers, cages, or straps
@@diegoenrique4510 so do road-bikes and those cyclist still clip in don't they? on a fixie if you ride with brakes or without it is more of a need than on a coasting bike. it also helps with the high cadence stuff.
Eh, I see your point but prefer flats.
Two words, man; foot retention.
Yeah this is wild, I rode a fixed gear with no straps for 2 years. Then when I finally got a set of straps I realised I was struggling for no reason
It is not a fixed gear riding without foot retention
He's got two breaks...all good :)
I cant find a lockring for my fixed after I took it out and lost it, and the last 3 days I've been riding without the lockring, man I hate that feeling of having to drop to the brake to stop the bike. I didnt have to use the brake since, I dunno, 1yr and it sucks.
I was thinking exactly the same. Its a fundamental part of a fixed gear transmission.
Personally I always use cleats and never tried straps. I ride sometimes like shortly distances (just no rush and really short... like going for bread...) and ovbiously its not the same. I feel like going naked
@@torma1985 Its not the same. seriously, and im saying this after riding with brakes and brakeless (I prefer this one)
the fact that you’re riding without foot retention, now THAT’S ridiculous.
Not too bright, that's for sure!
@@rollinrat4850 He's got brakes, which makes him more sensible than most fixie riders.
Wobbly I suppose.
No brakes, no brains, no helmet= NO SERVICE! at my shop. There's a big sign on our door. That's my motto too. You can have brakes and not use them. The pads on my 'Crossafix' have lasted 5 muddy winters and they're not even 1/2 worn!
Foot retention is simply wise, given the wheel and pedals seem to have a mind of their own when you're rolling along at a good clip. I'm reminded harshly once about every other ride since several of my bikes have freewheels.
@@rollinrat4850 I presume you don't get any Dutch customers at your shop? haha
@@rollinrat4850 Speaking from my experience as a little kid riding a bicycle with only a 'terugtraprem' (coaster brake I think the English call it?) having only a rear brake is indeed not great. I believe I had a fixed gear one once too, makes braking even slower though it is easy to bleed off some speed when not going for a full stop.
Front brakes do most of the work when you want to stay upright.
I went 2 years without getting some kind of foot straps/retention to my fixed gear bike with ending up me never got to relax fully. After getting retention I found the experience both more comfortable and safe not being worried to loose the pedals in high speed getting knocked down.
Been riding fixed since then and prefer it. But it took some learning.
How have you learned to put straps? Can you help me too?
@@florin-vasilemitria6444 don't strap in too tight, make sure you can go in and out of the straps easily this is also useful when you need to bailout, tight fitting is for a controlled environment. i personally prefer toe clips (cages) over straps the pedals are made for this function and have a little notch at the back. the easiest are of course cleats but then you need shoes that work with it.
start with going slow for me i can get my feet in when the pedals are moving from the back to the top of their route. i dont know if other people disagree but i would say get some experience on a coasting bike that is waaaay easier.
I started riding a fixie when I turned 40. It played a big part in me losing 55 pounds (25 kg) and it was exhilarating. I averaged over 10 miles/day (16 km) for over a year and it wasn't usual to ride 50+ miles (80km) over a weekend.
Of course, I live in flat Chicago. I don't think I'd want a fixie in a city with significant hills like SF or Portland or Seattle.
Fixies are very popular in SF, or they were a few years ago. You'd see a pack of them in many places but not so much anymore. I have no evidence but I think a fixies is very bad for the human knee. Unless you have brakes but in SF a fixie with brakes is uncool.
@@evanswinford7165 brakes - especially in hills - are a significantly necessary tool even on a fixed gear bike. One only need look at the occasional pedestrian deaths caused by uncontrolled (uncontrollable) fixed gear descents on steep hills. Which I can skid stop, I nearly always use brakes (I have front and rear) both for better control but also because my knees thank me. I don't give a damn in they're "cool" or not. Track stands and better control overall are all I care about. In non-emergency situations, I can stop with just back-pedal pressure, without the excessive tire wear from skidding. Since I spring for some of the most expensive tires that manage to maintain grip while also being puncture resistant. I just bought average tires for the first year, but then switched as it became clear average tires couldn't stand up to cluttered, potholed streets. Since switching about the only flats I get are from actual nails and pinch-flats in extreme situations. Normal riding on decent pavement no longer poses any threat for getting a flat.
I recommend the best tires you can afford and keeping them properly inflated (120psi for my bike and tires). Makes for a much better ride, a safer ride, and fewer flats.
My frame is just a basic KHS Flite100 chromoly steel track frame that even with some customization was $800 new nearly a decade ago now, and still going strong with just standard maintenance (keep it clean, keep the gears, chain, and bearings lubricated, etc.) It been so comfortable and easy to keep in good shape I have no need for anything fancier
People 'think' it's impossible or 'too difficult' to ride singlespeeds in hills or mtns. But few folks ever bother even trying. Their mind is made up already. A lousy way to go through life in my opinion.
I ride fixed or FW on mtb trails (with brakes) I'm 60 years young. Its simple, reliable, affordable and makes me feel like a kid again. Like I'm getting away with something!!
All you really gotta do is choose the correct gear, get fit, and push the pedals a.bit harder.
Singlespeeds will certainly strengthen your mind, which seems to be the main issue here. Its lots more fun if you can enjoy getting out of your comfort zone a bit!
@@rollinrat4850 A little behind you, at 59, but I have on a couple occasions passed much younger fixie riders on the hills on my 1,000 foot of climbing daily commute in Seattle.
They were walking and I was riding!
@@blubaughmr Right on! That's lots of fun is it?
Just remember, any single speed rider who claims to never walk up a hill of mountain is a liar!
Having a fixie and riding it single speed is like going to a brothel for a cuddle
I am scared to ride fixie, that's why I prefer to cuddle thank you
coomer analogy
Upside: get the brothel experience without all the syphilis.
BeboSaab bro stop copying and pasting the same comment. Also “foot retention sucks all round” tell that to the pro riders lol dumbest thing I’ve seen all week. “Foot retention sucks” 😂 😂 😂 😂 good one. A right knee slapped that.
@BeboSaab and don't ride bmx, or you will end up as a surfer.
I commuted by hardtail mtb, then road bike, always geared, for years.
I switched to fixed solely for the ease of maintenence. I got tired of adjusting derailleurs, rebuilding freehubs and brake-surfaces wearing out on rims.
You forgot about foot retention, straps or something else. Double the fun, they say 😁
7 year olds can ride dad's bicycle.
You're talking only to children.
What's more fundamentally ridiculous and far common is texting and driving.
And equally sad.
Oh come on! Riding fixed, no hands is really easy. You Don't need the brakes either.
I love my fixed gear bike. I honestly find it easier to haul ass on a fixed gear because the pedals provide momentum for your legs to keep pumping, whereas with a freewheel bike, I tend to coast more and it somehow makes me more tired when I start pedaling again. It also provides the same kind of enjoyment as driving a manual transmission. You feel more connected to the bike.
And ... when you climb a steeper road, you are effed. And when you are in a hurry, you are pedaling like a maniac ... you have got a stockholm syndrom going, mate.
Tbh using gears correctly is a skill too, you wanna pump legs on a optimum pedaling speed. Coasting is fun, but wasted energy.
Maybe Fixies are fun to ride, I can totally believe its a unique experience, but efficient they are surely not.
@@termitreter6545Power transfer is more efficient on fixed drivetrain compared to geared bike. Gearing creates some friction, which eats up your pedaling efforts slightly. When you get fixed gear bike to good pedaling cadence, it's actually very efficient.
Without foot retention you are missing out on 75% of riding fixed.
y?
Single speed with coaster brakes is MUCH better than fixed gear for commuting
Foot retention ruins it though, it takes away the versatility of riding a fixed gear.
@@ZoeSimza what do you mean "versatility"? foot retention gives you the ability to pull up on the pedals, giving you more power. it's the whole point of riding fixed.
@@roak1566 Foot retention isn't the point of riding a fixed-gear. You can put clips or hooks on any bike regardless. You could use foot retention on a damn tricycle if you wanted. Not being able to take your feet off the pedals without unclipping takes away your ability to do things like skips or foot stops. With hooks it's a little easier cos it doesn't take more than a split second to pull your foot out so I guess that makes a little more sense.
Clip in, or use straps,, remove brakes, your skills will increase, as will the fun.
Skidding is alot more fun with straps.
@@ducatipaso1386 can someone teach me how to put the straps without falling with the bike down?
Ducati Paso you can’t skid confidently without straps. That’s ridiculously sketchy; i.e. not that fun.
Straps are a must, skids are way easier and you don’t waste as much energy pumping the pedals
Why not using cleat and special shoes
Everyone saying to take off your brakes is a maniac.
That said you would feel much better about the fixed gear with foot retention though. I think that's why the hill is giving you so much grief. Fixed + front brake is my go-to everyday ride because of the extra control and how it trains your pedal stroke to be much more efficient for when you hop back on a geared bike. There's a reason all the racers include practice on fixies.
Im a maniac. And also bike courier
@@earanwe isn't that redundant? :)
Cant become more efficient at this small ass leg movement past a certain point of good mechanics and cadence
@@SteveHameister LoL
BRAKELESS FIXED GEAR IS THE ONLY WAY! Free your baby girl from brakes.
Wholly depends on how flat the city you live in is. I lived in Glasgow in Scotland where every inch is sloped in one direction or the other. and I used to spend most of the time walking and pushing my bike up even the smallest of hills. Sold the fixie and walked instead.
Get a bike with gears
Or get a more appropriate gear for your riding. You can change gears you know. You can also simply pedal harder. You'll definately need to train your mind to overcome your body's 'argument'. Show your legs who's the boss!
Fixed gears in hills aren't impossible. I'm 60 and I do it. Its wicked training though! The Downhills can be even harder than the climbs!
You gotta attack the hills from the bottom, keep on top of that gear and grind to the top.
But proper gearing is everything! Most fixies are waaaay overgeared for hills. The best thing you can do is learn to spin in a lower gear and learn to apply power around the entire pedaling circle. Once you get stronger, maybe then change to a larger gear.
My friend comes over wants to ride my old steel bike, gets mad that it’s not a fixie, I just tell him to stay in the same gear
Did you tell him to never stop pedaling? That's the key!
Riding fixed gear without straps or contact pedals - this is what ridiculous. Making conclusions on fixed gear bikes just riding on regular mtb pedals, man, are you serious?
I think this is the wrong mindset. Of course it is one of the crucial things about fixie cycling to have straps or clicks, but you can also enjoy riding a fixed gear without. (I did for one and a half year). Also all these guys here complaining about him having a break or saying it is an essential part of riding a fixed gear to have none, I can't agree. I do have a front break for several reasons: our local law and it makes it much safer and trustworthy...
If you’re going to make a video criticizing something, you have to at least experience it properly. This video does fixie culture no justice.
lmfao @ fixie culture
You're not riding fixie unless you have retention straps. Get some straps, try again, and ill watch again.
Who could be bothered such tedium. I myself could not be.
God damnit he called it a fixe
Well it is the "Shifter" channel...
1. "Fixie"
2. Rear brake
3. No foot retention
Take my advice; I'm not using it
Fixies are for kids and posers. Fashionistas. Its really just a name.
Fixed gear is for hardcore cyclists. Riders who understand its purpose and utilize that.
Lets just call things by their proper names. Its much more descriptive.
A fixed gear bicycle doesn't need to be a track bike or look a certain way with matching colors or whatever and it can have brakes mounted. Fixies? I think they have silly fashion rules or something. I don't care.
A fixer is a person who rides fixed or that guy in pulp fiction that cleaned up the bloody car I think or Maybe someone involved in gambling.
@@chrisswanson9724 just a quick question: Is their any particular reason against a rear brake for fixed gear bikes. Or is that entirely a question of "style"?
@@Zmaenlplibi Redundancy? The wheel is fixed to the cranks. On a freewheel bike, once your wheel exceeds the RPM of the cranks, the wheel disengages and spins freely. You don't even have to be moving to demonstrate this, just pedal backwards. So, about braking, imagine jogging. A runner is like a fixed gear. You go as fast as your legs are moving. Momentum builds and the legs propel you forward faster. But how does a runner stop or even slow down? If the legs quit moving with all that momentum, the runner trips and falls. To slow down, the runner decreases the effort to go forward. The legs keep moving, but the resistance to that forward energy slows them down. They may even resist the energy with their legs and slow down even more drastically, but a runner can never coast like a bicycle can. So, do runners equip themselves with brakes? Seems unnecessary to the point of being silly, doesn't it? If runners could coast, there'd be some very interesting sportswear.
@@chrisswanson9724 Thank you very much for the answer!
Foot retention is key for a fixed gear... Not just for hopping curbs but by law the rear wheel has to be able to skid..
Fixed gear were originally called "Safety Bikes" following bicycles known as a "Penny Farthing"... Created in Scotland by combining a German Knee Push Scooter with gears & a chain..
I was among the first dozen people to start riding fixed gear in Toronto as a bike messenger, mostly to reduce moving parts that can break.. or be stolen... In the Winter I can always rely that my rear wheel I can slow down with and not have ice causing brakes to slip on rim.. also why I use a disc brake on front, including to reduce rim wear with slippage.. I have recovered from wipeouts on wet round metal manhole covers on the street while turning because the rear wheel is dampened by my legs...
Hills were terrifying when I first began riding without rim brakes, but after a couple weeks I was able to go down hills with no hands and still be able to stop at bottom with clipless pedals..
Riding as a bike messenger it helped when carrying a box on your handlebars so you still have braking ability... I rode for years without rim brakes but after a couple chains breaking I put on a front mechanical disc brake.. It helps to take the edge off when arriving at impromptu red lights... or in an emergency stop situation..
I ride my fixed gear on dirt trails along the Don River in Toronto.. and even do "small" dirt jumps on it...
Fixed gear are great for commuting because it teaches you to slow down for red lights so that they are green by the time you get to them, making your ride more efficient...
They are also great for physio-therapy when you have leg issues or even getting around when you have a broken leg if you take 1 pedal off as I had to do after being smoked by a car....
Legally in Canada you can ride up to 30km an hour on a bicycle if you are drunk.. I guess they figure if you are able to ride 30km an hour then you aren't that drunk.. lol.... having been that drunk crashing into the curb, I agree...
The two things I like about fixed gear:
- I can road all the way without arms on the handlebars thanks to legs-breaking.
- When I take my road bike, it feels like flying on a cloud when compared to the fixie.
fixie was faster by 30s in a 55min trip ... O K ..
It's definitely just random variation, lol
Okay, but if you had bad salmon, that can make all the difference.
I’m a very amateur fixie rider but it also feels good for training in a unique way, because of the effort needed to slow down (if you don’t have breaks). It’s also way easier to end up with mangled fingers while working on a fixie, but I have too many good memories in my first fixie to not have one.
really enjoyed the video, the way you kept changing the angles and background made it so much more engaging
I'm 45yrs of age, been riding a track bike to commute for at least 15yrs. I run flats with a rear brake,which in the "fixie cult" is blaspheme. But I love it. Do what you like and love it.
Edit: "flats" for me is flat pedals no toe clips or retention system.
I'm 39 and have been riding primarily fixed for 7 years, good to see its not just young guys. I ran flat bars for years, tried some bullhorns to see what the fuss was about and wow, there's no going back. Braking (skidding) is soooooooo much easier and it allows you to change up your hand position.
I'm starting to age I'm 27 and I been riding fixed since I was 17. I have had different types of bars and grips. I came to the conclusion that bullhorns are my favorite. Drop bars are ohk but in a long distance ride they arent the most comfortable. The straight bars or risers are cool for casual riders who arent going the distance.
joey rivera totally agree. Bullhorns make life better. On track, though I'm back on drops.
As long as you don't mind paying for all those replacement rear tires. :)
@@SteveHameister yeah, because skidding preserves the tires like nothing else...
You don't have foot retention, or a "track bike", which does handle a little snappier and is usually a stiffer frame. Something like a lager does have a more relaxed geometry, which leads itself well to singlespeed. Riding a fixed gear is way more involved and attention grabbing sometimes, especially as you get better at handling the bike. I think singlespeed still is for most people though, it's just a great drivetrain that is very balanced in it's traits.
Tl;dr: high bike mech says it's a manual transmission for bikes
That explains why I'm also that guy who insists on having a manual car in an age where you actually get worse gas mileage with it on average.
@@SteveHameister Maybe, but a good manual lasts longer, it far simpler and there's far less to go wrong.
Ive overhauled the transmission and regeared the transfer case in my Toyota rock crawler. I'll leave automatics to the professionals.
I like driving manuals better in the mountains for the same reasons I dig fixed gear offroad...better control of speed and momentum. My low geared fixed 'cross bike reminds me of my truck in low range and you can actually feel the tires as they grip and slip through your feet since you're essentially connected to the ground.
There are some neat manual valve body auto trannies for performance cars though. For off-roading those are probably the best in a powerful rig. My 'Yota is not powerful by any means, just massive gear reduction. You can walk faster than my rig in the granny gear maybe even 2nd gear!
It's a no transmission for bikes
Dude doesn’t even clip in or get foot straps, that’s just ridiculous
Yeah, what a joke of a video. He rides a $200 bike with both brakes, no foot retention, generic unbranded crankset, and those stock "colorful" wheels that come with those bottom of the barrel fixies. I'm pretty sure this is just a troll video though.
Just lmao at him talking about "control" without foot retention
Yeah this video is a joke
i ride fixed and im am no expert beyond the basics like maintenance and safety checks but regardless why on earth you'd ride fixed with no clips or straps is beyond me
Without foot retention you handicap yourself by nearly half. Brakeless idiots and no foot retention are pedaling Darwin Awards. But all public riding brakeless idiots are the same. Completely irresponsible and careless of their fellow humans.
Fixie with brakes, the best of both worlds without the risk of dying
No shit! Stupid is as stupid does.
Idiots can break the common sense brake laws in many places.
NO ONE can break the laws of motion and gravity.
I think that's (not so) COMMON SENSE.
I rode mi fixie without brakes for about 6 months and never felt any danger. Stopping with legs is very efficient, and if you are aware you don't have brakes you ride smarter. At the end I put on the front brake because i felt skiding and slowing down with legs was terrible for my knees. It's much more comfortable now.
@@vietmann7134 Yes, skidding and grinding big gears in the saddle are what wrecks knees. Naive youngsters who think they never can die dont realize this. I know young guys who can't comfortably sit at their desks for an hour from these sort of injuries.
I'm 60 years young. Ive ridden hard, raced and wrenched for 50. I spend lots of hours on a bike and train for the stuff I like to ride. My knees are fine. I ride a fixed gear 'cross bike on technical, rocky mtb trails. Ive done it for decades. I use relatively low spinny gears. I also use a gear set up called a 'dinglespeed'. I have 2 fixed gears and 2 freewheel gears. Gears for cruising and riding roads to get to the trails, then a bit lower gears to rock the trails. My favorite local trails have more rocks than dirt on them.
These bikes are simple, sleek, elegant, light, and tons of fun! How is that ridiculous?
I did exactly the same as Vietmann mentioned - I put a front bake on mine because it was killing my old man knees! I don't ride at crazy speeds anyway, so I can slow down with my legs without having to skid.
After owning and riding a couple of fixed gear bikes, I can't go back to a "normal" bike.
Sense
I JUST moved from Houston to Chicago, my car got towed and I borrowed a friends bike to get around and now I can’t stop!! Haha I fell in love with cycling by accident and now I’m trying to see if I should buy a Fixie! Great video! Thumbs up 👍
Why everyone love riding fixed gear ? The answer is simple. No1: you're one with the bike. You can control the speed you want with your sheer leg power. No.2: no breaks makes it dangerous and wild to ride and also more attentive on the roads.
No.3 :better control cus you cannot coast. I can't explain this cus I know how it feels but unless you try one, you will know what I mean.
No.4 : get bigger tighs
No.5 :cool tricks to learnt and mastering these tricks makes you different from other cyclist on the road.
No.6: break the rules of cycling by diy your fixedgear like eg. Sticker bombing your bike, using roadbike, bmx or mountain bike components that roadie or mountain biker won't usually do.
No.6 : simple, low cost, low maintainence. No derailer, breaks, gear shifter, quick release and all that components in case you you corner too hard and your derailer break, you hop a curb and hit something and your derailer break or you cycle in gravel or raining weather and your breaking system, gear shifter, your drivetrain and derailer got caught up with pabbles, stones, mud ect...
No.7: cus it's fixed gear so it gives you challenges while climbing, sprinting and desending plus, feeling accomplished when you reach the top or the bottom.
No.8: Easy to clean and maintain.
No.9: certain bike components and brands are rare to find in bicycle shops. Makes it special if you own one. Like me owning a Cannondale capo in Singapore is consider very rare to see in my country.
Last. The community of fixedgear is very special and one of a kind. In Singapore we have mega mass ride every once a year with around 150 to 200plus fixed gear rider gather and ride together and as I cycle fixed gear for 8 years I always look out for my boys riding fixed if I see them on the road and also gives advice.
You can easily, and safely ride with brakes. Fixed gear bikes traditionally did not have brakes were dedicated track bikes. Historically, fixed gear road bikes had brakes. Riding brakeless is senseless, irresponsible, and dangerous. You actually have an inferior and less capable machine without brakes. That being said, I agree with road feel and overall positives to fixed gear bikes for road riding. 80% of my mileage is on a fixed gear!
@@Rabnes25 breaks gives us sense of fake security.
My idea is this : danger is invitable. You ride an motorcycles or bicycle or electric scooter or car or whateva, you still crash or fall one day is either you crash or fall or you dont. Simple as that. Your eye and handling skill is important not breaks even I've seen someone with breaks knock by a car and died. Most messenger that I know in my city including me that rode fixed never had an crash except for slippery fall situation. I don't get what you mean by ride safely with breaks hahahaha
@@Rabnes25 every pedal stroke comes from your leg control so no breaks is okay cus we don't coast. So speed control and your handling skill must be there. Learnt to stop properly, cycle along tight corner, heavy road traffic and heavy human traffic to train and wear a helmet plus having front and back light is key. That's all you need to have and know for safety. Don't complain and blame for not having breaks if you don't learnt and have all these. Get the basics right and you're good to go. That's fixed gear.
You forgot trying to avoid traffic in a split second going 18 plus and dying or destroying your leg and looking like a idiot because fixie is "cooler"
@@onelikeforfoodie1666 my leg control is excellent. And when I ride my metric centuries through hilly terrain, my bike performs better with brakes. And when I take my bike off-road or on non paved trails or single track, again, brakes make my bike better. I can stop dozens of feet sooner going 20+ MPH with brakes than someone without. We both know you can skid stop if you have brakes attached anyway. I can skid, but I use quality tires and have no desire to rip them up braking in a manner that is less efficient than a caliper or disk. I also like my drivetrain and try to minimize wear. Again, fixed gear/fixed wheel bikes ALL come with brakes except for track bikes. This has been the case for over a hundred years. Skid stopping is a crappier form of caliper or disc braking.
Ive got a track frame with the fixed gear and single speed hub. My daily commutes, I use the single speed because commutes are unpredictable and for early morning training rides, I use the fixed gear - less cars.
You also get two types of fixie riders - the ones who scoff at any gearing other than fixed and also ride round shouting swag and dab while doing it.
And the other side who do it purely for the enjoyment of riding a fixed gear which I can appreciate.
Not sure why does every situation have to have a side that thinks they are superior, at the end of the day we all enjoy being on 2 wheels!
Igot what you said but I really find difficult to see fixed gear groups to feel or treat others as if they were superior since fixeds are and were always bullied by literally every other bike type owner except maybe for MTB urban riders. But I can see what you see between fixed gear groups, there's a lot of economical discrimination and it's really absurd since people spending thousands of dollars in fixed gear doesn't realize that in overall performance (and I said this as a day by day fixed gear rider and lover) a track or route bike with a drivetrain will always best you at any time. If you're semi pro or even have a real understanding of bike transmission being able to exploit the relation to get the most of both the startup and top speed while being able to brake without killing yourself it's unmatched and pretty dumb to try to challenge with a single speed/fixed gear.
@@saitamleonidas Hey I ride around on a fixed gear and eat up roadies all the time.
Pretty close to snatching KOMs from some too !
It really depends who is riding.
As for stopping I run a front brake since I like to live and never lose traction on the back wheel.
You forgot to run over every red light when you changed to fixed
yeah its the most important part
and get ran over?
I know nothing about bikes. BUT, watching this video made me realize that my first bike experiences were on an accidental "fixie".
to note: yes i was terrified of riding and yes,, being forced to keep my feet on the pedals (i was like 8, i had no sense of control) left me with a LOT of bruises
I grew up with fixed bikes so the way I would "coast" is by taking my feet off the pedals and just going, then when my bike starts to slow down I would put my fit back on, of course timing it. I also grew up with a little bit of single speed bikes so I would just leave my feet for that, honestly didn't even know its not considered coasting for a fixed gear bike, thought they were interchangeable till last year.
Same thing, at the age of 8 my cheap mount bike was transferred to fixie, accidentally, it supposed to be a single speed.
I didn't understand why the hell I felt off much more than my mates, but also, it gave me a lot of control and few seconds in track stance were damn cool.
I love all bikes honestly. I mostly ride my fixed gear though because I find it the most stimulating and fun to ride. I gotta say though if you try to ride one like you ride a freewheel bike it will just feel pointless and weird. Even though it sounds a bit juvenile and ridiculous at first glance, if you ride without foot retention and you are relying entirely on hand breaks, you are totally missing the point. When it really comes down to it, the ability to modulate your speed via the pedals is why fixed riding is so fun and intuitive compared to using hand brakes and you really need foot retention for that. (That said, a hand brake is still a good idea for fast stopping rather than just slowing or coming to a stop gradually.) As a lover of bikes, I hope you give riding fixed more of a chance!
Take off your brakes, get a foot retention system and learn how to learn hop skid or just skidding in general then you'll love it
never ride brakeless, not for YOUR safety but for other's safety
@Saudade no one goes through a tire a week unless you try to go through a tire a week, its really not that bad
@Saudade clearly doesn't ride fixie
@Saudade check my channel for footage of my friends and I racing alleycats back in the day.. none of us were burning through tires in a week. You don't know you're talking about bro...
@Saudade yes they smell like a track bike's tire skidding.. Hey in the future, when you clearly don't have any knowledge on a subject or sport. Just do us all a favor and stay quiet. That way you won't have to worry about people with actual verifiable experience, coming down on you. Happy pedalling, and keep the rubberside down. Take care, kid...
You’re such a baby about your feet on pedals while they move... you’re speaking about cycling enthusiasts (“cult of fixie”) as if they’re ridiculous for cycling (foot on pedal, moving) and it makes you sound condescending. It’s a real simple approach to cycling that ANY bike enthusiast should be able to appreciate 🤣 12 years keeping my foot on pedals downhill and I’m still alive man. Toughen up!!!!
Thank you for this. It's nice to see a perspective on the fixie from a non-cultist, particularly a practical-minded commuter.
I own a 1950 chromoly frame with custom parts and as a person who raced them, was a bike messenger, and a bike mechanic. All the points you gave are on point. Plus on top of that your situational awareness goes up, you're able to learn fun tricks. And you learn about gear ratios and the convenience of the most simple form of bike.
"And you learn about gear ratios" Because you can't do that with shifted gears? I don't really get the point you're making.
@Chris aka Schulbus this is a 2 year old comment so that's interesting but when I wrote that I meant that one single speed/fixed gear you can't just shift to another gear so you have to learn gear ratios amd how they would affect your skid patches, ease or stopping, going, and affects of down hill and up hill. With a shifter you don't really care as much for gear ratios you just shift to what it most comfortable at the time. There isn't anything wrong with that, but most people on road bikes couldn't tell you so much on what thier gear ratios do and what affect it has while most fixed and single can give more details.
You forgot to run the, Shoelace/Pantleg-Caught-in-the-Chain and the Sharp-Corner-at-Speed-Pedal-Strike tests on your fixie. Want to get a real feel for the asphalt? Ride a fixie and do these two things and you'll nearly become one with it... literally.
Thanks for this video! As a non-bike guy all this time I thought fixie was just a cutesy name for a single-speed bike (fixie for fixed, I.e. non-changeable, gear) 🤦♂️
You would enjoy it more of you put some peddle straps for a more secure, comfy feel plus it will help with stopping, I ride fixed every day and I love it!! 👍 if you love fixed gears
Fixie for life!
Oh, good lord, I would never ride my fixie without pedal clips. And brakes. But I don’t even live in the city. I have a bum knee from a crash, and my fixie helped strengthen that knee enough for me to continue to ride.
-Food retention
-Seat position goddamnit it's not a mountain bike
-have only an emergency front brake and it will teach you to ride completely different, have a flow and stuff.
Today I took my first fixed gear ride, and once I got used to not being able to coast, it was great. It felt fast, very secure, and easy to control. That said, I will not be clipping in on this bike in fixed gear mode. It's too hard to get the second foot engaged into the pedal with that pedal moving. Maybe someday... My bike did not ship with a freewheel on the other side (I ordered one to add), but it did ship with directional tires. If you're going to build or buy a flip flop, use a non-directional tire.
When I really found out how controllable fixies are when I first dared to try doing a skid turn on gravel. The amount of control was ridiculous, I thought that I would've had to balance with some sort of drifting, but alas it was perfectly controllable.
Another thing I found fascinating with riding fixies is how going uphill feels with that minimal energy transfer loss along with wearing cages. With enough force you can just zip uphill and that aforementioned increased control makes it easy to zigzag up the hill to have a smaller climb angle.
The first time trying a fixie the thing that caught my attention was how it had this aspect of kinda surfing the pavement instead of just linearly riding it.
I commuted on a track bike for 6 years and absolutely loved it. There was definitely a learning curve but once I tuned in it was the most amazing way to get around. In the past year I have been riding a geared bike and I gotta say that, outside of adverse environmental conditions, my geared bike with disc brakes doesnt stop faster or handle better. I also really miss how responsive the drivetrain was on the track bike. I loved riding track bikes around the city and once I get a little extra cash I'll own another and it will be my main ride again.
Just sold my car. About to convert to biking for my daily commutes!
Hopping a curb on a fixie without a helmet... and you ask in another video if not wearing a helmet "makes you an idiot".
Thanks for being so honest.
I was a messenger for a number of years. We rode track bikes for these 3 simple reasons. 1. Nothing to really steal off the bike without proper tools and effort times balls. 2. Nothing to fix. No derailleurs, no brake cable. Nada. 3. Very quick to fix some problems on the fly.
single speed same reasons without breaking your knees
@@rubo1964 How is single speed better for your knees?
@@timeslowingdown its not fixed and gearing is great for mostly flats I ride.
@@rubo1964 By OP's reasoning Scooter are even better. We don't even have drive trains to fix HAHA. Also i've found scooting to be better on my knees which are mildly wrecked from many BMX days, and it keeps me fitter than my bike cos its actuallya proper workout. A long ride on a bike is just too chilled out, even hills are geasy on my SS bikes compared to scooting up a hill.
Given the fixie cult i'm surprised there isn't more folk on scooters.
fixie is great when you get used to it, deceleration without breaks is amazing, I ran fixie with both front and back breaks for 10 years, it's a more intense work-out and makes you stronger faster. more break control just always feel connected to the ground. (coasting feels lame and uncomfortable to me(eww cassette,/derailer maintenance f-that)) it's great for strength/ resistance training as you are always moving. I went 250k once in 6 hours. never trained. just always gunned it. snapped many chains. the community is hella whak tho, and people don't know how to drive so I quit biking.
Big thing getting used to fixed. Foot retention really helps. Something about it just makes it a more connected experience. I know I’m influencing the cult like following. But it really really helps with speed controls
I rode a single geared bike for entirety of my childhood.. although i enjoyed it i also realized it was shit for different terrains.... Few weeks ago a bought a budget geared bicycle & im really happy how versatile it is
Fixed in traffic is just unsafe in my experience. Riding fixed on the track is another thing.
Fixed gear is not for everyone.
@@silentcyclist Unfortunately, many of those who ride fixed gear seem to regard it as some kind of religion. One where personal reponsibilities and brakes are forbidden and only the chosen few can reach a zen like state with the bike. Fixed gear isn't the pinnacle of cycling, nor is it ideal in all circumstances... any more than BMX, MTB or Cruiser bikes are.
@@another3997 Fixed gear is an ideal transportation for me. I do have a mountain bike and a road bike, but I don't ride them anymore. Fixed gear is not a religion, but it changed my life and the way I look the way I look at it. I respect other cyclists, and there is nothing wrong with having mtb or bmx, I respect all riders with pedals.
Fixies are great for dense moving traffic because you can make minor speed adjustments by resisting the pedals.
I can do thatw ith my pedals by NOT pedalling. And my tapping the brakes!
“Ridiculous” A fix gear bike is the purist form of bicycle riding, one gear, bike and rider connected. It’s a thing of beauty that should be enjoyed by all 😎
I bet you drink organic coffee
Iman I bet you ride a specialized that the bike shop built for you
@@npetersen57 Yeah I use a bike that is safe not just for me, but also for other people :)
Surely the purest form of cycling is to remove the drive train fully and ride a hobby horse style bicycle? meaning ... a kick bike would be the modern equivalent of the purest form of cycling?!
Tell that to the Dutch. 🤣 😂
3 years ago went on facebook to get me a single speed bike, bought a fixed gear instead and i have been loving every moment of it. i commute everyday on my bike and it makes boring old work routes a little more fun. a quick tip: try strapping your feet on your pedals. 90% of the control is on your feet. but keep the hand brakes
My impression of fixies was that they are Hard to ride in the city. It takes a specific skill to brake one, by hopping the rear wheel and counter-rotating. Messengers take a certain pride in this.They think this makes it less attractive to steal.
Also you need foot retension to experience the full fixed gear experience so i think fixedgears are amazing if you know how to ride them
Nice video! I’ve been riding fixed for 12 years....you should be using straps or toe clips....foot retention is key...it will help you stop faster and pedal faster because your upstroke adds to your speed...if you try it again you will probably be even happier with your ride
what's a foot retention? i'm just a newbie and trying to get into biking and im in a dilemma between gravel bike and fixie since i'm in a city that doesn't have much hills and maybe rarely do long distance trips using bicycle, what would you recommend?
@@whoami724y just keeps your feet on the pedals :) helps with stopping and your stroke benefits from both pulling and pushing …you have an up stroke and a down stroke with clips…or straps …this helps you go faster ..if you didn’t have anything to hold you in you only have a down stroke and that’s really more for coasting and casual biking
just some points for our consideration:
1- it doesn't take 1 or 2 days to get to know (with your body) what's the point in not to coast, and how you can do it without effort. yes, without! it's a whole new perspective to build and it takes time. u'll find out that you can stop pedaling - what u can't do is stop spinning. they are not the same ;)
2- with time u'll learn the limitations of your bike in things like "how much i can let it go as i'm going down this hill?" (of course it depends on your ratio). you'll learn to go downhill as you keep your speed without going crazy and losing control (btw, did you ever notice before the speed you are directly in your legs? that's something the spinning gives to you)
3- the way we learn to ride shape our bias on what's strange. that said, fixed wheel it's just different.
whats "fundamentally absurd" is the buzz on "what is better" question - even more if u ignore your context bias to get an generalized answer...
if you ride a fixed gear for 2 months and try a single, you will feel something very interesting... (and later if you keep riding both maybe the way you cycle will improve a lot)
4- there's no use calling the use of a fixed gear in a city a cult when you absolutely ignore bike messengers who do 8+ hours a day and choose to do it with a fixie. right there is some old knowledge... way before it's became fashion-commodity and an instagram trend
5- there's something kind of curious about calling fixied gear a cult and at the same time ignoring the fact that single-speeds with flip-flop hubs came huge into the market exactly surfing the fixed-fashion wave... could we separate the cult of fixie gears from the cult of its aesthethics?
Genesis Flyer 2019 is my fixie of choice, complete with full mudguards and lights! Can't beat the simplicity (and longevity) of fixed wheel gearing :-)
I just ride fixie because I'm tired of swapping out my break pads every couple of months on my single speed. Otherwise there isn't really much difference. And of course riding backwards in circles when you are bored is a nice novelty :)
Coaster brakes are another alternative. Of course in all cases you should still have a hand brake for emergency.
Straps! I think it is essential when riding a fixed gear to have straps/toe cage/cleats since you'll have better control of your bike and that would give you additional sense of safety while riding. That being said, it would also make you faster without sacrificing safety. Have a go with it. You'll love it!
I agree with the control aspect of fixies. It is far easier to do a track stand.
Suggestion: On later videos, point out another safety tip. You were right about mentioning the possibility of being tossed off the bike when you forget you are riding fixed. As important- be very careful with fingers and everything else when the drive train is moving. The chain keeps moving.
I have one. I had a Trek composite road bike years ago and I enjoyed it very much. I have been used to riding a conventional bike. A friend gave me a fixie he was no longer going to ride and it was new to me. I bombed it, without thinking, pedaling the bike until it started pedaling me. I have it set to coast now, and I have to say that the experience is entirely different. Instantaneous movement when you pedal. I find it *wants to move, and I let it rip. It is fun!! Good video.
My first real bike is a fixed gear (it’s actually a Fuji tarck bike) and I just like the looks of it. Fixed makes it easier to ride really slowly through crowded seconds, and there are way less mechanical issues over the long run. They’re also easier to work on, and are naturally fast and fun.
The downside is that they are more tiring to use, especially on long rides.
But the benefit as a trainer for a good spin technique is really nice as I coast much less often than other roadies.
I challenge you over them being more tiring over long rides. I have done several over 100m on geared and fixed. The geared bikes are a bit quicker, but my legs have felt less knackered on the fixed by the end of the ride. Climbing some of the hills has been a bit lung busting at times, but lungs (mine at least) recover much more quickly than muscles! Gear selection is all. On a long ride I would choose a 69" or 66" gear depending on the severity of the hills to be encountered. Clearly on long mountain ascents (and descents!) a fixie is not a sensible choice though.
Cleat your shoes and you'll learn how to really ride a fixed gear (strap ons are authorized for the beginning, but pls don't ride fixed without a mean to attach your feets to the pedals… But you're on the good way ;)
For those who really aren't experienced with bikes to commute the fixie might be a problem, you have to understand the bycicle to ride it. About the "feet off the pedal on downhills", the main "thing" about riding a fixie is the control you have, so if you're going downhill, you control the speed and you can skid to slow doan, in order to do that you must understand the basic physics haha. i wear foot straps to ride my fixie but I reckon that without them it would be ridiculous to rike it.
Like most people you haven't understood fixies. Some background to my comments. I started riding a fixie about 15 years ago. I have a flip flop hub and some times ride it as a single speed. I also ride a geared road bike, i also ride mountain bikes. I have raced sprint and Olypmic distance triathlons on a fixie and my normal training rides are 50 to 80 km. I have 46 and 52 tooth chain rings, 17 and 16 tooth freewheel hubs, and 17, 16, and 15 tooth fixed gears. i will select my gearing depending on what i am doing.
I always ride clipless pedals. Your feet cannot and must never come off accidentally. this was an accepted technique in the days of penny fathing bicycles but not for over 100 years. The whole point to riding fixed is big circles and driving through the whole of the pedal stroke, not just mashing the down part. This does a couple of things. more efficient drive, and much easier to achieve higher cadence. i am not expert but i can sustain a cadence of 160 for long decents. The highest i have ever heard of is 210 but he was an Olympic level sprint cyclist and not a mere mortal.
When you first start descending on a fixie you will start to bounce uncontrollably. There can be a mental barrier, you have to switch your legs from mashing downstrokes to doing circles, not just let the cranks carry your foot back to the mashing point.
on a velodrome they use toeclips and straps. I use clipless pedals. I don't trackstand, i will come to a complete stop, unclip and stand one foot on the road and wait for the light to go green.
Also brakes, I run front and rear brakes, i don't use pedals for brakes or even slowing down. This also makes it simple for scrutineering at triathlons.
But the important point, get your feet attached to the pedals and circles.
Also try some clipless pedals like SPD with cleats SM SH51. It'll change the performance and youll definitely go faster. I have a road bike ,though fun but I ride my fixed gear more. Check out MASH SF if you wanna see why the youngsters love fixed gear. Also its customization of it all. Check out the NJS fixed gear. Beautiful bikes. Im in my 40s and I love my fixed gear bike.
I've tried it. it feels like flying.
Great look at these two aspects. I enjoy both modes.
One more benefit to Full fixed - Theft Prevention !
If so, I bet you'd get a kick out of seeing Track races @ full fixed gear.
My kids raced Velo for 2 seasons & I raced with them.
Track racing is crazy fun, blindingly fast & it's own little universe !
We raced at the outdoor 333m Concrete Alkek Velodrome / Houston.
There are only 20 or so in the USA but you could have one locally ?
Cheers - David in East Texas
We do have an old-school outdoor concrete track, and it's surprisingly fun to ride. I'm not much of a racer, but it's intriguing.
@@Shifter_Cycling
Awesome. Which Velodrome ?
My son raced @ US Olympic Trials in 2015 @ the Olympic Velodrome in Carson Ca.
It's a steep banked 250m Indoor one. Extremely different feel. Polished Siberian hardwood.
Minimum speed 17 mph in corners or you slide down embarrassingly...
I had a homeless guy bring my cinelli back to get his bike because he couldn't ride it.
I love fixed gear for commuting. I ride a fixed gear road bike with both front and rear brakes. The main reason I like fixed is it let's you control your speed with your legs, instead of with brakes. The other advantage is that having one speed (I always commuted on geared bikes before) creates a muscle memory for speed that you don't get with geared bikes. These two things make a fixed gear awesome for riding in traffic. Fixed gear rules for winter riding - I literally rode uphill on ice this past winter. I've been a year-round bike commuter in cities for 35 years and switched to fixed about 18 months ago. If you are comfortable riding fixed, I honestly believe they are the best for commuting in the city.
I live in Minneapolis Minnesota USA and we get a lot of ice and snow in the winter. I’ve found that after a freeze thaw cycle the fixed gear can help keep me upright on very slippery surfaces without buying studded tires.
I predict a few fights when the post-covid masses start cycling more and certain cyclist snobs overstep their mark on common manners.
Yeah, that would be pretty stupid, considering the laws of motion, gravity and inertia! These are laws you can't break or ignore. They break you! Same goes for brakeless idiots.
NO BRAKES = NO BRAINS.
In my shop, no helmet, no brakes, no brains NO SERVICE! If you buy these things from me, I will fix your bike. I'm not an enabler!
Only roadie bikers will be the ones being douchebags as they already are douchebags (most, but not all). Wanna interact with normals? Talk to the MTB crowd.
@@rollinrat4850 and no one cares about YOUR shop
@@Dashiki7467 We're the busiest shop in our town. And for a reason. Were busier than ever in our 60 year history. Bikes are sold before they're delivered to our shop and people are waiting for a year for some models. We're turning work away almost every day. So I disagree.
I grew up riding old fixed gears with no hand brakes before I had any idea that other types of bikes existed. Very dangerous contraptions, can remember many times having my feet fly off the pedals, then trying to match my leg speed to the pedals to regain control only to slip off and suffer either smashed shins or hit the back of my leg and drive your feet into the dirt peeling you off the bike😂
Cant forget to mention that you can also gain more power in your peddle with a strap since you can drive down with one peddle while simultaneously pulling up on the other. Ultimately you can now finally use both legs at the same time during each power stroke. before that you are really only using one at a time. tough to ride standing though for a while
I love riding fixed! I’ve got other bikes, but the fixed gear is the fav. I’ll admit it took me all of 2 weeks to get comfortable enough to leave the neighborhood 12 years ago, but if I had to keep one bike, it would be the fixed one. I’ve got a gear ratio that works for speed and for climbing, as well as the benefit of being able to swap out handlebars super fast. Riding fixed is addictive.
I prefer single speed as i do prefer coasting. But props to those who ride Fixed- gear bikes
Fixed is so much fun. Braking by hopping on the back wheel, track stand at lights. Low maintenance. Absolutely awesome
Yeah, because the maintenance on a regular road bike is such a killer.
If you brake a lot, brakeless fixie eats chains like crazy!
how about going downhill, looking like a clown when you lift your feet or all the skids that kill your tire.....
@@pavelkarpenko8713 you can put your legs on the frame and breaking little bmx trick "footjam" if you need
@@pavelkarpenko8713 but if on your mind "how i look on my bike?" You stay clown on any bike you are use
Fixies are fun and silly. People should ride fixies if they're enjoying it and appreciate the silliness.
I didn't use to understand it either, but I got my fixie and two weeks later I was totally hooked. Now I have two months riding everyday, and sometimes I love to just stop somewhere safe and stand on a single spot as long as I can, with my feet strapped on the pedals. My balanced has improved a lot, I can stand still a few minutes without falling
If I go back to my school days (we are talking 70 years) I remember seeing fixed wheel bikes from time to time. One chap who had been injured in the war had an artificial leg and couldn’t ride a free wheeling bike because with one leg able to push down the crank would be pushed down and of course it would stay down on a free wheel. A fixed wheel would bring it back up again for him. Another unusual thing about his bike was that the crank that he didn’t use, was free and stayed in the bottom position, so he could place his artificial foot on it without it getting a crack every time the pedal came round.
I am 57 years old. Have been riding fixed since I was 14 when I first borrowed my dad's fixed. I think I am well qualified to make some comments about the advantages of fixed over freewheel and visa versa.
If all you are going to do on your bike is use it in an urban environment to commute to work the freewheel SS is best. It is safer due to the pedals being at the correct position for taking off at junctions and the easier avoidance of toe clip overlap. It is less punishing for your commute because you can run lower gears (which also allow for faster take off from standing starts) with fatter tyres more easily. Who wants to end up at work all sweaty? Not me at least. As I do not just ride my single speed to work but it gets used for everything and I can't be arsed to keep flipping the wheel around I either ride a fully geared bike or my fixie.
The advantages of the fixie are many fold, some are shared by single speed over geared bikes.
1. More efficient drive for any given gear. This means you can climb more comfortably in a higher gear than would be possible with a free hub for any given gear ratio.
2. Better against the wind due to the onward momentum of the pedals.
3. Due to the single speed and constant pedalling you develop better pedalling technique and core body strength.
4. Easier to maintain and keep clean.
5. Less thought required and worry about which gear you are in so mentally more relaxing for commutes and easier to concentrate o what really matters like other traffic and pedestrians.
The big disadvantages of the fixie is restriction of gear options (same for single speed free hub) and spinning out downhill. To this end gear selection is all. Far too many fixies are sold with too high a gear ratio. I ride the following ratios depending on terrain and purpose...66" for hilly and commuting, 69" for part hilly with some flat and 71" for flat or rolling terrain. I live in hilly West Yorkshire now, with very few flat roads so my fixie is set up with 66" gear. I can get up most of the hills on it with a bit of puff, some of the longer descents are a bit of a pain though. If your gear selection is correct though, it is surprising what can be achieved with a fixie. I have done several 100m + rides on mine including crossing the Cotwolds and mid-Wales mountains on one without once resorting to pushing the bike, and though the overall speed on these long rides is slightly lower than on my multi geared road bike, my legs have felt more refreshed at the end of the ride on the fixie than the geared machine.
BTW for safety always ride with your feet clipped into your pedals on a fixie and always use both front and rear brakes on one too. Some claim they are not necessary. Do not listen to such nonsense. Nor do you want to ride in a bunch with a fixie as pedals can get tangled with other bikes leading to carnage. Hence why they are illegal for UCI road races but not for time trials and the standard on the track.
The biggest appeal of a fixed gear drivetrain is arguably more important than any other aspect of riding: it's FUN!!! I don't want mine to have fenders and a heavy rack, so I reserve it for particularly nice days. But it's certainly my favorite bike to ride around town.
Good insights. But an important aspect of fixed gear is learning to pedal smoothly at higher rpm without bouncing on the saddle. If you are going to "spin out" -- not able to keep your feet on the pedals -- then use the front brake to slow yourself down. Taking feet off the pedals is not something you ever want to do. Regarding pedals, in my experience, the most challenging aspect of fixed-gear is simply mounting up and getting going. Particularly if you will be doing short-hauls with stops and starts, pedal straps can be a problem both when starting -- you will always have to strap into one pedal that is moving -- and stopping. Really skilled fixed-gear riders learn to use such pedals to advantage but others would be well-advised to start with a simple platform.
I welded the flywheel and converted it into a fixed wheel, used that way for years.
Long time ago. Don't remember how it went, except that breaking meant dismounting
You can also take some things off of your bike, which makes it lighter and feel more streamlined. You don't really need your back brakes. I had a friend that just had a front break with one really short cable. Kind of nice to simplify things. My commuter is a singe-speed and works fine for me. I've considered switching to fixed-gear, but haven't yet.
It's downright illegal here in Denmark to have only one brake (no, counter-pedaling on a fixie does not count), so as a minimum you need 2 brakes. Regardless, it's not the added weight from a rear rim brake that makes all the difference - it's still a ton of fun to ride fixies/single speed bikes.
Yeah single and fixed are cool until you got 50 miles and 10th hills @9% grade to go!!!
That's apart of all cycling you baby.
Fear and doubt are the MIND KILLERS!
You gotta give it more than just a day! Give it a solid week and you'll start to get it. If you're down we should go ride together, as I can see you're from Calgary.
What hub & cog combo do you use? Wanting to convert my bike and I like the idea of having instant access to both fixie and single speed riding by just flipping the wheel :)
Most of my riding is done in a high density downtown core, rush hour traffic, public transit and pedestrians every and being able stop quickly is of utmost importance so a fixie doesn't make sense. Perfectly happy riding way to fast on a single speed as long as I can hammer on the brakes when needed.
Fun Fact: this is my 2000 liked video. Good job 👍
Do they say ash-phalt in Canada or am I hearing things 🤔
well, I know how to say it. but I do hear a lot of people say it like that ha
Couldn’t un hear it
The unexpected joys of a fixie? Who knew? Still, I'm sticking to my single-speed in most cases. Why do you ride a fixie (or not)?
I ride my fixed gear brakeless cuz it's fun and satisfying knowing that your legs are the only thing making you go and stop. You have to be a strong and skilled rider to ride brakeless. It's a challenge and it makes your legs stronger. It also looks so much cleaner riding fixed without those brake cables.. It feels nice pedaling the whole time too cuz u feel connected with the bike. When u ride 30 miles, u really pedaled 30 miles..
Sounds kinda dumb but since you can modulate your speed through the pedals there's less of a reliance on the hand brakes. It makes riding fixed feel less like "piloting a vehicle" and more like "augmented running" I guess you could say. My advice: don't take the brakes off at first (or really at all of you don't want to) but pick up some foot straps for those pedals (or try out clipless pedals of you have those on your road bike). When you ride fixed, try to use your hand brakes as little as possible and focus on using only the pedals to slow down and speed up; you'll feel it! The great thing about this too is that you will not only appreciate fixed riding but when you go back to freewheel you will have a new appreciation for the benefits of that style as well. Happy riding!
Brakeless gang all day baby. Only way to ride
One thing that has occurred to me - what if they made a fixie with a clutch? You'd have a lever on the handlebars where the rear brake lever would go on a normal bike, and it would operate just like a normal fixie until you squeezed the lever, whereupon the wheel would be completely disconnected from the pedals so you could coast.
I can see two problems with this though. First, and most important, if you were coasting at high speed and suddenly let go of the lever you could be hurt. You'd have to gently ease up on the lever to avoid that. Secondly, the fixie purists would hate it because it would be at odds with their minimalist philosophy.
In any case, I think I'll stick to my good old fashioned utility bikes for now.
16yrs riding in NYC - geared bikes and a single speed, never a fixie. Lots of weird cliques with bikes which I never cared for, fixie cult, road-racing cult - I went from having a huge, heavy 27-speed mountain bike that required a lot of maintenance to a single-speed KHS which is as simple as they come.
I really like my bike even though it really needs to be retired soon (on it's 3rd frame). Love the simplicity of a single-speed but never fancied doing all that skidding stuff just to stop, or watching guys fly down Williamsburg bridge holding their feet out of the way of their flying pedals that just didn't seem like a working system to me. Each to their own, riding is just freedom for me and I've been doing it ever since I was old enough to.
i love fixies but maybe it is because i‘m a unicyclist 😀👌🏻
As other people have mentioned foot retention is super important when riding fixed, and is especially important for going up and down hill. Also the bike you are riding has a hi ten steel frame. You should try this again with at least a 4130 frame and rims that aren't gonna catch the wind so much. So for foot retention clipless is my personal choice in comparison to toe clips, or straps. Also go with mtb not road pedals for walkability. The last but not least thing is gear ratio. This often overlooked spec makes a big difference in your ride. For commuting I usually go for a 46/16 or a 46/19. Chances are your bike is already equipped with 46/16 so that part might be moot lol. This will make your ride much more comfortable and you will be able to easily go much faster. Although I enjoyed your video it felt like watching a video of a person walking around in air walks tryinf to figure out why so many people like Nike so much.
I would add much of the reasons why you think fixed gear is ridiculous is why I love it. Mostly how much harder things are to do. My regular commute is 26km each way. I loved the challenge and the extra workout I was getting helping me lose weight and stay fit. I was constantly challenging myself to go further and in less time. Now a 40 or 50km trip riidng fixed is something I can easily do and I can only imagine what I would be able accomplish on a road bike, but at this point I would just feel like I'm cheating myself of a lot of fun.
Thanks for the video. Cheers!
What a fantastic, helpful bunch of comments. That’s for sharing. The reaction to this video has me feeling that I may have to keep learning, with everybody’s help. Thanks!
What's ridiculous is using 46/19 for anything other than "spinning practice" lol.. 46/16 is even pretty light.