How To Ride A Fixed Gear Bike
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ส.ค. 2018
- Chris and James take to the city to show you how to safely ride a fixed gear bike. From safely stopping, all the way to their 'advanced skills', the pair teach you all you need to know about fixie riding.
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There is one golden rule to remember when fixie riding! Keep your legs moving! If you’re riding along and just ‘stop’ pedalling, the force and momentum in your wheels, cranks and legs will be enough to throw you up over the bars and onto the ground.
Get comfy on the bike. To start with we would recommend a saddle height around 0.5cm lower than you would normally run on your road bike. This will help with moving around on the saddle whilst you apply braking force backwards through the pedals, but it will also make it easier to move your body weight around for cornering and general technical maneuvers.
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Leave us a comment below! - กีฬา
The only good thing about a fixed gear bike is that you never have to worry about being in the right gear, because you're always in the wrong one.
Lol this is pretty good.
Hahaha, that's exactly right for 99.9% of the time...
Totally haha
You stole this from Seth's bike hacks aka berm peak in his mtb bike single speed conversion
😁
Fixies are GREAT. You really get a feel for the street beneath you. Unfortunately, that feeling is often in your face as you hit the pavement.
🤣🤣🤣
Lol
@@BansanSH89 ppp
You get used to riding it and better at not feeling the road in your face
Hahahahahahaha too good
I've been riding a fixed gear on my daily commute for most of the last 3 years. It takes a bit to get used to, but it isn't really much different than riding a single speed with a free wheel. The only real advantages I find vs a free wheel are that it's a bit more interesting to ride and you get a better workout being able to break with your legs. Given that my commute doesn't have any flat sections and has a few quite steep sections, it's definitely harder than my old road bike I used to commute with.
Do you ride a fixed gear bike? Let us know. 👇
Cdale track, but no22 little wing is the dream bike soon
Yes but I flinch every time I hear the word 'fixie'. Call it a fixed gear please.
Sometimes
Always i use a fixed gear bike for go and back to my work. And sometimes i using for some training cycling sesions once in week. I riding a 46/15 gear ratio.
I've got a Schiwnn Madison - you can ride either in freewheel or fixed gear. Heavy bike but a great workout. Will apply your tips!!!!
The first time I rode fixed I was like, "Wtf, how do you operate this thing!" And that initial 60 seconds of being dazed evolved into a pursuit of learning the bicycle and retraining my body to adjust to it. It takes a few days to get used to, but pretty quickly it becomes natural like riding any other bike. Fixed gear riding is a whole other thing and I think everyone should give it a try. I had no idea what I was getting into and it was more than I ever expected.
It's about time GCN started to recognize an entire segment of road riders and racers.
Hopefully you enjoyed this one then!
A segment that exists due to a fad and biking companies flooding the market with fixed gear. I dont respect anyone that lifts their legs up going down a hill on a bike.
@@vincinuge Yeah, I guess the fad is from watching me on mine for the past 15 years.
@@vincinuge Yea, a fad that's been around for decades.
@@vincinuge yeah that 'fad' all the roadies are jealous of because they don't have the skill for it
I hope this is first of a few videos "fixed gear" related content. I can't imagine Si and Dan riding fixed. James&Travolta are fresh blood and this is very unexpected, so keep it up! Thumbs up.
Glad you enjoyed this one Nikola
What brand of bike is that?
I have one. I like it for its absolute silence and simplicity and being synced in with the pedals to the speed is a unique feeling.
Been riding fixed/brakeless for 10 years now. It started as a novelty, being able to build one out of just about any frame for very little money, and became a passion. I think it's a great way to get kids and those w/o heavy pockets to have a nice setup and experience cycling at its simplest form. Once you gain the skill set to ride safely and efficiently on the roads or trails fixed, all other bikes will feel like a freakin vacation. Personally it's made me a much stronger climber on the MTB which means more energy to bomb the descents. Fun, fun, fun
Wdym brakeless
Bro is telling kids to go brakeless
I am 49 years old. I practice in muai thai here in Greece for several years now and i decide to buy a bicycle for the streets of the city of Athens instead my motorcycle or the car. I make my research and i conclude to buy a single speed or fixed bicycle, after i test one and, i have to say, i love it. The feeling is great, and i find this type of bicycle have a lot of benefits. This sense of straight directness in pedal is nice, the service easy, nothing complicated, only your strength and stamina, and an excellent exercise also. Enjoyable.
Finally ! Great job guys, more fixed gear content please ! Keep it coming... Love from Greece !
Tip number 1: you just pedal
Tip number 2: see tip number 1 for advice
I forgot to keep pedaling about 4 times yesterday..was pretty scary
@@tribbyyonda-bass9186 I forgot to brake too
Repeat the mantra:
Won't stop pedaling
Don't stop pedaling
Can't stop pedaling
I used a fixi for working in the winter half of the year when I was a bike messenger, and a single-speed free-wheeler in the summer half.
One autumn day, on the first day on the fixi, I had just come out of the saddle to cross a road when the dispatcher radioed me some fares, so I instinctively pressed the radio button and stopped pedaling while standing up with only one hand on the handle bars.
Needless to say, I catapulted myself my self off the bike, hovewer, coming off lightly with just a few bruises, but I had to redio the dispatcher and ask him to repeat one of the fares he'd just given me.
After that I always used the mantra Fixi!, Fixi!, Fixi! for each and every pedal stroke every time I was standing up out of the saddle. And it worked; I never again crashed by forgetting not to coast while standing up.
Sneaky Fox Ride fixed long enough and coasting just feels strange and improper, kinda like you're not getting anywhere. Like you, I'm getting my fix on all winter. There's not much to go wrong on a filthy fixer. Pro roadies used to ride fixed all winter.
Riding a fixie both in the city as on the road, wih a longer gear, changed my spinning skills forever...more than the years climbing with mtb...such a better cyclist i became after it..no matter the bike i ride today. Love fixie forever!
Great to see that best cycling ytb channel started making fixed gear videos!
Just keep it going with this, there's a whole community out there who not just ride, but live fixed gear lifestyle!
Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it Nem
Awesome! I want to see more fixed gear content from GCN!
Glad you enjoyed this one!
It's nice to see some fixed gear content! It was also nice to see you take a serious direction with the video rather than the usual road attitude towards fixed riders. Great content!
EorAmbient Glad you enjoyed this video!
Haha, some 'elitist roadies' have bad attitudes towards everyone who doesn't fit into their narrow 'little' mindsets.
I'd much rather be labeled a misfit and think for myself. I saved lots of money this way.
yes! finally fixed gear videos. I've been waiting forever for these
Hope you enjoyed it Kevin!
Sadly you can tell they are very novice on fixies
Space Monkey which they said at the beginning of the video, so your point is? And calling ex track riders novices is stretching it, they’re not used to it in an urban environment
@@finnatwood7240 they even put the belt kind of chain instead of simple chains like kmc or izumi chains
alex DeManche my point being they can provide entertainment but no real knowledge or show the real feeling or riding a fix gear.
YESSS BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SO LONG! 😊
Hope you enjoyed it!
Nice to see an episode on fixed gear ! I’ve been riding fixed (48/15) and geared bike and tend to switch between the two , depending on if it’s a group ride or what type of ride it is (flat vs hilly) since I got into cycling 3 years ago . I really enjoy riding fixed (with front caliper brake for emergency scenarios ).
I do have to say I laughed when you mentioned fixed gear can launch you over the bike :) In my case it really did and I ended up in emergency room with fractured vertebrae and hurt shoulder and cracked helmet . Happened in a full gas sprint, my right foot unclipped under pulling and ended up flying into the handlebar , essentially turning the front wheel into 90 degrees and over the bars I come flying 😂
Keep those legs spinning ! I have to say fixed did help me learn to keep my legs constantly moving and build my cadence as well :)
I once saw this happening when I was following a guy on a fixed gear bike down a long and fast decent in the city. He went over the bars and rocketed into the sky no kidding. He went flying so hard it was painful to watch before he even landed. Which was even more painful to watch. Nearly happened to me once after transitioning back to my fixed gear and I forgot to pedal.
Since then I'm scared for that one crash to happen 😅
Amaru Roth haha yeah I can imagine if that happens going downhill , thankfully my accident was on a flat road and under 20mph but was just epic 😂
Glad you're okay now!
48/15 !!!!
Scary fall brother, glad you walked away from it and lived to ride another day 👏
Idk what's better, coming back to GCN straight into fixed wheel acknowledgement video, or watching James' rodeo that bike downhill at 0:48
This video missed some key points. One of which is inside pedal striking the ground in the corners if leant over to far in the corners. So stay more upright than you normally do on your non-fixie bikes.
Most track/fixies have more ground clearance than road bikes due to a higher bottom bracket height. Check out some of the FG crit races dey b leanin.
still, you can't go as down, one other piece missing is going downhill, or a normal bike you can stop pedalling and cruise down, not on fixies
Couriers put in more miles than you and they don't get a problem with pedal strikes, its honestly not an issue. I never got a single strike in all the years I was on the circuit. I would bet you could pedal through a lot more corners than you think you can, I ride single speed for commutes now my courier days are over but I still pedal through corners.
couriers arn't sending it at 25+mph through hairpin bends like you would in a fixed gear. Pedal strike is pretty real even with higher bb clearances although you learn your bike and what you do on it.
True, happens rarely but when it happens it's so dangerous. I've had both wheels off the ground because my pedal hit the ground and lifted me up. Near death experience.
The most vanilla fixed gear video ever
that belt drive is not vanilla sir. thats primo!
hahahah
Lol
I would remove vanilla. There was no flavor at all.
yeah man where was the weaving in and out of Midtown Manhattan footage while delivering a pizza
Thanks lads - will be trying out a fixie for the first time tmrw and this vid makes me feel like I know what expect!!
I consider myself to be a hardcore roadie. I have two road bikes and love to ride them. But I ride a fixie to and from school. I love my fixie!! Maybe not the most practical bicycle out there, but, damn, are they fun to ride!!
Sure are!
captainjakesparrow85 how so? Like driving a manual car good?
Damn Travolta, back at it again with them legs
YEEEEESSSSSS FINALLY SOME FIXED GEAR GOODNESSSSSSSS. Imagine if GCN could cover events like last weekend's championship in Riga, the Red Hook Crit and maybe even important Alleycats. Now we're talking, GCN!
We have GCN, GTN, GMBN... why not GFN?
Glad you have enjoyed this video!
Francis Cade and others have this covered.
Brenda Vane Francis Cade is useless...all his usual boring friends being “funny” and virtually nothing about actual bikes
Brenda Vane They have the social scene covered but not the actual racing or tech side. Fixed gear crits are a thing now.
Chewy Chewy Zach Gallardo is quite good for fixed gear tech and some bike reviews.
Not sure I have much enthusiasm for a fixie, but thanks for the video, I now know what they are all about.
Great video. This helped me understand more about fixie.
3:20
"Be a good, considerate road user"
*holding up traffic when there's a bike lane next to them*
Just joking guys, great vid!
True dou
Yeah...perfectly useable cycle lane yet they are two abreast in the car lane. Pair of fixie-bellends.
Fixies/track bikes are what got me absolutely hooked on bikes 10 years ago. I've been through all type of bikes since. Would be fun to build one again.
Let us know if you do!
It's actually what is getting me hooked on biking just now. I have always been riding some shitty second hand bikes but now I really got into it. Reading about it and also trying things out. It's just so much fun, especially riding of course!
I’m really liking all of the new presenters, GCN!
Been riding fixed for over 30yrs. Started out as a cheap way to ride through the winter to save my good bike -couldn't afford another geared bike. Rode some of my best TT times on fixed. Still ride fixed today, it's the simplicity. Even though I'm a big fan of fixed if it's hilly you will be way faster on gears!
It has been years since I rode a Fixed gear bike.. I was bake-less and track pedals, double toe straps . The best thing about a fixed geared machine on long rides, the bike will teach you proper spinning or the the bike will throw you off it.
Single speed = you ride your bike. Fixed gear = your bike rides you.
Definitely humbling at first, and gives you knowledge, respect and understanding of the bike you're on.
I usually ride fixed in 48/17 - actually did a tad over 100km today around the Peak District on it - out to Bakewell then back through Castleton, Hope up through Bamford to Strines Moor and onto Bolderstone. Really super fun - all you can hear is the faint hum of the tyres. Always get a few - "bloody hell - have you ridden up here on that!?". Don't get me wrong - love my geared bike too - but nothing compares to the simplicity and purity of fixed.
Best tips. Thanks GCN!
I ride a fixed gear because im a hipster. But i only ride it to my local fair trade coffee shop. And dont forget about the retro cycle cap. Beard. D lock belt. Rolled up skinny jeans and the best thing ever, the messenger bag for all my essential beard oils and craft beers. And screw the legal minimum breaking requirement. Im breakless because im so awsome.
have you any hops in those craft beers. are they XPA :)
😂 When you come flying past that said hipster on your own fixed gear because it's uphill and hipsters have no legs😏
Nailed it😂
Superb
jesus is my brake
after reading "The obree way" i got my a fixed wheel bike, built it as a time trial Machine, with earobars and 53x15 gear, i ride it on mostly flat rouds, and smash all my strava records
skidding with a fixed gear bike is the most satisfying thing ever
Thanks for the information, it's getting me excited to perhaps by a fixie and get around the city on a bike rather than a car
Thanks for tips guys :)
The Schindlehauer Ludwig bike looks amazing
Glad you like it :)
give away for GCN fans? ;)
Glad you enjoyed this one Andrew!
but nothing beats a well oiled chain in terms of smoothness, you need less power to pedal and aren't so fast exhausted.
You need to go into detail about how big the fixed gear criterium scene is now, Fyxation, Mission Crit, Red Hook and that it isn't just a niche corner of cycling anymore
That sure could be one or another time
No fucking way I'm going to carleton next year wild to see u here
@@adamb2147 Haaaaa???
Watching this video gave me palpitations, props to those who are courageous enough to ride fixed gear bikes let alone out on the road....
Great video
What Brand and Model of Fixie Bike you used on this Video?
haha i love rolling with my bike and hear the clicks ^^
Yesterday i which my fixie to fixed and i was so uncomfortable for the first few min, but i quickly got hooked. Definitely a bit of a challenge to get use to.🙂
Super cool video...
Fixed gear bikes may be a little bit challenging to ride initially, but once you mastered it, it can be super fun! Hats off to James and Travolta.
Cheers Omaris, glad you enjoyed this one!
Anytime! (^_-)
Lol at all these old fogeys in the comments banging on about knee pain and dangerous riding. They used to ride the Tour fixed. I think I'll survive my 5 mile commute. Also my fixed bike is sub-7 kilos, has one of the best cranksets available, and cost me less than a grand. You wet blankets are missing out on some good, cheap, low-maintenance fun.
Sub 7? What frame is it and which wheels do you run?
Sounds like a nice ride you've got there Richard!
I am curious too about your setup! sounds like you have an amazing bike!
an aluminum fixie can be sub 7kg. Getting rid of the deraileurs and chainrings can take off a ton of weight easy
That's exactly why I got mine. I picked up a good quality bike for 350 USD.
Hi Guys ... I always connect fixies with the film Premium Rush :-) ... was again on TV a couple of days ago over here in Germany :-)
Well done lads, nice vid.
Love the subtitles:" [Blond man] Or maybe it's the pure thrill of riding a very basic bike. "
what about downhill?
I use a fixed gear as a TT bike for flat courses because of the efficiency gain, plus with no brakes or derailleurs it makes for a cable less aero machine!
Sounds like a track bike!
oH boy am totally ready for the alleycat race now!
Thanks GCN!!!!!
You're welcome
In light of the current market for geared groupsets and the price of a new bike I'm looking into buying a fixie. Thanks for the video GCN, it helped a bit.
what’s the brand of the silver bike in this vid?
I feel you should have stressed the point of foot retention more.
Foot retention (if not clipless pedals, straps or cages) is mandatory on a fixed gear for safe riding
I disagree. My fixie is aggresively geared and being clipped in was giving me knee pain when I tried to stop. I've been riding flats on it for years with no issues.
If you're riding brakeless, I agree with you. I wouldn't even consider riding my brakeless fixed gear without being clipped in, as my reduced stopping ability would be reduced even further. However, if you have brakes, then it's not mandatory for stopping effectively, since you have brakes.
Agree. I use straps on my fixie as they allow to take off feet from pedals easily. It is very useful when riding in slow traffic and almost prevents the risk of falling from a bike.
adam gibson - yeah you CAN ride flats (if you have brakes) but I bet you'd find you've got way, way, way more controls with foot retention.
Matt Sezer riding brakeless fucking idiot
Dope ass soundtrack GCN! And great vid as well! Didnt know 90% of this about fixies!!
Cheers Carlos, glad you enjoyed it
Very Helpful 👌
Glad it helped!
Fixed gear bikes are the best type of bike for the off season training hard up hills fast and slow cadence training very little cleaning and the perfection of turning in circles.....just respect the bike and it will love back 🚲❤️ possibly my favourite bike but don’t tell the others
Nice 👍
We need FCN - Fixie Cycling Network
Gud
But with real velodrome riding instead of this fad junk.
@@KandiKlover Wait there's fake velodrome riding?
FixedGearCyclingNework. Please.
Lover the Schindelhauer Bikes especially that Viktor in Alu Pure with the dynamo hub for the front light attached to the rack
Great video. What are those mudguards and that front rack?
I am surrounded by hills. A fixed gear bike would just be ridiculously impractical. I would love one though, for their clean look.
Wimp! 😋 Adds to the challenge. I ride fixed and live in a silly hilly city (Bristol) where this was filmed. They are great for training. Did Bristol to London fixed (225km) and sure wasn't flat. Do love my geared bikes though, but its good to mix it up. Plus skiiiiids!
All about ratio friend.
46x18 or 48x19, you'll thank me later.
Brutal Wang Its all in your head. You've gotta man up. You give up before even trying? How do you know you can't? Especially with that handle! How do YOU impress the ladies?!?!?! I'm just assuming you're a male, so please forgive me if otherwise.
I'm 59 years old, live surrounded by big mountains and have ridden MTB trails on a fixed gear cyclocross bike for decades! I get motivated by someone telling me 'I can't do' something or other. Its not easy by any means but I can almost keep up to guys half my age! I don't look my age either. I can still 'get it up' too!
Tempted to get a belt driven fixie for a daily commute. As I clean and service my bike way to often.
Fixie are perfect for training when you don't have any hills around. Also props to James for riding a fixie with a rack. Solid Mess work there
Mad respect to you guys very cool. Loved fixed gear.
Oh about track stand, it is very useful when there's heavy traffic. Always wear your helmet.
Glad you enjoyed this one!
What shorts are you guys wearing? I need those! It's the second video I've seen them
training shorts. I used to wear those during my football days. Extremely comfortable and great for leg movement imo
Not a bad video, although it doesn't really convey the simple savage joy of riding fixed. Good to hear one of you saying "fixed wheel" early in the video. A bike has a "freewheel" (can spin freely) or a "fixed wheel" (fixed to the sprocket in such a way that when one moves, the other does). "Fixed gear" seems to have crept in as the term over the last few, er... decades. ;)
How do you explain flip flop then?
@@ryand141 fixed wheel on one side, freewheel on the other.
i have one and i love it
Please! More fixed gear videos! We feel left out :(
Happy to see my favourite bike brand featured again :)
Hey Roger :)
Hi favourite bike brand :D
This is a great start! I got into riding fixed after seeing a messenger skid around a van. Track bikes are the way to go. So much fun to sprint and definitely great for chill rides with others. I feel like getting a current ripper like Juliet Elliott would be a great next step. She even reps GCN on some rides.
You forgot 1) grow beard 2) get tattoos
Jokes aside I've my eye on a Fuji Club for an offseason commuter bike but am a bit worried as I have a hill to climb which has road traffic on it. Would have liked seeing a bit more technique on speed control on the descents from this vid. Love riding velodrome though, that never gets old and it is great for pedalling technique. Also I have seen lads in London doing side skids to scrub speed, that might have been a useful technique to demo
Something we can certainly look at for a future video 👍
Use your front brake in conjunction with leg resistance...or...get a rear brake too. If that doesn't work for you, make it a single speed ( freewheel) so you can coast down hill. All kinds of possibilities.
You'll never know until YOU try. Start by leaving your derailleur bike in one gear. Find the one gear you can do an entire typical ride on. When setting up your fixer, use a similar gear or maybe a couple teeth harder. Fixed gears are more efficient. (mechanically)
Fear is the mind killer. Doubt is complacency. You DO or you DON'T! Not can or can't. Gotta try and try again. Keep at it. Nothing good is easy! Push beyond where you thought you could go. Yeah, it's probably going to hurt, bad at first, so it's not for everybody. Greg Lemond said, "The pain never stops, you just go faster." Its a mindset as mental as it is physical. Enduring pain and suffering gets 'easier' as you accustom yourself to it.
Little hills (or mtns) are opportunities to pedal harder and gain fitness. Many riders think they need a full carbon race bike with umpteen gears to commute through a flat city where the biggest hill is a freeway overpass.
I ride fixed offroad on mtb trails. Its more fun than should be legal!! Its a tiny little niche and most of my riding buddies think I'm nuts, but Ive been hooked on this for over 30 years. I'm 59 years young now.
Nice to see fixie movement is alive and well in the UK.
I've got a fixie bikee the 2 main reasons why i got one is because it looks great, it's simple nothing over the top and also no need to worry about changing gears just ride it as it is. It's like comparing an automatic vs manual transmission car u use automatic because u don't want to have to worry about the clutch or stalling, u just put it in D to drive and R for reverse and ur good to go.
For those who have never ridden a fixed gear before but having been riding freewheel bikes for years, it must be difficult to break the ingrained habit of coasting...and it must be pretty dangerous if (when?) you forget!
Yeah, especially going fast downhill, would not recommend trying for top speed on the first ride! (Never have fallen, but very scary moment!)
3:18 "by being a good and considerate road user" - he says while completely ignoring the bike lane xD
That's hardly a bike lane (too narrow, no physical separation between bikes and cars, parked traffic needs to cross it to enter exit parking), and it ended about 3 seconds later into a loading zone.
You _do_ realise you're not *required* to use the bike lane? It's a voluntary provision by the council (and a welcome one, at that) but nothing more. If you're able to keep up with traffic, you're as entitled as other automotive road users to stay central.
In Germany though they can be mandatory indicated by a blue bike sign.
Luckily for them they are not riding in Germany ;-) . Good information to know, if we want to bikepack in Germany though, so thank you .
FIXIE KING DOES NOT CARE ABOUT A BIKE LANE!
Nailed it!
Few years ago I made one on the real cheap.
Found standard 10 speed road bike on bulk trash.
Removed all the derailleur gear. Removed cluster and welded up on the inside ,spoke side . Then replaced cluster with high strength lock tight so wouldn't un-screw. Shortened chain refitted to middle gear and fitted smaller single chain wheel. Also only had front brake, just in case .
Yes it worked.
I've been riding fixie for about 3 weeks and I have lost my muscle memory for normal cogs every time I try to ride my legs lock up
I ride on fixed gear not only because it's easier to do maintenance but the thrill of the speed breakless, it's absolutely priceless.
Riding without brakes is just stupid.
HERE WE GO BOYS
I dearly miss my Pista Concept. It was big fun... and a rocket!
what about when you have to go down the hil after climbing up it?
i think you have to hold against the pedals to slower the speed or your legs go high speed rotating disc like roadrunner
Well, if you want to sort of 'enjoy' the climb, you'll put on a bit lower gear. On my rides, I spend the most time on the bike climbing so that's logical. On the flats you'll learn to pedal more quickly or settle on moving slower. Easy enough. On the descents you'll always have to learn to pedal way more quickly, get strong enough to use a higher gear AND or use brakes(intelligent,common sense!) skid (destroys tires, wrecks knees) or take your feet off the pedals (Kinda nuts, but thrilling!) SO, learn to pedal really well! BOTH really fast and really slow. On a fixed wheel, the faster you pedal, the faster you go! This is what fixed gear is all about. Pedaling faster, pedaling smoother, pedaling in circles. Pedaling harder and using ALL the muscles in your legs at a grindingly low cadence or blindingly fast.
Think, at 1st, even outloud:
"Don't stop pedaling"
"Wont stop pedaling!"
"CANT STOP PEDALING!"
Repeat that mantra
OVER AND OVER!!
The good news is that riding fixed teaches you to pedal much more efficiently in a very natural manner. USE pedal retention! Otherwise you sacrifice at least 1/3 of your power. You really don't have any choice not pedaling! Other good news is you can choose a good gear perfect for you. The bad news is that the descents are often more difficult than the climbs. Ive learned to enjoy climbing so no big loss!
Riding fixed in hills or mountains is a constant interval, there's rarely time to rest or catch your breath. So it can be an absolutely wicked brutal workout.
I like all that. Suffering builds character, strength of mind as well as muscle. When you get back on a derailleur bike you'll be flying. It will seem really easy! Serious Fixed riding, especially in hills is mostly about fitness and training. That's why the pro roadies of old did it as winter training. Its not easy! You've got to enjoy the suffering and pushing yourself BEYOND limits to get the most out of it. But it's really fun and absolutely mind absorbing at the same time. You have to really concentrate on what you do on the bike. A definate mind trip. Proper Gearing is a catch 22, a paradox. To ride in hills you need to make compromises. Unless you're a phenomenally gifted rider you will be going slower. That's okay as far as I'm concerned. I enjoy it being more difficult. That's the whole point that hardly anyone understands!!
Last but not least, get a flip flop wheel with a freewheel on the flip side. This is what I do. I have one, but only use the freewheel if I'm really tired out, on a bad day or on a fast descent or a really technical mtb trail. Rough trail is the norm on my rides! You can also use slightly different gears or build a 'dinglespeed' set up. 2-4 different gears depending on your frame. Check 'em out. Super versatile set ups. My freewheel actually has the higher gear.
Fixed offroad is more fun than should be legal!!
No I don’t ride a fixed bike, but maybe i will before this video, thanks for the tips. One more thing, what’s the brand of the grey bike? It’s freaking pretty. Greetings from Mexico!!!!!
hello, that's us :) that's the bike: www.schindelhauerbikes.com/en/bikes/current/Viktor.html - and that's our dealer in mexico city: dfcc.mx/
Glad you enjoyed the tips
is it harder to skid with narrow bars? wide bars are new to me. i used to be a bike messenger and wide bars were a hell no. what's the functionality with them? i dont feel railed into my bike when my hands are far apart
Love my Cinellii Pista Fixie - Use it for work daily, less to go wrong with it !
Great stuff Neil!
My gear ratio for my fixie is 5417. I ride a bianki pista 61cm. Love it Tampa FL
I have been waiting for this subject to come up so good work. I started riding a fixie around the same time I got into road cycling at age 50. I am now 60 and still like my fixie almost as much as my road bike. I have never had one without brakes and couldn't do a skid stop to save myself but I have front and rear cantilever brakes so who cares.
What you didn't mention is that fixies are great for training, developing power and a smooth pedalling style. I mostly commute but sometimes train on mine when the road bike is down and, for flat routes, it is almost as fast and arguably more fun.
p.s. riding brakeless, however, is for complete idiots.
I agree man even though I know a guy who runs his fixed breakless from time to time and I swear he is one skilled f*cker and he can handle emergency stops but even he says its 100% unreasonable. I would never promote riding breakless. It's just too dangerous.
I always loved single speeds but always thought fixies are just unreasonable and never saw the point until I rode one regularly after a friend borrowed me his for some time.
Unreasonable but maybe the most fun way of riding I ever experienced.
Great training too! Technically and physically speaking!
Glad you enjoyed this one Phillip!
I can stop almost as quickly without brakes, and am probably safer because i watch much further ahead and am more aware of my surroundings.
Nice!
I actually rode fixies as my only bike for about 10 years, two were stolen and the third one sold after my home-made rack in front broke after daily use for years.
This was in Umeå, the north of Sweden, btw. Fixie is great fun in snow, the feeling of grip is comforting, and studded tyres is quite possible too. I down-geared 2 cogs durning the winters btw.
I live in a very hilly region and currently have 52/20 on 700c x 23. Descending at a seemingly modest 34 mph means 172rpm. At these pedal speeds, you cannot brake with your legs.
My advice: If speed or hills will be a part of your ride, retain both brakes in the build. 😊
As a fixed gear rider im here for the comments only 😂😂
I tried this bike once....the pedal push makes me nervous af!!!
I love GCN. I'm a subscriber and full roadie, but I also ride a fixed gear. In fact I just got in from a fixed ride before this video. That said, there are a few things in this video that are not so much wrong, but not entirely correct. At 2:30 when he said there is no real reason to skid, I would say not only is it a primary way to stop a track bike, but when you get a little bit more experienced, skidding around a tight corner is totally normal. Also, FOOT RETENTION! I fully recommend toe cages. Riding clipped in is something I don't even do. There are less "outs" when clipped in as opposed to other forms of foot retention. Just some insight from a roadie and fixed gear rider.
Thanks Quinn for the support 👊 And thanks for sharing your extra tips!
Waiting on this for a minute now
Been a long time coming! Move over roadies!
Nah, just (s)kidding, roadies are fine people too.
I commute, sometimes train, and used to race fixed gear (46x14 drop bar). Its a great way to eliminate a lot of maintenance issues for a commuter bike, and I really feel like there's something to the efficiency of direct-drive that I don't necessarily get on my roadie in a similar gear. Both are incredible bikes and I wouldn't want to be a fixie-only person anymore now that I own and love my roadie, but it is definitely worth owning a fixed gear even if you love riding classic roadie bikes.
I think that's the main advantage of them is the low maintenance
WOW AMAZING VIDEO! I ALSO RIDE A FIXIE :)
Well done for giving consitution hill a smash lads!