64 years old. Riding track bike on the streets since '97. I was a messenger back then. Super efficient for riding in traffic. Now I use it for my daily commute. Because it's just so damned good looking. The bike, not me. 😉
I'm about to turn 42 so not that far behind you. I'll ride these until I'm too old to ride a bike. I only have one other friend who love fixed gears as to Zach's point, many people do not like it.
Well, my dad still goes out on a fixed gear ride with me and he's 60 years old. I gues nothing is impossible if you sre really hooked on fixed gear riding.
Love it... I've casually ridden 'fixie' since I was a 16-year old schoolboy, then it was just to be 'different' from my pals. That was 61 years ago! A dozen years I sold my vehicle and I'm still riding fixie, although I do have a geared bike with mudguards for mainly wet winter road... both Dave Mellor of Shrewsbury frames with Italian bits and bobs attached. Here I France I get a lot of comments and some strange looks from other lycra-clad cyclists as they whizz past me... but I trundle along quite happily at my own pace, being 'different'.
Riding fixed isn't a sure way to get stronger, any more than on a geared bike. In fact, having gears allows you to make any hill or flat road harder, simply by choosing a higher gear than you would normally use. Gears don't just have to be used to make things easier. Assigning dubious attributes and claiming an almost spiritual experience to riding fixed gear is the silly and unnecessary. Enjoy whatever you ride, don't make a religion out of it. 😉
hi zach, I'm from Indonesia. I,m 48 years old. I started riding fixed gear one year a go. I ride fixed gear for "bike to work" about 40km. FIXED GEAR IS FUN! and I love it and I love your channel....... (sorry for my poor English)
@@MattSezer honestly this issue should’ve been addressed... Zach talks about the “simplicity of fixed gear” but doesn’t address how If you don’t have a $120 Thomson seat post... well than you ain’t shit...
@@iwritechecksatthegrocerystore At least if you want to flex with your bike with unnecessary expensive stuff, it's only a few hundred dollars, whereas with road bikes. we're talking sometimes thousands for parts with complete bikes that get into the five figures. It's all relative, but compared to road bikes, fixed gear bikes are way cheaper and more simple.
@@MattSezer yes, i would say way more simple, and cheaper as well, but... its not value for the money, for 350 bucks, it's hard to get a "good fixed gear" unless you build one yourself. esspecially for under 300, because this market is dominated by geared bikes, so mass producing geared bikes is cheaper and of better value... i have put together several bikes. so i know this... i can buy a used road bike wheelset for 90 bucks where else if i wanted a fixed gear wheelset of the same quality, it'd be looking at 150 - 200 bucks... a good fixed cog cost 20 bucks, but I can buy a 7 speed cassette for 3 dollars more, i can buy a quality narrow wide chainring made of 7000 series aluminium for the same price as well... you get alot more "bike" for your money when it has gears, that extra weight literally allows you to climb steeper hills, you can't say that a more expensive cog will help you climb better, you straight up need another cog. and since I know how to work on bikes, i dont even have to take maintainence cost into account. that said, out of my four bikes two, there is a single speed and a fixed gear, they are fun, light, and are my fastest bikes. but my goodness, i spent a whole lot of money for something so simple. and since they are my favourite bike on the road... i have a question for the whole fixed gear community... why the hell dont so many of these have a bottle boss at all... these frames are so well crafted, so practical with mounts for racks, yet it doesn't have a damn bottle boss...WHY?
Coasting on FG exists, just a bit different - relax legs and let them circle without applying force on to pedals. Let your legs to spin without any efforts either direction (force or resistance).
Maybe we should bring back coasting pegs from the 1890s. These were pegs mounted on the fork that you could rest your feet on when going down hill. I guess they fell out of fashion when freewheel became a thing. 😁
@@rangipetur Lol If I take my feet out going 25mph .....im going to have a very hard time getting back inside my foot retention LOL. I didn't know coasting pegs were even a thing. I guess thats not a bad idea if you have front and rear brakes.
@@HaniJIsmail You basically don't put them back in until you've slowed way down at the end of the hill. I've seen them on OG touring bikes, where I guess they'd make a lot of sense.
Enjoy the vids, though fixed is not for me! Now single speed has been a revelation on my 28yr old steel mtb, much cleaner, lighter but still has 3 speeds - standing, sitting and walking!
@@Kwansudru dude fixed gear is such a great experience. It took me a couple of days to get used to it, it’s a bit inconvenient at times but I’m slowly learning. I live in a flat area, with the exception of one man made hill (or overpass). I do ride with actual brakes but being able to control my speed with my legs is indescribable, and no I’m not talking about that idiotic skidding crap. I can’t believe people think that is an efficient way to stop… I don’t think they understand science…
@@jonathanchampagne7683 After building one, I agree; not really missing out on much. They do take a bit of skill and memory to ride. You need to remember they don't coast.
@@Marcus538 I'd respectfully disagree on price. Depends in frame choice and I see a lot of fixies riding on ridiculously expensive frames - the amount of bianchi pista's i see in London is ridiculous - a 2004 frame goes for £1000+ in the UK. I've got a 1994 Peugeot tourmalet, Reynolds 725 frame and with original shimano groupset which I bought for £450 total. Just had a fresh paint job too. I ditched fixies a decade ago and never looked back. Just prefer the classic cycle look these days, plus I can go up hills and keep up with traffic anytime without looking like a madman with my High cadence
most folks who ride 365 days a year, rain or shine, will eventually learn to appreciate a fixed gear bike. Fixed will always be a strong contender in departments such as: maintenance/cleaning time, price/longevity/interchangeability of parts, ability to ride in sloppy rain and snow, durability of parts in real world scenarios, fewer specialized tools required, and fun of riding. If you absolutely have to get to work in the morning on a bike, fixed is less to worry about braking. I rode a 5 speed during the fixie-trend years. Had a lot of derailed chains, crashed a lot, got hit by cars, and loathed cleaning my bike. Then after commuting for 15 years, I inevitably went for a fixed gear build. Now I actually enjoy cleaning my bike, and instead of being pissed at every stoplight, I can work on riding fakie or trying to make my entire commute without putting a foot down. It changed my entire perspective. Fixed allows you to enjoy every moment, even the stoplights in life.
It's true, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, fixed gear bikes are amazing looking. I've always been one to appreciate clean designs, from watches, to cars, even to something relatively obscure like fountain pens (yes, they are still around and have a dedicated, passionate following, yours truly included), and fixed gear bikes fill the bill big time in that regard. Just looking at them is worth the price of admission. Your Wabi is pretty damn sweet. The fact that their history is born of track racing, a very cool subset of the cycling world, makes them even more interesting.
"It's true, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, fixed gear bikes are amazing looking." They don't look any different than other bikes that have only two sprockets, such as ones with a freewheel, coaster brake hub, or 3-speed hub.
*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*
As a fixed gear ⚙️ rider I find myself being excited when I see someone riding a single-speed until they coast when going down a hill then it hit me that I’m alone again.
I ride single freewheel, but I'm still subbed to your channel. Tried fixed gear once and the most annoying things about it were the inability to jump over hops and pedals hitting the ground during sharp turns.
I learned how to ride on a fixed, it was a 1950's kids bike. I rode every single bike I could as I was growing up. Huffy dirt bikes, my mom's Schwinn 3 speed and my dad's Peugeot and my own DB mountain bike through the 90's. I went back to fixed in my late 30's on a whim, I'm much older now and don't like riding any other kind of bike. Fixed gear or nothin'... That's just what I like.
@@CanItAlready It was a super old bike. My baby sitter had it when she was a kid. It had hard rubber tires and no breaks. Not even coaster breaks, when I finally got my own Huffy I had to learn to stop like a '70s kid with coaster breaks.
Used to ride track bikes in 2008-2013. Went on to Road, CX and Gravel bikes since but pretty stoked to build a SS/Fixed again. I miss the simplicity of them.
The first time I rode my fixed gear bike, I slip myself in the pedal straps, as soon as I went out the bike shop I immediately fell in the middle of a busy road, thankfully traffic is super slow. I got up and rode it again. Ever since that then I loved the bike.
The fixed gear riders that I see on my commutes and travels, while always nice on the surface, always call me lazy or our of shape because I ride on a 22 Speed. Granted I have much further to travel and I have varied terrain. They tend to stay in the same shallow valley where the hills (if any) are small.
Yeah fixed are for people who have the privilege of rarely needing to go through various terrain and long distance. Need being the main word and not just trying inclines as a spare time challenge
52 age [Riding Fixed Gear Since 2007] Throne/TRCK LRD, Felt TK2, Schwinn Madison, Bianchi Pista, Dolan [my track pack] also some single speeds in the stable as well. Salute to General Galardo!!! #steelireal
I love my fixie, best bike I’ve had. It’s great for chipping around the city. Although I keep mine on free wheel, I have a cog on both sides if I switched the wheel to the opposite side it would be fixed but I like to cruise too much. Mines aluminium as well so it’s fairly light which makes it less effort to ride. They’re very common in east London, probably because it’s flat everywhere, the cycle paths are great and they look cool.
The first working derailleur was built in 1912, but Tour de France organiser Henri Desgrange didn't allow it in the race until 1937. He "wanted to see riders suffer". In trucking: These day not just all bikes coast downhill, but 44 Tonne(97003 lbs) trucks does as well. It became a thing in early 2010's when Volvo developed a system that put the gearbox into neutral during downhill. Since then all other manufacturers jumped on it. This shows how much you loose with a fixed gear. The only good thing is that it's less likely to get nicked because it's harder to sell the fixed gear junks, than most regular bikes.
I am 44 years young and still fixated. f that noise about fixed riding being for youngins. There are plenty of old heads out here riding fixed. I do like the point about being a minimalist. I also skate concrete, skimboard on waves, and slackline. Maybe I'm young at heart or maybe I just love any form of leg torture. Anyway my advice for young people getting in to fixed riding is take care of your knees. When skid stopping focus on pushing down and not pulling up, it will save your knees they are not designed for that action. Cross train and build up your quads and hams before you go zipping around with no brakes and depending on your joints and ligaments. I really wish an older cat had told me these things when I first got fixated, it would have saved me some pain, injuries, and some dangerous encounters with traffic.
had to step away from fixed gear to realize that fixed is actually what I want to ride forever. Rode an entry level steel 'Unknown Bike Co' for nearly a year and bought an expensive road bike. After a month, sold the road bike and got a Dolan Pre-Cursa track bike with a triple-butted aluminium frame and carbon fork. Fixed is for life for me in London During that month with the road bike, I wasn't even looking forward to getting outside and on the bike. Since getting the Dolan, I've actually been only using the front brake in unexpected emergencies and the rest of the time just backpedalling and skidding when necessary, it's the most fun way to get around town
@Certyfikowany Przewracacz Hulajnóg Elektrycznych Keep telling yourself that. If it were true, Pro cyclists would only use fixed gear to train for the Tour de France etc. You might also be surprisised to know that velodrome/track cyclists also train on geared bikes to improve their strength and stamina. You don't have to try and justify why you prefer fixed gear, just accept that it has it's merits and it's faults.
@Certyfikowany Przewracacz Hulajnóg Elektrycznych I wouldn’t say that a fixed gear is a bad training device. Climbing is simply harder on a fixed gear than on a geared bike. If it was all about making it as hard as possible, one could simply shift into the hardest gear or wear a backpack full of stones :D no offense or anything, it’s all about passion. Everyone rides his bike for a reason :)
I'm (58) , got my fixie (Yes, fixie) and love it! left the brakes on but do 90% of the braking with my legs! It's got my legs stronger and absolutely feel the connection to the road in acceleration! One draw back though, pain in my ankle tendons and a "point" of pain in my knee! To be honest, I live in a very "hilly" town and combined with my age might make me sadly turn it back to free wheel if I can't find a solution to the pain (absolutely no meds)
what is your gear ratio? going higher cadence helps with knee and joint issues but you will loose sustain in the top end. I run 40/18 now but when I started to have knee pain I switched to running 38/18 and that made a world of difference. my top speed though dropped and going down hill I use brakes as the cadence would be too high. I typically ride at 90-120 cadence and that helps to put to much strain on my joints.
Today I used the measuring to "fit" bikes seat posts (Inseam X .88) and it seem I had the saddle way to high, so I lowered it and tonight's ride was much better on my knee and ankle! Still will change chainring to 42t whenever I find one!
I love everything about fixed geared bikes accept for braking, which I have never been able to get used to. Just got a new fixed geared bike on which I have ordered new wheels for and also ordered a set of hydraulic rim brakes for.
Rode fixed for years, enjoyed it a lot; however I got into some dangerous situations down hills. These days, peak bicycle for me means hybrid tires, front and rear disc brakes, three or four speeds, and coasting. If Rohloff made a speedhub with fewer speeds, I'd probably use that, for now I'm satisfied to have a 1x derailleur or a 3x where I ignore two chainrings. If I got a fixie again, I'd want hybrid tires and a front disc brake.
I am a german bicycle mechanic and started riding fixed gear a year ago. I am now 55 years old, and now I have five Steel fixed gear Bikes in a mountainous area and I love to ride them. So, it can also be good for elderly people! Unfortunately there is no fixed gear Scene here, and I can only experience this via youtube - I really miss it in reality.
I just don't understand the animosity that some people have because somebody likes a different form of cycling. In a lot of ways it mirrors car culture because it does also exist in the automotive Enthusiast Community as well. I won't lie, I don't like fixed gears. But that's my personal opinion and I don't think any less of someone simply because they do like it. Likewise I don't like bikes with derailers either. I like single speed freewheel bikes, coaster brake bikes, and three speed internal hubs. Despite that, I really enjoy your channel even though you deal mostly with fixed gear bikes because I still learn a lot. Honestly, I think if anybody is riding a bike that's a good thing no matter how many gears how few gears or whether you can coast or not. As my username implies I do like cars, but I would love to not have to drive everywhere everyday. I genuinely enjoy riding a bike as well and I wish that I live where I had an infrastructure that would allow me to take trips that are under 10 12 Mi on a bike safely and not run the risk of getting run over by idiots trying to swallow a Big Mac and steer their 5,000-pound land barge at the same time as they are texting from behind the wheel.
@godismeme272 I'd be a liar if I said that I had one. I've ridden a couple of single speeds with free-wheels but they weren't my bikes. I ride a 3-speed.
I find fixies dangerous - Perhaps that’s the appeal for younger riders. I’ll stick to my carbon belt, 8 speed internal hub, hydraulic disc brake commuter. I admire your dedication to them though. Your channel is interesting
It's not the uphill that killed me on a fixed gear in the foothills / mountains it's the downhill. Over-revving is a real pain. My first fixed gear was a converted road Benotto with horizontal dropouts in '83.
Inherited my old dads 60s fixed when I was 18 and been a huge fan ever since. Still riding one (that old classic was stolen unfortunately) at 62. I’ve other bikes but my fixed is my absolute best friend.
Context: I ride fixie with front brake Story: What i hate most about riding a fix gear bike is that when im approaching an intersection or a crosswalk where i have to give pass I just cant stop moving my legs and people look at me like are you going to stop or i have ro brake. Because in their brains im still pedalling so i must not be braking? It happens to pedestrians aswell, not until im fully stop they make a move. Its like if you heard the sound of a free wheel its a sign of slower speed movement so a sign of braking.
But honestly, i can understand that. I think i too would at least take way longer to realise you are actually slowing down, if i still see you pedalling while approaching me.
Never knew fixed gear bikes until i rode with my friends that rides brakeless and asked them how they stop. They showed me them sick ass whip skids. It got me hooked and now we whippin it like tokyo drift
A coworker and I both got super cheap used bikes, both with a fixie/single speed flip flop wheel (Him an old Lamond for $150, me a crappy Sole for $50). He Rode fixed for 3 minutes and switched to the freewheel and never went back, I have stuck with the fixed gear and loved it the whole time.
If your bicycle has no proper brakes, you have now place on a public road. If you want a miserable riding experience, be my guest and buy one of these silly things, but get one with brakes.
i was born in a city with mountains and hills so i used a mountain bike(disc brakes and all complications it had teached me some bike mechanic skills too) and i loved it. 8 years ago i moved to a flat city and saw no point on getting a mountain or geared bike so i began using fixed gear and loved it too- and love the simplicity with it. im almost 35 yr and will keep using fixed gears till i can
The Olympic training center is in my home town of Colorado Springs and the velodrome they train at is just a couple miles from my house. In the 80’s I’d go watch the training. It was common to see them arrive riding their ridiculously aggressive race bikes to the track with their track wheels in bags and hard cases slung across their backs. They used cheap wheels on the street then swapped them for the track. I think there was even a rule barring tires that had been street ridden on the track.
57 years old riding fixed, SS and gears since I was a kid. I find the reason most people don't like fixed gears is because most of them have never ridden one. Some have and don't like the feeling of the bike being in control and not them, which if you don't take the effort and time to get used to I can understand, but it smacks of giving in too easily. Obviously there are some practical disadvantages to a fixie. However, there are also some real practical (rather than style, fashion or aesthetic) advantages. 1. Training. Spend a reasonable amount of time on a fixie and you will become stronger and therefore perform better on your geared bike. 2. Gentle commuting. Actually a single free wheel is probably best but a fixie is almost as good and way better than a multi geared bike, as long as it is not too highly geared (though many fixies are too highly geared for gentle commuting). 3. Easy maintenance. 4. Better for riding into wind and up gentle inclines. This I believe is the combination of the pedals own forward momentum and more direct and efficient chain line. BTW touring on rolling terrain is perfectly doable on a fixie. My dad spent most of his time doing just that in the UK during the '50s*. As did many of his CCTC colleagues. In those days a lot of it was down to economics - fixed gears were much cheaper. I myself have done several 100+ mile rides on variable terrain on a fixie. It's really ok. Actually my muscles feel less tired than when doing such a ride on a geared bike, though my average speed is about 1 mph slower on the fixie. The trick with longer rides and gentle commuting is to run a relatively low gear - dad used 63" and 66" for touring. His average speeds, depending on weather and terrain, on tours would be between 12 and 14 mph. My unladen, lighter bike will get me around 13 to 16 mph on long rides with a 66" or 69" gear. * He would swap out the fixed wheel for a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub for continental touring and alpine passes. Never has a problem climbing on that set up. It was very low geared, but you don't pedal down hill on a laden touring bike. The biggest problems he encountered were unpaved Swedish roads wrecking his drivetrain and baking heat burning him through his shirt in the French Alps.
I found an old Lady cycle in the trash. I turned it into a fixie. It doesn't looks like a fixed gear. It has a luggage rag and all that, but it's so fun to ride around town. And it's usefull two.
I rode fixed gear for a number of years. My #1 issue while riding a fixie is the thought that if the chain breaks or a foreign object gets stuck in the spokes that it's a high likelihood I will be thrown over the handlebars due to it being fixed. I always thought about that while riding and it made me too uncomfortable riding at high speeds. I used to ride my old 9-speed Shimano hubbed, Marin (or any other non-fixed gear bike!) which was a lot more comfortable to ride fast. Not cool looks, but FUN!!! (Grammarly is pointing out to me that "hubbed" is not in the dictionary...it should be!)
Here in Chicago, the average age of a fixed gear meetup/ride is like 14 and most try hard waaaaay too hard to go fast just to show off. So basically, one of the listed bullet points.
I recently got into mountain biking to get the thrill of going downhill but I still got lots of love for fixed. I’m slowly switching bikes each week to satisfy both needs!
I got into fixed gear because my hardtail MTB that I adventure on is such a comfortable, easy bike that I feel entirely disconnected from the road. While the constant gear adjustments keep me distracted from that zen state of riding. On top of all of it my excellent brakes & fat grippy tires were making me a reckless rider. With only 220 miles on my fixed gear I'm already feeling more aware & building better habits that even carry over to my other bikes. I think if I got into cycling with fixed gear though I might've been alienated by how weird it is... but in the context of my MTB, these things are what I crave in a ride
I like riding fixedgear I'm just started a month ago I really enjoyed it make doesn't want to give up and keep pedaling skidding it very fun for me and I just come across your channel that help me alot with my beginning of cycling on a Fixedgear
Love my singlespeed.No faffing about with gears that dont always change,no mysterious clicking noises.All I hear is the tyres rumble!Had road and mountain bikes before but I enjoy rolling along now to one gear.Wish I had done it years ago!
Good job throwing props to the Path Less Pedaled channel. I love Russ's content. I would love to try a fixed gear bike, but it would have to be on a rental basis, because I suspect it's not going to be something for me long term. I love the idea of fixed gear cycling, but don't think it'd be too practical for me in hilly, windy WA. I do, however, appreciate everything that it is and your channel has a lot to do with that. At the end of the day, we're all cyclists.
worth a try John.... I live on the hilly, windy Bōsō Peninsular Japan, right by the Pacific, and get on fine. a matter of trial-and-error, and then ending up with suitable gearing for your situation.
I love the fixie concept. But, I was often scared off, by most of the reasons you stated. Two years ago, I had a grand Mal Stroke. My left hand is paralyzed. A fixie is my only way. I am convinced. Thanks.
I build old school fixing from a 10-speed full chromoly 80s frame I love riding it unfortunately I'm old I have arthritis I would love to continue to ride but I'm not able to it does a numbers on my joints unfortunately I'm not a hater I just wish that when I was young at your age that I was able to ride fixie then but I had no knowledge about fixie at that time only that they were track bikes if I would have known now would I know then I would have been writing fixie for a long time I actually love it unfortunately due to my age and arthritis I'm not able to anymore now I got an electric bike it's a lot easier on my joints I just wish I can still ride that fixie I got parts to build another one and I'm going to build it and sell it
@@MisterSal9895 I already sold the bike that I converted with a good profit and bought a BMX/Street bike with 26" wheels like I used to ride when younger and I'm in love with it, it's more of my thing jump over curbs and potholes, haha!
@@luxtempestas I went high cadence to not have knee problems. made going up hills better but down hills I basically just use my brakes to keep my pace right. My ratio is 40/18. I do have geared bikes too so I don't only ride fixed. I defiantly use brakes, bad knee and brakeless do not go well together.
Thanks for this! I love the fixed aesthetic but I didn't know you cannot coast with them, I love coasting too much and I also appreciate not dying in a steep hill :P so I'll just stick with my geared road bike. Very good video!
I'm old and I have been riding fixed last 10 years. At first I would ride fixed for a few weeks/months, then flip to free wheel for a few weeks. My knees would get sore after riding fixed for a while. After about a year the pain went away as my knees and legs got stronger. I've never switched back since.
Haha. My intro to fixed was building a tracklocross with serious racing intent. Crazy huh? I live on a mountain and downhill was suicidal. But it made me fall in love with the aesthetics of a single speed. Current fave bike is a Specialized TriCross SS with hub flipped to the freewheel. Gravel, road and raced. Love your work. 🥰
I grew up riding with a single gear, on my bmx bike I used to ride all around town as a kid. Way less maintenance than multiple gears, also looks clean. Fixed gear would be spooky making turns. Imagine trying to lean into a turn, and your pedal goes down and bottoms out launching you into the air.
I wonder how much mileage does the chain on a fixed gear bike have? Obviously fixed gear chain don't have to move between different cogs on a rear cassette or between multiple chainrings. You'll always have a straight chainline, so chain lifespan will increase. But how much (compared to derailleur bikes)?
I am looking at a couple of used and expensive single speed fixed gears. One is a Mercier kilo TT and the other is a state core line. Both of them are within the last three or four years. The state is slightly used really nice shape and it’s $200. The kilo TT is in beautiful shape. It’s a 57 cm frameand it’s $165 which one would you get as a reliable cruiser?
I switch back and forth. Fixed is fun because it’s challenging and makes hills a bit easier. I recommend getting a bike with a flip flop hub and a rear brake. The rear brake will help a lot when learning to stop without brakes and as an Emergency Brake when reaction time is insufficient.
I'm 43 and I ride bikes since I was 3, and it was super fun to ride our 80's free wheel BMX with my friends, but I never enjoyed a bike more than my current track bike. People hate the way we ride non stopping, because of the brakeless.
Tubes are the way to go been tubeless with Rolf vigor fx with Schwabe pro ones only replaced the back tire 2 times in the last 3 years I don’t skid as much any more mostly back peddle and use bike control and yes I’m well into my 30 but it brings me back to my youth bmx days and I love the ultimate bike control fixed gives you and just able to make everything fun to ride Keep it up love the videos
Priority Ace adopts new technologies, such as a Gates Carbon belt drive, carbon seat post and fork, threaded bottom bracket, and has a flip flop hub for single speed/fixie. Please do a review of this bike. Thanks!
Going back and watching this after getting a fixed, and All I can say is that you don’t gotta sacrifice speed on the hills, but watch them intersections when bombing through em lol, skid to win
I love excitement about fixed gear bike but at same time as a person who is touring on the bicycle and regularly rides in different terrains (e.g. forest and regular streets) I can’t imagine myself not only riding fixed dear but also any single speed bike 😅
Had a fuji track classic once, used it to commute to work but of course my area was all flatlands. It handled beautifully and had the elios tubing frame so it was not heavy.
People will say these bikes are outdated, but I'm an old soul and I love bikes like these. While I much prefer a coaster brake for, well, the ability to coast, and brake. I love old steel bikes. Look un my garage and all I have are old steel bikes anywhere from 10 to 67 years old is my oldest bike
I started cycling on mountain bikes, and when I was a child my dad and me went on the Alps to ride on the paths. I got used to use gears a lot, also on a flat ground, and, even if I tried a fixed (I borrowed one from a friend to race in a tracklocross) whenever I try it I really miss gears.
I rode a fixie for 4 years . Because of the control it was safer on ice and snow. I loved it. I totally changed the geometry so It was more like riding a cruiser. The only reason I gave it up was that I found I was not able to repair the Bottom bracket. I also did not have the money for an expensive new one.
For people who want a confortable fixed gear bike, there is always the conversion thing. I have done it to a 80's road bike and it's fantastic! only problem is ground clereance. with 170mm I have to be reeeally careful not to make turns inclining myself too much. Using 165mm and smaller plataform pedals just solves the issue. The confort tho, just awsome #caloi10 #bikefixa #fixedgear #sheldonbrown
I ride fixed over flat surfaces but if I gotta commute anywhere there is hills I run a brake and a free wheel I’m terrible at fixed skids and I don’t wanna die if I have to stop abruptly lol
I have a disc front brake on one of my fixed gear bikes(tracklocross) and I would definitely go tubeless if my rims and tires were tubeless compatible. My mountain bikes and my gravel bike are tubeless. Tubeless(even road tubeless) is by far the better option.
I love the look of bicycles lots of bikes. But I love my multi geared bike. I love riding for a couple of hours at a clip. Love of the ride is what it is all about. Love your channel.
Im new to fixed gear bikes Is there any brand you can recommend ? I would rather by a good bike first time and keep it than buy cheap nasty ones and then have to spend the money anyway replacing it with better ones ?
I just bought my Kilo TT a week ago but had to travel out of the country for a month... It's only been 4 days and I'm going through bike withdraws... Every day I'm yearning to ride it and it makes me sad :(
On fixed gear, other then the Zen angle, you can be a sprocket junky which mean "mechanic". And anyone who's truly into bikes that thinks they don't need to be mechanics are fooling themselves. Or, they really aren't into bikes as much as they think they are. One of things I learned as a kid being on a bike constantly is you must learn how they work, and work means taking it apart, and putting it back together. Usually "new and improved". I didn't have the luxury of going to a bike shop every time something went wrong, and things do go wrong. Flat tires, clumsy chain, wobbling tires, etc. The whole idea when you ride is the chain movement should feel like butter and practically silent at all speeds of pedal turn. You have to maintain that, not magic. What I was referring to at the beginning of post was being a sprocket junky. I know darn well as I sit her typing that if I embraced fixed gear riding, I'd be researching sprockets and pedals. I'd probably (I'd have to look into it) would have at least a couple sprockets in my garage I've changed up on my fixed gear bike. Hell, if I don't have the luxury of a derailleur, I'd be fitting sprockets on the bike to meet my needs.
64 years old. Riding track bike on the streets since '97. I was a messenger back then. Super efficient for riding in traffic. Now I use it for my daily commute. Because it's just so damned good looking. The bike, not me. 😉
Hey, man, how are you knees feeling?
@@kinhuien9754 The knees aren't bad. For a 64 year old guy. 😉
@@knarf_on_a_bike Right there with ya...., 61 & still on the bike - everyday.... , commute to work and - just have my zen time on it. :)
Sounds like you guys might have aged, but you didn't get old.
@@ItsDaJax I'm having fun, anyway.
LOL, I'm definitely old, turning 50 next year but I think getting my "Fix" in do keep me young
I'm about to turn 42 so not that far behind you. I'll ride these until I'm too old to ride a bike. I only have one other friend who love fixed gears as to Zach's point, many people do not like it.
Join the 50+ club!! I'm 51 and knees have never felt better! Love riding my fixed gear!
The 30+ fixed gear riders in NYC/Tristate area are plenty and well!
Maybe it's our mid life crisis 😂
Well, my dad still goes out on a fixed gear ride with me and he's 60 years old. I gues nothing is impossible if you sre really hooked on fixed gear riding.
Love it... I've casually ridden 'fixie' since I was a 16-year old schoolboy, then it was just to be 'different' from my pals. That was 61 years ago! A dozen years I sold my vehicle and I'm still riding fixie, although I do have a geared bike with mudguards for mainly wet winter road... both Dave Mellor of Shrewsbury frames with Italian bits and bobs attached. Here I France I get a lot of comments and some strange looks from other lycra-clad cyclists as they whizz past me... but I trundle along quite happily at my own pace, being 'different'.
You are an inspiration! Keep on rolling 😁
You're a legend.
Different means cooler
Yup, got into fixed gear to get stronger and enjoy my regular road bike more but now I'm totally hooked and ride fixed most of the time
Riding fixed isn't a sure way to get stronger, any more than on a geared bike. In fact, having gears allows you to make any hill or flat road harder, simply by choosing a higher gear than you would normally use. Gears don't just have to be used to make things easier. Assigning dubious attributes and claiming an almost spiritual experience to riding fixed gear is the silly and unnecessary. Enjoy whatever you ride, don't make a religion out of it. 😉
hi zach, I'm from Indonesia. I,m 48 years old. I started riding fixed gear one year a go. I ride fixed gear for "bike to work" about 40km. FIXED GEAR IS FUN! and I love it and I love your channel....... (sorry for my poor English)
Big NJS scene there
The thing I hate moste about fixed gear riding is my account balance, after ordering new parts
Road bike parts are way more expensive.
@@MattSezer honestly this issue should’ve been addressed... Zach talks about the “simplicity of fixed gear” but doesn’t address how If you don’t have a $120 Thomson seat post... well than you ain’t shit...
@@iwritechecksatthegrocerystore At least if you want to flex with your bike with unnecessary expensive stuff, it's only a few hundred dollars, whereas with road bikes. we're talking sometimes thousands for parts with complete bikes that get into the five figures. It's all relative, but compared to road bikes, fixed gear bikes are way cheaper and more simple.
Yeah, that simplicity and lower cost is part of what makes fixed gears or single speeds appealing. You save money and it's less maintenance.
@@MattSezer yes, i would say way more simple, and cheaper as well, but... its not value for the money, for 350 bucks, it's hard to get a "good fixed gear" unless you build one yourself. esspecially for under 300, because this market is dominated by geared bikes, so mass producing geared bikes is cheaper and of better value...
i have put together several bikes. so i know this... i can buy a used road bike wheelset for 90 bucks where else if i wanted a fixed gear wheelset of the same quality, it'd be looking at 150 - 200 bucks... a good fixed cog cost 20 bucks, but I can buy a 7 speed cassette for 3 dollars more, i can buy a quality narrow wide chainring made of 7000 series aluminium for the same price as well... you get alot more "bike" for your money when it has gears, that extra weight literally allows you to climb steeper hills, you can't say that a more expensive cog will help you climb better, you straight up need another cog. and since I know how to work on bikes, i dont even have to take maintainence cost into account.
that said, out of my four bikes two, there is a single speed and a fixed gear, they are fun, light, and are my fastest bikes. but my goodness, i spent a whole lot of money for something so simple. and since they are my favourite bike on the road... i have a question for the whole fixed gear community... why the hell dont so many of these have a bottle boss at all... these frames are so well crafted, so practical with mounts for racks, yet it doesn't have a damn bottle boss...WHY?
Coasting on FG exists, just a bit different - relax legs and let them circle without applying force on to pedals. Let your legs to spin without any efforts either direction (force or resistance).
Maybe we should bring back coasting pegs from the 1890s. These were pegs mounted on the fork that you could rest your feet on when going down hill. I guess they fell out of fashion when freewheel became a thing. 😁
@@rangipetur Lol If I take my feet out going 25mph .....im going to have a very hard time getting back inside my foot retention LOL. I didn't know coasting pegs were even a thing. I guess thats not a bad idea if you have front and rear brakes.
@@HaniJIsmail You basically don't put them back in until you've slowed way down at the end of the hill. I've seen them on OG touring bikes, where I guess they'd make a lot of sense.
Nah, just pedal faster! The pedals are your brakes and accelerator.
@@HaniJIsmail use the sole of ur feet to step on the rear wheel, ull slow yourself down and even-out ur skid patches
Enjoy the vids, though fixed is not for me! Now single speed has been a revelation on my 28yr old steel mtb, much cleaner, lighter but still has 3 speeds - standing, sitting and walking!
I'm not a fixed rider, but I do enjoy the content...and single speed just seems to be the best for me...
Hey me too! I dig the simplicity of a single speed but can't give up coasting. Freewheel cog for me. Am I cool enough??
@@Kwansudru dude fixed gear is such a great experience. It took me a couple of days to get used to it, it’s a bit inconvenient at times but I’m slowly learning. I live in a flat area, with the exception of one man made hill (or overpass). I do ride with actual brakes but being able to control my speed with my legs is indescribable, and no I’m not talking about that idiotic skidding crap. I can’t believe people think that is an efficient way to stop… I don’t think they understand science…
something about conquering a hill without gears feels so much more rewarding.
Oh, but my unicycle is so much cooler. It's so much more rewarding not having handlebars, and a chain is hundreds of unnecessary parts.
@@jonathanchampagne7683 lmao
I run up the hill. Naked. With a chain attached to my dong for extra effort. Jk, I've been a "fixie guy" for 12 years.
Fixed gear: never had one, never wanted one.
I like my SS as much as I like this channel... ALOT.
Long time subscrider.
You are missing out sir.
You're not missing out, sir.
@@jonathanchampagne7683 After building one, I agree; not really missing out on much. They do take a bit of skill and memory to ride. You need to remember they don't coast.
You get a very much better ride for a lot less money
@@Marcus538 I'd respectfully disagree on price. Depends in frame choice and I see a lot of fixies riding on ridiculously expensive frames - the amount of bianchi pista's i see in London is ridiculous - a 2004 frame goes for £1000+ in the UK.
I've got a 1994 Peugeot tourmalet, Reynolds 725 frame and with original shimano groupset which I bought for £450 total. Just had a fresh paint job too. I ditched fixies a decade ago and never looked back. Just prefer the classic cycle look these days, plus I can go up hills and keep up with traffic anytime without looking like a madman with my High cadence
most folks who ride 365 days a year, rain or shine, will eventually learn to appreciate a fixed gear bike. Fixed will always be a strong contender in departments such as: maintenance/cleaning time, price/longevity/interchangeability of parts, ability to ride in sloppy rain and snow, durability of parts in real world scenarios, fewer specialized tools required, and fun of riding. If you absolutely have to get to work in the morning on a bike, fixed is less to worry about braking. I rode a 5 speed during the fixie-trend years. Had a lot of derailed chains, crashed a lot, got hit by cars, and loathed cleaning my bike. Then after commuting for 15 years, I inevitably went for a fixed gear build. Now I actually enjoy cleaning my bike, and instead of being pissed at every stoplight, I can work on riding fakie or trying to make my entire commute without putting a foot down. It changed my entire perspective. Fixed allows you to enjoy every moment, even the stoplights in life.
It's true, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, fixed gear bikes are amazing looking. I've always been one to appreciate clean designs, from watches, to cars, even to something relatively obscure like fountain pens (yes, they are still around and have a dedicated, passionate following, yours truly included), and fixed gear bikes fill the bill big time in that regard. Just looking at them is worth the price of admission. Your Wabi is pretty damn sweet. The fact that their history is born of track racing, a very cool subset of the cycling world, makes them even more interesting.
"It's true, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, fixed gear bikes are amazing looking."
They don't look any different than other bikes that have only two sprockets, such as ones with a freewheel, coaster brake hub, or 3-speed hub.
Can it be?? Another fountain pen enthusiast??
I personally don’t like riding fixed. I’ve done it a few times and it’s not for me. But I still love your channel!
I ride a bike that was a 3x8 and now I have a 1x8 somehow I can scale walls that most people cry
*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*
As a fixed gear ⚙️ rider I find myself being excited when I see someone riding a single-speed until they coast when going down a hill then it hit me that I’m alone again.
I ride single freewheel, but I'm still subbed to your channel.
Tried fixed gear once and the most annoying things about it were the inability to jump over hops and pedals hitting the ground during sharp turns.
I hop
@@JM-lo4hn lol, same here, you have to use both the right and left side of your brain, it's not for everyone .
I learned how to ride on a fixed, it was a 1950's kids bike. I rode every single bike I could as I was growing up. Huffy dirt bikes, my mom's Schwinn 3 speed and my dad's Peugeot and my own DB mountain bike through the 90's. I went back to fixed in my late 30's on a whim, I'm much older now and don't like riding any other kind of bike. Fixed gear or nothin'... That's just what I like.
Fixed gear kid's bike? I didn't know there was such a thing. They usually have coaster brakes and can, you know, coast. LOL
@@CanItAlready It was a super old bike. My baby sitter had it when she was a kid. It had hard rubber tires and no breaks. Not even coaster breaks, when I finally got my own Huffy I had to learn to stop like a '70s kid with coaster breaks.
Used to ride track bikes in 2008-2013. Went on to Road, CX and Gravel bikes since but pretty stoked to build a SS/Fixed again. I miss the simplicity of them.
The first time I rode my fixed gear bike, I slip myself in the pedal straps, as soon as I went out the bike shop I immediately fell in the middle of a busy road, thankfully traffic is super slow. I got up and rode it again. Ever since that then I loved the bike.
Turning 50 at the end of this year, and been riding fixed on a classic Bridgestone 450 since 2004. I love that old bike, and it's so much fun to ride!
The fixed gear riders that I see on my commutes and travels, while always nice on the surface, always call me lazy or our of shape because I ride on a 22 Speed. Granted I have much further to travel and I have varied terrain. They tend to stay in the same shallow valley where the hills (if any) are small.
Yeah fixed are for people who have the privilege of rarely needing to go through various terrain and long distance. Need being the main word and not just trying inclines as a spare time challenge
52 age [Riding Fixed Gear Since 2007] Throne/TRCK LRD, Felt TK2, Schwinn Madison, Bianchi Pista, Dolan [my track pack] also some single speeds in the stable as well. Salute to General Galardo!!! #steelireal
i fell inlove the moment i rode my friend fixed gear
I love my fixie, best bike I’ve had. It’s great for chipping around the city. Although I keep mine on free wheel, I have a cog on both sides if I switched the wheel to the opposite side it would be fixed but I like to cruise too much. Mines aluminium as well so it’s fairly light which makes it less effort to ride. They’re very common in east London, probably because it’s flat everywhere, the cycle paths are great and they look cool.
The first working derailleur was built in 1912, but Tour de France organiser Henri Desgrange didn't allow it in the race until 1937. He "wanted to see riders suffer".
In trucking: These day not just all bikes coast downhill, but 44 Tonne(97003 lbs) trucks does as well. It became a thing in early 2010's when Volvo developed a system that put the gearbox into neutral during downhill. Since then all other manufacturers jumped on it.
This shows how much you loose with a fixed gear. The only good thing is that it's less likely to get nicked because it's harder to sell the fixed gear junks, than most regular bikes.
I am 44 years young and still fixated. f that noise about fixed riding being for youngins. There are plenty of old heads out here riding fixed. I do like the point about being a minimalist. I also skate concrete, skimboard on waves, and slackline. Maybe I'm young at heart or maybe I just love any form of leg torture. Anyway my advice for young people getting in to fixed riding is take care of your knees. When skid stopping focus on pushing down and not pulling up, it will save your knees they are not designed for that action. Cross train and build up your quads and hams before you go zipping around with no brakes and depending on your joints and ligaments. I really wish an older cat had told me these things when I first got fixated, it would have saved me some pain, injuries, and some dangerous encounters with traffic.
had to step away from fixed gear to realize that fixed is actually what I want to ride forever. Rode an entry level steel 'Unknown Bike Co' for nearly a year and bought an expensive road bike. After a month, sold the road bike and got a Dolan Pre-Cursa track bike with a triple-butted aluminium frame and carbon fork. Fixed is for life for me in London
During that month with the road bike, I wasn't even looking forward to getting outside and on the bike. Since getting the Dolan, I've actually been only using the front brake in unexpected emergencies and the rest of the time just backpedalling and skidding when necessary, it's the most fun way to get around town
I'm 55 and my fixed gear bike definitely keeps me young and in shape.
Im not even curious. I like to go fast downhill. But not with my legs flailing like a windmill. Have fun guys!
I also find dragging the rear tire un intuitive. It's like dragging your soles just to slow a bike down.
@Certyfikowany Przewracacz Hulajnóg Elektrycznych Keep telling yourself that. If it were true, Pro cyclists would only use fixed gear to train for the Tour de France etc. You might also be surprisised to know that velodrome/track cyclists also train on geared bikes to improve their strength and stamina. You don't have to try and justify why you prefer fixed gear, just accept that it has it's merits and it's faults.
@Certyfikowany Przewracacz Hulajnóg Elektrycznych I wouldn’t say that a fixed gear is a bad training device. Climbing is simply harder on a fixed gear than on a geared bike. If it was all about making it as hard as possible, one could simply shift into the hardest gear or wear a backpack full of stones :D no offense or anything, it’s all about passion. Everyone rides his bike for a reason :)
I'm (58) , got my fixie (Yes, fixie) and love it! left the brakes on but do 90% of the braking with my legs! It's got my legs stronger and absolutely feel the connection to the road in acceleration! One draw back though, pain in my ankle tendons and a "point" of pain in my knee! To be honest, I live in a very "hilly" town and combined with my age might make me sadly turn it back to free wheel if I can't find a solution to the pain (absolutely no meds)
what is your gear ratio? going higher cadence helps with knee and joint issues but you will loose sustain in the top end. I run 40/18 now but when I started to have knee pain I switched to running 38/18 and that made a world of difference. my top speed though dropped and going down hill I use brakes as the cadence would be too high. I typically ride at 90-120 cadence and that helps to put to much strain on my joints.
@@electrocit673 I'm doing a 46/16 ratio, good advice thank you!
@@fehrcarlo2381 yeah, 46/16 sounds way too high of a ratio for anyone living in a hilly region and having knee problems
@@TheSpaceBrosShow Been trying to get at least a five hole 42T chainring but no luck up to now!
Today I used the measuring to "fit" bikes seat posts (Inseam X .88) and it seem I had the saddle way to high, so I lowered it and tonight's ride was much better on my knee and ankle! Still will change chainring to 42t whenever I find one!
I love everything about fixed geared bikes accept for braking, which I have never been able to get used to. Just got a new fixed geared bike on which I have ordered new wheels for and also ordered a set of hydraulic rim brakes for.
Rode fixed for years, enjoyed it a lot; however I got into some dangerous situations down hills.
These days, peak bicycle for me means hybrid tires, front and rear disc brakes, three or four speeds, and coasting. If Rohloff made a speedhub with fewer speeds, I'd probably use that, for now I'm satisfied to have a 1x derailleur or a 3x where I ignore two chainrings.
If I got a fixie again, I'd want hybrid tires and a front disc brake.
I am a german bicycle mechanic and started riding fixed gear a year ago. I am now 55 years old, and now I have five Steel fixed gear Bikes in a mountainous area and I love to ride them. So, it can also be good for elderly people! Unfortunately there is no fixed gear Scene here, and I can only experience this via youtube - I really miss it in reality.
I just don't understand the animosity that some people have because somebody likes a different form of cycling.
In a lot of ways it mirrors car culture because it does also exist in the automotive Enthusiast Community as well.
I won't lie, I don't like fixed gears. But that's my personal opinion and I don't think any less of someone simply because they do like it.
Likewise I don't like bikes with derailers either. I like single speed freewheel bikes, coaster brake bikes, and three speed internal hubs. Despite that, I really enjoy your channel even though you deal mostly with fixed gear bikes because I still learn a lot.
Honestly, I think if anybody is riding a bike that's a good thing no matter how many gears how few gears or whether you can coast or not.
As my username implies I do like cars, but I would love to not have to drive everywhere everyday.
I genuinely enjoy riding a bike as well and I wish that I live where I had an infrastructure that would allow me to take trips that are under 10 12 Mi on a bike safely and not run the risk of getting run over by idiots trying to swallow a Big Mac and steer their 5,000-pound land barge at the same time as they are texting from behind the wheel.
What's your favorite freewheel?
@godismeme272 I'd be a liar if I said that I had one. I've ridden a couple of single speeds with free-wheels but they weren't my bikes. I ride a 3-speed.
I find fixies dangerous - Perhaps that’s the appeal for younger riders. I’ll stick to my carbon belt, 8 speed internal hub, hydraulic disc brake commuter. I admire your dedication to them though. Your channel is interesting
@@Boss-Crow lol...I've moved on. no more flexing....happy?
Me, my dad and my younger brother had same bike.
We love riding a Fixed Gear.
Minimalist + Low Maintenance.
From Philippines.
It's not the uphill that killed me on a fixed gear in the foothills / mountains it's the downhill. Over-revving is a real pain. My first fixed gear was a converted road Benotto with horizontal dropouts in '83.
I had an amazing memory with my fixie bike when I was 12y old. Even it's cheap fixie I still love it
Love it man!! From 1-1000 miles 1-24 hours it is an awesome ride!
Hey Zach, I would love it if you made another video about "proper" bikes. Once again thank you for the video and for introducing me to fixed gear!
Inherited my old dads 60s fixed when I was 18 and been a huge fan ever since. Still riding one (that old classic was stolen unfortunately) at 62. I’ve other bikes but my fixed is my absolute best friend.
Context: I ride fixie with front brake
Story: What i hate most about riding a fix gear bike is that when im approaching an intersection or a crosswalk where i have to give pass I just cant stop moving my legs and people look at me like are you going to stop or i have ro brake. Because in their brains im still pedalling so i must not be braking? It happens to pedestrians aswell, not until im fully stop they make a move. Its like if you heard the sound of a free wheel its a sign of slower speed movement so a sign of braking.
But honestly, i can understand that. I think i too would at least take way longer to realise you are actually slowing down, if i still see you pedalling while approaching me.
Never knew fixed gear bikes until i rode with my friends that rides brakeless and asked them how they stop. They showed me them sick ass whip skids. It got me hooked and now we whippin it like tokyo drift
There is a term for those who insist on riding fixed gears without brakes in a big city: ROADKILL.
A coworker and I both got super cheap used bikes, both with a fixie/single speed flip flop wheel (Him an old Lamond for $150, me a crappy Sole for $50). He Rode fixed for 3 minutes and switched to the freewheel and never went back, I have stuck with the fixed gear and loved it the whole time.
If your bicycle has no proper brakes, you have now place on a public road.
If you want a miserable riding experience, be my guest and buy one of these silly things, but get one with brakes.
I like to think of riders in their 40's, 50's and 60's as not old but experienced.
Fixed gear bikes are not tech shy. Track bikes can be latest state of the art. Eg, the GB Lotus Hope, the MY Vortex WX-R.
i was born in a city with mountains and hills so i used a mountain bike(disc brakes and all complications it had teached me some bike mechanic skills too) and i loved it. 8 years ago i moved to a flat city and saw no point on getting a mountain or geared bike so i began using fixed gear and loved it too- and love the simplicity with it. im almost 35 yr and will keep using fixed gears till i can
The Olympic training center is in my home town of Colorado Springs and the velodrome they train at is just a couple miles from my house. In the 80’s I’d go watch the training. It was common to see them arrive riding their ridiculously aggressive race bikes to the track with their track wheels in bags and hard cases slung across their backs. They used cheap wheels on the street then swapped them for the track. I think there was even a rule barring tires that had been street ridden on the track.
57 years old riding fixed, SS and gears since I was a kid. I find the reason most people don't like fixed gears is because most of them have never ridden one. Some have and don't like the feeling of the bike being in control and not them, which if you don't take the effort and time to get used to I can understand, but it smacks of giving in too easily.
Obviously there are some practical disadvantages to a fixie. However, there are also some real practical (rather than style, fashion or aesthetic) advantages.
1. Training. Spend a reasonable amount of time on a fixie and you will become stronger and therefore perform better on your geared bike.
2. Gentle commuting. Actually a single free wheel is probably best but a fixie is almost as good and way better than a multi geared bike, as long as it is not too highly geared (though many fixies are too highly geared for gentle commuting).
3. Easy maintenance.
4. Better for riding into wind and up gentle inclines. This I believe is the combination of the pedals own forward momentum and more direct and efficient chain line.
BTW touring on rolling terrain is perfectly doable on a fixie. My dad spent most of his time doing just that in the UK during the '50s*. As did many of his CCTC colleagues. In those days a lot of it was down to economics - fixed gears were much cheaper. I myself have done several 100+ mile rides on variable terrain on a fixie. It's really ok. Actually my muscles feel less tired than when doing such a ride on a geared bike, though my average speed is about 1 mph slower on the fixie. The trick with longer rides and gentle commuting is to run a relatively low gear - dad used 63" and 66" for touring. His average speeds, depending on weather and terrain, on tours would be between 12 and 14 mph. My unladen, lighter bike will get me around 13 to 16 mph on long rides with a 66" or 69" gear.
* He would swap out the fixed wheel for a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub for continental touring and alpine passes. Never has a problem climbing on that set up. It was very low geared, but you don't pedal down hill on a laden touring bike. The biggest problems he encountered were unpaved Swedish roads wrecking his drivetrain and baking heat burning him through his shirt in the French Alps.
I found an old Lady cycle in the trash. I turned it into a fixie. It doesn't looks like a fixed gear. It has a luggage rag and all that, but it's so fun to ride around town. And it's usefull two.
I rode fixed gear for a number of years. My #1 issue while riding a fixie is the thought that if the chain breaks or a foreign object gets stuck in the spokes that it's a high likelihood I will be thrown over the handlebars due to it being fixed. I always thought about that while riding and it made me too uncomfortable riding at high speeds. I used to ride my old 9-speed Shimano hubbed, Marin (or any other non-fixed gear bike!) which was a lot more comfortable to ride fast. Not cool looks, but FUN!!! (Grammarly is pointing out to me that "hubbed" is not in the dictionary...it should be!)
Here in Chicago, the average age of a fixed gear meetup/ride is like 14 and most try hard waaaaay too hard to go fast just to show off.
So basically, one of the listed bullet points.
I recently got into mountain biking to get the thrill of going downhill but I still got lots of love for fixed. I’m slowly switching bikes each week to satisfy both needs!
I got into fixed gear because my hardtail MTB that I adventure on is such a comfortable, easy bike that I feel entirely disconnected from the road. While the constant gear adjustments keep me distracted from that zen state of riding. On top of all of it my excellent brakes & fat grippy tires were making me a reckless rider. With only 220 miles on my fixed gear I'm already feeling more aware & building better habits that even carry over to my other bikes. I think if I got into cycling with fixed gear though I might've been alienated by how weird it is... but in the context of my MTB, these things are what I crave in a ride
what keeps me from getting one is the hills around here. i would have to slow down steep hills and would have to work really hard up them.
I like riding fixedgear I'm just started a month ago I really enjoyed it make doesn't want to give up and keep pedaling skidding it very fun for me and I just come across your channel that help me alot with my beginning of cycling on a Fixedgear
It was love at the first ride with me but not for my knees as I came to know later, so I got back to a mix of BMX/Jump/Street bike.
Recently I've been down, your videos make me smile, thank you
OKAY ZACH I FOLD. ILL BUY THE DAMN WABI
Love my singlespeed.No faffing about with gears that dont always change,no mysterious clicking noises.All I hear is the tyres rumble!Had road and mountain bikes before but I enjoy rolling along now to one gear.Wish I had done it years ago!
This thing has no brakes and can't coast?! I'm going to have to agree with Zach's friend: That's a deal breaker 😅
Good job throwing props to the Path Less Pedaled channel. I love Russ's content. I would love to try a fixed gear bike, but it would have to be on a rental basis, because I suspect it's not going to be something for me long term. I love the idea of fixed gear cycling, but don't think it'd be too practical for me in hilly, windy WA. I do, however, appreciate everything that it is and your channel has a lot to do with that. At the end of the day, we're all cyclists.
worth a try John.... I live on the hilly, windy Bōsō Peninsular Japan, right by the Pacific, and get on fine. a matter of trial-and-error, and then ending up with suitable gearing for your situation.
I love the fixie concept. But, I was often scared off, by most of the reasons you stated. Two years ago, I had a grand Mal Stroke. My left hand is paralyzed. A fixie is my only way. I am convinced. Thanks.
I build old school fixing from a 10-speed full chromoly 80s frame I love riding it unfortunately I'm old I have arthritis I would love to continue to ride but I'm not able to it does a numbers on my joints unfortunately I'm not a hater I just wish that when I was young at your age that I was able to ride fixie then but I had no knowledge about fixie at that time only that they were track bikes if I would have known now would I know then I would have been writing fixie for a long time I actually love it unfortunately due to my age and arthritis I'm not able to anymore now I got an electric bike it's a lot easier on my joints I just wish I can still ride that fixie I got parts to build another one and I'm going to build it and sell it
I feel you, exactly my case and my bike made in the 70' that I converted to a fixie, my knees didn't like it!
Maybe you could attempt to build a e-fixie.
@@MisterSal9895 I already sold the bike that I converted with a good profit and bought a BMX/Street bike with 26" wheels like I used to ride when younger and I'm in love with it, it's more of my thing jump over curbs and potholes, haha!
@@luxtempestas I went high cadence to not have knee problems. made going up hills better but down hills I basically just use my brakes to keep my pace right. My ratio is 40/18. I do have geared bikes too so I don't only ride fixed. I defiantly use brakes, bad knee and brakeless do not go well together.
Sad situation, but still the important thing is that your butt is on a bike and riding.
Thanks for this! I love the fixed aesthetic but I didn't know you cannot coast with them, I love coasting too much and I also appreciate not dying in a steep hill :P so I'll just stick with my geared road bike. Very good video!
Put a free wheel on it n coast
I'm old and I have been riding fixed last 10 years. At first I would ride fixed for a few weeks/months, then flip to free wheel for a few weeks. My knees would get sore after riding fixed for a while. After about a year the pain went away as my knees and legs got stronger. I've never switched back since.
"People hate what they don't understand"
-BvS
Steel fixed rider of probably 20 years. 15 of which have been the same steamroller. However the configuration keeps changing…
Haha. My intro to fixed was building a tracklocross with serious racing intent. Crazy huh? I live on a mountain and downhill was suicidal. But it made me fall in love with the aesthetics of a single speed. Current fave bike is a Specialized TriCross SS with hub flipped to the freewheel. Gravel, road and raced. Love your work. 🥰
I grew up riding with a single gear, on my bmx bike I used to ride all around town as a kid. Way less maintenance than multiple gears, also looks clean. Fixed gear would be spooky making turns. Imagine trying to lean into a turn, and your pedal goes down and bottoms out launching you into the air.
I wonder how much mileage does the chain on a fixed gear bike have? Obviously fixed gear chain don't have to move between different cogs on a rear cassette or between multiple chainrings. You'll always have a straight chainline, so chain lifespan will increase. But how much (compared to derailleur bikes)?
I am looking at a couple of used and expensive single speed fixed gears. One is a Mercier kilo TT and the other is a state core line. Both of them are within the last three or four years. The state is slightly used really nice shape and it’s $200. The kilo TT is in beautiful shape. It’s a 57 cm frameand it’s $165 which one would you get as a reliable cruiser?
I switch back and forth. Fixed is fun because it’s challenging and makes hills a bit easier. I recommend getting a bike with a flip flop hub and a rear brake. The rear brake will help a lot when learning to stop without brakes and as an Emergency Brake when reaction time is insufficient.
I'm 43 and I ride bikes since I was 3, and it was super fun to ride our 80's free wheel BMX with my friends, but I never enjoyed a bike more than my current track bike. People hate the way we ride non stopping, because of the brakeless.
Tubes are the way to go been tubeless with Rolf vigor fx with Schwabe pro ones only replaced the back tire 2 times in the last 3 years I don’t skid as much any more mostly back peddle and use bike control and yes I’m well into my 30 but it brings me back to my youth bmx days and I love the ultimate bike control fixed gives you and just able to make everything fun to ride
Keep it up love the videos
Priority Ace adopts new technologies, such as a Gates Carbon belt drive, carbon seat post and fork, threaded bottom bracket, and has a flip flop hub for single speed/fixie. Please do a review of this bike. Thanks!
Going back and watching this after getting a fixed, and All I can say is that you don’t gotta sacrifice speed on the hills, but watch them intersections when bombing through em lol, skid to win
I love excitement about fixed gear bike but at same time as a person who is touring on the bicycle and regularly rides in different terrains (e.g. forest and regular streets) I can’t imagine myself not only riding fixed dear but also any single speed bike 😅
I like the idea of putting high tech stuff on a fixie. TT bars, bike computer, carbon rims, power meter clipless pedals, disk brakes on the aerospoke.
You took the words right out of my mouth
Time trial fixed gear seems like it could be kind of nice.
Had a fuji track classic once, used it to commute to work but of course my area was all flatlands. It handled beautifully and had the elios tubing frame so it was not heavy.
Oh look at that. Subscribed last night and already watching the current videos 😀
My biggest fear is savety. How learn to ride and not die trying?
People will say these bikes are outdated, but I'm an old soul and I love bikes like these. While I much prefer a coaster brake for, well, the ability to coast, and brake. I love old steel bikes. Look un my garage and all I have are old steel bikes anywhere from 10 to 67 years old is my oldest bike
First time on a fixed gear I remember thinking this bike is trying to kill me.
@zach Gallardo I want to go fast on my bike I have a 20ich frame bike and I useing a 54 chainring,I want to know what cog to use for it
I started cycling on mountain bikes, and when I was a child my dad and me went on the Alps to ride on the paths. I got used to use gears a lot, also on a flat ground, and, even if I tried a fixed (I borrowed one from a friend to race in a tracklocross) whenever I try it I really miss gears.
I rode a fixie for 4 years . Because of the control it was safer on ice and snow. I loved it. I totally changed the geometry so It was more like riding a cruiser. The only reason I gave it up was that I found I was not able to repair the Bottom bracket. I also did not have the money for an expensive new one.
Um, bottom brackets are like twenty bucks.
For people who want a confortable fixed gear bike, there is always the conversion thing. I have done it to a 80's road bike and it's fantastic! only problem is ground clereance. with 170mm I have to be reeeally careful not to make turns inclining myself too much. Using 165mm and smaller plataform pedals just solves the issue. The confort tho, just awsome #caloi10 #bikefixa #fixedgear #sheldonbrown
Can you perhaps do a video of the tech you think that fixed gear bikes should adopt?
I ride fixed over flat surfaces but if I gotta commute anywhere there is hills I run a brake and a free wheel I’m terrible at fixed skids and I don’t wanna die if I have to stop abruptly lol
I have a disc front brake on one of my fixed gear bikes(tracklocross) and I would definitely go tubeless if my rims and tires were tubeless compatible. My mountain bikes and my gravel bike are tubeless. Tubeless(even road tubeless) is by far the better option.
I have a front disc brake on my road fixie (25c tires). I think it looks really cool and the braking power is much appreciated.
Just got a fix gear bike like I use to have 16 years ago so happy to get back into it
I love the look of bicycles lots of bikes. But I love my multi geared bike. I love riding for a couple of hours at a clip. Love of the ride is what it is all about. Love your channel.
Im new to fixed gear bikes
Is there any brand you can recommend ? I would rather by a good bike first time and keep it than buy cheap nasty ones and then have to spend the money anyway replacing it with better ones ?
I just bought my Kilo TT a week ago but had to travel out of the country for a month... It's only been 4 days and I'm going through bike withdraws... Every day I'm yearning to ride it and it makes me sad :(
Ruins the tires hurts the knees and sadly isn't practical at all and I should know I use a knee killing 1x8
1x8 ? Gear ratio ? How many teeth does your crank set have ?
@@cletusmontierrez1543 36 tooth front chainring 11-30 rear cassette
On fixed gear, other then the Zen angle, you can be a sprocket junky which mean "mechanic". And anyone who's truly into bikes that thinks they don't need to be mechanics are fooling themselves. Or, they really aren't into bikes as much as they think they are. One of things I learned as a kid being on a bike constantly is you must learn how they work, and work means taking it apart, and putting it back together. Usually "new and improved". I didn't have the luxury of going to a bike shop every time something went wrong, and things do go wrong. Flat tires, clumsy chain, wobbling tires, etc. The whole idea when you ride is the chain movement should feel like butter and practically silent at all speeds of pedal turn. You have to maintain that, not magic. What I was referring to at the beginning of post was being a sprocket junky. I know darn well as I sit her typing that if I embraced fixed gear riding, I'd be researching sprockets and pedals. I'd probably (I'd have to look into it) would have at least a couple sprockets in my garage I've changed up on my fixed gear bike. Hell, if I don't have the luxury of a derailleur, I'd be fitting sprockets on the bike to meet my needs.