Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Define singlespeed, not the same as fixed?

New to the singlespeed arena and I am a little confused about terminology. I keep hearing conflicting use of the word singlespeed and whether or not it is a true fixed gear.

Singlespeed is fixed right? What I mean is that a singlespeed bike doesn't allow a rider to coast. Or am I wrong here? Can you coast on a singlespeed? And BMX bikes, aren't they singlespeed also?

singlespeed relates to how many "speeds" there are, its a terminology that represents quantity. "single" = "one". just as most people call bikes with curvy bars and skinny tires "10 speeds".

fixed gears are always singlespeeds, but singlespeeds are not always fixed gears. a fixed gear refers to that one single gear being fixed, not being able to coast, thus the braking power is in the drive train (or oftentimes with an added front brake).

its the same as like squares being rectangles but rectangles not being squares. bmx bikes are singlespeed insofar as they only have one gear. some coast, some have coaster brake.

Singlespeed has a freewheel so you can coast. Fixed does not; pedals move with bike, forward or backward.

Both only have one gear.

as drac_vamp said, fixed gear is a subset of singlesepeed

singlespeed relates to how many "speeds" there are, its a terminology that represents quantity. "single" = "one". just as most people call bikes with curvy bars and skinny tires "10 speeds".

fixed gears are always singlespeeds, but singlespeeds are not always fixed gears. a fixed gear refers to that one single gear being fixed, not being able to coast, thus the braking power is in the drive train (or oftentimes with an added front brake).

its the same as like squares being rectangles but rectangles not being squares. bmx bikes are singlespeed insofar as they only have one gear. some coast, some have coaster brake.



Ahhh. Yes, thank you for that. So, singlespeed doesn't necessarily imply a fixed gear. Are the majority of singlespeed bikes fixed gear as well or coasters?

Ahhh. Yes, thank you for that. So, singlespeed doesn't necessarily imply a fixed gear. Are the majority of singlespeed bikes fixed gear as well or coasters?

Most single speeds would have a freewheel. Fixed gear bicycles are a bit less common, though gaining popularity more recently.

just to add some confusion through clarification to the conversation, it is actually possible to have fixed gears with multiple speeds. Extremely rare, but possible using internal hubs (and perhaps other methods). Sheldon Brown of course has the info: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/asc.html

Ahhh. Yes, thank you for that. So, singlespeed doesn't necessarily imply a fixed gear. Are the majority of singlespeed bikes fixed gear as well or coasters?

just depends, there are plenty of track bikes out there that are obviously going to be a fixed gear. the most common use of a single speed you are going to find are beach cruisers, coffee house racers, etc, in general a more relaxed kind of bike.

i would say the "majority" of SS are not fixed, there are lots of old cruisers, and plenty of new ones, who can coast, along with a rising popularity of SS mountain bikes. fixed has a very loyal following to it, so it might seem like there are more, but i bet if you look in 95% of america's garage, if you don't see some 18 speed "mountain" bike then you'll see some single speed cruiser.

i would say the "majority" of SS are not fixed, there are lots of old cruisers, and plenty of new ones, who can coast, along with a rising popularity of SS mountain bikes. fixed has a very loyal following to it, so it might seem like there are more, but i bet if you look in 95% of america's garage, if you don't see some 18 speed "mountain" bike then you'll see some single speed cruiser.



Hmm. That's interesting. I thought that the rising popularity of SS mountain bikes was from roadies/trackies who wanted a fixed urban-assault type bike. Is that right? I mean, SS mountain bikes are all fixed-gear correct??? Just wondering because lately I've been thinking of converting to the fixed side.

I would highly doubt that most SS mountain bikes are fixed.

The only fixed gears I've seen have been road/track frames.

I'm sure some people have built fixed mt bikes, but it can't be the norm.

I'm sure some people have built fixed mt bikes, but it can't be the norm.

Guilty!

Hmm. That's interesting. I thought that the rising popularity of SS mountain bikes was from roadies/trackies who wanted a fixed urban-assault type bike. Is that right? I mean, SS mountain bikes are all fixed-gear correct??? Just wondering because lately I've been thinking of converting to the fixed side.

On the contrary, most SS mountain bikes are not fixed. Imagine trying to go over rough, uneven terrain (logs, rocks, etc...) with out being able to coast and place your pedals in a position that clears the impediment. That being said, there are definitely some poeple with fixed MTBs.

Ergo...fixed mountain bike.
Mostly for the street...you really need to be able to hop/skid to ride it on the trails...which I can't.
http://www.pixelslap.com/images/ghettobike_done.jpg

On the contrary, most SS mountain bikes are not fixed. Imagine trying to go over rough, uneven terrain (logs, rocks, etc...) with out being able to coast and place your pedals in a position that clears the impediment. That being said, there are definitely some poeple with fixed MTBs.


Well, that's true. I guess you could get a flip-flop rear hub and have one cog for riding off-road and when going over some rocks requires coasting, then on the other cog you could have it fixed for kicking it around town for some fun urban-style fixed riding!

http://www.63xc.com/ "the offroad fixed gear site"

I would highly doubt that most SS mountain bikes are fixed.

The only fixed gears I've seen have been road/track frames.

I'm sure some people have built fixed mt bikes, but it can't be the norm.


In the snow and on the trails

http://home.twcny.rr.com/dobber/surly.jpg

That being said, there are definitely some poeple with fixed MTBs.Yep, four of us raced 24 Hours of Seven Springs a few weeks ago as a fixed gear team (http://bikecentric.blogspot.com/2005/09/mondo-guano.html).