Commuting - What is a fixie?

A friend was trying to explain fixies to me..... he failed miserably. I understand that they have only one gear (like a SS) but somehow they can also be pedalled backwards? Sounds intriguing, any explanation greatfully recieved, preferably with diagrams
cheers
h

you can not coast on a fixie. If the wheel is moving then the pedals are moving.


Shelldon Brown's definition

Fixed Gear
A rear hub in which the sprocket is rigidly connected to the hub, without a freewheel.

See the entry on "Track Hubs" for details.

The pedals of a fixed-gear bicycle revolve whenever the rear wheel turns; coasting is impossible. This type of gearing is usually associated with track racing.See my article on fixed-gears.

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixeda.html

Yeah, they can be pedaled backwards. I can ride mine backwards. They're sort of a bit like the children's bikes that have the pedal directly mounted on the front wheel. Whatever the wheel does, the pedal does and vica versa.

Weld the pawls on a SS freewheel, and that's essentially what a fixie is.
Like a singlespeed, you only have one ring in front and one cog in back.
Unlike a singlespeed, which has a freewheel that allows you to coast, the fixed gear cog is a direct attachment to the hub. If you pedal forward, you move forward. If you pedal backward, you go backward.
Think of it like a children's tricycle or Big Wheel where the pedals are attached right to the wheel. Whichever way you pedal, that's how you go.

Fixies are a status symbol latched on to by guys who want to do trackstands on streetcorners to look cool.

(I'm just poking fun because I want one, but don't have one. :D )

Fixies are a status symbol latched on to by guys who want to do trackstands on streetcorners to look cool.

(I'm just poking fun because I want one, but don't have one. :D )

I don't ever look cool...particularly riding the fix from the oldlady's place to mine just to get on another bike and ride in the a.m.

but I love it!

what makes a fixie better than a single-speed. I'm about to swap out to track wheels, so I'd like to know.

Resisting the motion of the pedals as they turn slows (or locks!) the back wheels. Pedalling backwards makes the bike go backwards. This isn't necessarially "better" for everyone, it's just another dimension of control.

Think about it like the difference between a manual transmission car with a clutch, and an automatic. Some people like the additional control of the clutch, others can't stand it (or don't understand it) and prefer a manual.

what makes a fixie better than a single-speed
trackstands

You can get a hub fixed/SS so that you can experience both types of riding with the one wheel. Ask for a flip/flop hub.
What can make it better is the direct link to movement at the pedals, what can make it more dangerous is the direct link to movement at the pedals.
I want to ride fixed on the track but SS on the street myself.

what makes a fixie better than a single-speed. I'm about to swap out to track wheels, so I'd like to know.
Go with a fixed/fixed flip-flop and that gives you 3 options:
You can run a freewheel on each side if you decide you don't like riding fixed.
You can run fixed on one and freewheel on the other and flip it depending on your mood.
You can run twin fixed cogs and have different gears to choose depending on terrain you'll be riding.

snip…
Think about it like the difference between a manual transmission car with a clutch, and an automatic. Some people like the additional control of the clutch, others can't stand it (or don't understand it) and prefer a manual.

The last part of your last sentence makes no sense at all…

- Wil

what makes a fixie better than a single-speed.

Fixies drive ILTB CRAZY!

Go with a fixed/fixed flip-flop and that gives you 3 options:
You can run a freewheel on each side if you decide you don't like riding fixed.
You can run fixed on one and freewheel on the other and flip it depending on your mood.
You can run twin fixed cogs and have different gears to choose depending on terrain you'll be riding.
+1

I'm always suprised more folks don't figure this out....it's a conspiracy to make us buy more hubs....d@mn the man!

"trackstands"

Quite easily done on any bike, contrary to board belief. The technique is just a bit different on a freewheel bike.

+1

I'm always suprised more folks don't figure this out....it's a conspiracy to make us buy more hubs....d@mn the man!
Know who figured it out? Phil Wood! And Suzue! And anyone else that makes a fixed/fixed hub and a fixed/free version of the same. You can't mount a fixed cog on a freewheel hub (safely), but you can mount a freewheel on a fixed side just fine. A fixed/free isn't a good option, IMO.

Q: Why can't fixie riders coast?


A: Because they haven't got the PAWLS!


Sorry, that has been banging around in my head since I rebuilt my rear (freewheelin') hub last week.

CAUTION!!! Do not wear loose clothing with fixies!!!
Check what happened to me :o...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=233600

Just keep some rubberbands around your handlebars. When you find yourself on your fixie with pants, slip one on the chainring pantleg. Problem solved.

Of course, I had to do what you did to figure that one out ;)

That's a real eye-opener, isn't it?

I really like riding fixed. I commute on mine.

I don't commute on fixies, but my dads fixie is my favorite bike for out night rides

The last part of your last sentence makes no sense at all…

- Wil

You're right, it should have ended with "automatic."

today i was watching the kids at my work ride their trikes around the track, and i realized they were more or less riding fixies. haha. and even though they only have one "speed," they go up and down the hill pretty well, which i hadn't paid attention to before.

CAUTION!!! Do not wear loose clothing with fixies!!!
Check what happened to me :o...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=233600
This is why all the "cool" fixie guys wear shants or girl jeans. :p

today i was watching the kids at my work ride their trikes around the track, and i realized they were more or less riding fixies. haha. and even though they only have one "speed," they go up and down the hill pretty well, which i hadn't paid attention to before.

I go up hills faster on my fixies than my geared bikes. You HAVE to push that gear, you have no choice. No "sit and spin" mentality. :)

Go with a fixed/fixed flip-flop and that gives you 3 options:
You can run a freewheel on each side if you decide you don't like riding fixed.
You can run fixed on one and freewheel on the other and flip it depending on your mood.
You can run twin fixed cogs and have different gears to choose depending on terrain you'll be riding.
You should really take that point regarding flip flop hubs one step further. Run the bigger gear on the freewheel side. That way, if you get tired out and need to get home, you have the advantage of lower gearing and the ability to coast all in one.

I go up hills faster on my fixies than my geared bikes. You HAVE to push that gear, you have no choice. No "sit and spin" mentality. :)

My experience is exactly opposite. Way faster up the hill on a bike with low gearing. I know a certain TDF winner from Texas was famous for spinning up mountains. He had taller gears. He just chose the low ones and it seemed to work for him.

It's all about laziness, I guess. Most folks take the easy way out. Spin and go up easy. On a fixed gear you don't have that option, so you build leg strength. I'm always passing roadies on the hills.

Of course, I expend more energy.

To the particular TDF champ: c'mon, Lance, bring it on. I'll get up faster on my fixie than you on your Trek, spinning like a madman.

{at least, in that zone they call "dreams"**

Well, I ride my geared bike in 42x15 pretty much all of the time, but I have to shift into the big ring down hills. I also have to downshift some coming to a couple of hills. I also carry panniers. Would I be able to do my commute on a fixie? I'm not much for suzue hubs, because... well, they're cheap. The wheels I have now are dented, but work okay. They have record hubs. I think I just might buy a rim, relace the front, and get a track hub and lace it to the rear. My biggest deal is riding down the hills. Without being in the big ring, I'm spinning like a madman.

If you have brakes, use them to regulate speed for when things become, ah, uncomfortably spinny :)

It's all about laziness, I guess. Most folks take the easy way out. Spin and go up easy. On a fixed gear you don't have that option, so you build leg strength. I'm always passing roadies on the hills.

Of course, I expend more energy.

To the particular TDF champ: c'mon, Lance, bring it on. I'll get up faster on my fixie than you on your Trek, spinning like a madman.

{at least, in that zone they call "dreams"**
It is about laziness. I'm too lazy to maintain a geared bike ridden in wet conditions.

So I ride a fixie.

"trackstands"

Quite easily done on any bike, contrary to board belief. The technique is just a bit different on a freewheel bike.

Can you trackstand a road bike facing downhill? My roadbike trackstand abilities are improving, but I absolutely can not do it facing downhill.

It is about laziness. I'm too lazy to maintain a geared bike ridden in wet conditions.

So I ride a fixie.

Me, too :p

There's something quite liberating, for me, at arriving home after a nasty weather ride, performing a quick frame wipedown, and going about my business... And knowing the bike will ride just the same tomorrow :D

I'm a fixie....after two kids. It was a quick procedure.... :lol: now I can ride gloveless.

LOL!! Good one. Under that definition, I've been riding fixed since I was in the womb, bznatches! :D

you can not coast on a fixie. If the wheel is moving then the pedals are moving.

It's also important to consider what not being able to coast means besides just not being able to coast. One such point is that the practice of setting the cranks parallel to the ground when going into a turn, or high on the inside-side of the turn and low on the outside. Your options become A) take your turns a bit wider than usual for safety, B) switch to shorter crank arms, or C) hope that fate/luck/your-diety-of-choice/coincidence keep you from striking a pedal hard against the ground and throwing yourself off the bike courtesy of your spur-of-the-moment makeshift fulcrum.

And no, I'm not a fixie rider, but my fiancee is; she mentioned this hazard a while back and it left a pretty vivid image in my mind.

fixies can just be really fun to ride and mess around on doing skids and trying to ride backwards. You can feel alot more in control of the bike cause you can basically entirely control the bike with your feet. Riding a freewheel feels so weird and awkward after only riding a fixed for awhile.

Part of the appeal of them is their extreme simplicity and easy maintenance. No gears, no shifter cables, only one front brake (and many still choose to ride brakeless), and they can be really light.

Can be alot of fun.

It's also important to consider what not being able to coast means besides just not being able to coast. One such point is that the practice of setting the cranks parallel to the ground when going into a turn, or high on the inside-side of the turn and low on the outside. Your options become A) take your turns a bit wider than usual for safety, B) switch to shorter crank arms, or C) hope that fate/luck/your-diety-of-choice/coincidence keep you from striking a pedal hard against the ground and throwing yourself off the bike courtesy of your spur-of-the-moment makeshift fulcrum.

And no, I'm not a fixie rider, but my fiancee is; she mentioned this hazard a while back and it left a pretty vivid image in my mind.

Another technique is to learn how to lean your body into a turn w/o leaning the bike. Hang your upper body over the turn, and keep the frame at a shallow angle. You won't pedal strike, you keep your momentum, and you keep a tight turn-line.