General Cycling Discussion - Why a Fixed Gear Bike?

Asking this question here rather than on the FG forum as I want a broader viewpoint in the answers.

What is the attraction of a fixed gear bike? It seems impractical in hilly terrain, including many cities where they seem to be quite common. How much of it is practicality and how much a current fashion? The FG practically disappeared as a bike type, except for track racing use, from the time of the development of the freewheel about 1898 until it's revival in popularity in the last 10 years or so. The histories indicate that it disappeared due to the freewheel equipped bike being more user friendly. So are the current riders all masochists or what?:rolleyes:

To me a freewheel equipped bike, for single speed, or a geared hub, seems more practical for a person who wants a non derailleur geartrain. BTW I have a FG rear wheel for one track style frame and have tried it out in the past but now that I am 60+ I want to spare the knees. It therefore has a geared hub wheel installed for normal use.

How much of it is practicality and how much a current fashion?

I think practicality is not very high on the list of considerations when deciding to ride a FG. There are some practical reasons for single speeds in general (lack of shifters/derailleurs that can break or be stolen, lighter weight), but from a practicality standpoint, a single speed with freewheel is preferable to a FG.

I think part of the current appeal is fashion, but it also arises out of fun. I have a fixed gear bike and I simply enjoy riding it because I feel more "connected" with the bike. Although I don't ride it nearly as much as I ride my geared bikes, I still enjoy the feeling.

Also, there's a sort of a macho subculture among FG riders, especially brakeless riders. They know that riding is busy traffic is dangerous, and that is part of the appeal.

Mostly, though, I think it's because we all want to be like Kevin Bacon ;)

So are the current riders all masochists or what?:rolleyes:That's probably it. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/deraltekluge/Avatars/whistling.gif

I haven't seen the appeal either. Something of a fad spread by a few afficionadoes, I think. though really, most of the reasons I hear for a fixie make me think, "Why not try a unicycle, then??"
We've spent decades perfecting gears so that we won't tear our knees to shreds on hills only to have a bunch of people suddenly decide to forgoe them for fashion. Ridiculous.

I'm not a fixie guy, I'm not fashionable, but I do have a hybrid Cannondale converted to singlespeed. It's a great backup bike. Multiple gearing is not always needed.

I am fashionable? My fendered \ rack commuter is a fg\ss that I flip back and forth on a whim. It is a fun change of pace from my geared bikes.
A unicycle sounds amusing as well.
Don't knock it until you have at least tried it once.

Sheldon Brown explained best....

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

That web page pretty much single handedly convinced me to buy a fixed gear bike. Forget fashion, it's just plain fun!

To me a freewheel equipped bike, for single speed, or a geared hub, seems more practical for a person who wants a non derailleur geartrain.

Yup, and I'll bet that you eat your veggies too. VERY logical and sensible!

My worst nightmere is of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was. I feel an obligation to leave them a better legacy than that.

Actually there is no better legacy to leave than that.

The 'Zen' is the reason most folks enjoy riding fixed.

If you've ever ridden one you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, no one will be able to describe it to you.

For something to do, I built myself a fixed gear a couple months ago. I've ridden freewheel/geared bikes for over 30 years.

Some of the things I like about a fixed gear: It was very neat learning to ride a fixed gear. It gave me something new to learn. I feel like it is very efficient in city traffic. I can slow down or speed up by just pedaling and I don't have to take my hands of the bars all the time to shift or brake (I am running both brakes). My thighs were sore the first few times I rode a fixed gear, so obviously it works a different set of muscles than freewheel riding. Having only one gear is fun and reminds me of being a kid again on my banana seat schwinn knockoff.

I doubt I look very fashionable riding with my business clothes on a fender/rack equipped FG bike with both brakes still functioning.

Basically fad. You could equally well ask why anyone still rides bicycles since motorcycles were invented. Or why they don't ride boneshakers.

I'm skeptical of the zen thing. I've never felt anything special in the way of pedal power while riding a unicycle; that ought to be more zenful than a fixed gear bike. Considering that when the freewheel was invented, a whole generation enthusiastically abandoned fixed gear bikes, I would say they didn't feel much zen kicking them up the hills either. I predict that in 20 years, they'll be the next generations' old single-speed cruisers, and kids will be asking "Why did you ride that thing?"

I have a FG bike ('89 Trek 660 conversion). It's my commuter/rain training bike. Fenders, lights, blinkies, two brakes, two bottle cages. Not very fashionable, but one hell of a fun bike.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/trek660002.jpg

I also was intrigued by Sheldon's FG for the road article. And I've found that everything he says is true. Control on wet pavement is improved. It's a simple and very reliable commuter due to the lack of shifters and derailleurs. It was a fun and relatively cheap project. It appeals to my inner historian because it is essentially 1890s technology (Major Taylor could hop on this bike and ride it and the Wright Brothers could fix it). My gearing is fairly low (70 gear inches), which forces me to spin quickly to stay above 20 mph. And since you're nearly always in the wrong gear, it forces you to make do -- you attack the hills rather than sit and spin. And that's made me a stronger rider.

And did I mention that it's fun?

Actually there is no better legacy to leave than that.

Yeah ???, aren't you the guy from Letterman ??? I thought YOU were dead....:roflmao2:

The only practicality to a FG is simplicity. For me, it's about the feel of the bike. It's hard to describe, but it's hard to step of the FG and on to a Freewheel bike and not feel weirded out. That's not to say they're the best things ever. I'd never mtb with a fixed hub. I wouldn't want to do some of the mountain road rides I do with a FG, but there are just times when it's a great bike.

Try it...you'll like it. Or you won't. It's just a bike.

Fixed Gear bikes are just...fun. It's that simple for me. No fashion. No Zen. Just a nice change from my geared bike.

Sheldon Brown explained best....

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html



So let it be written
So let it be done

Since building a fixed gear for myself, and riding it only on the road, no city shenagigans for me, I have become a much smoother, stronger rider. Its easyer to click in on my geared racing bikes now. My mountain biking is better because now keeping cadence up a slope comes more naturaly.
I don't know about the Zen thing either, unless Zen is beyond me. Not sure about it just being a blast to ride. Its a tool for making me a better all around rider.

For me, the biggest practical use is fitness. A 15 miler on my fg feels like twice the workout of a 15 miler on my road bike.

Actually there is no better legacy to leave than that.

Another vegan - not that there's anything wrong with that.

I'm skeptical of the zen thing. I've never felt anything special in the way of pedal power while riding a unicycle; that ought to be more zenful than a fixed gear bike.

I've ridden both. A unicycle is nothing like a FG bike. A unicycle is slow and the movements your body makes to balance and move are a lot more jerky than a FG bike. There is absolutely nothing "zen" about a unicycle. A FG bike is much different and a lot of fun. You should give it a try if you have a chance.

I ride fixed gear bikes for the same reason that I love driving stick shift and riding a motorcycle. It's ALOT of fun. I have much more control, its like third gear(in a car) all the time, more feedback from the bike and the constant pedaling is a great workout. My legs are carved from wood these days and I can eat like a pig and still lose weight.

The bikes are very pretty too. No clutter, what with the derailleurs and shifters and all. Not to say I don't have geared bikes, but my fixed gears are my favourites.

Also, I was getting bored with bikes. Almost giving up on them. When I started riding fixed a few years ago, I fell in love with cycling all over again. It also helps you become a much stronger rider with a much smoother pedal stroke. It helped me smoke my riding buddies on climbs in the woods on MTN bikes.

Anyhow, that preceding convoluted mess is why a fixed gear bike is a must for me.

I'm too old and my knees are too wonky for such things; "give me gears, lots of gears, and some hills to ride upon....."

Ahem...Anyway, "fixies" used to be a standard training item. It was the usual practice for road racers to spend the early part of the Spring training season on fixed-gear bikes, to build up leg speed and improve circulation before going to harder training.
At least, that was the case in some of the older books I read; I have no idea how pro road racers train now.

I'm too old and my knees are too wonky for such things; "give me gears, lots of gears, and some hills to ride upon....."

Ahem...Anyway, "fixies" used to be a standard training item. It was the usual practice for road racers to spend the early part of the Spring training season on fixed-gear bikes, to build up leg speed and improve circulation before going to harder training.
At least, that was the case in some of the older books I read; I have no idea how pro road racers train now.

I have a friend that raced in the late 80's and early 90's and that's how he trained.

Yeah, I'd have to add that riding fixed has made me a much stronger, better rider.

I tend to coast less and keep a steady cadence on freewheeled bikes since going fixed.

FG has been my only ride for nearly a year (waiting on a custom frame tourer since Sept.). I'm well past aiming for fashion, at 52, balding and generally nerdy. Why ride FG? First, it's pure. It reminds me of the Western Flyer I had when I was 8. It's quiet. It's nearly maintenance free. It -- and this can't be ignored -- makes me a better cyclist. When you first start riding fixed, you WILL try to coast, and the bike will launch you out of your saddle. After growing accustomed to always pedaling, going to a freewheel will feel funny, like you're no longer pedaling in circles. The direct control of being able to accelerate and decelerate without using brakes is wonderful.

On a more personal note, a dear friend and riding companion who served as a coach and mentor died as the result of cancer many years ago. When he was a kid who didn't know better, he rode a fixie with a flip-flop hub from San Jose, CA., to the Mexican border and back. Riding my Bianchi San Jose reminds me of Bob every time I throw a leg over the saddle.

I have a FG bike ('89 Trek 660 conversion). It's my commuter/rain training bike. Fenders, lights, blinkies, two brakes, two bottle cages. Not very fashionable, but one hell of a fun bike.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/trek660002.jpg

I also was intrigued by Sheldon's FG for the road article. And I've found that everything he says is true. Control on wet pavement is improved. It's a simple and very reliable commuter due to the lack of shifters and derailleurs. It was a fun and relatively cheap project. It appeals to my inner historian because it is essentially 1890s technology (Major Taylor could hop on this bike and ride it and the Wright Brothers could fix it). My gearing is fairly low (70 gear inches), which forces me to spin quickly to stay above 20 mph. And since you're nearly always in the wrong gear, it forces you to make do -- you attack the hills rather than sit and spin. And that's made me a stronger rider.

And did I mention that it's fun?

Brilliant mounting of the rear fender. Using a zip tie of all things. Thanks for the posting a pic. Now, to remount fenders on my bike.

There is a wealth of almost free frames with broken off derailleur hangers out there. Sort of like a solution looking for a problem.

Sheldon Brown explained best....

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

That web page pretty much single handedly convinced me to buy a fixed gear bike. Forget fashion, it's just plain fun!

No matter how many times I see the severed finger photo it always takes me by surprise. :twitchy:

for my normal hour-long route i usually only need one gear. i use two if i feel weak that ride.

used a few more gears than normal for my first century, though - i'll admit it. then 'gain there were some larger hills on that route.

i'm considering going FG 'cause my bike is worth nothing, and the RD is bent. i don't need the other gears. i just imagine a FG would be more efficient... but i s'pose nothing i've said actually answers why FG vs. SS question.

Fixed gear bikes were still available in the mid fifties and the advent of affordable derailer gears ended theirs and the reign of internally geared bikes.

Now we are seeing a resurgence of internally geared hubs and many good advancements there, a resurgence of popularity for ss and fg bikes, and SA is re-introducing the 3 speed fixed gear hub.

There is a wealth of almost free frames with broken off derailleur hangers out there. Sort of like a solution looking for a problem.

Everyone says that I have yet to find one........where are all these free frames with horizontal drops?

Fixed gear bikes were still available in the mid fifties and the advent of affordable derailer gears ended theirs and the reign of internally geared bikes.

Now we are seeing a resurgence of internally geared hubs and many good advancements there, a resurgence of popularity for ss and fg bikes, and SA is re-introducing the 3 speed fixed gear hub.

who or what is SA?

who or what is SA?

Sturmey Archer or more accurately today SunRace Sturmey Archer.

They have announced a new three speed fixed gear hub, the S3X hub though it is not available yet. Here is a link to the latest news and specifications sheet.

http://sunrace-sturmeyarcher.blogspot.com/2008/11/s3x-fixed-gear-3-speed-update.html

Fixed gears belong in a velodrome. Nowhere else.

Wrong answer. You will now be electrocuted. Where would you like the electrodes attached?

Fixed gears belong in a velodrome. Nowhere else.

I rode my geared winter bike today at work and it was all good... nothing froze, the studded tyres kept me from taking any spills on the ice, and although things were really cold the brakes were doing their job quite well.

The temperatures are plummeting and the roads are really going to hell so tomorrow I will be taking my fixed gear bike to work because it handles snow, ice, and cold so much better than the gearie.

I won't have to sorry about the freewheel or derailer sticking because there isn't one and I'll appreciate the excellent traction control and ability to brake (without touching the brake) and reduce the possibility of unintentional skidding.

Fixed gears belong in a velodrome. Nowhere else.

How do you figure?

Fixed gears belong in a velodrome. Nowhere else.Completely incorrect.

If you don't like them, don't ride them. Don't be afraid, they don't bite people who aren't riding them.

the only part of riding fixed that I don't particularly care for are the long steep hills--going down. Going up is a challenge-- trying to see if you can make it to the next bend in the road...going downhill is why I have 2 brakes on mine-- because I really do spin out--

If you haven't tried it--and by tried I mean more than once or twice, you won't understand... It's a great way to ride-

train safe-

I got a great deal on a little used fixie/ss this past summer. Tried riding it fixed but that wasn't for me. However, I flipped it to SS, added two brakes and a larger chainring, and its been my favorite bike for weekday workouts or weekend 20-25 mile rides. To me, its the simplicity of the bike; easy to clean, easy to service, only a minimal number of cables. I have a geared bike, but I save that for longer rides or rides in hilly areas.

I'm skeptical of the zen thing. I've never felt anything special in the way of pedal power while riding a unicycle;

A unicycle is NOT a fixed gear bicycle. I've ridden a a motorcycle that had a direct linkage from the motor to the rear wheel and it didn't feel anything like riding a fixed gear either.

:p

I've ridden both. A unicycle is nothing like a FG bike. A unicycle is slow and the movements your body makes to balance and move are a lot more jerky than a FG bike...

15+ mph isn't exactly "slow", and the movements aren't especially jerky at speed. I have no problem averaging a cadence of over a hundred at about 3m per pedal stroke for commuting distances. That's about 20 kph.

Even riding my 28" unicycle, it's still slow. Also, I find that to maintain maximum control, I'm never going anywhere near my maximum cadence. So yeah, some people ride unicycles 15+ mph, but most of us that ride them don't go anywhere near that fast.

15+ mph isn't exactly "slow", and the movements aren't especially jerky at speed. I have no problem averaging a cadence of over a hundred at about 3m per pedal stroke for commuting distances. That's about 20 kph.

According to what I've read, the 1 hour world record for a unicycle is just under 15 miles. So it's pretty safe to say that very few people will be able to reach those speeds.

And 15mph on a decently outfitted FG bike on flat terrain with no wind is very slow.

And compared to a bicycle, riding a unicycle is jerky.

The point I was trying to make when I made my previous post is that riding a FG bike and a unicycle are not at all alike. Anyone who's ridden both would be a fool to say otherwise.

it's kind of a shame that the trendy aspect of FG bikes has brought out the grouch in folks. I had a friend who built one & I as intrigued why someone do something so 'counter-intuitive' as de-gear a bike and remove the ability to coast....but I also decided to learn why & after reading the stuff Sheldon Brown wrote, I figured I'd try it for myself. I'll second all the POSITIVE things folks here have said. Great training, great discipline, fun to learn something new, interesting to work new muscles biking too! I love mine (a phoenixed '84 Peugeot.http://www.fiataccompli.com/bike/assets_c/2008/09/peugeot_conv_2-thumb-150x99.jpg..and completely reversible to it's geared format) and if my bike itself is trendy and offensive in any way, I can assure you it's rider is dull & boring enough to counter-act any hint of fashion :)

I keep thinking about going fixed again when the ice builds up on my freewheel and causes it to skip. Can't happen on a fg, because there are no unused gears. I'm getting fairly strong again so the hills are looking a lot less formidable. I probably would have to go SS mostly. I sold my FG back in '82 and never really looked back before now. It was my main commuter in college.

Am I missing somthing isn't a FG just a older style bike like we use to ride as kids ? If so whats the big deal ? there justa bike ? Its just what we called a normal not fancy bike I use to do a papper route on ! I got a newer one here my wife rides now and then I ride it a little if my normal ride is in the shop !!But since I am adding another bike this spring a comfort bike the FG I think thats what ur talking about won't see much use . I like my other bikes better but hey Iam well over 50 yrs old so maybe those bikes are weird now duno !!!!!! ????

Am I missing somthing isn't a FG just a older style bike like we use to ride as kids ? If so whats the big deal ? there justa bike ? Its just what we called a normal not fancy bike I use to do a papper route on ! I got a newer one here my wife rides now and then I ride it a little if my normal ride is in the shop !!But since I am adding another bike this spring a comfort bike the FG I think thats what ur talking about won't see much use . I like my other bikes better but hey Iam well over 50 yrs old so maybe those bikes are weird now duno !!!!!! ????

No you are not missing a thing.

All I had to ride from age 4 to age 15 was fixed geared bicycles (poor saps like me owned these). I also had what I thought was a fixed gear bicycle, that I later learned had a faulty coaster brake (might as well been a fixed gear). I mastered the technique of coasting by lifting the feet when going downhill, and resting them on the downtube. Also how not to slip and get hit by the pedals when spinning furiously. I longed for the ability to coast without taking my foot off the pedals.

After 11 years of that, I bowed never to ride a fixed gear again!

Infact the first freewheeled bike I owned was a SingleSpeed BMX. The first week I spent more time pedaling backwards than I did pedaling forward.

I was free.

I am never going back!

NEVER!

NEVER! You hear me?!