Alt Bike Culture - FIXIES: What's the Big Idea?

There seems to be an awful lot of youthful cyclists, who are now riding bikes called "fixies", that have no brakes. Furthermore, they require that the cyclist continue to pedal, while going both up and down hill.

Can you imagine going downhill and not coasting most of it?

What's the big idea with this fixie stuff?

No brakes! No coasting downhill!

Sounds like no fun to me! :rolleyes:

I am with you slim, so maybe someone who knows the why of this fixie idea will come forth...I think part of it is the simplicity of it, that is, less 'stuff' on the bike such as gears and such...
fixie world, let us know.

Maybe you need try it before you pontificate on how bad fixies are or is this just a troll. I have to many miles on my knees to do fixies but still ride single speed a lot. Basically a fixie with brakes and the ability to coast. Roger

No Rhenning, I can assure you, I'm no troll. Riding single speed is great! I love Raleigh's Rush Hour. However, riding without brakes is down right dangerous, foolish, and knot-headed! :(

PS.

This post is both that of a complaint, if you don't ride with brakes and an inquiry, if you have to pedal while going downhill. That just sounds weird! Can't even imagine going down a steep hill and having to pedal at top speed or RPS while descending.

it's simply a differnet style of riding, and your "brakes" are your legs. if you're good enough at it there's no need for a hand brake. the concept isn't anything new, fixed gear comes from track bikes and got reappropriated in the 80's by bike messengers in the big cities as a fast, simple, and reliable alternative to geared bicycles, which we all know have a tendency to malfunction and breakdown often. as of recently it has become a large trend, and commonly gets a bad reputation due to the large amount of unexperienced hipsters that don't know how to ride. personally, i ride single-geared, but the concept is similar. simplicity is key. but as from the concern of brake safety, unexperienced riders pose a hazard to themselves and others but those who know what they're doing are just as safe as any other rider on the streets, perhaps more so.

No Rhenning, I can assure you, I'm no troll. Riding single speed is great! I love Raleigh's Rush Hour. However, riding without brakes is down right dangerous, foolish, and knot-headed! :(

Riding fixed with no brakes ain't so bad. Kinda crazy in traffic, though. You can slow down a bit by resisting the pedals rotation. You can slow down a little quicker by skidding. You can slow down even more quickly by jamming your shoe behind your fork or dragging a shoe on your back wheel Ted Shred style.

Single Speed without brakes is what's really crazy. I've had a few single speeds without brakes for short periods of time and braked Flintstone style (if on a low-saddle bike) or foot jammed behind the fork depending on how urgent the stop was.

I don't like fixed downhill either, but other than that they're fun as hell to ride.

Fixies without back brakes are not inherently unsafe. Fixies with no brakes and and experienced rider aren't either (Shoe on the tire skid is easy enough for them).

Different folks, different strokes.

I have to say I didn't "get it" either. I got a great curb find frame when the college let out that didn't have working shifters or derailleurs and was missing the rear wheel. I traded a decent pair of brake levers from a totaled bike for a flip-flop wheelset (fixed on one side, freewheel on the other side if the hub) It was supposed to have a freewheel, but when I got it, it didn't. I decided to give it a shot running fixed and it's just plain fun! I've logged twice as many miles on that as any of my other freewheeling bikes combined. It's just a different frame of mind and a different kind of bike... kind of like my roadie buddies couldn't imagine riding a relaxed geometry frame with fat tires and 3 speeds until they try it and love it.

This is the "Alt Bikes" forum, is it not? None of the bikes here make sense, nor are they supposed to.

After riding fixed, single speed, and multi-speed, I can say without prejudice that I'm a derailleur type of guy.

It's just minimalism, really. Cut out all the excess machinery and devices and try to get the thing to the least you can have and still call it a bike, and then ride.

Fixies without back brakes are not inherently unsafe. Fixies with no brakes and and experienced rider aren't either (Shoe on the tire skid is easy enough for them).

Different folks, different strokes.

So.. you can only stop as hard as the traction on the rear wheel will permit? Not very hard, in other words?

That sounds pretty unsafe, or at least suboptimal. :headscratch

KeS

So.. you can only stop as hard as the traction on the rear wheel will permit? Not very hard, in other words?

That sounds pretty unsafe, or at least suboptimal. :headscratch

KeS

Even with brakes, you can only stop as hard as the traction on your tires permit. There's no drogue shoot on bikes :)

There's no drogue shoot on bikes :)

Alt forum: yes there is.

Until recently I didn't consider myself able to comment. Now that I've done dozens of fixed rides and covered a ton of miles, flat and moderately hilly, I can chime in.

I love it! Plain and simple, it is fun. Takes probably two weeks to get totally comfortable, but I can now ride my fixed gear bike for 20 to 30 miles and never touch the brakes. I have them just in case, that's just me. I don't judge those who do or those who don't. What I would say is that until you know what you are doing, and it takes awhile, I wouldn't go brakeless. After you have experience with putting back pressure on the pedals and how to skid in an emergency, going brakeless is viable.

I had tried fixed gear riding with my original singlespeed bike that had a flip/flop hub. Mixed emotions and it didn't really catch on with me.

Then I saw a nice bike advertised on Craigslist and went to check it out. It was listed cheap and the photos were fuzzy, but it was a 1989 Miyata 312 in my size.

When I arrived to look at it, it was in beautiful condition. The owner had obviously taken good care of it, kept it dry, etc. The bike was set up as a guy's "trainer". He used it to work on his cadence and spinning skills. It had one chainring up front, no derailers and a fixed-only hub in the rear. I knew I was going to buy it, but was honestly thinking about swapping rear wheels out with a flip/flop arrangement.

I bought it, took it home and said "what the heck, I'll give it a try as-is." I was amazed at how fast and smooth it was! The ride was silky smooth due to the splined, triple-butted steel frame. Very lightweight and the frame and components in nearly-new condition. I got a steal at the price I paid.

I haven't looked back and have never changed out the wheel. It will remain fixed. I go out to the garage to choose among my "too many" options, at least according to the wife, and a lot of the times I grab the Miyata over the other wonderful bikes. I even took it out of town with me the other day on a business trip. I rode it at night on an awesome trail and had a great time.

So count me amongst the fans of fixed gears. I rarely if ever use the brakes anymore, but I'll keep them on just the same. Any BTW, I'm no youngster. Approaching 50 now and my knees have no issues with backpedaling.

I advise trying it for at least a couple of weeks in order to see if it fits your style. Not for really steep hills unless you don't mind getting off now and then. For most moderate hills, just practice.

Alt forum: yes there is.

I stand corrected :)

I run a fixed gear mountain bike for winter commuting. Fewer parts to seize/freeze or fall of in all the snow, ice and salt.

I must admit it is nice having a simple bike to just hop on and pedal around. I use is frequently for short errands around the neighborhood. also, since its just a crappy looking old Mtn bike that I got in trade for a case of beer I feel better leaving it locked in shady locations.

I think it's a good concept, one side of the hub has the SS freewheel for urban city riding and when or if you want to ride at a velodrome, you have a bike that can be quickly converted over to FG. Outfitting the bike with just a front brake, gives you 75 % of a bikes stopping power and loosening/removing a screw and a bolt, flip flop the rear wheel and the bike is race ready for the velodrome.

Even with brakes, you can only stop as hard as the traction on your tires permit. There's no drogue shoot on bikes :)

Yes, and there's a very limited amount of traction available at the rear tire. But never mind, I don't want to sidetrack this with a discussion of the physics of braking, and I've got the info I needed. Tx!

KeS

Riding fixed with no brakes ain't so bad. Kinda crazy in traffic, though. You can slow down a bit by resisting the pedals rotation. You can slow down a little quicker by skidding. You can slow down even more quickly by jamming your shoe behind your fork or dragging a shoe on your back wheel Ted Shred style.

Single Speed without brakes is what's really crazy. I've had a few single speeds without brakes for short periods of time and braked Flintstone style (if on a low-saddle bike) or foot jammed behind the fork depending on how urgent the stop was.

I don't like fixed downhill either, but other than that they're fun as hell to ride.
For certain values of fun. Can't say it would appeal to me to be honest.

Fixies are certainly nothing new.
http://i52.tinypic.com/2889pqs.jpg

I've had a fixed gear bike for over 20 years now on and off from track bikes to conversions. I prefer the track bikes and ride one now. There is really nothing alt about them. They are designed to race on the track but are fun to ride on the street too. Some road racers, myself included, get them to train in the winter months. It's a bit of old school training thought perhaps but it works. Years ago when I first started riding one I never had a brake on it. There wasn't even a mounting hole for a brake on my track bike. I think you would be surprised how easy it is to stop one. Having said that, I live in the mountains now and prefer to have a brake on the long descents. Having brakes is almost ALWAYS better in all conditions but it's pretty easy to stop a track bike with the right gear ratio. But it takes work and it's a lot easier to just pull a brake lever then throw your weight around and apply back pressure.

In my opinion, it's about fashion and style. Most of the Fixie riders that I see around Austin all have similar elements of style. The items are just mixed and matched in a personal flare.

As for simplicity, I ride a single speed with a coaster brake and FAT tires.

I understand fixies. I don't understand no brakes.

Why? Two reasons. First, I don't care if you're Eddy Merckx, Jan Ullrich, Lance Armstrong, etc., you cannot, and I repeat, cannot stop as fast by backpedaling as you can with good brakes. And I've had more than a few occasions where I've needed to make a quick stop. Secondly, redundancy. If your chain snaps, you have no brakes. I always want at least two ways to stop the bike, fixed or not.

Like has been said above, don't knock it until you have tried it. I have a fixie that I have put over 24,000 miles on in the last 7 years. I ride a brake because you need it to go down hill :) I have done double metric centuries on it, took it tp Colorado to "Ride the Rockies" in 2007 (included going over Independence Pass--over 12,000 ft up). It is fun to ride and if you gear it right, it will not kill your knees as is a common misconception.

I ride brakes because braking without wears out three things... the chain, the rear tire and your knees. (I did learn how to brake without using the brakes, but it is very counter intuitive--you need to throw your weight forward--crotch to the stem, and that doesn't feel right--I will stick to brakes).

You learn how to ride high cadence and you can 'coast' by letting your legs 'noodle'...

Oh-- and I am not a young hipster-- I am 56 :)

train safe-

geared bicycles, which we all know have a tendency to malfunction and breakdown often

yeah.. no

i've ridden with fixed gear riders who don't have brakes.. it sounds crazy to me but they manage to ride pretty normally when i've ridden with them

i rode a fixed gear bike long enough to realize how much i love coasting

i rode a fixed gear bike long enough to realize how much i love coastingWhen riding them in traffic, I almost out of habit move to and use the curb as an easy step when a light changes red. The crank arms rotating becomes an issue for me in that regard. With SS, I can orient the crank arms to be in the up position on the right hand/curb side of the bike.

I'm not a hipster or a "young kid", but I ride mostly fixed (always with a front brake unless at the track). I do not have the "skillz" to ride without brakes. Also, it drains too much energy. I'm usually riding long distance so I like to use the brake to conserve energy.

While I agree that you can stop quicker and safer with brakes, you shouldn't judge the talent of some people who ride without them. It's quite amazing what some riders are capable of doing, instinctively, with just their legs and excellent riding ability. These are typically the kind of people that can ride wheelies and bunny hop curbs on their fixed bikes without regard to crank rotation during the start of the jump.

With that behind me...

I enjoy riding fixed because I feel more in tune with my body and my surroundings. I don't have the distraction of changing gears in my mind, I'm constantly planning escape routes (in traffic for example) and always "thinking". I simply feel more as one with the world around and beneath me. I also feel more in control of my bicycle, like I am the one in charge, not it.

Take for example climbing a steep, but short hill. On a geared bike you can sort of lazily go up it, change gears when you get tired, etc. On a fixed bike the way you ride changes. You'll be tempted to attack the hill, ensuring that when you approach the top, you're only just starting to approach a slower cadence. This is what I mean by control. I'm the one that has to get up the hill (not my gears) and I'm the one that is in charge of getting it done. The bike doesn't give me any other options (gears).

Long winded, but that is the fun of fixed for me.

P.S. The word "fixie" secretly drives me nuts but I try to ignore it as I don't think it's going away. I think that's just my curmudgeonly self.

i'm 42, i ride a fixed gear, no brakes front or back, up and down hills. i like it. it's simple. it makes me a stronger rider on my other bicycles. and it's great for riding drunk because i don't have to think about pedaling.

it's not for everyone. don't knock it until you've tried it.

No Rhenning, ..... riding without brakes is down right dangerous, foolish, and knot-headed! :(

PS.

This post is both that of a complaint, if you don't ride with brakes and an inquiry, if you have to pedal while going downhill. That just sounds weird! Can't even imagine going down a steep hill and having to pedal at top speed or RPS while descending.

it's niether dangerous, foolish, nor knot-headed when you know how to do it. pedaling down a hill isn't either. riding a fixed gear means you are always in control of the bike, IF you know how to ride one.

So.. you can only stop as hard as the traction on the rear wheel will permit? Not very hard, in other words?

That sounds pretty unsafe, or at least suboptimal. :headscratch

KeS

my chain came off once, i was making a left turn in traffic, i had to stop. jammed my foot between the front wheel and fork (similar to BMX flatland )and i was stopped. no problem, totally safe.

riding a fixed gear with no brakes isn't dangerous, IF you know how to ride one.

P.S. The word "fixie" secretly drives me nuts but I try to ignore it as I don't think it's going away. I think that's just my curmudgeonly self.

Me too! And when people pronounce mixte, "mix-tee". But I think I just need to chill. And you are totally correct, it is not going away. Oh, another one. Do you notice with the advent of video games, a lot of the younger set says they are going to "verse" each other? Or it is me verse you, when they mean versus? Drives me batty.

it's niether dangerous, foolish, nor knot-headed when you know how to do it. pedaling down a hill isn't either. riding a fixed gear means you are always in control of the bike, IF you know how to ride one.

Alright Pablosnazzy,

So you're going down a steep hill. Suddenly, a car door opens up in your direct path, just a few feet ahead!

If you don't have any brakes, what do you do?

Your fate would have to be worse than the guy with good front and rear brakes! The guy with brakes will be better abled to (at the very least) slown down faster, in an effort to decrease impact.

You on the other hand, would suffer greater impact and subsequently, more serious injuries.

I'll just bet you any kind of money that I can grasp my hand onto my brake lever, alot faster than you can stuff your foot onto your wheel (or whatever it is you guys do).

Come on... Bet! I'll just bet ya! :D

Yeah, there, I said it! Guys with brakes, are just plain faster than you guys without brakes! :D

Yeah, I'm your Huckleberry! :)

PS.

Just call me Doc! :)

The original post was about why people enjoy riding fixed gear bikes. Not the dangers of riding fixed without a brake. Most people riding fixed on the street have a front brake. It's the exception that do not. I liked the OP's question, it's a fair one to ask and I remember having the same question.

The original post was about why people enjoy riding fixed gear bikes. Not the dangers of riding fixed without a brake. Most people riding fixed on the street have a front brake. It's the exception that do not. I liked the OP's question, it's a fair one to ask and I remember having the same question.


Hey there Trevor_Ash!

Yes, I would have to agree that riding fixed-gear does seem to be just a tad intriguing. However, I would have to have brakes.

I really do love the Raleigh Rush Hour! :)

Alright Pablosnazzy,

So you're going down a steep hill. Suddenly, a car door opens up in your direct path, just a few feet ahead!

If you don't have any brakes, what do you do?

....

you swerve around it and keep riding. just like when a car cut in front of me making a right hand turn, i turned with him and kept on riding, cursing him, and didn't hit him.

if you want to see how people ride fixed gears through traffic, (and they are extreme, it's not always like this, look here: http://www.digave.com/videos/)

if you ride a bike in traffic long enough, you are gonna hit something whether you have brakes or not. not having brakes is just as safe, if you know how to ride it.

also, with my fixed gear, i don't' have to buy brake pads or worry about shifting problems or anything else. just flat tires (changed one today as a matter of fact) and a chain.

....

I really do love the Raleigh Rush Hour! :)

the rush hour is a darn good bike. and i think it comes with a flip flip hub, so you can switch from fixed to singlespeed. the only thing i don't like about it is the narrow handlebars. i like wider handlebars.

Alright Pablosnazzy,

So you're going down a steep hill. Suddenly, a car door opens up in your direct path, just a few feet ahead!

If you don't have any brakes, what do you do?

Your fate would have to be worse than the guy with good front and rear brakes! The guy with brakes will be better abled to (at the very least) slown down faster, in an effort to decrease impact.

You on the other hand, would suffer greater impact and subsequently, more serious injuries.


You know how in cartoons, characters try to avoid being hit by trains by running away from them, right down the tracks?

with my fixed gear, i don't' have to buy brake pads or worry about shifting problems or anything else. just flat tires (changed one today as a matter of fact) and a chain.

you should get a unicycle.. one less wheel to worry about

It's just minimalism, really. Cut out all the excess machinery and devices and try to get the thing to the least you can have and still call it a bike, and then ride.

This is kinda what I was thinking. The whole point of "alt" is to be, well... alternative.
I like that the idea came from track racing, although I dont think Im really keen to get into it. Single speed/coaster - sure. Fixie, well, Im alright with gears.

PS I have noticed that most of the alt-fixie girls are hot, in a neo-goth, kinda emo hipster sort of way.
Thats cool.

Because it takes longer to slow down, you have to think a little further ahead when you're riding fixed in traffic. E.g. you pay attention to the traffic lights on the next block, not just the one in front of you--Notice those people up there who just might decide to cross the street, and plan accordingly. I feel like it makes me a better rider on my geared bike too.

There's just something about it that's so smooth and fluid. All the energy you put into the crank gets transferred to the wheels, never lost in slack chain like on a geared bike. Plus, the bike is light and nearly silent. Try it, you might get hooked.

Because it takes longer to slow down, you have to think a little further ahead when you're riding fixed in traffic. E.g. you pay attention to the traffic lights on the next block, not just the one in front of you--Notice those people up there who just might decide to cross the street, and plan accordingly. I feel like it makes me a better rider on my geared bike too.

There's just something about it that's so smooth and fluid. All the energy you put into the crank gets transferred to the wheels, never lost in slack chain like on a geared bike. Plus, the bike is light and nearly silent. Try it, you might get hooked.
Maybe one day....

Energy lost in slack chain. Knee slapper right there!

Energy lost in slack chain. Knee slapper right there!

Yeah, that was kind of dumb. Oops. I guess what I meant was energy lost during shifting - like when the chain jumps to a higher gear. That little jerk you feel sometimes? That's what I'm talking about. That doesn't happen on fixed/SS.

So you're going down a steep hill. Suddenly, a car door opens up in your direct path, just a few feet ahead!

on a fixed gear/track bike without any hand brakes, you just dont go fast down steep hills... i personally creep down hills if i dont have a hand-brake

the ppl that do go fast, are very extremely nuts. just like those who ride geared/hand-brake bikes down steep hills really fast.

on a fixed gear/track bike without any hand brakes, you just dont go fast down steep hills... i personally creep down hills if i dont have a hand-brake

the ppl that do go fast, are very extremely nuts. just like those who ride geared/hand-brake bikes down steep hills really fast.
Hey, wheres the fun in that?

I dont suggest you go roaring down congested urban hills/streets at breakneck speed. Even out in the country where I ride the most, I keep my speed under control. But creeping down hills? Hmmmm....

But creeping down hills? Hmmmm....

It is fun because it is challenging. A while back I went brakeless for a week and went down hills as slow as I could, it was really difficult at time and I enjoyed it.

Maybe you need try it before you pontificate on how bad fixies are or is this just a troll. I have to many miles on my knees to do fixies but still ride single speed a lot. Basically a fixie with brakes and the ability to coast. Roger

That is my plan. I have a single speed right now and will soon be building up a new wheel for it. This one will have a flip-flop hub. We'll see how that goes.

It is fun because it is challenging. A while back I went brakeless for a week and went down hills as slow as I could, it was really difficult at time and I enjoyed it.
Well, different strokes for different folks. I probably need to try it. That'll be my goal for next year - get a fixie.

Even with brakes, you can only stop as hard as the traction on your tires permit.

The difference that kevin_stevens was noting I believe is that front wheel braking is far more effective than rear wheel braking. Hence the suboptimal. I guess there is also a question of how strong your legs are when braking.

As for me, I live in the hills. Brakes and gears are good things. ;)

The difference that kevin_stevens was noting I believe is that front wheel braking is far more effective than rear wheel braking. Hence the suboptimal. I guess there is also a question of how strong your legs are when braking.

As for me, I live in the hills. Brakes and gears are good things. ;)

And, to each their own, I say. I don't ride fixies. They just don't do it for me, and I think they're kinda silly, but I'm sure avid fixie riders think my 24 speed bike, with cables flopping all over the place, and the worrying about being in the right gear, with the proper cadence kind of silly too :)