What is a fixie?
10-03-06, 12:55 PM
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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
cheers
h
10-03-06, 12:57 PM
#2
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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.
https://sheldonbrown.com/fixeda.html
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.
https://sheldonbrown.com/fixeda.html
10-03-06, 01:16 PM
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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.
10-03-06, 01:17 PM
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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.
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.
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10-03-06, 01:25 PM
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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.
)
(I'm just poking fun because I want one, but don't have one.
)
10-03-06, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by SaabFan
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. )
(I'm just poking fun because I want one, but don't have one.
)but I love it!
10-03-06, 02:20 PM
#7
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what makes a fixie better than a single-speed. I'm about to swap out to track wheels, so I'd like to know.
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10-03-06, 02:22 PM
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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.
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.
10-03-06, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Falkon
what makes a fixie better than a single-speed
10-03-06, 02:25 PM
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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 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.
10-03-06, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Falkon
what makes a fixie better than a single-speed. I'm about to swap out to track wheels, so I'd like to know.
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.
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10-03-06, 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by SaabFan
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.
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.
- Wil
10-03-06, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Falkon
what makes a fixie better than a single-speed.
10-03-06, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
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 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.
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!
10-03-06, 04:08 PM
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"trackstands"
Quite easily done on any bike, contrary to board belief. The technique is just a bit different on a freewheel bike.
Quite easily done on any bike, contrary to board belief. The technique is just a bit different on a freewheel bike.
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10-03-06, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by littlefoot
+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!
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!
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10-03-06, 04:51 PM
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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.
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.
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10-03-06, 04:56 PM
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CAUTION!!! Do not wear loose clothing with fixies!!!
Check what happened to me
...
https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-california/233600-one-word.html
Check what happened to me
...https://www.bikeforums.net/southern-california/233600-one-word.html
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10-03-06, 05:32 PM
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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.
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.
10-03-06, 05:41 PM
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I don't commute on fixies, but my dads fixie is my favorite bike for out night rides
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10-03-06, 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Wil Davis
The last part of your last sentence makes no sense at all…
- Wil
- Wil
10-03-06, 08:02 PM
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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.
10-03-06, 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by maximan1
CAUTION!!! Do not wear loose clothing with fixies!!!
Check what happened to me...
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=233600
Check what happened to me
...https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=233600
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10-04-06, 05:55 AM
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Originally Posted by wild animals
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.
10-04-06, 06:13 AM
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Originally Posted by CliftonGK1
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 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.