Returning cyclist with a noob question
Ok, I know this is a stoopid question. I have been away for awhile but.............Can someone tell me what the difference is between a Fixie, and a single speed? Isn’t a fixed gear and a single speed just a one speed bike? I apologize for the dumbness in advance. |
A single-speed bike can have a freewheel mechanism which allows the rider to coast while keeping the pedals stationary. A "fixie" or fixed-gear bike has the gear solidly affixed to the rear wheel so if the wheel turns the gear turns, the chain turns and the pedals turn ---so you can never ;'coast." You always have to be pedaling as fast as the wheel is turning or pretty close to that speed.
This requires some unholy pedaling cadences on downhills. |
A single speed has just one speed as you've guessed. However, it doesn't really specify how the rear sprocket is connected to the hub.
There would be basically 3 types:
|
Thank you! Finally I get it. |
Wow I was not aware of this. Learn something new everyday.. Would seem to make sharp turning dangerous. Seems like braking would be difficult as well. Fixie no longer seems like a simple bike to ride . Things are usually more complicated in my head though
|
The hardest part of riding a fixie is feeling comfortable with the weird hipster hairstyles you'd have to adopt.
|
Originally Posted by Maelochs
(Post 20538134)
The hardest part of riding a fixie is feeling comfortable with the weird hipster hairstyles you'd have to adopt.
There was a single speed bike next to my non-fixie, non-single speed recumbent on the bike rack at work today. It had a flip-flop hub. I had to look close to determine that today the bike was a fixie. Flip the wheel and it's not a fixie. |
Originally Posted by Maelochs
(Post 20538134)
The hardest part of riding a fixie is feeling comfortable with the weird hipster hairstyles you'd have to adopt.
|
Originally Posted by ScottD961
(Post 20538277)
That should not be an issue for me. I’m loosing mine at an ever increasing rate How do you look in skinny jeans? |
Originally Posted by Maelochs
(Post 20538134)
The hardest part of riding a fixie is feeling comfortable with the weird hipster hairstyles you'd have to adopt.
:50: |
Originally Posted by rgconner
(Post 20539928)
Hmm.
How do you look in skinny jeans? |
Originally Posted by CliffordK
(Post 20537939)
A single speed has just one speed as you've guessed. However, it doesn't really specify how the rear sprocket is connected to the hub.
There would be basically 3 types:
And just to complicate things further, it is also possible to build a fixed-gear or coaster brake wheel that has variable speeds. In these cases, one will have the mechanism of a fixed gear (cranks continue to turn) or a coaster hub (backpedal to stop) along with an internal gear hub that allows one to change into different gears. Once upon a time I thought about building a fixie with variable gears, but then got lazy and went with a single speed freewheel. In other news, I don't think fixies are particularly cool anymore. Evidence is that most of us who got in on the original trend are pushing 40 or 50 years of age. |
Originally Posted by Maelochs
(Post 20538134)
The hardest part of riding a fixie is feeling comfortable with the weird hipster hairstyles you'd have to adopt.
|
Originally Posted by cyclintom
(Post 20544527)
What if, uh, you have a certain lack of hair to style?
and those expander earplugs that stretch your earlobes. you'll fit right in. |
Originally Posted by cyclintom
(Post 20544527)
What if, uh, you have a certain lack of hair to style?
|
Originally Posted by bikingtotown
(Post 20538104)
Wow I was not aware of this. Learn something new everyday.. Would seem to make sharp turning dangerous. Seems like braking would be difficult as well. Fixie no longer seems like a simple bike to ride . Things are usually more complicated in my head though
Fixies (fixed gear) should at least have a front brake, if not 2 brakes. Track bikes are fixed gear, without brakes becuase they are on the track only, not the road. |
Time-honored tradition of setting up an old road bike as a fixed gear for training/commuting/fun. I also have a freewheel on the other side of the hub but 99% I ride it fixed.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...04ba426a12.jpg |
Originally Posted by ScottD961
(Post 20537900)
Ok, I know this is a stoopid question. I have been away for awhile but.............Can someone tell me what the difference is between a Fixie, and a single speed? Isn’t a fixed gear and a single speed just a one speed bike? I apologize for the dumbness in advance. Single gear is in one gear and can coast. Nothing for nothing but a Google search and a YouTube search could answered this. |
Originally Posted by IvyGodivy
(Post 20548765)
Fixie means the bike never coasts.
Single gear is in one gear and can coast. Nothing for nothing but a Google search and a YouTube search could answered this. |
Originally Posted by ScottD961
(Post 20548795)
True but that would have spoiled your fun of leaving a snarky comment. BTW The question was answered way back in post # 2
|
Originally Posted by Maelochs
(Post 20548811)
Yeah, but I was the poster of post #2 . Who would ever think that I would post a simple, accurate, helpful answer to a straightforward question?
|
Originally Posted by ScottD961
(Post 20548795)
True but that would have spoiled your fun of leaving a snarky comment. BTW The question was answered way back in post # 2
|
Originally Posted by IvyGodivy
(Post 20548930)
And your point?
|
I have a question...
Why would anyone want to ride, much less own a "fixie"? |
Originally Posted by one4smoke
(Post 20551534)
I have a question...
Why would anyone want to ride, much less own a "fixie"? |
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:05 AM. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.