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-   -   Returning cyclist with a noob question (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/1154154-returning-cyclist-noob-question.html)

ScottD961 08-30-18 03:59 PM

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.

Maelochs 08-30-18 04:20 PM

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.

CliffordK 08-30-18 04:21 PM

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:
  • Freewheeling. You can backpedal. The bike requires both front and rear brakes.
  • Coaster Brake. Backpedal half a revolution then uses a type of friction brake in the hub. Often found on kid's bikes and beach cruisers.
  • Fixie. This is the simplest type. The rear sprocket is attached directly to the hub. However, it should have a lockring to hold it in place. The cranks turn when the bike moves, no coasting. One can stop by backpedalling, or skidding. They should have a front brake.

ScottD961 08-30-18 05:57 PM

Thank you! Finally I get it.

bikingtotown 08-30-18 06:12 PM

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

Maelochs 08-30-18 06:30 PM

The hardest part of riding a fixie is feeling comfortable with the weird hipster hairstyles you'd have to adopt.

JanMM 08-30-18 07:44 PM


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.

Ah! The elusive fixie-riding-hipster that we have all heard of.
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.

ScottD961 08-30-18 07:46 PM


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.

That should not be an issue for me. I’m loosing mine at an ever increasing rate

rgconner 08-31-18 03:42 PM


Originally Posted by ScottD961 (Post 20538277)

That should not be an issue for me. I’m loosing mine at an ever increasing rate

Hmm.
How do you look in skinny jeans?

rgconner 08-31-18 03:57 PM


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.

I was riding a fixie before Hipsters were popular!

:50:

ScottD961 09-01-18 12:54 PM


Originally Posted by rgconner (Post 20539928)
Hmm.
How do you look in skinny jeans?

OMG...............Do we R E A L L Y want to go there? Those jeans would Not be good......not good at all! :lol:

wipekitty 09-03-18 01:07 PM


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:
  • Freewheeling. You can backpedal. The bike requires both front and rear brakes.
  • Coaster Brake. Backpedal half a revolution then uses a type of friction brake in the hub. Often found on kid's bikes and beach cruisers.
  • Fixie. This is the simplest type. The rear sprocket is attached directly to the hub. However, it should have a lockring to hold it in place. The cranks turn when the bike moves, no coasting. One can stop by backpedalling, or skidding. They should have a front brake.

+1

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.

cyclintom 09-03-18 01:10 PM


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.

What if, uh, you have a certain lack of hair to style?

Maelochs 09-03-18 02:44 PM


Originally Posted by cyclintom (Post 20544527)
What if, uh, you have a certain lack of hair to style?

Lumberjack beards with waxed handlebar moustaches .....
and those expander earplugs that stretch your earlobes. you'll fit right in.

Arvacon 09-05-18 05:55 AM


Originally Posted by cyclintom (Post 20544527)
What if, uh, you have a certain lack of hair to style?

Or use some WD40 :lol:

Homebrew01 09-05-18 12:18 PM


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

You can slow your speed by applying back pressure to the pedals.
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.

caloso 09-05-18 12:26 PM

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

IvyGodivy 09-05-18 01:11 PM


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.

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.

ScottD961 09-05-18 01:21 PM


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.

True but that would have spoiled your fun of leaving a snarky comment. BTW The question was answered way back in post # 2

Maelochs 09-05-18 01:31 PM


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

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?

ScottD961 09-05-18 01:42 PM


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?

Much appreciated though. I had asked at the LBS - They only sell new High end stuff, he told me a Fixie was a ....................wait for it....................a bike that needed .......................work (fixing) True Story. I won't be back there

IvyGodivy 09-05-18 02:27 PM


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

And your point?

ScottD961 09-06-18 11:42 AM


Originally Posted by IvyGodivy (Post 20548930)
And your point?

I already made it. Troll on

one4smoke 09-06-18 08:42 PM

I have a question...

Why would anyone want to ride, much less own a "fixie"?

Litespud 09-06-18 10:34 PM


Originally Posted by one4smoke (Post 20551534)
I have a question...

Why would anyone want to ride, much less own a "fixie"?

It’s an interesting and arguably more challenging variation on regular road cycling. When winter closes in and I have less daylight to ride in, I might switch to the fixie to get the most “bang” out of shorter routes


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