How do you explain what fixed gear is?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Mass
Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista
How do you explain what fixed gear is?
I can't tell you how many people ask me why my bike doesn't have any brakes. How many peple tell me I'm stupid for only having one gear.
So I tell them, it's a fixed gear bicycle. They give me a confused look. You know, one gear, no coasting. "No coasting?!" Why would you only want one gear?
So what I say is "Because its my gear."
Do you guys have any better sayings to get people to understand?
So I tell them, it's a fixed gear bicycle. They give me a confused look. You know, one gear, no coasting. "No coasting?!" Why would you only want one gear?
So what I say is "Because its my gear."
Do you guys have any better sayings to get people to understand?
#9
Maybe it's something about where you live or the people you interact with. I rarely get any comments like that. Even the ones that don't know what it is just say something like "Oh, that seems hard!" or whatever when I explain it. I don't know if I've ever been challenged like that when talking about riding fixed.
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
“I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five.
Isn’t it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer?
We are getting soft…As for me, give me a fixed gear!” [TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] — [/TD]
[TD="class: quote_source"] Henri Desgrange, L’Équipe article of 1902 [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Isn’t it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer?
We are getting soft…As for me, give me a fixed gear!” [TABLE]
[TR]
[TD] — [/TD]
[TD="class: quote_source"] Henri Desgrange, L’Équipe article of 1902 [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore
Bikes: 2009 Masi Speciale Fixed LTD, 1993 Specialized Allez Transition, 2012 Cinelli Gazzetta (in progress)
#19
ive had this happen 3 times in the last 6 months, and every time someone asks me "how do you stop on that thing?" while im putting my lights on my bike for the ride home
to which i reply
"my legs"
then i start pedaling
to which i reply
"my legs"
then i start pedaling
#20
Just smang it.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham
Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye
I can't tell you how many people ask me why my bike doesn't have any brakes. How many peple tell me I'm stupid for only having one gear.
So I tell them, it's a fixed gear bicycle. They give me a confused look. You know, one gear, no coasting. "No coasting?!" Why would you only want one gear?
So what I say is "Because its my gear."
Do you guys have any better sayings to get people to understand?
So I tell them, it's a fixed gear bicycle. They give me a confused look. You know, one gear, no coasting. "No coasting?!" Why would you only want one gear?
So what I say is "Because its my gear."
Do you guys have any better sayings to get people to understand?

Why fixed gear? (2 pgs)
Why ride fixed gear? (2 pgs)
Why? (3 pgs)
Why a Fixed Gear Bike? (4 pgs)
Why would anyone ride a fixed gear? (4 pgs)
Last edited by EpicSchwinn; 10-10-12 at 04:05 PM.
#21
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
1. As long as you have air in the tires you're good to go
2. You can make one for dirt cheap and never need to put much work into it
3. They are perfect for stop and go traffic or for moving through small spaces
4. They are more unique than most other bikes because people personalize them more
5. They are just fun
6. If you have to ask you'll never understand
2. You can make one for dirt cheap and never need to put much work into it
3. They are perfect for stop and go traffic or for moving through small spaces
4. They are more unique than most other bikes because people personalize them more
5. They are just fun
6. If you have to ask you'll never understand
#24
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur






