Track bicycles (image, left) are designed for use on velodromes (indoor and outdoor oval bicycle tracks designed for racing). Many people think of fixed-gear bikes and track bikes as the same, but they aren't. You don't have to be a tattooed bike messenger to enjoy and appreciate the ride (though, if you are, so much the better)! But remember, anyone can have fun on a fixie. What's more, because fixed-gear bicycles, and those who ride them, tend to be quirky and unique, this trendy type of cycling has taken on a fun countercultural aspect. Some, like this rider are so skilled they can balance in place and slow and stop even without brakes. Ultimately, the connection between the rider and the machine is almost perfect. No mental energy is wasted fiddling with shifting mechanisms, either. Also, you learn to spin more efficiently because you have to pedal constantly and you must pedal faster on every downhill. Because your feet are directly connected to the rear wheel, which drives the pedals around, your pedal stroke becomes nearly perfect and with no dead spot in the stroke, you are more efficient. We have the experts, bicycles and accessories you need!įixies offer simplicity that harkens back to the earliest days of cycling when one gear was common. Keep in mind that we're always happy to show you our selection of fixed-gear bicycles, discuss options and help you with all your fixie projects. To answer these questions and to help you join the fixie fun, here are some insights into these wonderful machines. And, maybe you've wondered why these unusual bikes are so popular and how it is that people can bike around with only one gear, and one that doesn't allow coasting, either.

You've probably seen fixie riders darting about town in traffic because they look so different than standard roadies or mountain bikers. (Not to be confused with singlespeeds, which allow coasting.)ĭue to their uniqueness (riders often paint and decorate their fixies and add unusual components and accessories) and elegant simplicity both in appearance and operation (fixies require significantly less maintenance, too), the fixed-gear phenomenon has become a thriving and fascinating fringe element of cycling.

And, even more advanced - though the most common fixies are road models - there are also individuals who enjoy mountain-bike fixies, too.

Fixies are among the most simple of bicycles because they don't require derailleurs, shifters, double- or triple-chainring cranksets, or, in some circumstances, even brakes.įor example, some skilled riders capable of stopping simply by holding back on the pedals with their feet, eschew brakes. “Fixie' is short for “fixed gear,” which is a slang term for bicycles that have drivetrains with one gear that's fixed to the rear wheel so that you cannot coast and must continue pedaling whenever the bike's moving.

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