Fixed Wheel Bicycles, What Are They?

Posted March 15, 2010 by Bikes in Blog | No comments yet

Fixed wheel bicycles do not allow their riders to coast. They are not equipped with a freewheel. When the bicycle is rolling the pedals are in constant motion. The sprocket is affixed directly to the hub on a fixed wheel, or single speed, bicycle. Sprockets in this instance is a wheel equipped with teeth meshed with a chain.

There are a number of reasons riders prefer this type of bicycle. They believe that the pedaling method improves because the rider's rhythm is less likely to be interrupted while the bicycle is in motion. This is due to the simple fact that if the rear wheel is moving so are the pedals. Coasting is not an option. Therefore the legs are not allowed to stiffen up and circulation improves.

Riding and owning this type of bicycle has other advantages. It is weighs lighter than a comparable bicycle with a freewheel and is easier to maintain because there are fewer mechanical parts. The chain line is shorter and straighter as it only needs to be mounted from hub to crank.

One disadvantage to riding a single speed bicycle is that going down a hill can be more difficult for the simple reason that riders are forced to pedal faster. Unfortunately for some, coasting, while always an option on a bike equipped with a freewheel, is still not an option but braking can be if done correctly. If coasting is tried a rider will most certainly get a kick, by a pedal, in the trailing leg or fall after losing control.

Another problem area, especially for beginners, is taking a corner at a high rate of speed. Pedals tend to hit the ground and cause a loss of control. A fall could be caused if the rear wheel should lift off of the ground. To prevent this from happening the bike should have good ground clearance and the pedals should not stick out to far.

Riders of the fixed wheel bicycle continue riding as they feel that the advantages surpass the disadvantages by far. This conviction is especially true when former multiple gear cycle riders become comfortable with the different style of riding and the now forbidden option of coasting to get them to the bottom of a hill. The simplicity of the ride and the more immediate connection to both the road and their bicycles is what attracts them.

Why Ride A Fixed Gear Bike?

Posted January 9, 2010 by Bikes in Blog | No comments yet

When I first tell people that I ride a fixed gear bike, they usually think I’m crazy. I mean, why would anyone want to give up all those benefits of riding a regular bike. Things like changing gears, having front and rear breaks, the ability to coast – why would anyone want to give up all that for a bike that is nearly the opposite?

Riding a fixed gear bike is one of those things you have to experience for about a day or two to “get it”. First, when you start riding a fixed gear bike, you immediately start developing good bike riding habits. Since you cannot coast on fixed gear bike (if you’re moving, then your feet are moving, since the gear is fixed to the wheel), you develop a proper cadence, or rhythm when you bike. Your legs also get much, much faster.

When you ride a fixed gear bike, it’s almost like having your own personal biking coach right there long with you biking, telling you what you should, and shouldn’t be doing. To slow down on a fixed gear bike, you simply start to peddle slower. Or, you can also use the front break if you happen to have one on your bike.

There is also a special connection us fixed gear bike riders seem to make between the bike and themselves. Because when you ride a fixed gear bike – the wheel is quite literally fixed to the gear – this allows you to have much more control over the bike. The bike feels a lot more responsive and you feel more “one-like” with the bike. It’s an amazing experience that you won’t ever get to feel on any other type of bike.

So, if you want stronger legs, and a more responsive bike ride, then definitely try out a fixed gear bike.