Fixed Wheel Bicycles, What Are They?
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.
