The Irresistible Lure of Fixie Bikes

The fixie is more than a bike — it's a culture.

Fixed gear bikes have seen a tremendous growth in popularity over the past years. While many still haven’t even heard of the “fixie” to a select group these bikes are much more than a quickly fading fad. An entire culture has been around these bikes. There are magazines, clubs and plenty of merchandise for dedicated enthusiasts, but more than gear and merch — it’s a lifestyle. For those who have not heard of them or at least had any experience with them, here is some information to understand what makes them so unique.

The Irresistible Lure of Fixie Bikes.

A fixed gear bike is a bicycle, which has a single gear which the rear wheel, and the pedals are anchored to. A lot of riders remove their hand brakes, requiring them to use their legs to stop-called skidding, so these bikes are not for the faint of heart. When the bike moves, the pedal moves as well, not allowing riders to coast but constantly “forcing” them to pedal along.

Fixed gear bikes, also known as a track bike or a “fixie bike”, are a simply designed bike with few bells and whistles. There are differences between track bikes (which are designed to be ridden solely on special tracks like the Velodrome) and fixed-gear bikes. However, many fixies are sold in the United States under the category of track bike. This may be because in the US only track bikes are allowed to be sold without brakes. The most iconic track bike is the Bianchi Super Pista, an Italian fixed gear and the 2014 Bianchi Pista happens to be one of the top sellers.

Many brands are making fixies nowadays, some of them well known, some small and lesser known. My recommendation is to always get professional advice from a local bike shop rather than buying it online or in a Walmart-like super store. Quality, service and warranty issues are better addressed in the professional setting of a bike shop.

Fixed gear bikes are convenient, fast and require very little maintenance when compared to other bicycles. Their mostly inexpensive sale price also makes them affordable for many. These bikes initially became popular with bike messengers because of their speed, durability and affordable price.

Once the bikes became a common sight on city streets because of their popularity with bike messengers, many college students began to take part in the trend. Part of the appeal was because their lightweight design makes them a natural for riding in urban areas as well as easier to carry and store when the ride is complete. There is no question that part of the appeal for the students and hipsters who initially began adopting these bikes as their own were doing so as an homage to the style of bike messengers themselves.

The constant pedaling motion required by the design of the bike means that when you are riding fixed gear bikes you are always accelerating. This is another part of what attracted the bike initially to bike messengers. Their entire job is based on completing their work quickly and this is the fastest bicycle around. Always pedaling helps to improve strength and control and is why some competitive bikers are choosing to train on fixed wheel bikes and in indoor track velodromes.

The speed has also gotten them noticed as a bike which is perfect for extreme riding. Many riders feel they are one with the bike as they ride it, with a better feel of the roadway. The adrenaline rush of riding a bike known for its speed without any brakes draws a lot of riders to fixed gear models as well.

For some riders the reason they choose the bike is simple. They like to be in fashion and these bikes are the trendy ride in many urban areas. The lure of becoming part of the fixie culture was enough to get them started.

Part of the trend of fixie bikes is the personal customization many like to give their bikes. When each bike is purchased they might be quite simple. No graphics and no extras. Riders frequently customize their own bikes with unique graphics, specials paint and accessories. The accessories can be items as simple as your typical bell or more serious pieces like motorcycle grips, color matching rims and hubs or leather seats.

It is important to note that it is illegal in some parts of the United States to ride a bike on public road ways without brakes. However, the wording in most of these laws is such that many riders have successfully been able to argue that their legs are the brake.

Note that a lot of fixed gear bikes come with a flip flop hub, making it possible to convert the fixie into a single speed bike, where coasting is possible. This way the modern look and hip style of the bike is preserved but the riding is easier and less extreme.

A fixed gear bike isn’t perfect for everyone, but for the select few they are an iconic fixture. You really need to be a confident and capable rider to maneuver safely on a fixed gear bike. The type of terrain and what you are looking for in a bike will help you to make the right decision.