A bike is a big investment. You’ll be spending your time and money to purchase one, so you must take the time to research before actually buying anything.
If you’re considering investing in a fixie bicycle, there are many things you should know first things like how they work and what types of bikes exist out there on the market.
This article will give you all of the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not this type of bike is right for you!
What Is a Fixie Bike?
If you’re new to the world of biking, you might not be familiar with this type of bicycle. That’s okay! We’ll start by explaining what it is and how it works before diving into our article.
This way everyone can get on the same page about fixie bikes, so there aren’t any misunderstandings later on in the article!
A fixie is a type of single-gear bicycle. This means that there are no other gears to switch between – you have one speed, and one speed only.
There are pros and cons to riding these types of bikes, so it’s important to consider them both before making your next move.
It might sound like these bikes are hard to ride, but they aren’t too much more difficult than the standard two- or three-speed bike.
The main difference is that you need to know what gear you’re in when you start so that you don’t fly right off of your bike when you go uphill!
If this sounds confusing, don’t worry – it’s much easier to ride than you might think.
However, you must practice your riding before setting out on a long trip or race because this type of bike requires more balance and endurance to stay upright.
There are many different types of fixies, but the most common ones have a brake lever on one side and a fixed gear hub on the other.
You can find single-speed versions as well, but these require you to pedal backward to stop your bike – which is difficult if you’re going downhill!
Since they both feature one speed, most people refer to bicycles with single-gears as “fixie bikes.”
If you don’t want to ride a fixie, there are plenty of other types of bikes out there on the market.
Take some time to research them so that you can invest in something ideal for you!
Singlespeed Bikes
When you’re looking for a single-speed bike, there are quite a few choices out there on the market.
Some of these bikes don’t even look like traditional bikes! They might be scooters, motorcycles, or mopeds instead.
There is no “one size fits all” answer when it comes to these types of bikes.
If you’re looking for something unique, definitely consider one of these models instead.
You can still find traditional bicycles as well. These are great if you want to invest in something that is aesthetically pleasing and will last you for years to come! Traditional bikes usually have two gears, allowing them to go both uphill and downhill.
You can find low or high gear depending on your riding preferences, but they both have the same purpose – allowing you to make it up steep hills and travel long distances!
This type of bike is ideal for people who live in hilly regions, as well as those who want to go on longer rides with their friends or family.
Recumbent Bikes
If you don’t want to ride a traditional bicycle, you can consider looking into recumbent bikes as well.
These bikes allow you to enjoy cycling without putting any strain on your back, neck, or other joints and muscles!
Instead of sitting upright and pedaling as you would with a standard bike, you lay down and pedal with your knees.
This means that all of the pressure is put on your hips and legs instead of your back.
Not only does this improve the ride for cyclists, but it’s also great for people who have injuries or muscle pain!
However, one downside to this type of bicycle is that they aren’t as easy to ride.
You might want to practice for a bit before traveling long distances on it, or you could invest in a tandem version so someone can help you stay balanced and upright!
How Does It Work?
A fixie contains one gear and no freewheel, meaning that you can’t coast.
When the rear wheel is spinning so are the pedals, which means you have to keep pedaling to maintain your speed.
If you stop pedaling for any reason, the bike will come to an immediate halt.
Are Fixie Bikes a Good Choice?
Fixies are a great choice for some bike riders, but not everyone.
For beginners, it can be pretty difficult to learn how to ride.
You have to know what gear you’re in so that you don’t fly off when going uphill and you need endurance and balance to stay upright when traveling long distances.
However, many people love riding fixies because they’re both easy and fun! They’re also great for winter biking and commuting to work.
The decision of whether or not to purchase a fixie is ultimately yours – just make sure you understand what it means before investing in one.
If you’re looking for an investment that will last you years, traditional bicycles are always a great choice.
If you want to go on long rides, invest in a recumbent instead!
Other types of bikes include tandems, tandem recumbents, mopeds with pedals (although these aren’t technically bicycles), motorcycles and scooters, and even a version of a bicycle that is used underwater!
There are all types of bicycles on the market – it’s up to you to decide which one is best for your style.
To make sure you pick something fun and safe, look into all your options as well as their pros and cons before making a decision.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when it comes to deciding which bike you should invest in!
Why Are They so Popular?
Fixies are popular for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps the biggest reason is that they’re incredibly unique and aesthetically pleasing!
If you want to show off your style, you can do it with fixie bikes as opposed to standard models.
Another reason why people choose them is that they’re easy to ride and maintain, and they’re also pretty inexpensive.
They may not be as cheap as normal bikes, but they usually cost about the same as high-end bicycles.
Many people love riding fixies because you can ride them with ease and confidence! They won’t slow you down or cause any problems for your body, so if you want a good ride, this is the type of bicycle to go with.
A final reason why people love these bikes is that they can go pretty fast!
They’re lightweight and easy to move, so you don’t have to worry about bumping into things along the way. With one gear and no freewheel, you get to control your speed all on your own, which can be a lot of fun.
Types of Bikes out There on The Market (fixies, Single-Speed, Geared)
Fixie Bikes, as described earlier, are a great option for everyone.
They’re perfect for winter biking and commuting to work, and they’re also fun to ride.
For those who want an incredibly speedy ride that’s easy to control, fixies may be the answer!
Single-speed bikes use one gear and no freewheel, just like fixies.
However, instead of having to pedal all the time to maintain their speed, single speeds feature an internal freewheel that allows you to coast.
While this might sound fun and relaxing, it can be a little dangerous as well! If you aren’t paying attention to your gear, it’s easy to fly off when you’re going downhill or coming up on a hill.
Maybe that’s why geared bikes are usually the best choice for most riders.
Geared bicycles have anywhere from three to 30 gears which can be changed to accommodate different terrain and speed preferences.
This type of bicycle also has brakes, unlike fixies or single speeds, making it the safest option.
As you can see, there are many different types of bicycles on the market – but what’s best for you?
If you’re looking to ride long distances and go at an average speed without worrying about speed or hills, geared bikes will be your best bet! Make sure to choose the right gear ratios for your needs, and you’ll be on your way.
If you want a mountain bike that will make it easy to go fast and brave trails and hills, go with a geared bicycle from brands like Trek or Bianchi.
They’re good for bumpy roads, quick speed changes, and uneven terrain.
If you want a fixie, make sure it has at least one brake! To be legal for the road in the US, your fixie must have at least one front handbrake and a rear coaster brake.
However, if you don’t feel comfortable riding with only two brakes, invest in a bike that’s got a handbrake on its front wheel and also a fixed rear wheel!
If you want a single speed, look at Raleigh bikes. They’re made for commuters with internal freewheels that allow you to coast. This is the safest option available because if your gear isn’t right or you need to stop quickly, you can!
If you’re looking for a low-cost, fun ride that’s easy to lift and carry around, invest in a fixie. However, if you want something with more stability or brakes, try out geared bikes instead.
With these options at your fingertips, there’s no reason why you should be stuck riding a bike that isn’t fun or practical for you to use.
Now that you know more about fixies, single speeds, and geared bikes, it’s time to get yourself a good ride! So which option will it be?
Pros and Cons of Owning a Fixie Bike – Both Financially and Physically
As we discussed earlier, fixies are the most popular option out there on the market. They’ve got great riding capabilities and can be a lot of fun to ride! However, there are more than just good points about owning one of these bikes – they also have some downsides.
So if you’re wondering what it would be like to own a fixie, keep reading.
Pros: They’re cheap! Fixies are the cheapest bike option out there because they don’t have any gears or handbrakes. This also makes them extremely lightweight and easy to carry upstairs or lift onto a bike rack. Because of their simplicity, they can even be built at home!
They’re good for commuting. Fixies are also great for commuting because they’re simple to ride, can go extremely fast, and have just enough durability.
There’s nothing else like the feeling of riding a fixie. The fact that you have to continuously pedal makes it feel more like you’re skiing or skating than biking. It’s a smooth, fluid motion that is fun to ride and experience!
Running at higher speeds doesn’t require much effort. Fixies don’t have to be pedaled very fast to run smoothly, which means you can maintain a good speed with little effort.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, riding a fixie is for you. There’s something extremely exhilarating about the way it whips you around corners and makes your heart beat faster! Cons: They don’t have handbrakes. If you’re cycling downhill or need to stop quickly, that requires an emergency brake which would be on your back wheel.
If you want to go faster than 12mph, you’ll need to pedal hard. With fixies, it’s easy for your legs to lose momentum and slow the bike down if you’re not pedaling fast enough.
They can cause knee pain. The constant pedaling motion that makes riding a fixie so enjoyable is also the thing that can hurt your knees over time!
They’re illegal to ride on roads in some areas. If you live somewhere like Boston, New York City, or Chicago, riding a fixie on the road is considered illegitimate and dangerous because it doesn’t have handbrakes and only one gear!
Pros: It’s easy to adjust your gear. If you’re struggling to pedal faster, all you have to do is shift your gear and it’s a lot simpler than adjusting a handbrake.
They’re versatile. Geared bikes can be used for commuting as well as recreational riding because they’re durable and easy to maintain.
You can find them used for a cheaper price. Geared bikes are easy to find on Craigslist or eBay because there are so many of them out there.
They have handbrakes. This means you won’t struggle to stop quickly if you’re riding downhill or need to come to an emergency halt!
Cons: Riding them requires more effort. Geared bikes are much more difficult to ride than fixies because you need to pedal faster when going up hills or maintain a very fast speed.
They’re heavy. If you don’t want to deal with carrying around your bike all day, this is not the option for you. They can weigh upwards of 40 pounds!
You need to maintain them. Geared bikes come with a lot of moving pieces and require more upkeep than fixies.
Conclusion: In the end, it depends on what you’re looking for in your ride! If you want something easier to carry around, a fixie is not the right choice for you. However, if you’re looking for something fun and exciting, fixies are perfect for you!
Closing Thoughts/summary About Why People Should Invest in One or Not!
Fixies are a great way to cycle for many different reasons. They’re cheap, durable, simple to ride/maintain, and fun! However, fixies won’t be the right choice for everyone. If you want something easier to carry around or more versatile, a geared bike is a better option. So there’s no need to be afraid of fixies-they’re great! Just something to think about when considering purchasing one.
Do you have a fixie? Why do you love it/hate it? Comment below with your thoughts!
What Everyone Needs To Know About Fixie Bikes Before They Invest in One