Fixed gear?

The allure of riding a "fixie" is certainly growing, it could even be called trendy, but far from new. Riding a fixed gear has a pureness about it. There's no shifting, no coasting, and for the brave, there's no brakes.

From a training standpoint it will/can make you stronger as you can't bail out on a hill, unless you want to walk. You want to develop a higher cadence? Try going downhill on a fix. A 42/16 gearing will having you spinning over 120 at an otherwise tame 25 mph.

Another allure is that you can find an old road frame for next to nothing at a thrift store, and depending what's on it when you get it, you may need nothing more then a wheel with a fixed hub, a gear and a lock ring ($100 if you're not looking for high end), some very basic mechanical skills, and away you go.

For all you wanted to know about riding fixed:

sheldon on fixed
fixed gear gallery

scott

Thanks, I've been thinking about a fixed gear bike for a few months now.  I think I will look into getting one to ride into work during the winter.

Scene points.

I ride a fixed gear at the track. The allure is that I can ride indoors in the winter and it's more fun than being on the trainer.

It's been trendy to ride a fixed gear in Vancouver for the last few years. You can see a lot of couriers on them.

Jen