The Basics on Fixed Gear Riding
Fixed gear riding is different than jumping on your typical bicycle and pedaling.
The very nature of the "fixed gear" is that the rear wheel cog is "fixed" onto the wheel. This means that when the pedals turn, the wheel turns, and vice versa.
You CANNOT coast on a fixed gear bike. If you're going down a hill, you cannot stop pedaling. As the wheel picks up acceleration from going downhill, it will naturally cause the pedals to spin faster.
WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO RIDE LIKE THIS?
That's the question most people ask after finding out the mechanics behind fixies.
It's easy: you can stop and slow down by using your legs rather than a brake. You can pedal backwards. You can perform advanced techniques such as the skid stop or the hop stop (we'll get into those more in "Advanced Techniques").
So to begin with, fixed gear riders enjoy an arsenal of stopping power derived purely from applying back-pressure against the pedals as they spin with the rear wheel. In addition, tricks are possible on a fixed gear bike that aren't possible on other, geared bikes. Many riders say that riding a fixed gear bike makes them feel more attuned with the bike and the road. It has been touted as a "closer connection" to the bike. Lastly, (and most appreciated by anyone who's ever broken a derailleur or had a recurring problem with a chain that won't align correctly, thus popping off frequently) is the fact that fixed gear bicycles are very simplistic.
Fixed gear bikes have one cog and that said cog is just that: a cog. It has no free-wheel bearings in it (the part in a single speed cog that allows you to spin the pedals backwards without affecting your momentum). Because of this, you don't have to worry about many issues that other bike riders deal with including shifting issues, frequent chain popping issues or even, (depending on whether you feel frisky) brake pad replacement and brake issues.
NO BRAKES????
Yes, that's correct - once you get good at back-pressure or the skid and hop stops, you don't really need brakes. Many fixed gear riders prefer having a front brake just for emergencies, but it isn't necessary if your bike is well maintained. You will always be able to stop using only the force you apply through your legs.
BASIC TECHNIQUES OF FIXIE RIDING
1) GOING FORWARD
While this may seem simple, almost everyone that has learned to ride on a geared bike will have a little bit of an issue with this when switching to a fixed gear.
The most important thing that can be said ahead of time is,
Do not, do not, DO NOT try to coast on a fixed gear bike.
If you do, the forward momentum of your speed will keep your pedals moving, even when you think you can hold firm in position atop the pedals. This force has been known to THROW riders off of their bikes and cause quite a bit of damage to bikes and riders, equally.
Don't fall victim.
2) SLOWING DOWN
Keep pedaling no matter what. If you're coming to a stop light or if you want to slow down, let your legs follow the natural pedaling motion, just use them as dead weight on the pedals. This will naturally slow you down a bit. If you're moving your legs in the natural pedaling motion, you won't be thrown from the bike.
If you want to slow down faster, apply a bit of back-pressure against the pedals as they turn. Let the pedals continue to move in the direction they're going --- you're not trying to stop the bike on a dime here. All you're trying to do is slow the pedals so that the rear wheel slows in relation.
3) STOPPING
Stopping on a fixed gear bike is not just a matter of going slower, then dismounting a leg atop a curb. If you have strong forward momentum, you have to slow down before you can stop. Your pedal movement corresponds EXACTLY to your rear wheel speed. THUS, when you're coming to a stop, your goal is to bring the pedals to an even stop. This is how the fixed gear stops.
You also won't be able to spin the pedals backwards to adjust. If you need to adjust your pedals for launch, (say you're going up a hill and you want your dominant side's pedal to be a bit low to the ground so you can really TORQUE into your launch) you are going to need to lift your rear wheel off of the ground. Once the wheel is up, you'll be able to spin the pedals to where you like them.
The very nature of the "fixed gear" is that the rear wheel cog is "fixed" onto the wheel. This means that when the pedals turn, the wheel turns, and vice versa.
You CANNOT coast on a fixed gear bike. If you're going down a hill, you cannot stop pedaling. As the wheel picks up acceleration from going downhill, it will naturally cause the pedals to spin faster.
WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO RIDE LIKE THIS?
That's the question most people ask after finding out the mechanics behind fixies.
It's easy: you can stop and slow down by using your legs rather than a brake. You can pedal backwards. You can perform advanced techniques such as the skid stop or the hop stop (we'll get into those more in "Advanced Techniques").
So to begin with, fixed gear riders enjoy an arsenal of stopping power derived purely from applying back-pressure against the pedals as they spin with the rear wheel. In addition, tricks are possible on a fixed gear bike that aren't possible on other, geared bikes. Many riders say that riding a fixed gear bike makes them feel more attuned with the bike and the road. It has been touted as a "closer connection" to the bike. Lastly, (and most appreciated by anyone who's ever broken a derailleur or had a recurring problem with a chain that won't align correctly, thus popping off frequently) is the fact that fixed gear bicycles are very simplistic.
Fixed gear bikes have one cog and that said cog is just that: a cog. It has no free-wheel bearings in it (the part in a single speed cog that allows you to spin the pedals backwards without affecting your momentum). Because of this, you don't have to worry about many issues that other bike riders deal with including shifting issues, frequent chain popping issues or even, (depending on whether you feel frisky) brake pad replacement and brake issues.
NO BRAKES????
Yes, that's correct - once you get good at back-pressure or the skid and hop stops, you don't really need brakes. Many fixed gear riders prefer having a front brake just for emergencies, but it isn't necessary if your bike is well maintained. You will always be able to stop using only the force you apply through your legs.
BASIC TECHNIQUES OF FIXIE RIDING
1) GOING FORWARD
While this may seem simple, almost everyone that has learned to ride on a geared bike will have a little bit of an issue with this when switching to a fixed gear.
The most important thing that can be said ahead of time is,
Do not, do not, DO NOT try to coast on a fixed gear bike.
If you do, the forward momentum of your speed will keep your pedals moving, even when you think you can hold firm in position atop the pedals. This force has been known to THROW riders off of their bikes and cause quite a bit of damage to bikes and riders, equally.
Don't fall victim.
2) SLOWING DOWN
Keep pedaling no matter what. If you're coming to a stop light or if you want to slow down, let your legs follow the natural pedaling motion, just use them as dead weight on the pedals. This will naturally slow you down a bit. If you're moving your legs in the natural pedaling motion, you won't be thrown from the bike.
If you want to slow down faster, apply a bit of back-pressure against the pedals as they turn. Let the pedals continue to move in the direction they're going --- you're not trying to stop the bike on a dime here. All you're trying to do is slow the pedals so that the rear wheel slows in relation.
3) STOPPING
Stopping on a fixed gear bike is not just a matter of going slower, then dismounting a leg atop a curb. If you have strong forward momentum, you have to slow down before you can stop. Your pedal movement corresponds EXACTLY to your rear wheel speed. THUS, when you're coming to a stop, your goal is to bring the pedals to an even stop. This is how the fixed gear stops.
You also won't be able to spin the pedals backwards to adjust. If you need to adjust your pedals for launch, (say you're going up a hill and you want your dominant side's pedal to be a bit low to the ground so you can really TORQUE into your launch) you are going to need to lift your rear wheel off of the ground. Once the wheel is up, you'll be able to spin the pedals to where you like them.