Fixie/Fixed Gear

Nemesis379

Nemesis379

Nemesis379

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Joined
25 Dec 2009
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London, UK
I've been considering getting a new bike, I currently have a mountain bike, but it tires me out so quick because I have to work at it, I think its mainly the heaviness of the bike.

Anyways I been looking at Fixie/Fixed gear bike and really want one its for riding to and from University which is 6-8 Miles.

I'm ruffly 6ft and I am looking at spending £0 - £170.
 
Get a second hand Specialized Langster, they go for about that much and is a simple, well designed bike with a geometry that suits most people.

Probably want a size 56 or 58.
 
Right I'm confused what is meant by Fixed or Free Wheel, I want it so when you reverse your bike reverses is there another term for this or?
 
Fixed means the rear sprocket is connected directly to the wheel so if the wheel is turning then so are the pedals and vice versa.

A free wheel means the sprocket will turn backwards without turning the wheel. It means you can move along without turning the pedals, like when you are going down hill. Single speed bikes have one gear but a free wheel. Fixed have one gear with no freewheel.

Most fixed / ss bikes have a fixed and a freewheel depending upon which way round you mount the rear wheel.
 
*beaten* :(

Fixed is that if the wheel is spinning, the pedals are spinning, so your not able to have a "break" from pedalling, your legs just have to keep going round, not like an ordinary bike

Freewheel is when you can stop pedalling and the wheel carries on as normal (often makes the clicky noises on bikes) 99% of bikes have a freewheel
 
Have a look into Flip-Flop hubs, one side of the hub has a freewheel, the other is fixed.
Best of both worlds
 
So what would be my best option you think with spending the least amount of cash

Who would have knew there is so many different types of bikes and variations :|.
 
Last edited:
Nemesis379 said:
So what would be my best option you think with spending the least amount of cash
Click to expand...

My original suggestion.

You can get cheaper, but they range from ok to downright dangerous. Langsters are great bikes, they just have a bad rep amongst hipsters because they are the commonest fixed / ss out there. However, there is a reason they are common, they are such a good design especially for those dipping their toe in the world of FGSS. Also, being common it keeps second hand prices down and we like that.
 
What I also forgot to add to my original post is that I will be riding on the pavement some or most of the time because the roads are narrow so basically my question is will the wheels be able to handle it from going on/off the curb?
 
I can't condone that, but since FGSS rear wheels don't have to be built to take gears into account they are symmetrical and so stronger. If they are going to take a pounding then look for as many spokes as possible; 32 or 36 are best but 32 should suffice.
 
Lol this amuses me how, drivers complain about bikers on roads for being slow, and intern causing drivers to slow down but still expect bikers to not ride on pavements or skip red lights?, you cant have it both ways, if its a narrow road and I'm slowing cars down I am definitely going to go on the pavement, but then again I don't ride at mad speeds.
 
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