# Explain the appeal of fixed-gear bicycles. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 10, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275 "2017-08-10T20:13:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/21 "2017-08-11T06:34:10Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Fucking hipsters. This. These are the same people that think $2 for a fucking Pabst Blue Ribbon is a good deal. Or maybe they know its a shit deal, but do it because IRONY and stuff. Fuck 'em either way. ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/22 "2017-08-11T12:02:06Z")
It is funny to read this kind of stuff from people who typically use a bike as exercise exuipment. If you go to Holland or Denemark, where people use their bike daily for utilitarian purposes, you’ll see the majority of bikes being single speed (or three speed)…as in 95% in Holland at least. As stated before, for daily use it just means less stuff to break of get stuck. Verstuurd vanaf mijn Moto G (4) met Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/23 "2017-08-11T12:27:54Z")
Bicycle theft in the city is pretty common. Fixed-gear bikes are cheaply replaced and less attractive to thieves, so you don’t have to spend so much money replacing bikes or hassling with fancy bike locks and such. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/24 "2017-08-11T13:40:49Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > Sometimes used by road racers to improve cadence. > Sometimes used by messengers to reduce the costs of doing business. > Sometimes used by hipsters to appear cool. > Sometimes used by people who unwittingly ask hipsters for bicycle advice. > Always used by track racers when racing on a track. > > I think that covers everything. What about bike messengers? Whenever I go to New York (Manhattan)–those bike messengers are everywhere–and usually riding single-gear bikes with no brakes.Why? Seems crazy to me. But then NY bike messengers do have a reputation for being crazy ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/25 "2017-08-11T13:58:33Z")
Some of the nice fixed gear bikes are still pretty expensive. I think that only the track bikes come without the ability to have rim brakes. There are at least a few hills when I bike commute so I’m not going to do without. But if I lived in a flat area, I would want a singlespeed bike with a flip flop hub, for bike commuting. With a fixed gear or singlespeed, you don’t have to mess with indexing, shifters, derailleurs, and derailleur cables. The bike chains are thicker than a 10 speed, or 11 speed so they should last longer as well. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/26 "2017-08-11T14:00:53Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > What about bike messengers? > Whenever I go to New York (Manhattan)–those bike messengers are everywhere–and usually riding single-gear bikes with no brakes.Why? > > Seems crazy to me. But then NY bike messengers do have a reputation for being crazy Theft prevention. Few bike thieves want to deal with a fixed gear. Especially without brakes. ETA:Bikes are often stolen for the very parts a fixed gear is lacking. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/27 "2017-08-11T14:01:27Z")
If you have a hybrid commute, they are lighter and easier to carry onto and inside public transit. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/28 "2017-08-11T14:01:36Z")
It’s kind of the same reason car enthusiasts prefer manual transmission. It allows a more direct control and a more “pure” experience. Fixed gear means your leg motion is locked to the bike motion - you can accelerate OR DECELERATE with with your legs alone. It allows a finer control of your bike. This can be crucial when you are racing at high speed, inches from other riders. At least that’s what I’ve read. I owned one once and it was a fun experience, but I don’t really miss it. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/29 "2017-08-11T14:26:17Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Don’t go to a party and drink so much you shouldn’t drive home. > > But if you do, don’t take up a friend’s offer to borrow a bike to ride home. > > But if you do, don’t take the fixie. > > But if you do, don’t try to ride it at tempo pace. > > But if you do, don’t for one minute forget that you are on fixie. > > But you will, because you are drunk. And you will stop pedalling for a microseond, which is just enough time for the bike to slam you into the pavement like you are Joseba Beloki. And you will go into work the next day and explain that you got in a fight rather than tell everyone what really happened. > > Um, or so I’m told. Ha! I almost had that moment the very first time I rode a fixie and I was sober! I have a couple friends with them and they are hard-core cyclists. They ride them for cadence practice and leg strengthening. When I ride with them, it appears it is working well. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/30 "2017-08-11T15:29:19Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > [Fixed gear trick riding is pretty interesting to watch btw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgF_j1FPxhk). Wow. That amazes me. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/31 "2017-08-11T16:55:44Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > This. These are the same people that think $2 for a fucking Pabst Blue Ribbon is a good deal. > > Or maybe they know its a shit deal, but do it because IRONY and stuff. Fuck 'em either way. Maybe I’m the one missing the irony here, but how is $2 for a beer (at a bar) \*not \*a very good deal? That’s generally the same price as a soda or water. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/32 "2017-08-11T17:01:08Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > [Fixed gear trick riding is pretty interesting to watch btw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgF_j1FPxhk). You can see in this video how the pedal are always moving. Okay, that was seriously impressive. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/33 "2017-08-11T17:17:00Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > This. These are the same people that think $2 for a fucking Pabst Blue Ribbon is a good deal. > > Or maybe they know its a shit deal, but do it because IRONY and stuff. Fuck 'em either way. $2 for a PBR isn’t a good deal? I guess all things are relative. I’m no hipster and PBR isn’t my go to beer but $2 vs. $3.75 for a Bud/Coors/Rolling Rock seems like a good deal. After the first 5 or 6 or 9 you can’t tell the difference, anyway.😃 Back to fixies - how quickly can you stop from “cruising” speed? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/34 "2017-08-11T17:24:55Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Back to fixies - how quickly can you stop from “cruising” speed? It really depends on how strong your legs are. Planning ahead and riding less aggressively helps. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/35 "2017-08-11T17:25:19Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > $2 for a PBR isn’t a good deal? I guess all things are relative. I’m no hipster and PBR isn’t my go to beer but $2 vs. $3.75 for a Bud/Coors/Rolling Rock seems like a good deal. After the first 5 or 6 or 9 you can’t tell the difference, anyway.😃 > > Back to fixies - how quickly can you stop from “cruising” speed? How far away is the nearest solid object? ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/36 "2017-08-11T23:25:35Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > If you talk to these same individuals in 15 years there is a significantly higher than random chance they are able to ride _any_ bicycle. I’m afraid I don’t understand your comment. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/37 "2017-08-11T23:54:23Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Maybe I’m the one missing the irony here, but how is $2 for a beer (at a bar) \*not \*a very good deal? That’s generally the same price as a soda or water. I don’t go out much anymore, but I used to get $1 Bud longnecks. And not that stinkin’ Light stuff! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/38 "2017-08-12T00:38:35Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > But once you’ve mastered the art of not-crashing, the utility of adjustable drive ratios is so great that I’m at a loss to understand why someone would deliberately eschew that capability. > > Enlighten me? > [@DCnDC](#): > > Minimal maintenance. Simple repair. Some don’t even have brakes. Ideal for riding around flat city streets, or a large college campus, theoretically. I’m certain we’ve all seen plenty of very non-flat cities and college campuses, but that’s the idea. Also, I bought my bike 40 years ago, it’s still serviceable, and I have a lot of things I rather spend my money on than an upgrade I don’t feel I need. I live on some of the flattest territory on earth, so there isn’t a whole lot of pressing need to shift gears, what few “hills” I encounter are easily dealt with by simply pedaling slightly harder or faster. This might also explain why I’m still using a flip stupidphone and only this week acquired texting ability on it. I don’t feel any need to be cutting edge in technology. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/39 "2017-08-12T00:58:06Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > I’m afraid I don’t understand your comment. Should say “unable” instead of able. Fixed gear bikes put tremendous strain on the knees - people who are devoted to using them for all of their riding tend to get knee problems; or hit/doored eventually due to not having enough stopping power. In my experience only a very small portion of cyclists fall into this category. Not even a majority of messengers ride fixed exclusively from what I’ve seen; when I was a courier (very briefly) me and everyone I worked with used freewheeling single speeds. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275/40 "2017-08-12T01:19:59Z")
A single-speed with a coaster brake is a lovely way to ride if you live where it’s flat. Real nice by me cuz I have lots of Rails-to-Trails paths–a train doesn’t like steep anymore than you do. OTOH, I massacreed my last one, a Schwinn Racer, while trying to climb a hill. Just as I neared the crest the force of my pedaling dragged the rear sprocket forward and bent the frame so the rear dropout pushed on the nut and stripped the threads. Dead bike. My doctor, who didn’t know me when I rode, laughed when I said I once had the calves of a god, but that’s what you get when you are a fat fuck who rides a lot. Need to start over. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-appeal-of-fixed-gear-bicycles/793275.md?page=3)