{"id":50019,"date":"2023-05-26T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=619026"},"modified":"2023-05-26T11:35:43","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T09:35:43","slug":"buyers-guide-to-fixies-and-singlespeed-bikes-what-to-look-for","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/buyers-guide-to-fixies-and-singlespeed-bikes-what-to-look-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Buyer\u2019s guide to fixies and singlespeed bikes: what to look for"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to ditch your gears? Here’s everything you need to know <\/p>

By Paul Norman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 26 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Fixies had a bit of a mainstream moment about a decade ago when you couldn\u2019t move for them in bike shops, and they were hugely popular on the streets of big cities around the world.<\/p>\n

That wave of enthusiasm has waned somewhat and if you\u2019re looking to buy one now, you\u2019ll need to dig a bit deeper.<\/p>\n

That said, many brands still produce fixed-gear bikes, and they certainly have their fans \u2013 dedicated fixie riders are among the most fanatical of cyclists and will gladly bore you to tears talking about the virtues of life with one gear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A fixie is still a great option as the n+1 bike (where n is the number of bikes you currently own). They\u2019re cheap, mechanically simple and will help build up your fitness and technique. It\u2019s also reasonably simple to build one yourself, or convert an existing bike to one.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at what a fixie is, the differences between fixed gear and singlespeed, why you might want one and what to look out for when buying one.<\/p>\n

What is a fixie? Fixed-gear bike vs singlespeed<\/h2>\n
\""Surly\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A fixed-gear bike has a \u2018fixed\u2019 rear cog that cannot freewheel.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u2018Fixie\u2019 is used as a bit of a catch-all term for bikes with a singlespeed drivetrain.<\/p>\n

A singlespeed bike has only one gear ratio \u2013 a single chainring and only one rear sprocket. However, describing every bike as a fixie isn\u2019t technically correct.<\/p>\n

Not all singlespeed bikes are fixies.<\/p>\n

A true fixed-gear, or fixed-wheel, bike doesn\u2019t have a freewheel. Your legs are engaged permanently with the rear wheel \u2013 when you\u2019re moving, you\u2019re pedalling.<\/p>\n

A singlespeed bike gives you a single gear ratio with a freewheel. This means you can stop pedalling and coast as you ride, as you would with a regular geared bike.<\/p>\n

\""Ambrosio\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A flip-flop hub enables you to run either fixed (as is done here) or with a freewheel.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Most complete fixed-gear bikes come with a flip-flop rear wheel. These have a fixed cog fitted to one side of the hub and a freewheel to the other.<\/p>\n

If you put it in one way round the gear is fixed, but if you turn it around you can give yourself a singlespeed with a freewheel.<\/p>\n

What types of singlespeed bike are there?<\/h2>\n
\""Singlespeed\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Singlespeed bikes come in all shapes and sizes, including mountain bikes and more.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

You can find a singlespeed version of any style of bike \u2013 be it road, mountain bike or gravel. Many also choose to convert geared bikes to one gear.<\/p>\n

The classic fixie of the mid-2000s was a flat-bar bike with road-like geometry<\/a>, although you can also find drop-bar road and gravel bikes with a single gear.<\/p>\n

Singlespeed configuration is also an option for mountain bikes<\/a>, while all track bikes are fixed gear.<\/p>\n

Why would you want a fixie?<\/h2>\n
\""BikeRadar's\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
BikeRadar\u2019s very own Jack Luke is a big fan of fixed-gear riding.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

There are a host of reasons why you might want to try riding a singlespeed or fixed-gear bike.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re fans of them here at BikeRadar as a refreshing alternative to the technically complex bikes we usually ride and test. They\u2019re also good fun.<\/p>\n

Here are a few more reasons that may help convince you to give fixed-gear riding a shot.<\/p>\n

Simplicity<\/h3>\n
\""Forward\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Singlespeed chains are typically wider than those for derailleur-equipped bikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oli Woodman\/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you drop the gears, there\u2019s a load of stuff you lose with them: derailleurs, cassette, combined shift\/brake levers. The bits you\u2019re left with tend to be simpler and sturdier too.<\/p>\n

A singlespeed bike will usually come with a wider chain, chainring and sprocket than a geared bike, so, provided you look after them, they should last longer.<\/p>\n

\""Jack\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The mechanical simplicity and reliability of singlespeed bikes makes them ideal for commuting (if you live somewhere flat-ish).<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Singlespeed drivetrains are also more efficient because the chain doesn\u2019t have to go through the derailleur pulleys or run at an angle.<\/p>\n

Price<\/h3>\n
\""As\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
As with anything in cycling, it\u2019s possible to spend a huge amount of money on a fixed-gear or singlespeed bike, but most are affordable.<\/span><\/figcaption> Trek<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

With fewer parts, most singlespeed bikes comfortably undercut the price of the majority of geared bikes.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s rare to find a singlespeed bike that costs more than \u00a31,000, unless you\u2019re looking at a flashy boutique model or a high-end track bike.<\/p>\n

Weight<\/h3>\n
\""Dan\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Fixed-gear bikes are favoured by some hill climbers.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

You\u2019d expect a bike with fewer parts to be lighter, but that\u2019s not always the case, with many singlespeeds being as heavy or heavier than a similarly priced geared bike.<\/p>\n

In part, that\u2019s due to the beefier components usually specced, but often singlespeeds have frames made of heavier materials too: steel is a popular option, while alloy frames may be overbuilt to cope better with the extra stresses on the frame that can occur from fixed-gear riding.<\/p>\n

That said, it\u2019s possible to build a truly featherweight fixed-gear bike, which makes them a popular choice among some hill climbers<\/a>.<\/p>\n