There is no denying that among the many cultural icons to cross our path, the fixie is one of the coolest and appears to be also one of those trends that are here to stay. In fact, it has already become a subculture of sorts especially on the mad streets of New York, where people zip by on their fixies to work or to play.
An iconic fixture among urban hipsters and health-conscious folks alike, the fixie is the simplest and easiest bike to ride and maintain. This single-speed bike with a fixed drive train, the one whose pedals move at the same rate as the rear wheel, is one bike that many people love to ride and would love to learn how to ride if given the chance. It doesn't even matter that coasting is impossible on this bike because nothing quite matches the feeling of joy, peace and relaxation that it can bring when ridden.
However, as easy it is to learn how to ride, it doesn't mean that you can forget about being safe while riding it. You may look good and feel good riding it but it is still important that you stay safe on the road so you can continue enjoying your ride for a long, long time. The key to effectively controlling a fixie is to just keep pedaling and to keep from resorting to coasting, which would be a first instinct for any bike rider.
Some bike experts will recommend that you practice starts and stops randomly - one of the most important skills you have to learn when riding a fixie is to master skid stopping, that is, slowing down to a stop cleanly in situations where needed. This is also because you have the option of not using a brake with a fixie and as such, stopping by back-pedaling is one skill you must have in your back pocket and you can do this by pressing down on the back pedal so the rear wheel can't move. However, even as you become a master of skidding to a stop, it is still a good idea to install a front brake in case of a real emergency.
It is also a good idea to make sure your frame uses horizontal drop outs so you can adjust the chain tension properly and keep the wheels from coming off the bike in the event that you have to make a sudden stop.
When buying your first fixies, gear selection is one very important consideration as this will basically dictate how your ride will go. If you favor hilly routes, select gears that will make it easy to go uphill but heavy enough that you can safely pedal down on the other side. Remember to pedal quickly as the rear wheel accelerates on steep descents and on flat roads, remember to use heavier gears as well to improve power and pedaling cadence.
Before starting your ride, make sure you don't have anything on that can become entangled in the chain and cause accidents or injuries. Make sure you are wearing shoes that don't require shoelaces, or that you are wearing shorts or tight pants. Use clipless pedals to secure your feet so that they don't slip off the pedals during fast descents causing the pedals to smack into your legs painfully.
When riding, make wider arcs and avoid leaning through corners so you won't scrape your pedals on the ground as you do your turns. Also, to reduce the impact of rough roads on your bike and on yourself, hover at least an inch above the saddle so you can absorb the impact with your knees. If you're new to fixie-riding, practice in a remote area so that you can master your skills without worrying about incoming vehicles whose drivers may not immediately see you.
And last but not certainly the least, always wear safety gear like helmet, knee and shoulder pads and gloves when biking. Breaking your neck can happen in a second and without any safety gear to protect you, things can get really bad. Remember to always put your safety first before anything else especially if you plan on riding your bike for a long, long time.
An iconic fixture among urban hipsters and health-conscious folks alike, the fixie is the simplest and easiest bike to ride and maintain. This single-speed bike with a fixed drive train, the one whose pedals move at the same rate as the rear wheel, is one bike that many people love to ride and would love to learn how to ride if given the chance. It doesn't even matter that coasting is impossible on this bike because nothing quite matches the feeling of joy, peace and relaxation that it can bring when ridden.
However, as easy it is to learn how to ride, it doesn't mean that you can forget about being safe while riding it. You may look good and feel good riding it but it is still important that you stay safe on the road so you can continue enjoying your ride for a long, long time. The key to effectively controlling a fixie is to just keep pedaling and to keep from resorting to coasting, which would be a first instinct for any bike rider.
Some bike experts will recommend that you practice starts and stops randomly - one of the most important skills you have to learn when riding a fixie is to master skid stopping, that is, slowing down to a stop cleanly in situations where needed. This is also because you have the option of not using a brake with a fixie and as such, stopping by back-pedaling is one skill you must have in your back pocket and you can do this by pressing down on the back pedal so the rear wheel can't move. However, even as you become a master of skidding to a stop, it is still a good idea to install a front brake in case of a real emergency.
It is also a good idea to make sure your frame uses horizontal drop outs so you can adjust the chain tension properly and keep the wheels from coming off the bike in the event that you have to make a sudden stop.
When buying your first fixies, gear selection is one very important consideration as this will basically dictate how your ride will go. If you favor hilly routes, select gears that will make it easy to go uphill but heavy enough that you can safely pedal down on the other side. Remember to pedal quickly as the rear wheel accelerates on steep descents and on flat roads, remember to use heavier gears as well to improve power and pedaling cadence.
Before starting your ride, make sure you don't have anything on that can become entangled in the chain and cause accidents or injuries. Make sure you are wearing shoes that don't require shoelaces, or that you are wearing shorts or tight pants. Use clipless pedals to secure your feet so that they don't slip off the pedals during fast descents causing the pedals to smack into your legs painfully.
When riding, make wider arcs and avoid leaning through corners so you won't scrape your pedals on the ground as you do your turns. Also, to reduce the impact of rough roads on your bike and on yourself, hover at least an inch above the saddle so you can absorb the impact with your knees. If you're new to fixie-riding, practice in a remote area so that you can master your skills without worrying about incoming vehicles whose drivers may not immediately see you.
And last but not certainly the least, always wear safety gear like helmet, knee and shoulder pads and gloves when biking. Breaking your neck can happen in a second and without any safety gear to protect you, things can get really bad. Remember to always put your safety first before anything else especially if you plan on riding your bike for a long, long time.
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