Fixed-gear bicycle
More recently the "fixie" has become a popular alternative among mainly urban cyclists, offering the advantage of simplicity compared with the standard multi-geared bicycle.
[2] This direct coupling allows a cyclist to apply a braking force with the legs and bodyweight, by resisting the rotation of the cranks.
Some road racing and club cyclists use a fixed-gear bicycle for training during the winter months, generally using a relatively low gear ratio, believed to help develop a good pedalling style.
The 1959 British 25 mile time trial championship was won by Alf Engers with a competition record of 55 minutes 11 seconds, riding an 84-inch fixed-gear bicycle.
In urban North America and similar areas in other Western cities, fixed-gear bicycles have achieved significant popularity, with the rise of discernible regional aesthetic preferences for finish and design details.
[3] In slippery conditions some riders prefer to ride fixed because they believe the transmission provides increased feedback on back tire grip.
Alternatively, though far less efficiently, one can brake by stopping the motion of the pedals in mid-rotation, causing the rear wheel to lock in place, allowing the bicycle to skid and slow down from kinetic friction (see below).
[22] Descending any significant gradient is more difficult as the rider must spin the cranks at high speed (sometimes at 170 rpm or more), or use the brakes to slow down.
[23] Riding fixed is considered by some to encourage a more effective pedaling style, which it is claimed translates into greater efficiency and power when used on a bicycle fitted with a freewheel.
It allows for the rider to engage in and practice proper cadence, which is the balanced and rhythmic flow of pedaling, enhancing performance for both cyclist and bicycle.
Proper track bikes have a higher bottom bracket to compensate for the constantly spinning cranks and largely mitigate this problem.
[33] Brazil – Brazilian Traffic Law, article 105, subheading VI, says that, for bicycles, "bells, rear, front, sides and pedals signaling, and rear-view mirror on the left" are mandatory.
[41] A local court in Bonn accepted that the fixed-gear mechanism was a suitable back brake,[41] but high-profile crackdowns specifically targeted fixed-gear bicycles in Berlin in an attempt to control what police described as a "dangerous trend"[42][43] Hungary – All bicycles are required to be equipped with two independent sets of brakes.
[49] Russian Federation – All bicycles must have working brakes, handlebars and horns [50] Singapore – In a report submitted to the Singapore Ministry of Transport in December 2020, the Active Mobility Advisory Panel recommended that a new rule be put in place to allow only bicycles that have brakes installed in order for them to be used on footpaths and roads.
In January 2020, a 13-year-old fixed-gear bicycle rider died after she crashed into a railing at a multi-storey car park and fell to the ground below, prompting a state coroner hearing.
[58] The retail sale of bikes without brakes is banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission[59] – but with an exception for the "track bicycle" (...a bicycle designed and intended for sale as a competitive machine having tubular tires, single crank-to-wheel ratio, and no free-wheeling feature between the rear wheel and the crank...).
A fixed-gear or track-bike hub includes special threads for a lockring that tightens in the opposite (counter-clockwise) direction compared with the sprocket.
Therefore, it is recommended to have both front and rear brakes on a fixed-gear bicycle using a converted freewheel hub in case the sprocket unscrews while backpedaling.
The group ride later expanded to an internationally known race series that takes place in Los Angeles, California.
In 2006, Adventures for the Cure made a documentary film about riding across the United States on fixed gears; they repeated this feat as a 4-man team at the 2008 Race Across America.
For riders who perform brakeless skid-stops, it is best to select prime-numbered chainrings (e.g. 41, 43 or 47 teeth) to guarantee that rear tyre wear is spread evenly.
[76] There had been people riding fixed gear bikes on the street in Moscow prior that time, but it had never developed into any feasible subculture.
A Fixed Gear Moscow LiveJournal blog community was formed, which allowed riders to communicate with each other and share ideas for rides.
[citation needed] Fixed Gear Moscow has organized numerous alleycat races, tournaments, and other events to keep the community growing.
Svart Katt has been internationally recognized and is considered Sweden's largest alley cat by number of participators, according to Cog Magazine.
[79] The fact that many fixie riders ride brakeless in defiance of local law could also be viewed as a contributing factor to its popularity; it provides an outlet for minor rebellion.
[80] California's fixed gear community stretches throughout the state with groups in all of the major urban areas that come together for riding and racing.
[86] Lastly, Southern California is home to a very large fixed community, particularly in the greater Los Angeles area.
SMC "started out as a group of high school kids needing a name for their crew in 2010 is now the number one blog in the world for all things involving Fixed Gear Freestyle bikes".
He avoids one confrontation by pedaling the bicycle backward, and he successfully weaves through dangerous traffic, but he also gets into accidents because the fixed-gear style abets his avidity for speed.
