Is a Fixed Gear Bike Right for Me?
Fixed gear bikes are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. There are a lot of advantages to owning and using a fixed gear bike, in comparison to more typical bikes. Fixed gear riders will likely fill you in on dozens of reasons they prefer to ride fixed gear, but we’ll just discuss two of the biggest advantages here:
Low Maintenance
A fixed gear bike is inherently simpler than most bikes you’re probably used to. Removing the freewheel greatly improves the simplicity of your bike, thereby reducing maintenance. Think of how much time and money you’ve spent either repairing, maintaining, or even replacing the complicated gears on your current bikes. Now ask yourself if you would enjoy being rid of all that hassle, without losing any of the thrill and enjoyment of your bike rides. If the answer is yes, then you need to look more closely at a fixed gear bike.
Smoothness and Efficiency
Many of us didn’t even know that we were missing anything when we first heard about fixed gear bikes. Ten-speeds are more advanced and complicated, so they must be better, right? Actually, there’s probably a large number of people out there who would prefer the fixed gear experience over their current bikes, they just don’t know it yet. When you’re riding a fixed gear bike, you will soon find that you are pedaling more effectively and maintaining a smoother ride. You also feel more connected to the ride, as coasting is removed from the equation.
Riding a fixed gear bike is certainly not for everyone, but it’s definitely for more people than you’d think. Give a fixed gear bike a try and you’ll probably find out that it’s just right for you!