Wikipedia says:
A fixed-gear bicycle or fixed wheel bicycle is a bicycle without the ability to coast. The sprocket is screwed directly on to the hub and there is no freewheel mechanism. A reverse-threaded lockring is usually fitted to prevent the sprocket from unscrewing. Whenever the rear wheel is turning, the pedals turn in the same direction. By resisting the rotation of the pedals, a rider can slow the bike to a stop,which will cause the tires to skid,without the aid of a brake. Stopping is sometimes known as “skidding” in the fixed gear world. A fixed gear bicycle can also be ridden in reverse.
Or as 63xc.com says:
A fixed gear bike lacks a freewheel, and thus denies you the opportunity to coast. As long as the rear wheel is turning, the chain and pedals go with it. Because your legs are directly connected to the wheel, you can stop just by reversing pressure on the pedals. Hell, you can ride backwards, if you have the nerve. What you can’t do is change gear.
So, that’s it, right? One gear, and you brake with your legs. No, fixed gear bikes are a lot more than that. In the last couple of years, a whole community has grown up from the grass roots, spreading the gospel of fixed-gear bikes. It’s even been called a movement. But why?
Why such devotion to a bike that happens to have a different kind of mechanism? Why the obsession with tricking out these bikes? Well, the only real way to understand is to ride one for yourself. Find friends with fixed gear bicycles and try them out. Or just take the leap and get one yourself. Just do your homework first.
First stop: check out the late great Sheldon Brown’s essential Articles for New Cyclists, which explain everything you could possibly need to know to get started. The check out the rest of his archives for the more advanced stuff.
A more user-friendly walkthrough for beginners is Greg Goode’s Fixed Gear 101. Lots of excellent advice there for anyone just starting out with fixed-gear bikes.
As for gear, you can easily get cheap fixed-gear bikes, parts and equipment on eBay. Here are the latest listings pulled up fresh. If you don’t see something you want now, just check back and they’ll be updated. Or click on something interesting and then surf around. There are so many to check out, you’ll probably end up clicking a “buy it now” button faster than you can bring your fixie to a full stop.
The latest fixed gear stuff up for sale (click here for more):
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Aerospoke Track Fixed Gear Road Bike Wheel Rear Black US $399.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-29-2010 20:49:15 PDT | Watch this Item |
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WELLGO TRACK,SINGLE SPEED,FIXED GEAR ROAD BIKE PEDALS 2 US $9.87 Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-29-2010 22:01:35 PDT | Watch this Item |
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New Road Bike Track Fixed Gear Racing Bicycle 48 cm US $219.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-29-2010 23:17:26 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Aluminum Fixie Fixed Gear Flip Hub Racking Bike 54 cm US $269.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-29-2010 23:18:59 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Surly Stainless Steel Lockring Fixed Gear Bike Track US $18.99 Auction Ends: Thursday Jul-29-2010 23:35:20 PDT | Watch this Item |
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SUBROSA MALUM FIXED GEAR TRACK BIKE 2011 MEDIUM 585mm US $679.99 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 0:12:33 PDT | Watch this Item |
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SUBROSA MALUM FIXED GEAR TRACK BIKE 2011 LARGE = 590mm US $679.99 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 0:12:57 PDT | Watch this Item |
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New Volume BIke Fixed Gear Road Hipster Handlebar Blk US $57.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 0:45:23 PDT | Watch this Item |
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New Volume BIke Fixed Gear Road Trickster Handlebar WHT US $64.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 1:21:42 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Manhattan Portage 1617 Bike Messenger Bag Fixed Gear US $39.99 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 1:27:57 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Manhattan Portage 1617 Bike Messenger Bag Fixed Gear US $39.99 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 1:28:02 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Manhattan Portage1615 Bike Messenger Bag For Fixed Gear US $39.99 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 1:28:05 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Manhattan Portage1615 Bike Messenger Bag For Fixed Gear US $39.99 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 1:28:09 PDT | Watch this Item |
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WELLGO TRACK FIXED GEAR ROAD BIKE PEDALS GREEN US $4.87 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 2:09:43 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Euro-Asia Import EA Fixed Gear Track Bike Cog 13T 3/32" US $29.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 2:46:57 PDT | Watch this Item |
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New Volume BIke Fixed Gear Road Hipster Handlebar WHT US $57.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 2:47:58 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Sugino Messenger Cranks GOLD 165mm 46T Fixed Gear Bike US $149.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 2:52:58 PDT | Watch this Item |
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NITTO B-259AA Riser Bar Track Bike Fixed Gear SILVER US $69.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 2:54:04 PDT | Watch this Item |
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KNOG bullfrog Fixed Gear Track Bike Lights Black Front US $35.19 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 3:26:47 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Aerospoke Track Fixed Gear Bike Wheelset Silver FreeCog US $779.99 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 3:32:02 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Euro-Asia Import EA Fixed Gear Track Bike Cog 14T 3/32" US $29.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 3:49:27 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Formula Track Hubset Fixed Gear Road Bike Hubs 32H Blk US $89.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 4:04:22 PDT | Watch this Item |
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New KHE Bikes BMX Fixed Gear HOLLOW HALF-LINK CHAIN US $39.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 4:32:33 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Demolition BMX Bike Fixed Gear Stealth Stem Prp 1 1/8" US $64.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 4:38:19 PDT | Watch this Item |
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mens single speed fixed gear road track bike bicycle US $239.99 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 4:46:37 PDT | Watch this Item |
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KNOG bullfrog Fixed Gear Track Bike Lights Black Rear US $35.19 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 5:30:55 PDT | Watch this Item |
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Profile Racing Fixed Gear Track Bike Cog 1/8" 16 tooth US $26.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 5:35:04 PDT | Watch this Item |
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FIXED GEAR SINGLE SPEED TRACK BIKE BICYCLE CHAIN PURPLE US $19.50 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 6:05:31 PDT | Watch this Item |
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FIXED GEAR SINGLE SPEED TRACK BIKE BICYCLE CHAIN PINK ! US $19.50 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 6:06:32 PDT | Watch this Item |
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FIXED GEAR SINGLE SPEED TRACK BIKE BICYCLE CHAIN YELLOW US $19.50 Auction Ends: Friday Jul-30-2010 6:07:28 PDT | Watch this Item |
March 7th, 2009 at
I did not realize that they even made a fixed gear bike… strange
March 11th, 2009 at
Never really heard about fixed gear bicycle before this but it seems interesting from what I read from this article. I wanted to know more about this kind of bicycle and wondering where I can buy this kind of bicycle with a good price.
August 12th, 2009 at
It takes a bit of practice to become comfortable on a fixed gear. Most cyclists, trying it for the first time, will automatically try to coast once the bike gets up to a certain speed. The bike will not allow this, and it is disconcerting. It takes a couple of weeks of regular riding to unlearn the impulse to coast, and become at ease on a fixed gear.
October 8th, 2009 at
Brilliant, but there’s just one thing that I don’t really understand: How are you supposed to cycle at any speed without coasting from time to time? And just lifting your feet from the pedals must result in the backs of your feet being hit regularly. Wouldn’t mind trying to ride backwards though…
March 13th, 2010 at
I am a person who frequently becomes obsessed with different thing from fast cars to the art of shaving with a straight razor. My latest obsession is with the fixed gear bicycle. Thanks to sheldon , blogs, articles and web sites like this one i have started building myself a fixie.
thanks . . . to whoever started this web site
April 6th, 2010 at
Does owning a ‘fixie’ make it incredibly hard work to get up hills then? Looks like fun but pretty tiring