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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SINGLE SPEED/FIXIE/FIXED GEAR/TRACK BIKE BICYCLE CRANKSET CRANKS 175 WHITE 175mm US $27.87 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:06:42 PST | Watch this Item |
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Radius ALLOY Brake Caliper Rear Only Fixie Fixed gear road bike Silver 55mm-73mm US $19.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:37:19 PST | Watch this Item |
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WHEELS Chainwhip - Fixed Gear/Track Bike - 3/32" US $17.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:39:33 PST | Watch this Item |
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Leader 2011 735 Black 58cm Frame Only barely used fixed gear road bike bicycle US $400.00 (1 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:44:46 PST | Watch this Item |
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GRIPS TRACK FIXED GEAR MESSENGER PISTA ROAD BIKE GREEN US $0.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:50:23 PST | Watch this Item |
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New Dia tech Dia Compe Gran Compe Shot Lever Fixie Fixed Gear Road Bike Black US $47.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:55:06 PST | Watch this Item |
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White Weinemann deep v with Black formula hubs track bike fixed gear wheelset US $52.00 (3 Bids) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 16:55:45 PST | Watch this Item |
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WELLGO TRACK BIKE PEDALS,FIXED GEAR,SINGLE SPEED,FIXIE US $7.87 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:47:15 PST | Watch this Item |
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700c x 23c duro tire fixie bike tire fixed gear tire road tire black gum 272362 US $15.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 17:57:27 PST | Watch this Item |
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2 TRACK/FIXED GEAR BIKE PEDALS,FIXIE,SINGLE SPEED GOLD US $8.87 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:00:55 PST | Watch this Item |
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50cm TRACK FIXED GEAR BIKE FIXIE SINGLE SPEED ROAD BIKE US $219.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:01:11 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW 54cm Track Fixed Gear Bike Fixie Single Speed Road Bicycle - Black Color US $197.95 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:02:14 PST | Watch this Item |
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700c fixie bike tire fixed gear bicycle tire hybrid bik tire all blue 156 272320 US $15.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:03:26 PST | Watch this Item |
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700c duro tire fixie bike tire fixed gear tire hybrid black w green 156 272352 US $15.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:06:32 PST | Watch this Item |
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61cm Track Fixed Gear Black Alloy Road Bike Bicycle NEW US $169.97 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:19:07 PST | Watch this Item |
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55cm Track Bike Fixed Gear Chromoly Frame Set Fork NEW US $69.97 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:19:11 PST | Watch this Item |
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Raleigh Professional 1973 road bike frame vintage fixed gear 50cm 53cm US $187.56 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:32:44 PST | Watch this Item |
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New Dia tech Dia Compe Gran Compe Shot Lever Fixie Fixed Gear Road Bike Silver US $47.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:37:07 PST | Watch this Item |
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Kiyo MIYAZAWA NJS Keirin Frame 53.5cm ( Keirin , Track Bike , Fixed Gear ) US $490.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:43:53 PST | Watch this Item |
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RH+O silver goathorn goat horn handlebars fixed gear fixie road track bike US $16.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:44:56 PST | Watch this Item |
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WELLGO WR-1 TRACK/FIXED GEAR/SINGLE SPEED BIKE PEDALS US $17.87 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 18:55:18 PST | Watch this Item |
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TRACK,FIXIE,FIXED GEAR BIKE HANDLEBAR BAR GRIPS RED NEW US $0.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:04:28 PST | Watch this Item |
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Fixie Fixed Gear Bicycle Bike 53cm RD-626 Black US $239.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:07:55 PST | Watch this Item |
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Fixie Fixed Gear Bicycle Bike 53cm RD-626 Green US $239.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:11:13 PST | Watch this Item |
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Fixie Fixed Gear Bicycle Bike 53cm RD-626 red US $239.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:17:43 PST | Watch this Item |
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Fixie Fixed Gear Bicycle Bike 53cm RD-626 yellow US $239.99 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:20:18 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW Fixed gear Bike Grips 130mm - Red US $14.41 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:39:43 PST | Watch this Item |
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Thomson Elite Black Fixed Gear Track X4 Road Bike Stem 0x110x31.8 US $74.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 19:59:08 PST | Watch this Item |
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" Vintage Model " NAGASAWA NJS Frame 54.5cm ( Track Bike , Fixed Gear , Keirin ) US $1,480.00 Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 20:00:34 PST | Watch this Item |
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TRACK/FIXIE/FIXED GEAR BIKE STRAIGHT BAR HANDLEBAR RED US $9.87 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Monday Feb-06-2012 20:00:35 PST | 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