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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VIVALO - NJS Track Bike Fixie Frame Fixed Gear US $1,821.29 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 23:34:30 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW ROAD BICYCLE TRACK BIKE SINGLE SPEED FIXED GEAR US $249.95 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 3:44:01 PST | Watch this Item |
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MKS Sylvan Track Fixed Gear Bike Pedals Pink 9/16" US $55.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 6:23:09 PST | Watch this Item |
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TEKTRO R538 Long Reach Bike Brake Calipers Fixed Gear US $32.87 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 7:08:00 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW KMC BIKE GOLD CHAIN 1/8" FIXED GEAR TRACK BMX 410 US $8.95 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 8:35:44 PST | Watch this Item |
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New MKS Sylvan Track Fixed Gear Bike Pedals Red 9/16" US $55.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:14:53 PST | Watch this Item |
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CS RED FIXIE/FIXED GEAR/SINGLE SPEED BIKE TIRE 700x23c US $8.87 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:16:18 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW TOMMASO STEEL FIXED GEAR TRACK BIKE FRAME BLUE US $199.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:24:28 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW TOMMASO STEEL FIXED GEAR TRACK ROAD BIKE FRAMESET US $199.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:30:46 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW TOMMASO FIXED GEAR "OLD SCHOOL" TRACK ROAD BIKE US $599.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:34:51 PST | Watch this Item |
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Rocky Mountain Boroughs 52cm fixed gear bike NEW track US $575.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:45:37 PST | Watch this Item |
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Rocky Mountain Boroughs 54cm fixed gear bike NEW track US $575.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:47:29 PST | Watch this Item |
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New 2009 Fuji Track Fixed Gear Bike Black/Gray 56cm US $399.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 10:56:38 PST | Watch this Item |
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49cm Track Fixed Gear Chromoly Road Bike Bicycle NEW US $249.97 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:08:47 PST | Watch this Item |
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49cm Track Fixed Gear Alloy Road Bike Bicycle NEW NIB US $239.97 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:20:45 PST | Watch this Item |
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58cm Track Fixed Gear Chromoly Road Bike Bicycle NEW US $249.97 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:48:44 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW TOMMASO FIXED GEAR COMMUTER "NINJA" TRACK ROAD BIKE US $599.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:49:52 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW TOMMASO STEEL FIXED GEAR ROAD BIKE FRAME WHITE US $199.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 11:55:59 PST | Watch this Item |
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SUBROSA MALUM FIXED GEAR TRACK BIKE COMPLETE RAW 56cm US $649.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:00:21 PST | Watch this Item |
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SUBROSA MALUM FIXED GEAR TRACK BIKE COMPLETE RAW 58cm US $649.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:02:08 PST | Watch this Item |
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SUBROSA MALUM FIXED GEAR TRACK BIKE BLACK RED 56cm NEW US $649.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:07:42 PST | Watch this Item |
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SUBROSA MALUM FIXED GEAR TRACK BIKE BLACK RED 52cm NEW US $649.99 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:08:29 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW IZUMI BIKE GOLD CHAIN 1/8" FIXED GEAR TRACK BMX US $23.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 12:17:57 PST | Watch this Item |
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TRACK/FIXED GEAR PEDALS,FIXIE,SINGLE SPEED BIKE,GOLD US $16.87 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:01:57 PST | Watch this Item |
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Aerospoke Track Fixed Gear Road Bike Wheel Rear White US $399.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:27:18 PST | Watch this Item |
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fuji track bike fixed gear US $200.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 13:59:07 PST | Watch this Item |
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KMC Z410 FIXED GEAR/BMX/TRACK/FIXIE BIKE CHAIN,GREEN US $1.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 14:54:00 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW TOMMASO FIXED GEAR "D&D BLUE STEEL" TRACK ROAD BIKE US $409.95 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 15:24:26 PST | Watch this Item |
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FIXIE/TRACK/FIXED GEAR BIKE PEDALS WHITE 4 CLIPS/STRAPS US $15.75 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 16:07:48 PST | Watch this Item |
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NEW GAVIN FIXED GEAR TRACK ROAD BIKE SINGLE SPEED FIXIE US $299.00 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 17:04:36 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…