17 Things Only Fixed Gear Riders Would Understand!

Fixed gear riders are some of the most peculiar in cycling. We do a lot of things that other cyclists find odd. Here's 17 things only fixed gear riders would understand.
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[@event4216]

There are two kinds of FG bikes and riders - ones are technically FG and their riders just go ride them. And then there are fancy frames built up with rare, fancy or just expensive parts which fixturbators constantly swap, upgrade and eventually ride less than make pictures for internets. Sheldon Brown had a lot of fixed gear bicycles and they were tuned to serve him well for different purposes, not to look "properly" according to crowdledge. This direction is my heart leans to.

[@kennethward9530]

Sheldon Brown's Quickbeam is still posted on his website-it is a classic. By the way, his missus rode Paris-Brest Paris (750 mile brevet) twice on a fixed gear, if my memory of east coast cycling lore is correct.

[@event4216]

Oh, nice to see someone who has broader view than 'FG is a set of rules'.

[@sonymicronin]

Where is your proof of this? A lot of people who build up really nice bikes with high end components ride their bikes everyday. I built up a baller NJS bike and there is not a single day I go without riding unless the weather is just absolutely horrible

[@event4216]

@@sonymicronin Not saying this is a strict rule, many nice bikes are being ridden a lot. Just comparing number of videos one can clearly see how much more there are videos of fancy track-wannabe FG bikes than practical FG bikes. Kudos to you, btw!

[@jamexiv]

I am a single gear rider but I absolutely understand those 17 things you have mentioned. ( except I still prefer clipless)

[@kevinfeeney5309]

I love clipless, but after briefly hearing of his near-death experience I will continue riding clipless on my brakeless fixed gears but keep a closer eye on the cleats and cleat tension. I run shimano 2 bolt on both fixed gears.

[@kevinfeeney5309]

@Bruder der Eintagsfliege the way I have heard it explained.. the toe clips were removed in favor of the clip-in with cleat system....therefore.... "clipless"

[@keithedward]

loving the hair cut/styling

[@pauldrees6341]

I'm watching this when there's 1.5 inches of ice on the road, so excited to get out there and ride again! Thanks for keeping me excited!

[@psychoaiko666]

Okay I just bought a new Vigorelli frameset that I'm gonna build up in the coming months. I'm sorry, I just had to share this with y'all, I'm just so excited 😅 I'll probably retire my Bianchi once the new bike is done, she'll only come out occasionally on summer days. Also still adore my vintage steel track bike

[@anielyantra1]

I'm a single gear rider with most of the fixie preferred qualities. Good video Zach!

[@ryancacacho1632]

I LOVE YOUR HAIRCUT!!! WHAT SHOULD I SAY TO MY BARBER TO LOOK LIKE THAT?

[@Flyingredcactus]

I got myself a Dolan pre cursa second hand, since I fall in love with the fun of riding a basic heavy SS.

[@jeffreyreichel785]

Can you please make a video about strap/toe cage install? I recently purchased some awesome MKS pedals and need some advice/how-to for installing straps properly…. Please cover both single and double straps…. Thanks, Zack!

[@kevinfeeney5309]

@RollinRat "extra wide straps" you must be referring to the Hold Fast (one company who makes that style) straps, that the FGFS riders love. I can see how they're easy to get in/out of. They need to be able to do swiftly so they can bail if they mess up on a trick.

[@kevinfeeney5309]

@RollinRat I've seen those powergrips too.... don't like how you gotta use similar type shoes... although I primarily wear vans anyway. BUT, I prefer clipless on everything else, including my brakeless fixed gears. All my clipless equipped bikes are MTB, except my trek road bike which has the shimano road pedals.

[@nyohaku]

This bike has never looked better.

[@danielphilipnavarro4061]

I always wait for your new videos to learn more about fixed gear

[@nightgate4260]

I'm using fixed/fixed hub. One side is heavy gear and the other side is light gear.

[@event4216]

Also don't get why not. Even if not using other side, cog can get stuck or threads can be damaged on primary side.

[@A-AA-AAA-AAAA-AAAAA-b4u]

hahaah just ordered new top cap a week ago and now I am watching this video :D

[@Mkm0ka]

life goes full circle, your bike now looks like a 2009 fixie with those gold bars and those "accents" lmao

[@Aught2]

Wood! Not gold

[@greengonzonz]

Hi Zach. I built my first fixie just a few months ago. Lately it seems like your videos are the most bangin. 💙 Kia ora from NZ

[@roguecode2354]

i took off the ring on the valve cuz it rattles sometimes

[@milesthomas1075]

Totally right about the bottle cages. I just can’t do it no matter how long the right is weather carry it water bottle in my messenger bag.

[@MegicShiba]

Just got back on my bike after nearly 8 months without riding. I tried a geared bike earlier and it just didn't feel right. Glad my ol workhorse feels just as good as I remember 🎉

[@aquilonianace4791]

Cages better than clipless. Cup and cone lose bearings better than sealed bearings. Steel frame better than everything else. Narrow bars better than wide. Come at me bro!

[@H_elios]

This channel is a fixed gear magazine like top gear is a car magazine.

[@H_elios]

@rollinrat4850 Or some version of celebrities in a reasonably priced car would be good. See some none fixed gear riders try track lacrosse.

[@MrPimP0815]

What size of frame that fit for 5’4” height?

[@MarchuxProductions]

haha, two of my bikes have flipflop hubs, but both only have one cog installed, it feels like i'm trying to show off the distinct lack of a 2nd cog lol

[@billcodey1430]

OK. I have a 1980 Columbia 10 speed frame I found set out as junk. Stripped about everything off it. Put new bb on it with square tapers. Put an existing Shimano cassette hub rim on the back with a $10 16T cog. Put new brakes on it. Rides nice. Why would anyone spend more than $40 on a single speed bike?

[@maxredburn6610]

Yo are your wheels built with the simworks by Hoshi spokes???

[@gamerbreadbaker]

Can you do a video about shoes? I love everything you wear, and I wanna get some of those boots.

[@bparker]

I think it's fitting he's showing Justin's bikes for "New Month, New Bike"

[@paulmiddo8552]

Great video and to the point

[@jasonconrad9212]

So I ride a Chromed out Frameset made by Pure Fix..(buying a built up Wabi this winter when I have the cash available). It was a fixed gear for just over a year, then I decided to put a Sturmey Archer S2 hub on it. It is now a 1-1/2 speed but definitely looks like a single speed, so yeah it’s a coaster with brakes. I love riding it, I’m debating on getting (dare I say) an S2 kicker hub with a coaster brake and put on the Wabi Special I plan on buying, I just don’t like looking at brakes, levers etc….any thoughts?!

[@jasonconrad9212]

The hub S2 hub I’m running now doesn’t have a coaster brake so I have rim brakes, I may get the S2 that also has a coaster brake

[@TeSoTeSo]

Did you convert from a quill to threadless?

[@floppycheese96]

ok we're all thinking it.....what are those handlebars???????

[@kevinfeeney5309]

Digging the stem cap... hehe

[@bparker]

Path Less Pedaled FTW!!!

[@kevinfeeney5309]

@@bparker yup yup! Love them both. Well, I follow a ton of cycling channels. Hahha But Zach and Russ are among my top 5.

[@bparker]

I found Zach and fixed gear after watching Russ for a good bit. Spindatt makes mention of Zach too from time to time. Each of those 3 channels are good quality in their own right and each being something different and interesting to the table. What are the other three in your top five?

[@kevinfeeney5309]

@@bparker oh damn, kinda hard to pick out. Haha... I do love oldshovel, Spindatt, toasty rides, Locked In and garys.projects. Followed Francis Cade's ride across america last month. Sad and mad at myself for not being able to join them on the last leg, when they got into los angeles and finished at venice beach. But I had to work. Anyway, I follow many more cycling youtubers..... Henrywildeberry, GCN, RJ the Bike Guy, Park Tools, Dave Noakes, Juliett Elliot and Katie Kookaburra.

[@bparker]

@@kevinfeeney5309 Recognize some of them. Just might have to check the others out. Thanks!

[@4specialist]

Please do a review of tubeless tire inserts.🤞😬🤞

[@SUPERFLY5250]

Hey Zach I have something for you if you’re still doing the Friday morning rides

[@walkingskin2920]

Just got clippers and chrome industries spds

[@kevinfeeney5309]

Love my Kursks!

[@Ober1kenobi]

Number 4: WHEELSET just for skidding, and I have this for my SS.. yes, the brakes are doing the skids. It’s still incredibly fun, smooth road, rainy day… that’s a good time that is

[@scubawithatuba]

This is TOO accurate, lol! Well said!

[@irenebloodrose3886]

I'm a geared rider and I love your videos bc your vibe is so casual. I gotta say tho that I don't think naming your bike is exclusive to just fixies! I've also named my bike - Ghoulie/ The Ghoulbike. But I also commute with her around town, so I'm probably much more attached to her.

[@event4216]

Why single sided hub? It makes slightly dished wheel instead of perfectly symmetrical as with fixed/fixed hub.

[@karlkajomomoritz2816]

I'm 60 Y/O & FG daily 8-10 miles = keeping Mind & body youthful 😊

[@joelogjam9163]

I will admit that only a few days ago I took the water bottle holder off my fixed gear just to clean the lines up a bit.

[@event4216]

Screw mounts are itself offending!

[@4specialist]

I have a Wabi Lightning, and they come with two sets of bottle bosses...they stand out like a sore thumb on such a sleek minimalist frameset...👎😠👎

[@TroubleshootGamingMeds]

Haircut on point bruh

[@fahrradschraubelocker]

hi Zach, I felt stupid because I think all the things you describe are very important. You are far away, but something very beautiful connects us 😉

[@dominicmorones8314]

I relate to this so much haha😂 I might have to send in a bike check so Zach can roast me lol. It’s another Mash Bolt 2.0. I have a feeling he may like it as well 😎

[@paullacey2999]

My bike will never be finished,it will evolve...

[@jaycee9657]

does anyone else bounce their bike for the sound test, but also to check tyre pressure ? someone asked me what I was doing once, and they thought it was odd

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

hah omg I thought I was insane.

[@fixedgeargoon]

So did u ever learn to wheelie just saw ur wheelie video

[@roydrink]

Exception to #9: Having the flask cage with a flask containing go juice…

[@ultima00005]

I ride a 1x7 that I built from the ground up. His name is Wallace West. I call him Wally.

[@bracket0398]

The last fixed I had (Aventon frame, Unknown full carbon fork, Surly hubs and H+Son The Hydras rims) had a 44x14 gear ratio. That's as close to Pi as you can get, just sayin. Also, agree on clipless vs straps. Clipless should be aptly titled clipped (cuz thats whachu do stupid) and who wants to wear reverse high heels ever anyway? Hold Fast makes very nice straps.

[@kevinfeeney5309]

I use mtb clipless, so I don't get the reverse high heel issue but I see quite a few riders who do use the road version. That being said, I'm kinda wanting to try the hold fast straps but don't really want to spend the coin if I don't like it... haha (yeah, I could sell it after I'm done but I don't wanna deal with it. Lol...and besides I'm happy with mtb clipless)

[@bracket0398]

@@kevinfeeney5309 ahh, yeah, that's just me being that guy. Remember when clipless first came out for road bikes and everyone would do the tiptoe walk cuz them shoes was way stiff. My bud goes clipless on his Salsa Blackthorn and has fun with it, I straight flats it on my Beargrease just fine. Hold Fast run somewhere around....60 now, so it's not bad chunk o' change wise. Race face Chester pedals are my go-to for that.

[@kevinfeeney5309]

@Han Fuehrious I guess I should clarify things. I do run road clipless, but only on my sole road bike, a trek alpha 1000. I put my clipless shoes on outside and rarely walk in them, so that reverse high heel thing isn't such a big deal. I do however, carry road cleat covers if I have to walk more than a couple steps. Still have yet to come to a decision regarding trying BMX pedals with hold fast straps...lmao. I was quite used to mks gr-9 with quad gate clips and double toe straps before I made the switch to mtb clipless.

[@jacobatherton8339]

I've considered buying a vintage road frame on eBay that I absolutely do not need- just because it comes with a sugino 75 loose bottom bracket... that I also don't need, just want XD edit- ZACH are you rocking supple bamboo bars??

[@jacobatherton8339]

@RollinRat Looks like Zach is trying out some passchier bars, bamboo indeed. I've heard from others that bonding bamboo "tubes" with carbon fiber is a great way to make nice frames, even cargo bike frames. If I ever got into frame building I'd probably rather try out bamboo before attempting to learn how to braze steel tubing.

[@leebridgwater]

Hail the fixed gear,

[@Dimass]

This is a nice video, but I don´t understand why the fixed gear community where you at has to be so flashy I prefer low profile people who just enjoy riding bikes LOL

[@sabiefreddy6666]

Tbh in LA I don’t really see much fixie riders like back then in 2013-2020 and if I do they on a fixie bike with freewheel smh.. other then that everyone has gone electric or are with there “fancy” looking spoked 26er or 29ers showing of their freewheel wheeling skills.. 😒

[@justinf2253]

Bamboo bars?

[@AR15andPregnant]

I think they're from Passchier

[@tylerallison8438]

Me. “Don’t call it a fixie” called it a fixie 4 times.

[@akaraikiriakatsuki3157]

Recognizing someone because of their bikes aren't exclusive to fixed community lols. We Mtb users do to

[@kevinfeeney5309]

Lol, I've done it with cars too.. haha

[@moonlight1857]

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@mavinlewis9460]

Fix3d all the way

[@tacuachecuh7417]

Dude in 00:17 is a toy….

[@ninetendopesaitama2107]

Its like riding a bike from 1920 and bragging about it. Yeah we get it. ;) ☮️

[@event4216]

Nothing wrong with it. People mate same way they did tens of thousands years ago and still are having pleasure and giving birth to children.

[@jesus-xr9yo]

Fixie friends

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

Put a front brake. PLEASE. No coaster-rider would EVER ride with only a rear brake. I don't care how much control you have over your back wheel. If you don't have a front brake you are dicing with death. You wanna stop in a hurry? You need a front brake.

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

yes I ride coasters, too.. but my daily commute for almost 10 years was my trusty Cinelli Mystic Rats fixie. ... I had a front brake. Just in case. You should, too.

[@jahithber1430]

F groupsets! they are ridiculously overpriced!

[@bobert3751]

The moment you were born, you are now officially a fixed gear rider- andrew tate

[@andy-xz2uk]

"you will save money on fixed gear brooo" 😂😂😂

[@Ober1kenobi]

Most of us Should ride 48/17, or something close BUUUUUTTT,

[@tiagodolgner1300]

I clearly have a fixie rider soul... but not the fixie 🥲

[@IvanStarling-kg1ei]

First off, let me say that Jims Bikes and Boards is amazing! kzbin.infoUgkx2YFGCCEkXKgqCOH-7vlvgb4L4hg4IrXI They're the one my Golden Cycle Striker shipped from and when I told them I was apprehensive about buying because of only having a front break they said they'd add a back one for free! Now as far as building the bike- it was super easy. It didn't come with instructions but even if you've never built a bike you can build it. You only have to put on the front wheel, handlebars, pedals and seat. Super easy it's just tightening screws lolIt's comes with the tools shown in the pic which is all you need. As far as size I'm around 5'8" which is on the cusp of a 52 and 55 size bike. I decided to go with the 55 and its perfect. Honestly it's actually shorter then I thought it would be. I attached pics to show you what I looked like next to it. I would even recommend this size to someone 5'7"Took around 3 days to come. Hope this helps!

[@escape4387]

pls bring back the fixie points series🥲