Fixie Vs Geared: Which Bike Is Fastest For City Riding?

[@jeffp6244]

With a fixie you never have to worry about being in the right gear because you're always in the wrong one

[@gcn]

Haha this!

[@dan_does_nothing]

😂

[@scorrea13]

Bahahahahahahahahahahaha... so true, but I love ma fixie

[@chefcooks86]

😂 good one

[@adammerlo1124]

nice superbike, but defo fixie for daily use. cheaper, harder to ride for thieves and also cheaper in maintenance

[@citrOhm]

No straps, wrong chain, and a low-end fixie vs. high-end road bike. Not fair.

[@Marcus538]

You dont need straps on a fixie if no hills theyre way better

[@clarem1609]

Also, those handlebars. whyyy

[@wisnusiciptaputra2618]

I like you Clare

[@tristanmacrae8115]

@@Marcus538 yes you need straps or at least clipless pedals how do you plan to stop without brakes

[@bahkbahksa8339]

This is not the point. Pls refer to my comment.

[@blank6972]

An old steel conversion vs a carbon road bike... What a fair test!

[@dirtydan491]

Facts like this didn’t do fixed justice

[@LOWRIDER4LIFE1]

Jeans: extra pedal resistance aswell... stupid comparison.

[@bryangarcia7929]

I’ll dust him in my unknown or my boi with the px that’s a better test

[@keisreeman]

Gosh they made no secret that it was a old conversion fixed vs carbon geared bike and still you complain. Must the fixie win so you can sleep?

[@711ramen3]

@@keisreeman no but it makes the video look pointless.

[@4oh4200]

The point about cost is completely spot on - at my flat, we have 'secure bike storage' where twice over the past year it has been broken into and very expensive bikes have been stolen. Mine survived both times, heh!

[@makerbeelab5546]

Overtaken every single fixie rider on my £200 self made frankernbike with 8 gears (MTB frame, 700Cx28 wheels, disc brakes, drop bars).

[@Re-bl5sr]

@@makerbeelab5546 Fixies must have their uses, but in terms of practicality around the city at least, I jist don't see the point. And similar to you, I've inadvertantly zipped around a few on my

[@another3997]

@@makerbeelab5546 We'll send you a medal and a certificate. Your parents must be so proud.

[@RedCityFit]

@@makerbeelab5546 did the pixie riders know, they were competing? 😁

[@imneveruploadinghere7180]

@@Re-bl5sr a lot of fixie riders I know use them as daily to train

[@hoopdoggydogg]

I'm a bike courier in Vienna and I have road bikes for work. Prefer the gears because I can choose how hard I want to push myself on each shift. Of course, nicer road bikes are more attractive to thieves, but I think a thief will steal any bike - fixies too. So I'd say always keep your bike within eye sight no matter what you ride

[@EMC2Scotia]

As a former messenger I fully endorse this statement! Now when riding, I'm always shocked at how 'cafe racers' just lean their bikes out front of cafes and disappear inside for coffee and breakfast! I can't be out of sight of my bike without major stress, as it should be!

[@pibegonzalez]

That's why I always try to lock my bike next to a more "stealable bike". It sucks when I return and the broken lock is on the floor, but at least it was not my bike.

[@seanoleary771]

@@pibegonzalez i double D-lock my bike when i'm just going into a shop for 20 seconds. Of course I live in London, so that counts as perfectly reasonable caution.

[@batangrapper]

As a bike courier we develop a sixth sense for bike thieves. I just know when and where to lock my bike up without worries.

[@JB-ls5pq]

Depends. if a thief has to ride your bike for a fiew killometers and only gets 20-50 dollars after trying to sell it for a week( because it is a piece of sht) it was a waist of time for him. However, a nice carbon bike is same work but a lot more money

[@Duckymomo643]

What’s the cameraman riding😂 dudes always a step ahead

[@rashad123us]

A scooter, it's usually a scooter or a motorcycle.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

@@rashad123us This. You can always hear the engine.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

A Honda Motorcycle :D

[@kushyadav8269]

Electric scooter

[@acepalle9710]

He is Usain Bolt by the way

[@leow.3483]

Fixie is always faster because it won‘t be stolen after you bought some bread in the bakery

[@kirkskilling3249]

True lmao

[@cliftondugan5295]

Had someone steal mine the bust their ass not even a block away

[@ytto051]

Jeep 😁

[@indiopeltier9758]

Fixies always get stolen here in Portland.

[@PabloEscobar-jy5iu]

I love you guys but stop testing everything against a $9000 road bike.

[@erichoel6379]

Let's see...$5000 difference in price and won the agility time trial by 10 seconds? How is that faster? And where were the messenger bags/backpacks? That's real city riding... But love the banter and excellent production values! My go-to for entertainment these days...GCN!!!

[@wawanlapandua]

@@erichoel6379 they need sponsor , they need money, thats why they do this vid. a cheap and robust bike cant provide that for them

[@TheNickBasso]

Yeah, but with all the bike thieves around, I'd prefer an old 50 bucks second hand bike to go around the city. An old city bike with a rack to also carry groceries and you're okay, if they steal it you won't be so sad (and so broken).

[@puregsr]

Made you click, didn't it

[@rfldss89]

@Spark i literally saw one just the other day for 25 euro, and it even had better handlebars too

[@Ody-up6kg]

My city bike was an old 21" Raleigh Sports 3 speed with 26" steel rims. It had a rear rack, 3 working gears, 2 working brakes. I used a $5 cable lock to lock it up. I kept it locked up in Boston for years and no one bothered to steal it. It was the perfect city bike!

[@paulanger2048]

Yeah, I was going to suggest that. Especially a girlbike. They're tough enough, with their steel. They're comfortable and relatively speedy, definitely faster than walking. They're easy to get on and off. They're cheap, people practically give them away. Usually, they're in really good shape.

[@Alex-kr7zr]

When I was a teen, my young adults MTB got stolen exactly like that. Now I ride a Brompton in the city, it's far more expensive and nobody cares. Its all about how common a bike is and how fancy it looks.

[@romanmentor9238]

Isn't it hard to ride steel rims? I like steel frames,but steel rims sounds like sth super heavy

[@bluej511]

"We're standing kinda close mate." "We've been friends a long time." Classic lol. Great video guys.

[@hughesj]

As long as you say no homo...

[@nglwynigbya]

@@hughesj lmao

[@op9249]

I use both, Fixed folding and a Geared Gravel one: - Fixed: perfect to enjoy the city, markets, pubs, parks w/kids, short distances - Geared: perfect for training in the city, long distances

[@ben_cm1141]

Yup

[@oliverairhead]

Yeah I do the same, fixie for messing serious bikes for serious rides

[@denys2776]

I ride some days 20-25 miles or 45-50 on fixed gear. It's not that much of a problem.

[@alanyap95]

Totally agree 👍☺️

[@bacunawadiore3021]

But in the Philippines fixed gear used mostly in long ride like 100-500km ride or many 10-150km HAHHAA ykr

[@charlesissleepy]

the practicality of a fixie is that there's almost nothing that can break, if it gets stolen it shouldn't be too expensive to replace, and the feedback you get from the back wheel is helpful in squirrelly conditions. Also, you get really dialled in and pay more attention to traffic around you than your current gear. weightsaving for your buck is better too, which makes it more pleasant to ride than a geared bike from the same price range

[@jozeftymek2651]

You can allways combain benefits of this two bikes and ride a cheap old road bike with gears.

[@danieleduarjsteven]

Jozef Tymek yep. Thats me. Been riding my old khs aeroturbo with shimano 600 tricolor. Nobody give a damn about that bike n i am happy.

[@enpluson1539]

Or choose my version and ride a nice fixie.

[@Jamfluff]

Jozef fully agreed. I keep my pride and joy for riding in the country and have an old Raleigh Phoenix for riding and leaving around London. Even if the Raleigh does get nicked, its only about £100 to replace. That being said fixies certainly have their place in the cycling spectrum.

[@michaelalbany]

I ride a Cannondale Synapse for fun and a 31yo Cannondale SR500 to commute. Geared all the way.

[@eduardepure9162]

Yep, it's what we normal people do. Old Road bike for city commute and keep the race one for training and racing. I am at the second one after first being stolen, but hey, a 100 euro bike payed for itself in 1 season.

[@tothefinlandstation]

Could've at least put toe clips on the fixie. Still could ride it with normal shoes.

[@brauljo]

Meh some of us prefer flats over toe clips.

[@DRMatt-zd4rh]

@@brauljo well straps then, no foot retention on a fix is dangerous and you lose the connection with the rear wheel

[@brauljo]

@@DRMatt-zd4rh It's not necessary if you have brakes.

[@joelkndl]

Overall, the fixie bike was subpar... a moderately priced modern pair would've been a better comparison vs. the pro-tour worthy pair.

[@DRMatt-zd4rh]

@@brauljo dangerous as in if you slip cause of a pothole or cant keep up in a descent the pedals comes back to smash your ankles and/or you can lose control :/ if you are new to fixed and try to stop pedaling it can also happen

[@candido5840]

Thanks for the sharing. My 1st long ride I went as a fixie and my competitors were geared. I didn't beat them up, but they god quite impressed on how I continued to keep steep and hold position with a 52/16. And I must tell, this frame seem to be iron frame, and I'd bet you would win him with with a good distance by using a bullhorn handlebar. They're simple and plain, just better for fixies, as you grip and 'divide the weight' the traction with your arms muscles, switching positions during uphills

[@armaniac23]

My first long ride with geared competitors was yesterday. I have 48/12, and my competitors where not impressed, they just left me behind after 40 km.

[@matthewsum1752]

3.25 is small ngl

[@fridayalagari4630]

00

[@kittechno8401]

THE BEST SOLUTION IS : Take the expensive one and sell it. Then buy a 30 year old Fixie and bank the rest. EASY WIN !

[@curiouscyclist865]

if you can afford the orbea you probably don't need that extra cash in your bank

[@chefaero]

what the point taking the expensive one if you're gonna sell it afterwards and buy a fixie?

[@yogeebear2599]

@Nihilism lmao

[@RaginBajan]

Are you advocating thievery?

[@Dabuilder1]

what are you thinking? You have 3000 dollars and you spend 3000 dollars and sell it and get 3000 dollars?? If you sell it at a higher price you surely are a manic

[@michaelpolitz1144]

I ride both but mostly fixed. If you were clipped or strapped in with the fixie you would have been much faster. Shame you didn't use a messenger for your tests

[@danielsanchez8890]

Michael Politz for real 😂

[@weir-t7y]

It was a contest of legal riding, not running reds vs. stopping

[@weir-t7y]

Not sure what happened to your other comment but by running reds I'm referring to bike messengers.

[@michaelpolitz1144]

@@weir-t7y true, we break traffic laws when we can. Sometimes we have to but this doesn't mean we can't follow the rules

[@weir-t7y]

Don't know what happened to grant's comment but assuming it's still here: Grant, the law you are citing only applies to a couple states, that's why it's called the Idaho Stop. As far as I'm concerned, that's fine though, but it's not what I was talking about. Many messengers bomb lights regardless of oncoming traffic, they don't treat them as yields.

[@pete9754]

I know he has brakes but seeing someone on a fixie without straps just looks so odd

[@xavier2285]

and with a brake

[@pete9754]

@@xavier2285 and that!!!

[@unwarranteddumbassery9263]

@@pete9754 Not to mention brakes.

[@kellineburton]

Is it really weird to put brakes on a fixed gear?

[@danielc5647]

@@xavier2285 not one, TWO

[@johnmarsland3442]

no straps? no clipless? its not really a fair test. Fixed without having straps etc is pointless

[@ara1597]

john marsland no drops either

[@CrabbyPatty-fl2de]

And its a cheap ass peugeot versus a high end road bike

[@3548vr4]

That's what a lot of ppl ride around with.... most don't know even know how to use the drops.. if they have them

[@allbrotherhd5641]

john marsland the brake is useless anyway

[@JimIBobIJones]

Agreed, fixies are pointless.

[@elliottball9898]

4:24 he missed the bars 😂😂

[@iuliansprinter3249]

With style :)))

[@sheesh6629]

@@iuliansprinter3249 yeah xD

[@dncsmedia]

I went back to see this, didn't notice the first time. 🤣🤙🏼✌🏼❤️

[@danielh4857]

like a pro - got away with it

[@XD-pe1gv]

But what a cool way to miss

[@AlexGeorgakoulis]

"My legs are my gears"! Once you go fixed you can't go back. It's so much fun

[@aaaaaa2206]

Can't go back you say? I did. I can't argue that it wasn't fun though.

[@evgenylunin9993]

Fixie without toe clips, straps or clipless pedals. Really?!

[@bjornvonmyrkr5755]

Even not a fixie frame .

[@bjornvonmyrkr5755]

@@purpleturtle8841 fixie wih breaks are not a fixie experience, it's regular bike wwith extra.

[@evgenylunin9993]

@@purpleturtle8841 I talked about straps and toe clips too.

[@shredfortyler2]

Purple Turtle .. shoes how much you know lol

[@naufdotal]

@@bjornvonmyrkr5755 it's single gear bike not regular bike

[@luisen1996]

I live in a city with lots of climbs and decents so I find a geared bike really helpful to maintain my stamina

[@supermaneternal]

This. This test isn't good because it does not test the riders stamina. Fixies get physically much more exhausting over time.

[@silentcyclist]

geared bikes are for weak cheaters.

[@nicholasschlangen3456]

@@silentcyclist bikes are for lazy cheaters

[@silentcyclist]

@@nicholasschlangen3456 Real lazy cheaters are car drivers, I was joking about gears. And I respect all bicycle riders.

[@renegadetenor]

So we all agree that the e bike is the common enemy?:)

[@tomrodriguez9052]

I had an aero frame track bike that I built from eBay parts, it was about 17 pounds, very fast and nimble. I rode it when I lived in the city, the bottom line was it was a lot of fun. It's gone, I live in the mountains now, I miss it but it would be totally impractical .

[@akhilkohli8861]

Same here i also live in a hilly terrain and can't ride fixed gear bike.

[@ZOB4]

Single Speed with brakes would be my choice - you don't have to worry about having to pedal through corners, but you get the benefits of simplicity, ease of maintenance, and relative safety if locked up.

[@pobg]

4:55 his calves bursting through his jeans

[@farikkun1841]

have a cramps with that calves must be feels great

[@douglaspate9314]

Well spotted!

[@lekhapratap1652]

Super. Hot.

[@marlinbrute3478]

He bought the xs tight jeans 😂

[@treeefrogUK]

Bought myself a Vitus Vee-29 last year. I also have a spare back wheel with a Shimano Nexus-8 hub in it (having removed the roller brake so it fits perfectly) so with a simple wheel swap (and shifter install) I have the best of both worlds :)

[@kevinmelendez5339]

I ride both of my bikes, Road and Fixie. I've already concluded this: Road for urban, it's complicated not for the riding it's for the urban life that implies to it. For example if you're with friends and some plan came along about a long car trip, you twink twice about the bike. For Fixie same example, but you don't have to thinking twice, i mean you can dismount the bike to the core just with a multitool and a 15mm. The simplicity of the fixie bike are the most important thing about my commute cuz i love to not having any issue with where to lock, where to go. I love to ride on the city cuz i feel as one with the bike. But i ride both of them happy and thats the essence of cycling.

[@michaelortiz2030]

Super Road bike Vs Old fixed gear without Clips , Straps ?

[@tristanmacrae8115]

and those wide bars cant squese between anything i wish there were a fixed gear gcn because these gusy know nothing about fixed bikes

[@michaelortiz2030]

Not a fair test how bad

[@ryhanen7819]

@@michaelortiz2030 do u actually expect geared bike to to slower or what

[@greedfox7842]

the road bike didn't use clips or straps... why do you need the handicap? fair point the fixie was probably a pound or two heavier... but really?

[@retroh9041]

The road bike had clip less though, he was clipped in while fixed wheel wasn’t, a good fixed rider clipped in can attack short climbs like that faster than most on gears would

[@davenet94]

You can really see all the power Jon is putting out from the dead stops in that fixed gear. Legs just flexing like crazy.

[@kimkrimson]

Gravel bike is the only way to get around most cities I ride in with their cobbles, potholes and disappearing bike Lanes. Road bikes shake your teeth way too much. Although I reckon if you have a pre 1980s frame with some 32mm tires... That would be ideal! I guess I'm gonna build one.

[@rato_gordo]

got a fixed with 32mm tires , anxious to wait it arrive here

[@empi1972gtv]

My frame is from '81, 32mm tires. Love it.

[@chris_noswe]

I ride a flat bar singlespeed with 35c tires and don't see the point of using a gravel bike for riding around paved roads.

[@rato_gordo]

@@chris_noswe i will use the fixed for comute and strolling around in the weekends, maybe a little gravel hence roads here are almost like gravel sometimes lol.

[@gcn]

Make sure you show us your build Kim!

[@MichaelThompson0612]

For town rides I’d choose a single speed over my road bikes. Purely for the ability to leave it outside and not worry. Plus, it’s fun to ride.. 😃

[@xxzmk]

it is simple and almost indestructable

[@alphastriker5799]

@@xxzmk in gta sanandreas mann

[@xxzmk]

@@alphastriker5799 xD damn those old times.

[@alphastriker5799]

@@xxzmk ahh mate all you need to do was to follow the damn train cj

[@xxzmk]

@@alphastriker5799 you picked the wrong house fool.

[@el_mal_de_ojo]

London is fairly flat (at least the parts that I cycle to and from) and so a fixie is absolutely perfect for me. I've stripped it back to the bare essentials, but added a front basket rack as I hate commuting wearing my backpack so I just strap it to the front. This has multiple other benefits as well. The bike is so beat up looking that I don't worry about leaving it anywhere, yet it's got that sleeper factor that I can go nuts on it if I ever want to get some speed going. It's been so long now that I actually feel safer and more in control riding fixed than with a freewheel. I ride with straps, not clips, as it just seems far more convenient - no need to dress for the part, just pick it up and go. As for upkeep - there's just no comparison. I beat up this steel frame constantly, slack on the maintenance, and it just keeps going. Finally, it's become part of my routine to cycle at least 12 miles back and from work every day, not just for the physical benefits but for the mental health benefits. I just can't see myself removing that from my routine.

[@ollieshow]

Riding fixed without foot retention and not track standing at lights is giving up some major advantages for urban fixed gear riding.

[@ollieshow]

@Fart Zilla Yes, lots of folks can track stand freewheel bikes. Personally, I can't. My understanding is that slopes or other road conditions can make track standing a freewheel bike more difficult or even impossible in some situations where on a fixed gear it's still pretty easy.

[@moganfreeman6036]

Your fixie would be gone before you ordered a drink round here😂😂😂

[@sebastiaodeabreu7297]

Where I come from your bike will be gone before you even arrived at the pub. Viva South Africa

[@moganfreeman6036]

@@sebastiaodeabreu7297 I don’t doubt it, I was warned when I wanted to plan a trip to SA that tourists were getting mugged for their dreadlocks at knifepoint, which I found both scary & hilarious.lol

[@WildlifeZambezi]

I’ve lived in South Africa and London both for quite a few years and my bike was never stolen in ZA and immediately stolen in London. Anecdotal and a sample size of one but there you go...

[@xxBlackpspxx]

I'd be scared shitless for the chain to break under all that stress and then breaking my bones

[@cooladada]

id really would have liked to seen a fixed in a similar pricerange as the orbea

[@swordchaos1181]

That would have defeated the purpose of the pub test though

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

Love the bones brigade! Not relevant but I had to say.

[@lenahygiena]

Uh. That would be a legit track bike then. Probably Keirin approved

[@cooladada]

@@swordchaos1181 that is true. But comparing a shitty steel fixed, with flat pedals and so on defeated the purpose of the rest of the video. I do agree with you tho. It would have ruined the pub gag.

[@cooladada]

@@chrisvanbuggenum871 lovem too ❤

[@CptLz24]

I live in LA where they will jack your kid's bike with training wheels on

[@BubbleBlowingBanana]

lmao really?

[@christopherwayne5114]

Spooks yeah it’s that bad..

[@TheFreddy2284]

Are you referring SkidRow lmao

[@lorduvaltv274]

because the secondary bike market is a billion dollar market.

[@AJCrowley4004]

Seems more like they were looking for something to sell at scrapyard...

[@UrbanBikerPH]

I ride a bike that has both fixed gear and freewheel. I can switch between the 17T fixed cog if I want to have fun or use the 16T freewheel cog for casual daily rides. I love single-speed-bikes. Simple, cheap, easy to maintain, robust, less worries, and it's a great laugh climbing hills and death-defying downhills. If I get stuck going up, I'll just walk the bike. If the downhill gets so sketchy, I'll walk the bike and don't die.

[@4evadunkley]

They need to make a "GCN After Dark Channel" where they break all the rules.

[@andycarr5405]

That would be basically every video in which Si is let near a bottle of WD40.

[@tesmith47]

Yeah who rides in the city and stops for EVERY sign light???

[@DinnerForkTongue]

@RollinRat Break ALL the rules! Ride urban on a downhill bike!

[@ricferr2]

My all days bike is an old mountain bike adapted for the city: mud gards, a rack and decent rolling tires. I can leave outside anywhere with a good chain lock and, even id it gets stollen, it won’t bother me much. If you’re going to have a fixy with brakes, might as well just have a single speed with a free wheel.

[@el_mal_de_ojo]

To me, the 'you may as well ride freewheel' argument doesn't track, because riding fixed is a totally different experience to riding freewheel. I'm all for brakes, but the control and responsiveness I feel with a fixed gear is astronomical compared to a freewheel. It honestly is apples and oranges.

[@tragicworms3418]

I rode fixed gear all over NYC for 5 years biking with friends, delivering food, and commuting to school. Built it myself from parts off of Facebook trading groups. Only had a front brake which was so poorly calibrated you had to fully squeeze it for any stopping power. Chain kept flying off at speed too (didn't know anything about proper maintenance). I rode that bike through rainstorms and heavy snow, dirt and gravel, and insane car traffic. Never wore a helmet. It's a miracle I never went down. I'm much older now and ride a more sensible single speed that is well maintained by my local bike shop. And of course, I always wear my helmet. But god I miss my fixie. Lol

[@jeremydagenais8845]

This video is like comparing someone is a broken wheel chair and Usain Bolt

[@greedfox7842]

they should have put the same guy on both types of bike.

[@Jeroldeeznutz]

I couldn’t fucking agree more wow

[@fedor5664]

Like a vw golf gti mk 7 vs a vw golf mk 1

[@VelhaGuardaTricolor]

yet it was pretty close!

[@eyeland4933]

Which one is which

[@mathiasbulanda4905]

26" wheel aluminum frame mountain bike with smooth tires and a front suspension. Best for Chicago's potholes and fast as hell

[@nathandennis998]

I converted a Fuji track Pro fixie; added brakes. 5kg lighter than my road bike and Aero. Was way more fun, faster and gifted that forced rythym rested feeling of legs pumping but limited by my skill and usage to 4 percent and lesser gradients. I think it's a way more fun bike to ride and it's quick and easy on cleaning and maintenance.

[@marcussurleyadventures1928]

Fixie keeps you honest! Great for city commutes. Gears... great for hills on long hauls!

[@baskruitnl]

Just ride a singlespeed. The perfect compromise. The pub test is a very valid one by the way!

[@yard000]

@Phil Weatherley A fixie is not the same as a singlespeed. You can freewheel on a single speed. You can't on a fixie. That's why Chris puts his feet up on the frame on the descent test.

[@baskruitnl]

@@yard000 Exactly!

[@chrisko6439]

@@yard000 and that`s not safe and kind of idiotic in city traffic, obviously. Fixed gear on open roads is as reasonable as dish lips are

[@TheBaggyT]

Recently been riding my wife's track bike around our area... now that really does make you think about your riding!! No brakes!!

[@gingerdaniel]

I commute on a single speed so there's less to maintain daily. The hills just make me stronger! The road bike is for pleasure :)

[@MrFreeGman]

I'll just be over here waiting for someone to win a grand tour on a fixie...

[@joelogjam9163]

@@MrFreeGman It's bad news, my guy. The first Tour De France was won on a fixed gear.

[@cnesnej]

@@joelogjam9163 his title got stripped off tho.

[@da14a49]

I can't imagine a 13% for 1 mile is possible on a fixie lmao

[@spjr99]

@@da14a49 today I busted out 20 miles in an hour 8 minutes on my single speed bike, some decent hills too. heavy wind to my back and the way back was nearly twice as long but besides the real profesional road bikers i do not get passed much

[@Deathbywill]

... I PROPOSE A CHALLENGE. I’m a fixed gear rider from New York City and I challenge you guys to a race. because in all honesty you’re making fixies look bad.

[@freedom8734]

WILLORCHILL first off, I don’t know you, but knowing you are a fixed gear rider from NYC is enough info, My money would be on you 100%. Second, what kind of “city bike challenge” is it with riders obeying all the traffic laws? Waiting at a red light goes into your overall time? Is this a British thing? Too polite to blow a red light?

[@katzen3314]

​@@freedom8734 Probably a KZbin thing given it's technically illegal. (Not that anyone cares as long as you can use some common sense and wait when it's not safe)

[@kudosbudo]

@@katzen3314 No no. every fucking car driver cares and will let us cyclists know. cyclist breaking teh road laws basically put all cyclists in danger cos it causes car drivers to hate us more. But yeah thanks for contributing to that perception...

[@arlettadavis6085]

I'm with @Daniel Freed. I would 100% bet on you

[@jasonpunzalan1278]

I'm a fixie rider too. I would like to challenge them also unfortunately i'm from Philippines. They wont bother to read my comment though.

[@bethanywatches9379]

I might be getting a road bike but I've been riding a man for my whole life will it be hard to get used to the handle bars

[@patricj951]

Interesting comparison! Fixie has its advantage of simpleness when it comes to service. No need for adjustment of the gears and easier to clean. When it comes to acceleration I think the difference could be even bigger if the rider of the geared bike started at a lower gear and frequently geared up during the acceleration. In this comparison the geared bike rider actually started at a pretty high gear. Resulting in that the average power was not really the highest possible.

[@NickSteffen]

True, you could also get a belt version and then you wouldn’t even need oil. That said I don’t think I could do without the freewheel on a commuting bike. Having to pedal when “coasting” is too much.

[@robertmela4132]

I use cleats and drop bars on my fixie. Track stands are easier too, esp. downhill, for instant acceleration out of red lights.

[@ChrisLoew]

the not cornering too quickly for pedal strikes on fixie is critical and forgotten easily, thanks for insight

[@IamBlueDragon_]

I’ve riding my hard-tail MTB everywhere for the last ten years (albeit been through a few set of tyres) and loving it.

[@frankhaney8535]

0:50 "Don't worry, we're abiding by all the laws of the road" 5:05 "Perfect timing" as Chris overtakes the moving vehicle closest to the crossing Highway Code Rule 191: ... You MUST NOT overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing or the vehicle nearest the crossing which has stopped to give way to pedestrians.

[@ThomasMatason]

With a fixie you never have to worry about being in the right gear because nobody's going to try to steal a bike without brakes. 5 years in Denver and I still have it! I love my dangerous bicycle. (edit: These days, I'm going for a sexy ass geared bicycle)

[@Jack-hz1ey]

"they're reserved for velodromes" check the thing he's riding lol

[@elvisfredo026]

Ja ck how does that work?

[@John-en4vd]

Alfredo López because he’s riding something that you would see on big races not city streets

[@Casual_BackPacking]

Lmao 😂

[@ArashFallah]

4:25 when Hank grabs an imaginary hood and then proceeds to pretend nothing happened!

[@angela-onesroman8873]

Seen it!

[@eamonlee159]

Esequiel Tovar cays he has two eyes . Judging from your profile pic

[@spjr99]

I have a single speed bike and I enjoy it. It keeps me in rythym and frankly whenever I ride a geared bike I worry WAAAAAY too much about which gear I should be in. Plus i used to get so many issues with my gear shift and my chain. The single speed is nice and simple and frankly super easy to maneuver because you can freewheel

[@ProAvgeek6328]

what about hills? I would not be able to live a day with a single speed, and if you think shifting gears is hard you have a problem

[@JonCannings]

Well done lads. Enjoyed it.

[@MrJaree]

I like in a town with lots of hills so I commute with a geared hybrid with flat bars.

[@Agent-vj3ns]

Clyde.

[@joshnicholson2934]

Just push harder mate

[@MrJaree]

@l9calvit I am very square. I like it like that.

[@DinnerForkTongue]

@@MrJaree Sweet setup. I had to put a basic suspension fork on mine because of potholes, bumps and shite patch jobs.

[@Derecq]

My winter hack bike was a fixie, front brake only and toe clips & straps a must. Only icy slippery roads the amount of controlled braking you can do with back pedalling is amazing. On a ride out a friend on his fixie got cramp and his leg locked up and he shot out of the saddle into a hedge.

[@MTNorville]

I've always loved how TV shows(and now YT videos) approach reviews and comparisons as conversations and interactions with each other. It's spread to other parts of the world like Canada, and i wish it was more like that in the US

[@denvercyclist]

Supper dangerous not having toe clips or proper shoes! Clipped in fixed gears all the way!

[@yianniskanellopoulos6719]

as you may have noticed he can ride with feet on pedals quite comfortably lol Clips could help on the uphill though

[@no-trick-pony]

I would go for a 1x12 shifter. Either on a touring bike or a MTB. I would wider tires on either one since they have the least amount of resistance (even less than road tires). They aren't ideal for stop & go (inertia) but they are very worth the comfort to me.

[@watmelberry]

I choose a beaten-up single speed with a free hub, rather than fixed. Saves the knees getting wrecked on descents!

[@guillermo7298]

Just put a front brake and use it on the descents...i ride a fixed gear brakeless and the only time I wish I have brakes is on very step down hills

[@cjkeller5287]

Watmel Berry here here!

[@singingitman]

In the UK legislation says you have to have two forms of independent braking. That usually means front and rear brakes. Or front brake and rear coaster brake. Some might say that a fixie is a brake, but that might need investigating with any court cases that show what the precedence is regarding this option. With the case of the cyclist and pedestrian possibly setting a precedence I not convinced legislation is in favour of the cyclist, even when it’s clear what it should be.

[@guillermo7298]

@Robert Trageser the thing is you only skid when you have to skid, I don't think it mess you up unless you have a ratio that your legs can't stand.

[@guillermo7298]

@Robert Trageser first, nice to see someone who is 58 with a fixed cog, second, I really understand the easy gears off road, I even use a pretty spinning ratio for work on the street. I remember using a 52 - 15 on the streets and it was awful most of the time. I hope my knees keep up at 58!

[@fcdb4fanatic]

old converted cheap road bike with low-end parts VS 4000euro brand new high-end road bike, would be a great title

[@kaikalino7349]

I have a hybrid road bike which I use for long rides with routes such as marathons, hills and bridges. My fixie is for the local part of the city which is somewhat flat but still very fun!

[@stevenmaree7234]

I ride a single speed (but not a fixie) in Amsterdam and it is my favorite bike I've ridden. I truly love the bike in the city. Nice video!

[@carljansevanrensburg2440]

An old bike with gears give you the best of two worlds.

[@metalfoto]

Yeah. With a 2000$ or possibly more race bike, its always risky leaving in the street😬😬😬

[@Co-km6cl]

Have fun replacing a part every week

[@Babyknite]

Fixie if I know I'm likely going to shop, eat or drink. Geared if I was going for a long ride just for enjoyment.

[@gcn]

Good choice!

[@pengepul_upil]

the road bike must be race in velodrome with similar frame builder like as the road bike in the video

[@williamvicevich3035]

In town prefer single speed not fixed. Toe clips and 32 or 40 mm tires for the rough city streets.

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

Is fair. I love fixie but when talking fixie vs single-speed... there is no speed advantage, it's just about the feeling of connection to the road that's so addictive. Oh, and track stands being really easy so you can blast off as soon as the light goes green. (assuming the crossing was so big you had no choice but to stop)

[@philipbarry3350]

I have a flip flop hub but prefer to use the single speed side. Couldn't ever get a feel for the fixed gear. When I moved to Europe it was too expensive to bring over. A friend gave me a good commuter bike but I still miss the single speed some days. Berlin is mostly flat anyways.

[@Tacsi111]

Missing the point. Having gears is nice on climbs - it saves your knees. Alone for that is (IMHO) a geared bike better than a fixed one. You don't have to ride an 8k€ bike in th city. Just get one from Decathlon.

[@aliafan7357]

If mostly flat than I’ll go with single, if not, geared are the best

[@joshnicholson2934]

If you're on a geared road bike you need to spend good money otherwise it'll last 5 minutes. Have a cheap fixie on the other hand, maintenance costs next to nothing, that's why it's better.

[@Tacsi111]

@@joshnicholson2934 in 5000km i spent only a little bit because my RD hanger was bent and I couldn't fix it. Get a Sora groupset and be amazed how smooth it is and little effort/money you need to keep it running. 2x9 in the city with an 11-32 casette is enough.

[@Co-km6cl]

Decathlon bikes are trash here in Germany

[@twotwoocritter]

Fixie rule the city!

[@godCobain]

the slums maybe lol

[@DinnerForkTongue]

We're talking cities, not the hipster districts! lol but really, nobody gets to be smug, we're all riders. Much love to all my brothers on pedals 👊

[@lumiliyabnaapoy4283]

@@godCobain u must that rich guy huh?

[@godCobain]

@@lumiliyabnaapoy4283 who the fuck are you lol

[@lumiliyabnaapoy4283]

@@godCobain i am nobody what about you are you somebody?

[@kendrewreviews]

I would chose the fixie and after watching this video, I'm considering one. I live in Thailand's former ancient capital city where it's completely flat. No need for gears. Thanks GCN!

[@bahkbahksa8339]

Nice video. This means cheap fixie and any super hyper bike have no big difference for city riding purpose. Rather cheap fixie is prefered than any super because of simple structure, maintenance cost and handling comfort. Late Sheldon said he rode fixie for the last 10 years riding because of these reason.

[@klx-y]

I never thought was even possible gooing up park street whit a fixed gear bike that was really impressive...

[@strawhatguy303]

Internally geared 3-speeds are the best for city use. Just enough gearing to really get off the line at stop lights and cruise at a decent speed. Being able to shift while completely stopped without fussing with the rear wheel's a big advantage too. And those bikes are pretty inexpensive and can be locked anywhere. That's what I used daily for 5 years in Metro Manila and in traffic I'd pass road and mountain bikes all day with 20+ lbs of kit on my back.

[@DIRTY-MERLIN]

+2

[@apucciarellid]

No straps or toe clips? Why? Riding a fixed gear bike in the city is waaay fun than a geared bike

[@brauljo]

Nah gears for the win

[@brauljo]

@Robert Trageser I rode fixed at a velodrome and gravel roads, and single speed on the road when I lived in flat topography, but since living in an area with lots of elevation change, it's so not worth it. If I were to live in a flat area again, I'd probably not go back to single speed and use gears, it's so much better.

[@Brian_Jones]

@Robert Trageser The one downside I find riding fixed is that I can't easily have recovery days. If the wind is blowing or there's hills, you just have to power through it all instead of noodling in easier gears.

[@brauljo]

@Robert Trageser I don't ride for fitness, physical or otherwise, I just ride for fun. I tried single speed mountain biking and it sucked, I can only imagine how miserable I'd be if I tried it fixed with all the pedal strikes and difficulty bunny hopping.

[@keenlai7317]

So um... my dad used to ride fixed when he was a kid because they were the only ones available, he said he could never do it again. “If you give me a fixed gear I’ll just walk.”

[@bolttracks]

I'd rather test which one's gonna make you the sweatiest 😂

[@Florimondable]

I use my city bike for city, my road bike for roads, my gravel bike for gravel, my mountain bike for mountains.

[@TheIcecoldblue]

I use my fixie bike for fixing

[@DinnerForkTongue]

I use my mountain bike for the city. Yes, the roads are that bad. @@TheIcecoldblue For getting your fix.

[@kudosbudo]

I've used my BMX for all those (yes haha even teh mountains haha). I now used a single gear MTB for all those things.

[@woody9382000]

I'd ride an old steel race bike with an upgraded 2nd hand group, kinda like how I already do, with MTB pedals.

[@RebelGohan]

I use both. Family and errand rides fixie, exercise and serious distance riding geared. I love both bikes and I can't see myself giving up either of them.

[@Lachie_1770]

I'm surprised Chris didn't snap the Peugeot in half with that much power.

[@VladThe333]

I use budget cyclocross from Merida with 28mm slicks. And it have mtb platform pedals. Ideal for me)

[@MangoMonster2007]

Nice idea but I used a hardtail

[@eugenewall6620]

An old Centurion LeMans. Old enough to not worry about, geared enough to make cycling easy. The only upgrades were clipless, bar tape, and saddle. Sadly, stolen by a sub-tenant and never recovered. The price aspect was negligible, the memories of miles put on over 8 years, priceless.

[@educationalvideos4151]

How about a worry-free, leave-outside-the-pub bike that also has gears?

[@mattl1962]

You're on the money with a market segment there!

[@aprofromuk]

@@mattl1962 any 1000 EUR road bike with a D lock and a cable lock is essentially that :)

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

a 1980s road bike with a fake rust paintjob would serve well.

[@balazsnagy5781]

@Grounded Human Brompton?

[@twoften]

Those bars on the Peugeot cannot have been comfortable - impressive riding given all the handicaps. For what it's worth, I commute on a single speed with drops and spds some days, geared bikes other days - my travel time ends up having more to do with traffic lights and tailwinds than which bike I'm on.

[@jackhewitt7902]

Simon Nix I ride to work on a fixie

[@lolsoos4205]

What suprises me is that you have to wait for traffic lights I never have this problem somehow I just drive on the sidewalk

[@christopherwayne5114]

EinfachBlau Wish that were the case where i’m from, you can get ticketed for riding on the sidewalks

[@jackhewitt7902]

EinfachBlau the laws here in the uk are different here bicycles by law have to be ridden on the road however the police in croydon at least are rather lacklustre about enforcing it so some ride on the pavement/ sidewalk anyway also in regards to the red light bike are classed a vehicles here and are subject to some of the laws that that car are stopping at traffic lights being one of them

[@AJCrowley4004]

@@lolsoos4205 in CZ riding on pavements is prohibited as well. And by the way, it's usually red for both cars and pedestrians on crossroads there. So ignoring red and crossing the road from pavement is a nasty way of suicide.

[@bauyrzhanabuov9676]

Because of GCN, I decided to buy a bike and now I enjoy my piece full commutes compared to driving a car. However, I bought a straight city bike with both wheels covered, three gears and, most importantly, with the baggage room in the front and a child seat on the rear wheel. Loving the bike, enjoying cycling

[@matthewfranklin7541]

There's another option, a folding bike. You can have gears and speed (even hydraulic brakes) - then fold it up and carry it with you.

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

Carrying around a 10-12kg folding bike isn't fun either. Just get a second hand cheap road bike, it will be better than fixie at about everything, and not a thief magnet like that $5000 race machine.

[@wtfiswiththosehandles]

​@Robert Trageser Alright, I guess we have one vote for foldable bike here, then.

[@WilliamFeatherstone]

I would love to see a test where old and out of shape bicycle commuters switch their older, thrift store bikes with these young, former professional cyclists' high end bikes. Then the race would be to get to the older cyclist's work and back while carrying their gear. The older cyclists would have home field advantage and high end bikes vs. cycling professionals on thrift store bikes and a map.

[@WilliamFeatherstone]

The tests could be: 1. Old rider on old bike 2. Young rider on old bike 3. Old rider on new bike 4. Young rider on new bike I think 4 will be faster than 1 but 2 and 3 could be anybodies guess.

[@gcn]

Could be highly entertaining William!

[@WilliamFeatherstone]

@@gcn THANK YOU! This would be fun to watch. If you can run this test in winter during bad weather it would be a good worst case scenario test.

[@WilliamFeatherstone]

GCN could feature new ebikes, bikes, winter commute clothing, studded tires for ice, lights, backpacks, communication equipment, bike cameras, nutritional supplements, etc... GCN could end up with 20 or 30 sponsors.

[@fendermon]

The pub test....loved it :)

[@frazergoodwin4945]

In the city: Brompton every time. Fast and nimble and with my mini bar extensions a surprising variety of hand positions. And I'm able to use public transport (trains including Eurostar & TGV, trams and buses) if needed for longer distances - e.g. conferences or meetings in other cities etc.

[@kierenkd]

Love a brompton. Well worth trying v to do the BWC if you haven't already

[@Triadii]

I get paranoid leaving even a cheap fixie out of the cafe for 2 minutes.

[@shawnburns5680]

This.

[@Flix-f6q]

I went for best of both worlds: Racing-bike frame with gears and flat-bar steering-tube. Add the best folding-lock you can find and for 800€ you have a commute-friendly bike that you can lock even at the train station. When commuting, speed is only one variable on the equation, you also have to consider (road-)safety, usability, fun, maintenance cost and of course it has to be red, this makes it faster.

[@planepower8523]

I have chosen single speed (freewheel). My routes have curbs, potholes and other major hazards that fixed gear only exacerbates. I do like the simplicity of 1 gear and its only the chain that requires attention. 42 x 17 seems the perfect ration for mainly flat riding

[@billybobby7607]

That seems too slow gearing I have 46x 16

[@planepower8523]

@@billybobby7607 If you read my comment, i have many obstacles on my route, plus i prefer a cadence of 80+ rpm. It helps bursting through traffic with lower gearing as well

[@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330]

Hybrid with 3x7 gears, mudguards, flat handlebars, disk brakes, lights, solid axles with no QR and bulletproof tyres. That ability to go through water without getting wet is crucial, the disk brakes mean next to no maintenance, the 3x7 gears means less gear changes pulling away from lights and cheap spares. RRP £350 new, on a bike to work scheme add £50 for a lock. Carry £5 lock for stops at pubs, big D-lock for at work. No fears of theft.

[@einsamer_wolf_]

I got a fixie after using a road bike for about 4 years and let me tell you, I enjoy both. Sometimes if I want to train harder, I ride the fixie, if I feel like resting, I ride the other one

[@jeremywilson9220]

I ride fixed, with clipless pedals and cleats, they didn't even mention track stands at lights or the amount of control you gain with your feet.

[@mailboxthepatenters2586]

That nails the difference.