Riding Fixed Gear Will Ruin Your Life...

[@birbgamg]

Last year my coworker helped me buy my fixed gear to save money and time from commuting to work. Says it was very low maintenance and cheap. Taught me how to build it nicer and everything about the parts. 1 year later now I am broke and has a debt to my friend but atleast my bike has duraace hubs on it.

[@themarwanrahal]

All I see if you got your priorities straight.

[@rsyd9397]

some might see this as a joke but for me its so real, everytime I got a hold of some money all I think is what part should I upgrade next

[@kaunghtetnyi2755]

Hahahaha

[@kj.xx23]

in the Philippines, we call this 'upgraditis' 😂😂😂

[@JohnDoe-mp1zk]

down the rabbit hole

[@bhanson4917]

Was a fixed gear rider for years in the city... After waaayyyy too many close calls I highly recommend having a front brake. If anybody calls you on it- F them. Going down a steep hill in the rain and having a car slam on the brakes in front of you and trying to skid stop and going ass over teakettle into their back bumper sucks. As does slamming into he back of a bus. Busses stop surprisingly fast in the rain. A no brakes fixie does not. BELIEVE THAT.

[@bhanson4917]

And yeah- don't spend a bunch of money on stupid sh!t. The bike is already light as f. The best thing you can do is make sure you have as near to perfect chain alignment between the chain wheel and the back sprocket. It makes a HUGE difference. More than 15 gram lighter head set will anyways.

[@andomare]

Funny thing, the only two crashes I had happened because of the front brake. There was some oil like shit spilled on the road, and my front wheel slipped when I was braking.

[@noisepuppet]

Just curb hop the bus bro

[@hankhillsdisappointedsigh]

I road BMX brakeless and had this same thing happen. I had a freewheel though so there wasn't even a way other than slamming my feet on the pavement to stop in time. Flipped over the car and somehow just had massive bruising on my thigh.

[@onehundredpicks5531]

Bahaha ​@@noisepuppet

[@Dinorider237]

I feel so very personally attacked by this video. 4 years into riding fixed, coming from mtb. I'm about $4500 deep on a steel frame build with no carbon.

[@themarwanrahal]

you... are a victim

[@JacMoves]

Ouch

[@sketchy0078]

I totally get your predicament. I ended up on a Reddit post back before Christmas professing how wonderful NJS bikes are. A few drinks and some internet shopping with an accidental click has meant I have another bike in the fleet with way too much money invested in it. However I now own a near full NJS build. Riding fixed and the culture that comes with it should come with a government health warning. It’s just a little too addictive.

[@alexnrsb6196]

Spending 4500$ on a fixie is just one of the options. If you want to go that route, that is ok. But let me tell you, (Spain) I have 3 Cannondale, 1 Pinarello, 1 Vitus,1 Colnago, and could have more gorgeous fixes, but I don't have more space to store them. Each of them have cost me less than 300€, maybe top 400€ after many upgrades. They are top notch racing bikes from 20, 30 or even 40 years ago, and probably as nice as that 4000$ fixie, a different style, but super nice. How? An example: My set of wheels cost 100€ both, for instance Weinmann DP18, surely not as light as a carbon 1000$ wheel, but anyway, I don't want anything carbon in my bikes, I have seen way too many carbon parts, frames and forks being broken, and bones after that. My bikes are Alu or Steel, I have abused them, and still going strong. My frames are super beautiful, classic, racing ones 30 or more years old, literally less than 100€ each, if you know how to look for them, are patient and act swiftly when one is found. My bikes all have rim brakes, anti puncture tire and traditional inner tube, that is also part of their low cost of maintenance. They literally cost nothing to maintain.

[@apexscape]

steel is real

[@davidbolduc828]

Mostly ride fixed gear with brakes. So cheap to maintain and fun to ride. Also you pedal stroke will get so smooth.

[@themarwanrahal]

Yes, fixed gear gets you to understand cadence and dampens the rear motion of your pedal stroke because it gets pushed up by the other side down motion. Very smooth.

[@TimpBizkit]

I'm not sure. I hear "fixed makes your pedal stroke smooth" and also "independently coasting cranks make your pedal stroke smooth". I mean fixed isn't going to make you aware of back pressure the way the "power cranks" are. The pedals will just go round and round instead of stalling or going out of synch.

[@vfgjasminebaker]

what are brakes

[@living4adrenaline]

no it wont

[@TheWaffleRadio]

Hey look at you riding smart. No idea why people ride brakeless (I almost never used them, for the record, but it's stupid not to have).

[@b.online]

Don't daily a fixed gear? I have been dailying mine for over a year just fine no issue. One of the positive things about fixed gear is super low maintenance. I also understand what you're saying about unnecessary components, but if you're riding fixed the whole thing is kind of that its unreasonable.

[@themarwanrahal]

100% understandable, I daily my build and I keep some parts cheap but go unessacary with others...

[@leanlobster69]

@@themarwanrahalyoutubers always preaching but not practicing😂

[@samuraizach442]

Fixie commuter veteran here and these are my Observations: 1. Throw a brake on it 2. 700x30mm tires are the best speed/weather ready size for all seasons (I ride in Oregon rain) 3. Always keep it under 500$, Black Friday and Xmas youll see spanking deals (1 fixie got for 99$ complete and another time I got a track bike that was 700 on sale for 300$)

[@johnm.9982]

I’ve been riding fixed for over 8 years. Never rode anything else. My only regret was that I stopped riding for at least 2 years in between those years. I stopped getting active with myself and all I did was work. Overtime I kinda but not really developed knee pain not anything crazy. I just didn’t kept up with my physical self. Ever since I bought a new bike after I after working awhile, it was kinda hard getting back into it. Now it’s 2024 I ride a 2019 State Bicycle Undefeated II with parts that have I had since I was young. I wish I can post a picture but I currently have velocity wheels 700cx25mm that I had over 6 years with a 25mm Continental Ultrasport on the front and the same tire in the back but a 28mm. Sadly I was one of those guys and I never had a brake on my bikes. I have full Thompson cockpit with stem and seatpost. I run Vision Track crankset with the stock 49T chainring. I run a 17T all city cog and locking. FSA Dropbars and Fizik Antares R3 seat. Honestly best bike I’ve ever built and rode in my 8 years of riding. I’ve rode over 100 miles a couple times when I was younger, been up and down Griffith Park a bunch of times. Visited city by city going up some steep hills and mountains. My current bike believe it or not in total cost to build was $420. I had got the framset with the cranks already on for $350 which was a bargain. Then I completed the Thompson cockpit with the stem and it came with the FSA drop bars for $70. If I did the math of how much my bike would be brand new, it would’ve been north of $1500+. All I’d say I got a pretty good bargain for a really good bike that they dont produce anymore. 7005 aluminum with full carbon fork.

[@samuraizach442]

@@johnm.9982 that’s sounds like a great fixie

[@Collegealgebra17]

breakes? errrrrrrrrrrrrrr idk man im not sure eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@samuraizach442]

@@Collegealgebra17 I don’t run one but if you’re new to the life it’s a life saver

[@wranian]

I started riding fixed when I was 50 and I am now closer to 60. It would be good to see more people cycling than using the car.

[@themarwanrahal]

Solid your still riding at that age!!! Keep it up!

[@sketchy0078]

Legend! I really hope I’ll still be riding fixed into my later years.

[@abihraal1825]

King!

[@Psp-id7uw]

Thieves everywhere... Need a place to safely store them in public. Netherlands has that going on

[@Psp-id7uw]

Japan too 🤔

[@wyldz6763]

Getting into fixed gear is actually less time spent on the saddle but more time spent on the computer browsing marketplaces for used parts or new shit, cause you might want to get a negative degree stem or matching all the component manufacturers so you end up swapping out everything just to have Zipp everything etc lol

[@themarwanrahal]

Agreed, I can tell you how many rides i've been on in the past year but hours on marketplace is unknown

[@salladboL]

lmao just wait until you get a bike with brakes and shifters

[@tinfoilhat1417]

As a fixed gear rider, this is a very good video. I appreciate you not just slandering the craft and actually giving valid criticism.

[@themarwanrahal]

Thanks man means alot! I do work rather hard on these videos, thanks!

[@eejaaspk]

Would you say that a fixed bike is good for medium long distances ? (15-30 km) and what are the perks/cons

[@TheWaffleRadio]

"when you have no brakes" bro just install fucking brakes. I rode fixed in Seattle for years and I almost never used my brakes, even on them steep-ass hills. But I had them, just in case because I'm not tryin to go out like that. Got a track frame with no brake mounts? Cool. Ride it at the track. It really makes me lose respect for someone's intelligence and wisdom as a biker to hear that kinda shit. In the motorcycle/car world its sport bikers with no protection or street racers endangering other people on the road.... But it's all the same "type of guy." Don't be that guy. I hope you hear that although I said some disparaging things, it's coming from a place of care both about you as a rider and your health, and the safety of people on the road in general.

[@jamesb699]

Just skid the bike

[@leo-wi4qu]

yes this..

[@markkubsch1257]

You don't seem to have a clue about what you're talking about.

[@leo-wi4qu]

this is facts and truth vrs smoke mirrors an eventually concussions

[@ItsDeffoScott]

You can't convince these people till they end up in a hospital bed.

[@grinningidiot]

I been riding a fixed gear for about 4 years now. I built it when I worked at a bike shop and the owner had bins full of old parts from the 70s and 80s that he let me raid as long as I didn't take anything too rare. I got a gorgeous frame and fork from the 70s with polished lugs as a trade for an old 80s mountain bike which I originally got for free, built the wheels myself from salvaged hubs and rims, salvaged an old Nitto stem and drop bars, built a custom sized Sugino bottom bracket from a bucket of unused track bike parts from the 80s. Even found a couple rolls of unused Benetto grip tap under 50 years of dust on a shelf. The only things I actually had to buy was a chain and a cheap Origin 8 crank. With the employee discount I think that build cost like 70 bucks total.

[@BicycleDud]

A new chain..... nothing like it.

[@ain-mylan]

I got some dank carbons sitting on a $325 cheap bike. Like a previous viewer mentioned the impracticality and absurdity of builds is like the best part. I think it's the most expressive side of cycling

[@themarwanrahal]

Expressive it is. My bike was $300 and i somehow found some carbon rims on marketplace for $10 a piece! Built up the wheels for $100 and people think I'm rocking a $800 wheel set, customizability is endless.

[@dashofawesome64]

@@themarwanrahal I live in the Netherlands there is a company Gazzelle that makes normal transport bikes. If you search good you can find second hand carbon forks for cheap.

[@grinch7850]

The currently cons on my fixed gear rn is my legs are always sore AF and just praying not to die riding it lol. Ride safe always guys!

[@themarwanrahal]

You get massive legs once you start

[@LGista213]

up your protein soldier and watch them calves turn into pistons

[@Horus-Lupercal]

Heavy bike? Just get stronger, lol.

[@themarwanrahal]

Real

[@neutronshiva2498]

People are heavy. Not bikes. Taking a dump before a ride goes a long way. That stool probably weighs more then the difference any upgrades would make.

[@clacclackerson3678]

@@neutronshiva2498 especially one of mine

[@jesseellis3126]

I agree! What an irresponsible waste of money. My Email- your Chris King headset is on its way!

[@themarwanrahal]

That made me laugh, my emails notifying me about a $200 crank set I just bought...

[@Shakermaker01]

At 48 years old I bought my first fixed gear - and was hooked. A 400 euro Fabricbike was my gateway drug. Didn't add a thing to it. Around my 50th i sold that and bought myself a Wabi Lightining for my birthday. Over the years I ended up adding a C17 Brooks saddle, MKS toe clips, Toshi double straps, Nitto noodle bars, a Nitto UI86BX stem, Nitto bar ends, Shimano platform/SPD pedals, and an MPD dove-shaped water bottle cage. You are so correct about constantly being tempted to add new stuff. About a year later I found an old 80's vintage Bridgestone Kabuki Skyway 10-speed at a LBS for $150. Stripped it and did a conversion which I tried to keep as cheap as possible. Ended up spending about $500 on the build in total and have thankfully been able to resist the temptation to "enhance" it. I find the Bridgestone to be my main driver as it's just not as pretty as the shiny Wabi. I ride the Kabuki hard and don't really care if it gets dinged up at the racks, wet in the rain, or left locked outside of work for the day. I worry free ride that thing, while I'm far more keen to keep the Wabi clean, prestine, and not far from sight. Bikes are meant to be ridden, get wet, and banged up. They are a tool and should be treated as such. The important thing is to have fun. If that max upgraded fixed gear is so expensive, it will just detract one from getting max enjoyment from riding the thing!

[@wonjez3982]

There's definetly a point to remind yourself it's about the riding, not the parts and to also follow your own opinions on what you truely like and need. Focus on what you have and see what really gives you headaches. Keep it simple, sometimes that chunky steel frame is what you trust, so settle with that and stand for it. That's the simple beauty of bikes, you can ride them without any care, but once you start looking, you'll never stop looking again. When you spend more time working than riding or it gets tedious, just ride it until something breaks, then improve. The absoulte goal should be that you can grab your bike in the dark and have it work excatly as you expect, nothing more. Big pro is that even as a newbie with a 50$ bike you will feel the same as any other one, because it's about the fun of the ride. The faces when you surpass 90% with a well maintained walmart style build, and you actually feel people admire that simple mindset. It's not about buying everything you can, happyness comes from knowing you could, but don't need to. Understand this, and also try to make your own way, work with what you got, anything you do yourself, repair, spend time with and make your own is never wasted. There's also nothing wrong about doing something you like and even spending thousands of dollars, you'll have a whole lot to share with people who can't try around themselves, because you spent all that time looking and trying around, you just need to find a way to make something of that. ps also having your bikes stolen multiple times teaches you to stay basic and make the best of it, it helps a lot to know that no matter how insane everyones bikes are, yours is the only one you can casually forget at the train station and still have a beautiful ride home. It's just different

[@Taliesin-cymru]

Just discovered your chanel and I’m liking your content so far. Yep, riding fixed is addictive, I’ve been hooked on the suckers since the 1980s when I started riding my track bike on the street. Ended up trashing it in the early 90s slamming into a car. I ride most styles of bikes and enjoy them but my fixed gear bikes are where the money disappears, I’ve pick up cheap beaters of market place and usually just thrash them to death but my baby is a Razesa that I had built for me back in 98 with Columbus Neuron Tubing, that bike has had that many different cranksets and wheel sets, different stem and bar combinations over the years I’ve lost count but they are so easy to change things around on I can never resist.

[@themarwanrahal]

Thanks, that means alot! Been In the fixed scene for 4 years ish and love every bit of it. Seeing the shit people pull of on fixed builds are insane and always lovely to see.

[@AntonFetzer]

Removing the front brake of a bike, even a fixed gear is stupid and suicidal. Do NOT remove your front brake!

[@apexscape]

been riding fixed over a decade in atl. we got hills, the worst drivers & terrible infra. it's all about risk compensation.

[@PAULYHEDRA]

10 plus years riding fixed, no brakes, no straps, no problem. If you can't stand the heat, you better get out of the kitchen.

[@fargoththemoonsugarmaniac]

​@@PAULYHEDRAstill incredibly dumb

[@salladboL]

front brake people go flying lol

[@Gatitasecsii]

Front brakes are completely unnecessary. I had been commuting on bike for 9 years and never had a need for it.

[@omegazexard]

i feel like this is a problem for every hobby, you will always mindlessly spent fortune for something that only cause miniscule amount of change.

[@themarwanrahal]

Real

[@harrisonweiland6851]

If anyone needs help getting clean from buying fixed gear parts lmk. I’m 4 days sober from buying bike parts.

[@themarwanrahal]

did you relapse yet?

[@harrisonweiland6851]

@@themarwanrahal I don’t want to talk about it

[@wushisushi]

@@harrisonweiland6851 LOL

[@harrisonweiland6851]

@@wushisushi don’t ask me for support

[@RalphHancock]

I'm 76, and for 65 of those years I've been riding a bike with gears. Now my knees are beginning to wear out at last. But if I'd had the extra pressure from riding a fixie all that time I'd be in a wheelchair by now.

[@PaulWhitcomb-ty6md]

I just built up a '59 Claud Butler, but I'm going to hang it on the wall. Sounds too risky with no pay-off.

[@ViniciusTifoski]

0:28 I ride a road bike, and the day after riding a fixed-gear one, I couldn't even lift my leg because of how sore I was

[@alienrefugee51]

There's no rule that says you can't ride a fixed gear with a front brake. In fact, in some countries it's the law, like Japan. That's not stopping riders from riding fixed over there.

[@joelogjam9163]

As I understand it, in Japan you must have a rear brake too. They're super strict with policing it as well. In the vast majority of countries you just need a front brake on a fixed gear.

[@davidmedrano2426]

“You bike is light ass shit , does not need to be lighter”😂😂😂😂😂😭

[@Greg-1080]

Conclusion: fixed gear for fun Normal bike for literally everything else

[@VELOHIM13]

fixed for life... been riding fixed gear since 2007 best decision in biking ever. a testament to a pure rider.

[@austinisfullpleasedontmove653]

Grow up. Its a bicycle.

[@xander1756]

​@@austinisfullpleasedontmove653Irrational 'elitist mentality' is not just for road racers, it's now infecting into gravel and fixie riders....notably, as far as my limited viewing has shown, not in mtb riders...e.g., have yet to hear a DHer claim this is the only "pure" riding.

[@VELOHIM13]

@@austinisfullpleasedontmove653 + @xander1756 Anonymously rude I must say... Not certain at your motive to retort that? To each his/her own. Whatever happened to discussions?... Senseless badgering is childish at best. Please comprehend "pure." Not intended with anything elitist. The first bicycles were direct drive. That's it. It appeals to my brand of riding. I also ride BMX and single speed bicycles. All opinions are respected, yet verbal attacks are futile especially when you're not face to face. We can always meet in person and talk if you are in the Newark NJ tri-state area.

[@simoncarter2773]

I love my fixie , scored it from a mate that went overseas ! I put a front brake on it because cars and pedestrians are unpredictable! I don’t think about what it looks like , it always gives me the same Fantastic feeling after every ride !

[@themarwanrahal]

Good for you, ive debated on throwing a brake on mine but I tend to find myself riding in the back country.

[@wallacepelletier698]

Hi I'm 62 years old now and I've been riding fixed gear since i was a teenager. I've never had breaks on any of my fixed gear bikes and so far no accidents knock wood lol. When i first started riding i got used to 63, 11 gearing and at my age i still ride the same gear ratio knees are a little whack but not bad for 62. Never give up riding fixed gear i know i never will.

[@Jaysee2164]

exactly what im saying some people can ride brakeless and some just can't, no shame in brakes

[@chrisjones9132]

I ride a $15 straight steel fixie off of facebook marketplace. I have bought some paint for it so that's an extra $5, and I painted it myself. I've ridden it for about 3 years, haven't broken anything yet.

[@themarwanrahal]

Wild, keep it up

[@wr0te0ff68]

I've been dailying my fixie going on my second year in a row. I rocked a shitty commuter for the past year and just snagged an older Bianchi Pista for next to nothing, couldn't be happier. It was $300 CAD in really good condition with mostly original parts except the bullhorns that are wider than my shoulders. I'll be replacing those, the pedals and maybe stem but that's it. I have a pair of Spinergy Rev X's that I snagged for $150 that may go on eventually but I need the hub conversion for the rear.

[@themarwanrahal]

Ah, bro is on the beginner stages!!! All love, good luck with it excited to see what to come! Got my Aventon Cordoba for $300 off of marketplace and took the build from there!!

[@wr0te0ff68]

@@themarwanrahal I'm hoping to somewhat stay in that stage! I like how little my bikes cost, I honestly wouldn't have bought the Bianchi but there's very few fixed gears in my city, let alone track bikes for sale. He wanted $600 originally and I watched it sit for about 3 or 4 months. Leagues better than my Elops.

[@oliver5530]

Thanks king, I needed this humbling

[@themarwanrahal]

I try

[@aicraGauhosJ]

Fixie rider since 2007! Portland, Seattle, Austin, Denver and places inbetween. For all of my 20s it was my only way to get around. Now I also have a road bike and switch back and forth. I’m 36, and encounter 29 year olds who think they’re too old for fixies. As in they’re no longer fit enough to ride one. I switch back and forth and have never had a DL. There are 70 year olds doing deadlifts. You have to try.

[@HDsharp]

How do people tackle steep hills with a fix gear? Its hard as it is with a 21 gear MTB.

[@themarwanrahal]

legs

[@Buddhakingpen]

i been riding fixed for about 6 years, between 3 different bikes. i spent maybe 2500 bucks between the bikes themselves, parts for style, and the occasional lbs repair. I think the negatives only apply to ppl that make street cycling their entire personality

[@themarwanrahal]

Solid builds I bet! Makes sense as to what you stated on the back end

[@Buddhakingpen]

@@themarwanrahal they were pretty good! One was a kilo wt off bikesdirect. A full build with sugino cranks, tire clearance wide enough that i had 38c's on there with clearance to spare and it was only $400 back then! I miss pre covid prices lol

[@awlonghurst]

My understanding is that fixed bikes in the UK still have to have a brake in addition to the fixed wheel (the fixed gear counts as a rear brake) to ride on the road. Here in UK it's not actually brakeless unless you're only riding in velodromes.

[@wilkamania]

Lol this video is true. Back in 2014 I decided to buy a bike. My cousin recommended a SS/FG, so I went to look them up and was instantly hooked. After buying the bike, I asked how much would it cost to replace a tube (for my future knowledge). I was told $20, so I. ended up buying a $50 repair kit and started watching youtube videos. Within a month i was parting out, finding, building, and selling FG/SS bikes. The obsession was deep. It was fun times.

[@noreason368]

I remember my bike was a fixie hybrid which ive modded enough to become a litearl roadbike and its now cost 183 dollars and it actual cost was 43 dollars 💀

[@cecilecorpuz5735]

I'm been mostly riding old school road bikes and in the early 80 and way before the FIXIE craze I used to ride a TRACK bike on the roads, I loved the handling of a tight TRACK bike, a year or 2 later I had my TRACK bike converted to a road bike, I took it to the frame builder of this frameset and had him do all the modifications that was needed but it still retained the rear track drop-outs, end game an all out screamer of a bicycle, it was tight and fast, and few times it saved my ass, when I needed it to perform and it did so, if and when I needed to Thread the needle it did what I needed it to do. Many would think that it must have been a hell of an uncomfortable ride, well all I can say I used to ride this rig over the Santa Cruz Mountains from San Jose to Santa Cruz, this involved roughly 7.500 ft of climbing, it was a great climber and it down hilled like a bat out of hell, one of these rides I did the dance with 3X motorcycles, I passed though the center of these 3 motor bikes as I was rolling down hill after that they were shadowing me most of the way down HWY 9 then we came upon 3 cars I figured I would pass the rear car then pull in behind the middle car but that wasn't happening my bike was bucking like a broking horse, anyway I could see that there was no cars coming from the opposite direction so I decided to let it rip! So I blasted pass the 3 cars and off I went, after that I couldn't hear the 3 motorcycles anymore, I then ran into 2 other fellow cyclist who were friends of mine, when we arrived to the town of Saratoga I pulled over as I was telling them about the WILD down hill that I just did, no sooner than said the 3 motorcycles pulled up next to us and one started to look at my bicycle and said, WHERE'S THE MOTOR! Then he went on to say. I've never seen a bicycle go down HWY 9 that fast, then one of the other motor riders said, after you pulled that stunt with the 3 cars we decided to break off and decided to let you go BTW: You don't have to spend a BOAT LOAD of $$$ to build a GREAT FIXIE, my son rides fixies and his rig cost right around a thousands dollars and he's brakeless, the things that he can do on a fixie it's totally crazy, his biggest problem is that he's was burning through tires like crazy.

[@FlyingPastilla]

I started with a budget fixed gear before getting into track and road cycling. Although I changed all the part on this first bike apart but didn't spend that much. The trick is to keep your first bike and get comfortable on it. My humble steel 6KU is now more of a tracklocross build with 35c tires and drop bars. I don't skid on it anymore because I busted the lockring threads long ago and I've always ran a brake on it for peace of mind. Don't get sucked into the culture of vintage builds or expensive track parts if you don't go to the velodrome. All of these are fragile and uncomfortable for daily use.

[@themarwanrahal]

Solid stuff man, and thanks for all the comments!!!

[@DestroyCooperative]

Fixed gear literally ruined my life. Multiple, multiple, labrum tears in my left hip. My cadence became unparalleled when compared to my competitors in distance riding on TT bikes. It was because of training and commuting on fixed to improve my spin. It is stupid, though, to rely on a fixed drivetrain for control. The feedback that torques through your body will inevitably have an impact. Not to mention several vehicle impacts even if you’re running a front brake to even braking balance. I walk with a cane after multiple surgeries to fix torque based injuries. I am in my 30s. Fml

[@markkubsch1257]

"... but you spend so much money on a bike that does not need to have this much money spent on... " - that's down to the point, man. Especially when you consider all the money you save by not having to bring your e-bike to service once or twice a year...

[@Etk333]

Sitting in the hospital RN as spokes popped on me and locked my front wheel making me high side and break my collarbone in 3 places. Should be back on the saddle in 6 weeks.

[@feilko2170]

Basically fixies are so boring and frustrating that you have to buy stuff to get the dopamine out of it.

[@vale.antoni]

I was inducted into the fixed gear bike messenger community about one and a half year ago, but at first I rode a normal city spec road bike, which has been refitted with an outie groupset to be a single speed. At this point, the only thing keeping me from riding a fixed gear, is the fact that I have dropouts on the rear, and not forkouts, so a fixed gear hub cannot be fitted.

[@voicesarefree]

Sold my fixed gear ~10 years ago to make room for other bikes. It had a front brake that I was always ready for, and always used for downhill stopping or when super tired. Kinda want one again.

[@LAFooFrmLA]

Purchased my Bianchi Pista Dalmine in 2011 for $1000. Up until 2019 when it was stolen I maybe spent $200 on maintenance and trying out some drop bars. It was perfect from factory

[@Pinachina]

I have a fixie I bought from my friend years ago for $300. 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour. I'm rocking the same wheels, went through 4 pairs of Gatorskins, and it's still going strong. At most, I've spent $1,000 total for something I've been riding consistently since I got it in 2007. FOMO is poison.

[@baumazut]

When I built my fixie, the total cost, including frame and fork painting is around 200-220 euro. For the 12 years I have it I never bought any expensive parts. Probably the total cost after 10 years is no more then 400 euro. Not gonna ride it anymore tho, I'm almost 45 now. Got used hybrid bike with 9 gears, sweet and easy to ride. Good times with the fixie, but not going back.

[@karimtv2]

Alot of the things you said could be applied to the mtb retro / resto mod scene :) great video!! now you made me wanna get into fixed bikes !

[@themarwanrahal]

Go for it! and thank you!

[@flipfonte4069]

I completely agree with you. I see this a lot on social media especially, people not only waste a lot of money on high-quality parts just to please others, but they also end up giving more importance to others opinions than their own. A fixed gear bike is meant to be a simple and cheap bike; it doesn't even need high-quality components. I've built countless fixed gear bikes, some with high-quality parts, others much cheaper. You know what difference I notice between one and the other when riding on the street? None. Good video.

[@LedaiCepelinai]

same with sport cars

[@flipfonte4069]

@@LedaiCepelinai In the case of cars, there are indeed parts of varying quality, some can leave you stranded and require more maintenance, so sometimes paying a bit more would be safer. In the case of fixed gear bikes, quality truly doesn't matter unless you're doing freestyle or something similar. For normal use, quality really doesn't matter, it's just grab and go.

[@themarwanrahal]

Thanks man, solid take to you aswell

[@leo-wi4qu]

Recommend to always have brakes on your fixed gear ..at minimum a front brake .. or you will really wish you had when a door opens or someone runs the light in a truck..

[@mlee6050]

I'm aiming for other things first but guess if bikes £6-9k 7.3kg (lights, computer, bell at weight said) Trek Emonda ALR (two wheelsets) (road bike) £6k 12.4kg Trek Slash gen 5 (enduro mountain bike) £2-3k folding (sub 7.4kg) or fixie (8kg or below with sram hydro rim) unsure what way £2k or 3k on these without looking £2k Boardman adv 8.9 (aim for say 10kg as between road and gravel weights, not caring about splash out for lighter) £10-12k Bülk (velomobile)

[@medicojonathan8526]

ive been cycling for months now. the problem is, my knee’s been hurting. any tips?

[@jamonbailey]

its another price we pay for such glory

[@themarwanrahal]

Look into getting your bike fit or go for a longer pedal stride length. there are many varaibles tbh

[@arvidfahlander5364]

Raise saddle by a millimeter or two, also put shims on your pedals to get a wider Q-factor if the pain is on the inside of your knees. Fixed gear will activate new muscle groups around your knees and it takes time to build up those as well. Don't stop riding, just stop skidding if you ride fixed, if you don't, just ride easier and more consistent. The pain will go away if you sit correctly on your bike and exercise those muscle groups. A bike-fit is expensive but can sort out any issues rather quickly.

[@andresbarriga5305]

Get brakes.

[@jeh45345]

If you are skidding, stop now. Use a front hand break. I'm almost 55, no pain and I exclusivity ride fixed gear.

[@boaragile82]

In the dark age of photography, before digital, before 35mm Kodak McPhotolab, the joke was "ruin you buddy with a gift of camera". Seriously, I have never thought of dumping big cash on a fixed gear; I grew up with them, rode them for close to 35 years now, and alwsys thought them to be on utility side of the spectrum. You don't need bells and whistles; you just need essential stuff to work fine, and that's it. And yes, many of the had those brake levers. Which, I ought to say, were largely redundant in real life - provided the rear brake contraption is well-mantained.

[@bernardojrdelosreyes2270]

hi sir im 162cm and i like fixie what kind of fixie, in whta kind of category i nned to look?

[@itscochino]

I ride a Mash Steel. Built if myself. Cost me around $3k in total. Been riding everyday for for 2 years straight on it

[@nizamrusli9966]

Ive been brainwashed a lil bit more i guess , im stuck in NJS parts right now . I use NJS FC7710 Crankset NJS IZUMI Super toughness and euroasia Cog 15t (golden size) Costs me around 500bucks to buy those parts . I can say , the parts are really durable and i went using them until now . Im hoping they can last for 3 years more hahaha .

[@themarwanrahal]

Hopefully, looks like you got a solid build bro!!!

[@DreDaGodSon]

Bro same…. 💀. That same cog alone cost me $120. 15t Am I ever switching out, ABSOLUTELY NOT. Sugino zen chainring $250 with a Chris king BB $280 and and Sugino 75 crankset. Long story short, my Fixed Gear bike build all together cost more than my car.

[@jayceinfinitealgharhythmns9814]

My first fixed gear bike 10 years ago cost me $115. My second (and most recent) fixed gear bike cost about $1600. The first one, a complete stock bike from a now defunct company called Baseline. The second is a Wabi Classic that’s built with name brand and two stock components. So yeah, the upgrade bug is real.

[@tobmoon5520]

Tbh if you got a fixie for daily use, keep it cheap if you want to get a cool rim or handle bar thats cool, but dont get more, because you are just gonna keep getting useless things that u dont need because you are not a professional rider

[@mvrcqs5642]

i've been riding fixed gear for almost 3 years now and i'll say it's completely different experience from riding any other type of bike. in my opinion it's a joy being able to easily customise each component to your own personal preference, however I do agree it's overkill that some people over spend on high end components that is not totally unnecessary for their type of riding. I mean if you do take part in local crits and alleycats the money may well be worth it but if it's just for normal street riding and just for "looking cool" I would say yea it's crazy stupid. but who am I to comment it's not my bike and money😂 if you got deep pockets, the money is definitely better spent on building a road bike as your money will actually make a difference in your training and competitive side of cycling. there's no doubt that having swanky components on a unique frame is sick but at the end of the day it's honestly the rider that makes the difference. beauty doesn't come from the bike but rather how a rider makes the best with his rig.

[@themarwanrahal]

100% agreed, customizability is my favorite part, you learn alot when you ride fixed and really get to hone in on your riding skills as well as mechanical skills. The builds are cool asf, unessacary... yes but nonetheless they're unique.

[@gabrielribeirodeassis8613]

My biuld costs 340 USD, and i tear that shit. Great video man !

[@themarwanrahal]

Thanks dude!!! Mine was around $700 but msrp is easily $2k, got lucky on some deals

[@Rainb0y2kold]

how do i start fixed gear, i know noone and im not really in the community and dont know any tricks and have know idea where to get what parts but i always liked the idea of fixed gear. is there a way to easy get into it?

[@Nostalgiaforinfi]

Mercier kilo tt or wabi.

[@themarwanrahal]

Facebook marketplace or any other second hand seller is the best place to find em, you can get really nice builds for cheap.

[@Rainb0y2kold]

@@themarwanrahal okay thanks, imma keep that in mind 🙏

[@imjonathan6745]

read windbreaker

[@Rainb0y2kold]

@@imjonathan6745 lol I'm already reading it... I already have two bicycles but now I'm in the mood too get into fixedgear though I have no idea about it

[@HighguyMcfly]

Honestly though, all bike riding is like this. I'm a downhill mountain biker and a good set of new rims is $2000 and you'll probably end up bending them and needing new ones in a couple months at least unless you want to buy mag rims that are heavy AF. Not to mention the fact all the good front forks for downhill are $1000 on the low end.

[@roguecode2354]

lots of different ways to "fixie" I keep mine NJS-ish and try not to buy more bikes while riding it for fun and leg training. But every time Mash or some other brand drops a new frame colorway I am trying to figure out how I can buy it and configure all the best parts.

[@themarwanrahal]

that's cool asf... sadly I think you fell into the trap all of us go into eventually. Or is it a good thing?

[@roguecode2354]

@popsgarage_nc I think I'm over the hump mostly so I mostly feel like I am set for now. Unless the perfect frame comes up, haha. So there is some hope.

[@gerarddunne956]

I recently got a beautiful Carbon frame Dolan fixie bike for €230 from second hand market, majority of parts are new and premium I definitely recommend after cycling 3 years with geared racer

[@Jaysee2164]

this video will definitely cause some people to go down the rabbit hole lol. My first year in fixed gear I bought like 8 different bikes I had to find out what setup was the best for me lmao

[@FringeWizard2]

I have an Opus Mode converted to single gear. I never spent any further money and have been completely happy with it as it is. I don't get this video.

[@souprememc]

Am i cheating if i flipped my fixie to single gear?

[@themarwanrahal]

then its a single speed

[@stevep2430]

I thought this was funny, talking about how expensive a fixed gear bike can become, while working on a road bike that is expensive to buy and a lot of money will most probably spent on parts in the hope it make them go faster. The whole idea of riding a fixed gear bike is it cheap to buy and it does not matter if it gets trashed, just get another one.

[@JeffVlimant]

Totally right on most parts of the videos. Not to mention that, sometimes, you just want to buy a bike, you tell your friends it's gonna be a beater or a daily ... And it ends up being a monster that cost you 4/5k... But as a pro mechanics, I was cringing REALLY hard on the way you were bleeding your sram brakes, with a shimano bleeding precedure ! Like, at the end what is the screw you're placing back on your caliper with a 5mm allen wrench ? It's a Bleeding edge screw ? You should never remove it ! You're even manipulating DOT fluid without gloves on ! You have a strict procedure to follow for sram brakes, and it's extremely important to follow it so your bleed last !

[@themarwanrahal]

For sure, I do insure my work and give 1 month free tune ups if anything goes wrong, never had a major problem beyond that however I'll take into account your bleeding techniques!

[@JeffVlimant]

@@themarwanrahalwell it's not my bleeding technique per say it's the official procedure, it's available on the sram youtube channel, and on the sram STU program

[@jeh45345]

I completely don't understand the connection between fixed gear and no brakes. I love fixed gear, but have a front break, hardly ever use it, but it's there. The term " fixed gear" has as much to do with breaks as it does with the color of your bike. Just say you don't have a hand break, stop interchanging the term fixed gear with not having a hand break, it's just not correct.

[@themarwanrahal]

I see where your coming from. On one of my builds I have a front brake actually.

[@jiglesmackle4081]

now on my second fixed gear bike i assembled to be properly stiff. Squid bikes so ez frame, electric enduro bike rims, surly hubs, and shimano zee crankset. Nothing can break on it. Almost everyday riding it, the fun commute style of riding

[@markyquindoza1792]

I got into fixed gear for its practicality and it being really easy to maintain etc. then 1½ years later i have 2 of em both being steel bikes with one having a crankset that costs twice as much as the frame

[@CRZ42]

Rode fixed as my only bike 5 years and 3 more as a primary bike. I built it pre-FB marketplace so a lot of parts were bought new ,so it was a dumpster frame with 300 in the drivetrain and a cobbled front brake. I would smash 30+ mile long rides weekly. Also there are few things better than riding in fresh snow on a quiet winter night. I sold my fixie at Christmas and found myself looking to build another last week

[@themarwanrahal]

Build it! And honestly thats a solid story, was there ever any way to buy used parts cheap back then?

[@CRZ42]

Ah, yes the dark days of Craigslist... Cheap parts in the midwest at the time were old track parts. Occasionally you would find stuff at coops. There was place in NYC that was selling rebrand Formula hubsets for $50. When you found a deal you bought up what you could and flip to afford your build.

[@guilhermealves-np2se]

Never tried fixed gear riding. Owned a few road bikes, a few mountain bikes, now I recently bought a cheap, recent mountain bike, deleted the suspension, added a rigid fork, added a riser bar and some flat pedals, tune it up and I’m having a blast with some inexpensive, made to beat up and that I can ride in pretty much any terrain…

[@posadskiy_cog]

I have 3 bikes: 700c fixie for road ride, 650b tracklocross for woods and gravel, and a gravel bike with gears. over 10 000 km done on my fixies, knees are ok (and I'm pretty much tall 6'4") and I love riding my fixies more, even after 5 years of riding. I usually buy used parts btw and don't really care how much bikes cost. Maybe less than $3000 for all 3 with Wahoo roam included :D

[@themarwanrahal]

honestly surprised your knees are ok, ik many of my tall friends who ride FXD have wild knee problems.

[@posadskiy_cog]

​@@themarwanrahal time will tell !

[@petspetsify]

After building one superlight fixie for riding fast on roads and one proper tricktrack/commuter, I lost interest in building more bikes and buy more parts. I am just enjoying riding them. One thing fixed gear can ruin tho are your knees. Don't ride too big of a gear and you will be able to ride fixed for longer. You will also have more control over your bike with a lower gear

[@urobos1]

About 6 years ago I spent around $1600 to bike a 18/20 spoke carbon Aeolus track wheel set… only to realize I was too heavy to safely ride it. Been hanging in my garage since then. Maybe one day.

[@ChrisB...]

I bought the $15 bottom bracket because I know it's the same as the $30 one. It sure beats the mangled cups and balls it replaced.

[@CiclistaComunista]

I had a fixie but the frame was too big for me. I'm looking for another one, probably I'll take a road frame because they are cheaper in my country.

[@themarwanrahal]

good idea

[@spikebrownie8262]

Dude this hit a little too close to home and I'm not even a fixie rider. I have a steel road bike from 2003 that now has a newish sram force group set, a zipp carbon crank set, and tubular velomax ascent 2 wheels. I havent upgraded the frame because "I dont have that kind of money" when really a carbon fram would probably cost as much as one of the things I just listed. It's unique as hell though and I love it.

[@themarwanrahal]

"Dont have that kind of money" is hilarious, I fall into the same boat however, I willing spend hundreds on tubular tires but hurt to get a new crankset.

[@liudasstonys1293]

Why do you spray WD-40 into the levers? :O

[@themarwanrahal]

Light lubricant and cleaner, keeps things working from my experience

[@michealbarber7929]

I started riding two years ago on a Fuji track bike steel frame. Then got a Pink Uknown singularity frame only that I built up. Its on black H PLUS SUNS to Durace 76 32hole. With now a KHS carbon fork, shimano cranks(130), and spank wide bars. Iv spent way too much on it but its a head turner when smashing through the my city.

[@Conformist55]

I spent a couple thousand on a Cinelli Mash bike that looked really cool and had all the cool parts which led to a thief apparently wanting it more than I did. A few years later I just built a classy looking steel fixed bike that somehow ended up costing over a thousand dollars more….

[@losfogo7149]

There's a place where i live where ther's ton of bikes that were abandoned in the streets and brought there. Almost brand new bike calipers and brakes for 3 euros, a Selle Italia saddle for 3 euros. Also just got into bike stuff after restoring an old legnano. I think i'm gonna build a fixed and see how cheap i can make it.

[@josueperez7706]

Would you recommend a fixie on a city with a lot hills? Im from Mexico and we have lots of those also high altitudes lol

[@nathangirardot1718]

i've been riding for a little over 4 months, I see what you mean i aswell am super tempted to get nice parts. so far I got my setup for 200 so I'm not far down the line but we'll see where this goes ^^

[@matt-z7m2r]

You do have a brake. The front one! You control speed with your legs. Still need a front brake to brake! The fuck!?

[@iorndamned5822]

i only ever run sealed bearing hubs lased to alloy deep dis rims that are ment for fix gears, and i ride mine everyday for 40km never had a problem with them, so see no point in carbion crap that dont last.

[@Bigpapamatt]

I bought my first fixed gear bike. Also first bike in decades. I did 5 miles the very next day and didn’t feel sore at all. It isn’t as hard or challenging as people make it seem.

[@maricapitaljorswats6694]

My bike is very like. New carbon seat just got delivered. Got some new emerald aerospokes yesterday. Quick spending spert then I'm cool for the summer. Got about three people I'm meeting next week for tyres and and chosen not to take this carbon tubular I said I'll buy. Cant get a tough tyre to avoid the punctures at the moment. He ain't lying!

[@themarwanrahal]

Your in it!

[@omargodinez1647]

I’ve been riding fixed gear for about 10years and I can tell you not everyone is out here doing macaframa shit….I have spent a lot of money on it and nothing has failed on me aside from tires….maybe I’m just brainwashed like he said but I haven’t cried for 10 years like he said

[@event4216]

No one is forcing you to buy damn expensive track or just fancy hubs and carbon hoops) I still ride Novatec hubs as they spin and keep wheels in frame. Sheldon Brown noted hubs are wrong place to splurge as they are very simple parts and mostly you are paying for CNC process, low volume production and colorful anodizing. My cheap cranks are stiff enough and I will not be broke if I damage them, and no - I'm not Olympic sprinter so I don't need those super stiff track specific cranks. I rather spend money on food, water and train tickets to go to remote places and ride my bike there as it's more interesting then do laps in city for 1000000th time.

[@PinotNoir_]

i used to daily an old all steel heavy fixed gear and back then when i try to learn skid, i accidentally snap the crank. so i went to a place that my friend suggest me, it all full of old cheap bike parts and so i bought a new crank that's bigger than the snapped one (went from 48 to 52) and it only cost me round $8 (converted) + fitting. and good thing i'm a broke boy coz i after that i didn't spend at money at all for that bike LOL. and instead of front brake to help me stop (since i still can't skid) i put a rear brake (that barely touching the rims) instead to help me skid! :D i used it once for a ride around town (around 100KM) on a quite hilly road to train my stamina before i switch to a cheap road bike.

[@josiahclagett7369]

I watched this while fully on the fence thinking about going fixie. I think I'm doing it.

[@themarwanrahal]

w

[@simonmccaffrey6388]

I rode a fixed gear for my entire college education and the only thing I ever had to fix or repair were the tires. Still have and ride her. Love that bike.

[@jasonparrish5204]

Nice video. My only rule of thumb is, other than pedals and saddle, parts have to be NJS. Keeps it simple.

[@miaklauk16]

I'm 15 and I've been a track cyclist since I was 8 and honestly track is so much more fun than road or cross

[@arcenaljohntimothy]

This is pretty much not only in Fixed gears, but in cycling in general lol