Singlespeed vs. Fixed Gear Bikes

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Choosing between riding a fixed gear or singlespeed bike mostly comes down to preference, but there are practical advantages and drawbacks for each.
Watch to learn about the pros and cons of riding a singlespeed vs. fixed gear bikes.
To coast or not to coast? That is the question -
Whether 'tis nobler for the legs to suffer
The cogs and freewheels of outrageous ratio,
Or to take gears against a hill of soreness,
And, by spinning, climb them?
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[@cristobalmarcobuceo]

I enjoy coasting down the grade. It's the reward for having climbed the hill, in my opinion.

[@oldmate86]

Same. Bombing a hill is great.

[@iamverycrazy]

Good point!

[@doloramador]

hard work till the end here haha

[@mryotahead]

I agree . I enjoy riding fixed gear for sure , but I moved to a hilly area and got sick of losing all my descent speed on every hill because I'm forced to over brake

[@charleshopkins9014]

YOU ARE RIGHT. !

[@bloodonthesnow]

Another benefit of fixed gear is that it immediately taught me to not waste energy. I had no idea how much energy I was wasting before when pedaling up a storm at a green light just to slam on my brakes at the next stop. Riding fixed taught me to pace myself and pedal just the right amount. So, it will improve your technique.

[@kojoydesu4107]

Thats kinda true. it makes me little calculated when goes little sprinting.

[@davidfisher8060]

I started riding a fixed gear four years ago. I had purchased a Wabi with a freewheel but soon realized that there was no advantage to having one gear and a freewheel. When I switched to fixed I was hooked. I now have two fixed gear bikes that I ride on the roads in central North Carolina. I will be 69 years old my next birthday and hope to be doing this for a very long time. (My cycling friends think I am crazy)

[@alexvilloria]

David Fisher I enjoyed reading this. Thank you for sharing your experiences and keep up the riding!

[@lagz89]

Keep it up

[@dannydnice1]

Your the man'

[@rollinrat4850]

Right on man!! Im 57 and ride a fixed CX bike on rocky trails near my house. These days and especially winter its the bike I ride the most and I have several nice bikes! I hope Im still doing it when Im your age! Keep it up dude! Riding fixed is just so much fun and its a great workout compared to coasting often. Even on my derailleur bikes I find I dont coast nearly as much as I used to. It just feels wrong! Like Im not getting anywhere!

[@jonlouis2582]

This makes me feel so much better, I'm 55 and never see anyone else my age riding a fixed gear bike. Thank you so much!

[@JoePoutous]

Yep.. firmly in the Singlespeed club. I did flip my rear when I still had a flipflop and hated it. 51 year old knees + love of hill bombing = singlespeed

[@sj_leee4995]

no chain i tape a leafblower to the back of my bike and fly away

[@rollinrat4850]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHyrq2qthM-Vb9k Check this guy out! Looks like waaay too much fun to be legal. That what I always say about fixed gears offroad. And it definitely is.

[@RH-uf9il]

Newton has entered the chat

[@BessedDrest]

i always considered 'singlespeed' to be the umbrella term - all fixed gear bikes are singlespeeds but not all singlespeed bikes are fixed gear

[@sleepyzebra11]

Bessed Drest this is technically true, but since all fixies are single speed, the term single speed is usually referring to free wheels

[@mortensen1961]

sleepyzebra11: My Trek 420 fixie is a three-speed, courtesy of the Sturmey-Archer S3X three-speed fixie hub.

[@nwimpney]

you mean higher bottom bracket (or less drop) will have less clearance problems.

[@JuanPablo-xw5bj]

Yeah I thought so as well. Never though anyone would be dumb enough to ride with out some sort of coasting hub. The only reason people ride fixies is to tell people they ride fixies. He gave no real benifits in the video...right because there aren't any. Lol

[@phillystaylit8619]

Like how a rectangle is also a square

[@Llam1nator]

I'm in NYC and having the freewheel capability helps both in downhill situations as you said and in changing direction and speed as quick as possible. I have yellow cabs to weave around! I also have a deeply ingrained desire to stand up on my bike when it comes to clutch situations from when I used to ride a BMX. Being able to stop pedaling, stand up and carve to the side has saved me from quite a few hairy situations.

[@A.J.1656]

I like being able to bunnyhop curbs and dead cats on my single speed. It can get tricky on a fixed gear when you get to an obstacle and your pedals are at 12 and 6.

[@woomeebly]

I try to keep my pedals at three and nine hopping up or down. My source of pride and joy is ID4 blue, has solar powered led lights, brown authentic brooks saddle, bullhorn handlebars,alloy wheels and Kevlar tyres. Oh, and a decent kryptonite lock!

[@flymrpie1]

Bunny hopping on a single speed is really not that hard

[@infowazz]

bunnyhops hurt the environment.

[@rollinrat4850]

A H Are there lots of dead cats where you ride? Ive hopped over a few rattlesnakes on trails but never a dead cat!

[@A.J.1656]

@@rollinrat4850 Haha, just once riding on the road at night.

[@fedialhdalas7390]

I ride brake less single speed.

[@whitetiger2048]

Euskal Gizona your feet i guess

[@MikeHunt-gy4pt]

Are you serious

[@A.J.1656]

BMX

[@wOhst]

Fedial H'dalas coaster brake?!

[@TheYz250fmf]

Same, just use your foot and push on the rear wheel like bmx bikes..allows you to do sweet skids too

[@pigeonharris7630]

"Ride your bike right now" Zach, it's midnight and I'm in my pajamas already.

[@betonidesigns3450]

Ok I grew a mustache, bought tight pants, and didn't vote in the last election. Any other steps before I'm qualified to buy a fixed?

[@ZachGallardo]

Open a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

[@betonidesigns3450]

Haha, f**k Heineken.

[@claudiot315]

Betoni Designs Get a big-ass keychain to put in your belt loop then youre ready

[@schnozz87]

Sailor tattoo.

[@mathieumansire372]

drink pepsi

[@ShaneCouncill]

Yeah I have an electric bike so I'm pretty much a horrible criminal

[@Xanduur]

Hey, my Swifty Scooter will be electric soon. Hello criminal!

[@Hebdomad7]

... a smooth criminal! :D

[@normanaguia1502]

Sorry but yes you are!!

[@delmanglar]

Is it fixed?

[@zaimwaqar2788]

@إدريس عبد الشكور I honestly thought you were joking until I read your other comments; don't gatekeep people who can't ride in 40 degree heat.

[@dirtycommtroop]

I spent quite some hours on my new fixed gear and while I was starting to get the hang of it I've decided it's not for me. I flipped the hub over to SS. I like to ride in and out of traffic and not being able to pause my legs for a second while I look back at traffic is a deal breaker. The combination of my style of riding and fixed gear is just far to dangerous for me.

[@5argetech56]

I spent 15 years in New York City as a bike messenger professional. During the 80s and early 90s. Single speed yes fixed gear no way. I do know guys who did ride fix gears, but every single one of them had crashed and ruin their rides. And broke bones But like you said personal preference. I have ridden a fixed gear in a velodrome.

[@antonioedwards1309]

What makes them more likely to have accidents?

[@5argetech56]

@@antonioedwards1309 The NYC traffic is stop and go. Plus pedestrians in the mix too. It is very hard to stop on a fixed wheel. Riding a fix in city traffic is very unwise. I know from experience. There also lots of large metal plates covering construction sites on the road. In the rain they can be slippery as ice, hit the wrong angle and you go down HARD. and may get run over. I rode single speed (44 x 19) with brakes on both wheels.. It is also a Macho thing, which is silly! PS - You can also do a Track Stand on a single speed. I have done it at traffic lights all the time. does not require a fixed wheel. It requires skill.. Peace!

[@bloodonthesnow]

@@5argetech56 Respect!!

[@robertomega-abasolo7603]

I’m mobbin with a single speed nowadays. I feel way more in control then when I use to ride fixies. How is coasting cheating? That’s some hater shit. Lol

[@skyjuiceification]

Right cheating at what? .......surviving ur ride is not a game.

[@JomariBatitis]

@@skyjuiceification for fixed gear riders it's "cheat" and degrading for their entitlement (for being fixed gear riders)

[@electrogestapo]

Everything aside from unicycles and fixes coasts, so is everyone cheating or fixed gear rides just likes doing it the hard way?

[@johnnyboy3357]

Gear set users who use multi speed gears are also cheaters, they spent more on their bike compared to single gear users so that is also cheating lol is that the point, well, define "cheating" lol isnt loading a bike on a vehicle cheating too lol is using an electric motor to a bike cheating lol so are fixie users holier than thou bikers lol

[@JomariBatitis]

@@johnnyboy3357 every type of bikes have a cult and have to say someones cheating but its just bikes.

[@mikefule330]

Interesting and fair video, thanks. I've been a cyclist 40+ years. Years ago, I heard of fixed wheel from older club members and I often wanted one. I finally got round to buying one a few years ago, only to discover that they had somehow become fashionable outside of the world of club cyclists. On undulating roads, fixed is probably faster than single speed as your momentum pushes the pedal past top dead centre making for a smoother pedal stroke on the uphills. On steep ascents, the two types are pretty similar. On long or fast descents, the need to use the brakes on a fixie is frustrating. There's no doubt that overall, a single speed is a more practical vehicle. However, with a garage full of spares including single speed freewheels and fixed sprockets, I find that I now have the bike on fixed all the time for the simple reason that I prefer it. No logic, not rational, just I personally find it more fun, more involving, more of a challenge. It's absolutely nothing to do with the hipster fashion thing. You don't know anyone less hip or fashionable than I am. Then again, I'm used to pedalling all the time, no coasting, because I ride cross country and long distance unicycles too, mainly on 29 inch and 36 inch wheels. I also have a geared bike which is far and away the most versatile and practical in my garage, but I love riding the fixie on roads and easy trails.

[@caragio]

To me Fixie's only advantage is, it's cool. That's all. Just like you said, it's a preference.

[@Yoshitoshi7]

caragio to me fixie are more efficient to control when you have traffic jam. I can see how gear bikes and ss are struggling to get through it.

[@rollinrat4850]

Fixies are for kids. Maybe not the cool ones anymore! FIXED gear is the most reliable gear set up. PERIOD. Most efficient too, believe it or not. It requires the least amount of maintenance. Just oil your chain , inflate the tires. For a mechanic such as myself thats nirvana!! I used up all my patience on customers bikes!!! It may seem weird ,even stupid to you , but dont knock it until you try it. Keep an open mind.

[@dimitrijekrstic7567]

Robert Trageser lol just because a fixed gear bike won't brake in 10 years doesn't mean that I would give up easy hill climbing and going fast because the bike might brake every 2 years. Statistically speaking. And if you don't like fixing bikes, maybe you shouldn't be a bike mechanic?

[@normanjin8897]

Robert Trageser I agree, my first bike was a fixed gear toy bike when i was four. its really not that bad to ride on a plain surface, untill you moved into some hilly places. To me, its a good toy, and a very good start up bike for any rider.

[@rollinrat4850]

livey oone The most important thing efficiency wise is that any bike needs to be geared correctly for your particular terrain and set up for your unique style. You cant simply jump on a track bike and start riding in the mountains. You have to work at it, build up to it. Fixed gears are mechanically very efficient. Ask an engineer. There is very little lost energy compared to a derailleur bike. It has nothing to do with the rider( the motor) Riders are strong, weak, efficient or inefficient. You need to get strong enough to stay on top of the gear. You need to learn how to suffer and hurt. Its as much a mental exercise as physical. There is rotational inertia that gives you a lot more benefit that you might not realize until you try it. There is very little energy loss compared to using a derailleur. Thats why derailleur pulleys in good clean shape make a big difference with derailleur bikes. You can ride much smoother and develop a flow to your motions when you dont need to rely on brakes to slow down. I have brakes on my bike, I just dont use them much. Pads last much longer especially riding in bad weather and mud. Because youre rarely in the right gear, you learn to ride smarter, handle the bike better use momentum and carry speed through corners,up small hills and over obstacles. I ride fixed because its harder and forces you to push harder and go faster. It develops muscles you never thought you had. You learn to pedal correctly, at all cadences. You learn to lay down power all around the pedal stroke. It may sound weird but I enjoy this brand of pain and doing intervals over and over. I ride a fixed custom built old school steel ‘cross bike on technical singletrack all the time. Most of my local trails are steep, many have more rocks than dirt. People who dont understand riding fixed have usually never tried it. They cant imagine it simply because theyre ‘fixated’ on their own inability to even try. Thats why I always say you must have the mindset to just go and do it. Try until you cant anymore. Then you walk and try harder next time!

[@bjccr]

I turned 40 this year and bought my first fixed bike. I really like it, I feel very connected to everything when I'm on it. This said, I still commute on my standard single speed. It's just safer and makes more sense. Great video!

[@TheMausymaus]

1:46 "On fast descents I often find myself blowing through stop signs"

[@sunraiii]

Every fixie rider ever. Also red stop lights

[@sicsempertyrannis9024]

I ride single speed but love the culture and style of the fixie scene.

[@adityajonathanmamahit2889]

Coaster brake or rim brake?

[@sicsempertyrannis9024]

@@adityajonathanmamahit2889 I use a caliper style rim brake...rear only.

[@CDC520]

Same

[@TheClassicWorld]

@@sicsempertyrannis9024 70% of stopping power is in the front brake.

[@sicsempertyrannis9024]

@@TheClassicWorld I understand but there's a lot of huge downhills in the city I live in where you can definitely get in trouble with a front brake only setup at high speeds.

[@warmesuppe]

With my flip flop hub and several testings I have noticed that I like the Singlespeed version more, because I can jump more easily and with shorter reaction time over curbstones. I like that because it gives me a very smooth riding. So a another advantage for singlespeeds.

[@thealamorider3327]

Good vid! Thanks for making a simple comparison rather than bashing on single speeds. You're right in that it's all personal preference, and whatever a person is comfortable with they should stay with that because, as you said, they will want to keep riding their bike.

[@BeBopBrando]

I would say that some additional benefits for fixed gears is the added difficulty and challenge. And I don't think we can ignore the cool factor. There aren't nearly as many on fixed gears so there's a sense of not going with the flow. Also fixed gears allow for brakeless riding which makes your bike look very simple and elegant. Go minimalism!

[@nonoririko2056]

I like my gears, I just also like your videos

[@NickDanzinger]

I too once thought fixed gears were only for hipsters, but after riding one for a year I'm never going back. Way better workout and it just feels more rewarding after your ride. Not to mention the control you have when moving slower (at stop lights and whatnot) also feels more natural. The people who ride fixies without brakes, however, are crazy in my opinion.

[@dannydnice1]

No brakes is suicide. But I do have front tekno brakes on my fix. Just in case the skid dont work the flip over will lol

[@thedexterbros]

"I too thought fixed gears we're only for hipsters, but after riding one for a year I'm [becoming hipster.]"

[@jonlouis2582]

What Nick said, agree on all counts.

[@edwardkerrigan5356]

Because you can't stop efficiently by back pedalling.

[@DBLRedRibbon]

You're right, there's nothing quite like riding a fixie. It took me a while to get used to it, but whenever I would ride my other bike I kept waiting for the pedals to come up the way they do on the fixie. weirdest feeling ever. sadly, my knees are all messed up so I can't ride the fix for long periods of time, especially downhill. But I still love it.

[@Cary-cy1fy]

i rode a fixed gear every day for 25 years. i made the switch to single speed because it's just more practical and healthy for my joints, now that i'm in my 50s. the cornering and descending advantages to a freewheel bicycle are very real.

[@stevehind7318]

I like the achievement of riding up a huge hill on a fixie, and also not dying on the way back down :) Keeps me fit, keeps me happy

[@ldotmurray]

Singlespeed everyday all day

[@rhino1209]

ldotmurray hell yea

[@earwater6528]

I made it 100 likes LOL YEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! I like all bikes but I've only bought a single speed new and it has been the most fun I've had on a bike so far. Easy to carry, feel safer to go fast(and I do), and I do ZERO maintanance. But I don't know if there is less muscle activation vs fixed and maybe it could cause muscle imbalances-I seem to have a weak knee. But yeah....

[@tiktokxtocaboca5837]

Fuck you man lame ass boy single speed sucks it’s for assholes who don’t have bike skills

[@711ramen3]

@@tiktokxtocaboca5837 it's just a bike, Fixster McMessenger. They're all fun.

[@711ramen3]

@BeboSaab no self-respecting messenger would ever use an E-Bike.. it was MTBs and Road bikes before fixed was popular. Fixed and SS are popular because they're low-maintenance. E-bike, hahaha NOPED. We all thought that shit was dumb as fuck.

[@jasonb638]

I do all my own custom builds because I love to build bikes, and you know every little thing that goes into the bike. I have 5 bikes, a typical modern road bike, a cross bike, a 1x tt bike, a downhill mountain bike, and a fixed gear bike. I used to hate everything about riding fixed, and I used to hate the whole culture of it, but I gotta say, after watching all of these videos, and after building one for shits and giggles, it's really gown on me and is actually a lot of fun. I built the bike just to sell it, but now I can't see myself letting it go and ride it just as much as my others. Thanks Zach for educating me on fixed gear bikes and the community!

[@kalebbarant1990]

Single speed gravel bike here. I'll take coasting, hydraulic disc brakes, and the ability to ride down steep hills over a trip to the emergency room. Motobecane Uno Outcast Pro 4130 chromoly frame Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes and 160mm rotors WTB Riddler tires 40 tooth chainring and 16t cog in the rear For $400 it's a solid ride. Only thing I'd recommend changing out immediately are the seat, stem, pedals, and bars.

[@Mavczers]

I'm not even using any of those (fixed or singlespeed) but I guess I just like your content.

[@caveofsam]

super subscrider/

[@banjomechanic]

It took me two weeks to really get the hang of fixed riding. I’d ride around the neighborhood every day during that time and eventually had enough confidence to venture out into the world. I gained the nuts to ride in city traffic and found that along with the muscle memory I was developing I was also heightening my situational awareness. I really like fixed because it is zen. It is now and in the moment. The bike has requirements of me and I have requirements of it as well. I like single speed because they’re great set ups, but I love fixed because it is me.

[@eats__ass2897]

One reason I choose fixed over freewheel or gears is simplicity.... I don't like lugging around unneeded weight, I don't like extra things that can possibly break and I don't like all the extra maintenance. Am I really getting rid of that much? no. I don't have brakes and that means I can completely disassemble/reassemble from just a frame in minutes. I didnt have the money to build/buy a decent road bike and a fixed is much more reasonably priced so that is why I started riding fixed. Im still down for a freewheel but probably on a bike for a little different use :)

[@ringmasterblaze]

I love my flip flop hub because while I'm usually on my freewheel because of the many hills I live by, if I want to switch to fixed for the day (if I could ever find flat ground) I could.

[@AtibaQuildan]

Zach so I have commuted on a fixed gear bike and the main issue with riding a fixed gear in the city is pedaling technique. You get used to pedaling wrong or soft pedaling. Where you don't put pressure on the pedals but your legs are still turning. So if you have more than one bike like a bike with a freewheel, you worsen you pedal technique. Also trackstanding is possible with a freewheel.

[@mcbbcn]

I went from fixie to dual hub, so I can do both. Fixie for flats and single speed for climbs and downhills. I used to do fixie for downhills too, but one day....on a bumpy road section my chain popped, and it got pinched between the crank arm and the chainring, also it got stuck at rear fix cog, which effectively locked my whole train going 7-10mph downhill. A moments earlier I was going over 25mph, and it would have been catastrophic. I’m happy to be in one piece, and it’s easy to say “your chain was a bit loose”, yes, probably it was and after thousands of miles, one day, it’s easy to miss one thing but I know that if I would have been one a single speed, it would have been a non-issue. Also, I’m an old guy and I don’t have the bones of young guy. So, I’m still doing fixie but not for downhills. The whole repair: chainring scratched by the chain, chain with twisted links, pedal scratched, rear fix cog with bend teeth, and rear tired completely messed up by the long skid. I did not fall miraculously. :)

[@goldenage773]

I'm a bike messenger in Chicago. Been doing it for about a year and at first I was too scared to flip my wheel to the fixed side. It just felt so unnatural the first time I tried it, even with a break. Then after much experience on the rough streets of Chicago I finally realized that fixed was actually what I wanted as a rider the whole time I just didn't know it. After a while I needed more speed, more control of stopping and maneuvering through congested areas without having to eat up my breaks every time. Which now that I think about it the freewheel seems so much more unnatural and kinda of a weaker riding experience compared to fixed.

[@-Bonobo-]

fixed gear is better for slow speed control, and overall more stability when going through slow traffic

[@TaurusQueen89]

I have no hills near my neighborhood should I just get me a fixie bike???

[@grownmanhiphopfan3987]

Wow loved the video. I always thought (started riding 4/2016) that I rode fixed gear. I actually ride single speed. I use the free wheel side of my fixed/free wheel rear wheel. I feel so much more informed after this vid.

[@rollinrat4850]

My bike has 5 single speed gears! I have a white eno hub,surly dingle fixed cog(17/21T) , a white industries eno freewheel (16/19T) 2 chainrings (36/40T). I cross-chain on freewheel (40/19T)to get 5th. Since tooth difference is the same between cogs and rings, chain length stays the same. I can get off bike to switch ratios. Its the best of both worlds. Gearing I use is perfect for easier trails, fire roads,shorter climbs up to 10% or whatever when Im feeling strong. I only use freewheel when Im really tired or for long downhills. This is a great set up if you want to do long rides with lots of hills. If youre interested search for dingle speed set up.

[@borist7278]

single speed + coaster brake = best of both worlds

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Agree 👍

[@OneSpeedBandit]

hey zach, kindly do a video on the difference of fixed gear frame geometry (slope, standard and aero) pro's and cons.

[@alexgrinage681]

Ipe de la Paz he already did one kinda hetalk about bike geometry.

[@OneSpeedBandit]

oh cool, i'll go check it out. thanks. 👍

[@gmwilliams4314]

I wonder if the Germans have dedicated Bicycle Gear Police to issue tickets for riding a Fixie without any brakes?

[@peterkiss1204]

Cudjoe Wms Riding without brakes is pretty much illegal probably in all European countries. However in areas where the law enforcement is not as strong no one really cares about it.

[@benibf]

Not a fixed rider here (not yet anyway - I'm definitely looking to get into it, largely because of this channel!), but I see two other minor technical advantages of fixed gear over single speed: 1. Easier to maintain cadence on flats. 2. Theoretically, the inertia of the pedals going around should make it ever so slightly easier on climbs. (No idea whether this hypothesis has ever been tested out, but it makes sense in theory, and anecdotal evidence does seem to point to people at least *feeling* that, given the same gear ratio, climbing is slightly easier on fixed gear.)

[@sledlord]

Beni Fisch I am not sure why it would be "easier" to maintain your cadence on flats. Maintaining cadence is dependant on your legs not drivetrain. And up hills... Say your doing 200 watts up a hill and maintaining cadence, there will be no theoretical difference between SS and fix. The built up spinning inertia would only come into play if you took your feet off the pedals of both bikes. Flats or uphill, If you do have a slight pause in cadence you will slow down much faster on the fixed as your minut lack of maintaining cadence translates into braking instead of coasting.

[@cake6103]

It's easier because on single speed you have to constantly pedal, where as on a fixie you put the amount of power in the beginning and you won't worry about pedaling as much. Why? Because fixie bikes pedals for you.

[@neiljost3591]

One advantage I found with fixed gears, is on climbs the momentum of the bike can help carry you through the dead spots in your pedal stroke. On short fast climbs, I'm definitely faster with the fixed gear bike than I am with the single speed bike.

[@ya-rx8nd]

I rode my fixed gear bicycle with a freewheel one time and then switched it back. I like being in fixed gear more and it's nice being able to control my speed all the time without needing to use the brakes. That way I can keep my hands anywhere I want unless I need to slow down faster with my brakes. I can also corner good with mine because of the pedal clearance and one nice thing about pedaling through a corner is accelerating through it. It can be really fun. The drawback is I need to stay with a shorter crank arm if I want to keep my pedal clearance where it's at. Freewheel is more practical and better for a beginner, and I think it's better for stop and go unless you become a track stand master. Riding fixed is better for the fun factor and can help you become a better rider.

[@michaelbanks3571]

Since when do you need a fixed gear to track stand?

[@fishpants7764]

and wheelies and skids, all the things are easily doable on a single speed.

[@moritzkoopmann6771]

I'm more of a freewheel guy. You really got the conversation going zach! Nice video as always.

[@kaiserfields7290]

I had a previous accident on my baby. And it took me a while to do my Daredevil Krazy Kizer stunts. You have valuable information which works in my favor. Love you page Ride strong Brother 💪

[@alexseddon9693]

Fixed gears have advantages for riding in snow and slush. Fixed gears have fewer parts, so they are easier to maintain and clean in the winter. I have had two freehub bodies seize up in the winter (i.e. I pedaled but my wheel didn't turn). This is never an issue with a fixed gear. I still ride with brakes, but it is nice to be able to trim speed off slowly by back pedaling. Plus, back pedaling acts as a back-up brake if my brakes get frozen over with ice. In the snow, you aren't going fast enough to experience many of the disadvantages of fixed gears.

[@AsianAndySquad]

I have a mountain bike with big ass tires

[@mynameismalion]

mesascott13 not sure what to do with this information

[@DinnerForkTongue]

mesascott13 FAT BIKE FAT BIKE FAT BIKE

[@tiktokxtocaboca5837]

I don’t care you lame ass boy

[@anonamos225]

I rode a fixed speed without brakes in my childhood so I always romanticized being able to coast since I wasn't able to. Too many gears and I kinda lose interest. The simpler the bike, the more I tend to like it.

[@erickballesteros4531]

I've been riding fixed since 2012 and never really thought about changing back to single speed.

[@jewellmaster4746]

I am just like you, Zach. As soon as I bought and rode my first fixed gear bike in 2008, I fell in love and never went back to geared bikes!

[@mikewoods6697]

Zach--love the channel. My favorite reason for riding fixed is that it condenses a workout in time. Riding a fixed gear--even on the flats like where I live--keeps your legs active all the time. I'm sure someone has quantified it somewhere, but 2 hours riding fixed is a much more efficient workout than the same amount of time cycling with a freewheel. Must be why the Euro pros in the past did their off season conditioning on fixed gear bikes. Not sure if they still do.

[@rollinrat4850]

Mike Woods Yup! You got that right. I did an all day 80 mile fixed ride with some hard hills and trails. The next day I couldnt get out of bed!! Normally on my derailleur bikes 4 hours is a pretty short ride. 3 hours fixed is a good solid workout, especially doing intervals. The reason I quit road bikes was freezing in the winter down hills. Since I pedal all the time fixed , its much easier to stay warm! In addition to the constant pedaling you learn to pedal correctly and at ALL cadences making you a stronger more complete rider. You also learn to be smoother and carry your momentum. Handling and fast cornering is improved. When I get back on derailleur bikes for my big mountain epic rides, the blood in my legs feel like Red Bull!!

[@be_kurt]

Flip flop hub

[@augu5t1n]

an advantage for the fixed gear I think is that you require less effort to pedal than a singlespeed. when your legs are in the less efficient position for pedaling the crank rotates whitout the need of pushing and you start to push harder when it reaches the more efficient position. sometimes, after riding fixed exclusively and I ride a freewheeled bike mi legs stop near the vertical position of the cranks because they are used to be "helped" in that sector.I hope you understand what I wanted to say :)

[@johnbaca8692]

The first time I road a fixie it felt weird. It felt weird every other time I tried it. I use geared bikes because I'm old, and I wrecked my knees in my wild youth. I do have an old Raleigh 10 speed without a der. hanger and with semi horizontal dropouts and pretty light green paint and white tires, seat, cables and grips converted to single speed that I use as beach cruiser when the beach roads are fairly empty. I haven't ridden the bike except on my street lately because the beach road are always busy with tourists and such.

[@robertcasey1708]

I just bought continental GP4000s ii and so i cant do sick skidz anymore unless i wanna be broke forever😭😭

[@derschwarzeteufel1998]

I know the feeling, bout a Gatorskin for my back wheel and tore through it without brakes. Not making the mistake again 😂

[@Charles-wz9sd]

Get wtb thickslicks, I work in a bike shop and this is the tyre we throw at all the fixie riders. They are cheep and good for those skids, gatorskins have a stiff shell so they are less likely to get pinch flats and punctures. The gp 4000 II is for Roadies like me who is willing to spend a bit more for less rolling resistance.

[@thomassmith4999]

Grand Prix 4000s are worth getting a freewheel for :) much faster, gripper and just better than any skidders tyre. Since you can actually go around corners on a single speed you may as well do that to take advantage of the grip the GP 4000 has. No point having a grippy tyre if you have to stay upright all the time to stop banging a crank into the ground and killing yourself.

[@demonstructie]

Why choose, just throw a Thickslick on the back wheel and a Conti GP4000 on the front

[@ya-rx8nd]

Yeah same I don't want to skid out my nice tires either but slowing down without skidding and using a front brake too is more effective anyway. I'm not very much into doing fixie tricks but I do enjoy riding it. @Thomas smith I take corners well with my fixed gear and it's one of the things I enjoy with it but because of that I have to make sure I have good pedal clearance. My crank arms are short for a rider of my height at 6'3" being 165mm.

[@SuperNoncents]

I bought my first single speed that has the reversible hub if I want to make it fixed. Once I get comfortable riding I will try it on fixed!

[@voltag3man]

You cannot get comfrotable with coasting then switch over to fixed gear, trust me you will make it harder on yourself

[@oGaLaCTiCo]

fixed gear = for people that want to look cool single speed = for people that want something practical

[@Jdmxrtinez]

Galactus do fixed gear really look that cool

[@roberttaylor7462]

As I understand it traditional use of a fixed-gear single speed road bike was in the winter months because the continuously turning pedals keep the legs warm and help them become supple. Also you do more exercise for the distance traveled in training. Looking around big cities the hipster crowd use them no brakes (illegal in the UK) to look like they have just come back from the velodrome. Having a freewheel is safer on the road and why Specialized for example have a flip flop hub on some Langster's. Single speed with a freewheel makes a great simple bike for kids to learn on.

[@SpinBikerRepair]

@1:22 - so you take your feet off the pedals what happens if a car pulled out on that downhill your riding? Ending up in a hospital because you ride a fixie is not at all reasonable. Note: idea for a future video topic. If you live in a hilly area you can easily injure your knees riding a fixed-gear downhill. Riding a fixed-gear down Hills is not the most healthy thing for a bike riders knees. If you have a good quality set of brakes and brake pads the adjustment maintenance is minimal.

[@deftoner718]

Rode one awhile back took my foot off the pedals road into the wall to stop

[@adamcolbertmusic]

4:30 Never rode a fixed gear, BUT I DO WANT THE FIXIE POINTS!!!

[@devinface]

I've ridden fixed since 2010. Done a fixed century as well as a metric and many, many 50+ rides over varied roads with flats and hills.Only ridden fixed on the road either for commuting or for distance. Recently I restored a vintage road bike with a modern 11spd drivetrain. I thought to myself "I can't wait to crush all of my PR's on Strava." I crushed many but not all. Even on identical routes. There are some flats where I maintained a higher cadence therefore overall average speed vs my road bike. I've murdered my PR's on long, steep climbs on my roadie though. I still have two fixed gear bikes that I alternate regularly but the roadie increases my distance potential as well as climbing speed/effort exponentially. I find that climbing on a fixed gear is slightly easier than on a single speed because if you can just squeeze out one pedal stroke the bike will keep moving which in turn aids the next pedal stroke. Stalling out on a climb is def more possible on a fixed gear too, though. They all have their perks and honestly we ride what we ride because it's fun. Thanks for your vids, man. I've been watching since around your first century.

[@devinface]

#tldr ride whatever you want just have fun and be reasonably dangerous

[@joshuakeppel182]

I run two bikes. I ride a Wabi Classic fixed for me, and a single speed Raleigh with a child carrier when I take my daughter. I can focus on the ride while fixed, but don't have to as much when on my single. This let's me interact with my daughter with fewer worries.

[@jorgealvarez834]

I did both for an equally amount if time, I rather be riding free coast

[@ricomartinez2869]

More fun to me is ride a road bike with 36 speeds

[@jimwortham8634]

Finally sounds like a smart man

[@InconsistentTechDad]

I really like the main point at the end. Ride the one you'll have the most fun on. And I'll add... people... don't hate / act like a douche towards a person because they ride a certain type of bike. Just be cool with everyone that's a part of our two wheeled family!

[@anielyantra1]

One of the reasons I ride a single speed is that I can do that with a 26" wheels and MTB geometry. Fatter tires makes for a way more comfortable ride and the weight difference is not that much. Also parts are more readily available in a wide variety of choices.

[@hiiiimjay]

What if someone makes fix gear to free wheel shifter

[@curtisdeanmusic]

I've been thinking about this for awhile. Something internal hub like the old three speeds. Two gears. One freewheel and you can shift up to fixed. They do have hubs that are both. Fixed on one side and free on the other. You just take your rear wheel off and turn it around backwards. But it would be nice to just pull a shifter.

[@norwik]

Curtis Dean that will be a neat idea but I don't think its possible...

[@spoudaois4535]

The beauty is in the simplicity of a single gear. A shifter would be distracting.

[@nshire]

It could work with a clutched hub. It would be stupid and you'd be better off buying a normal road bike with shifters but it would work.

[@norwik]

I'll stick with my road bike for now... but I got another steal frame where I snapped my rear derailleur hanger so I thinking about "transforming" it into *Fix/single* any advice what will work with my biopace (52-42) cranks? I mean how big sprocket for rear I should get?

[@TYPEV3]

I prefer 11s. Electronic and wireless.

[@theylivewesee1674]

with hydro disc brakes

[@JamieBeardslee]

They Live We See and 160mm front and rear travel

[@rollinrat4850]

Haha. Youll need a motor soon.... and a good technician.

[@TimothyLeeField]

My gearing of choice, a triple mtb crankset with a 10 speed 11-32 or 11-36... probably due to get featured on the insta page "Hubord Watch" but it's the best. Bring back the triples! I also just started riding a single speed I put together which is a bit of fun, fixed is just a bit sketchy at time. Ride fixed in the velodrome... that's it.

[@rbro3001]

You are the most informative bike video guy I've seen. Also, I like your older videos from when you were younger. (ie.l how to paint your bike). Keep up the good work.

[@the9file]

When he says subscrider I always think he's mispronuncing it.

[@NGKGMR]

I'm a free coaster bmx

[@forkayebee3831]

I like riding single speed to the velodrome, then just flipping my wheel and taking off my brake cable and going fast on a track bike Then when riding home I can be tired out and coast a bit and not die... which is fun

[@AWriterWandering]

I have a flip flop, but I’ve yet to actually flip it from the single-speed side. The whole idea of fixed makes me nervous.

[@Jeesus353]

Its really down to looks, fixies look so simple and thats whats appealing. Singlespeed still need a front/rear brake which 'ruins' that look of simplicity

[@viswow]

Kristo A or you could get a single speed with a coaster break. That’s what I did and love it.

[@amjan]

No, lol, do you think hand brakes are the only brakes there are?!? Have you never seen a drum brake that you operate using the pedals?

[@crislersalpura5045]

I ride Single speed with coaster brake too. But some fixed gear riders here in the philippines are rude. They laugh at you because you ride single speed.

[@santosodevelopments7176]

Ok, So I'm not really a bike-type-a-guy. More into cars. I live in the Netherlands. Everyone has a bike here. And because of those maniac old people with electric bikes who don't know what they’re doing, kids with their eyes on the phone, instead on the road. And those irritating Lycra wearing cyclists. I hate bikes. But then a friend of mine had a fixed-gear-bike. U should try it, he said. I was like, nah, i'm good. Don't like bikes much. (Didn't really know what it was) it's a bike with a fixed gear, he said. It's not a normal bike, It feels different. Try it. It's fun. Me: nah, leave me alone man. Dude? come on? Hhmmm well okay, if you insist. And as soon as I got on the bike. I was like Wowww, OMG this is seriously dangerous. But my brain told me, dude, this is interesting and F*cking awesome. 10 paddle strokes later, I was instantly hooked. I don't know man, this is a whole new world opening for me. now 2 weeks later I got my own fixed. Stoked going to work every morning. Still Choking on my track stand in front of the traffic lights. Just ordered me some straps, so I can finally practicing some skids. For me: fixed made cycling great again. I even watch fixed gear KZbin vlogs now hahaha

[@jasonconrad9212]

I rode fixed for almost 2 years. I found it more annoying on group rides due to the “noodle legs” going down hills and riding my front brake. I really tried to stick with it. The whole reason I got a fixed gear was the simplicity and uniqueness. So instead of just going to a single speed and I didn’t want to look at the lever of a coaster brake I came across the Sturmey Archer S2 kicker. It’s eventually a single speed free wheel hub but pedal backwards to “click” into a gear reduction. I’m running a 50x18 now, it seems like a good setup. I’ve only taken it out around the block a few times.For the last year it’s been 44x18. I’ve never had any problems attacking big hills with this what I call a 1-1/2 speed. Of course now I run brakes front and rear, but I love to ride this bike and I get lots of compliments. (I do like the attention, but I just wanted something I would enjoy to ride)

[@bingus7361]

Gonna have to pass on fixed gear due to hills around my area also I don't like the idea of possibly losing control over my bike, but I have ridden them before and I see the appeal to them but in my case single speed is the go to for me. Thank you for not being a fanboy by the way.

[@gulfcitynd]

I perfer gears and freehubs

[@paulsmith9930]

I like gears, but I hate deraileurs. I have a graveyard of them. I gave up and went single speed and I don't miss gears for the Urban riding I do.

[@isaackarjala7916]

igh

[@isaackarjala7916]

That might be ambiguous.... Internal Gear Hub.

[@andrewmbreuninger]

The points don't matter - just like on Whose Line...

[@patrickperkins5316]

I am a single speed kinda guy.... love freewheel, as a kid I always had a coaster brake bike... tried fixed but it brought me back to that feeling... I just want to freewheel... but everyone do what they love and have fun!

[@remigreenwood6339]

So basically a Fixed single speed with no option of coasting unless you want to balance the down tube. Pros? To follow a trend.

[@mikefule330]

Just because something becomes trendy, doesn't mean it suddenly becomes a Bad Thing. Keen club cyclists were often riding fixed by preference decades before the hipster "fixie" thing. I've done 25 miles on mine today, mixing roads, lanes, bridle paths, woodland, field boundaries, and "no path at all" and it was challenging, rewarding and fun. Nothing to do with the urban hipster brightly coloured wheels, short handlebars and avocadocinolatte crowd. I'm just a cyclist.

[@jav2680]

I’m still confused on the difference

[@kane19832006]

on a fixed gear, as long as the back wheel is spinning, so are the pedals... therefore if you are going down a hill, you will either have to pedal super fast, or take your feet completely off the pedals until they're at more of a manageable speed for you to pedal at... on a single speed, you can pedal when you choose to, and not pedal (coast) when you choose to... you can also back pedal, where on a fixed gear, if you back pedal the bike moves backwards... fixed gear you pedal constantly... single speed not so much

[@florin-vasilemitria6444]

On a single speeeder you can go downhill and the pedals won't Move unless you spin them. On the fixie the pedals will rotate weather you want or not. This is one way to explain the process.

[@micahedelblue]

1:49 nice job stopping :p

[@elkin6039]

you forgot TO mention the awesome work with fix gear pal!!

[@philchang4583]

I love the momentum you get with fixed gear. Less effort when you get up to speed and, depending on the gear, makes hill climbing easier.

[@ThisisBrownfield]

Singlespeed with pedalbrake = the best

[@Xanduur]

Yep. Coaster brake all the way. I just need a 70s style orange flag for my bike.

[@5ivestaricky]

Fantasc that’s the best

[@5ivestaricky]

And I can even skid still to

[@ZachGallardo]

To coast, or not to coast? That is the question - Whether 'tis nobler for the legs to suffer The cogs and freewheels of outrageous ratio, Or to take gears against a hill of soreness, And, by spinning, climb them?

[@Nathan-nf5zj]

Zach Gallardo what's the best beginner fixed gear and is the cheapest please help

[@anthonythomasatv]

Zach Gallardo i dont think ill ever stop buying new fixies

[@anthonythomasatv]

bekfast4daiz thank you i appreciate that

[@tomhart9685]

Zach Gallardo gay? U used it as a insult! What the fuck is wrong with u

[@fatcat7msk7ru]

If you like a fixed gears, broken knee and many tears :)

[@mar10p53]

I personally found that I'm faster on commutes on a fixed bike, since coasting is not an option, so I have to keep pedalling anyway. I also prefer that you can decrease speed more naturally with your legs. Those were the big advantages to me after I switched to fixed on a flip-flop wheel because the freewheel-side broke, haha

[@Ober1kenobi]

Until your commute involves some hills You’re scrubbing speed constantly or peddling a stupid cadence Also peddling is not always Aero, there’s a reason why tucking and NOT peddling is so dang effective in certain scenarios, There’s plenty of instances where fixed is both faster and slower than SS. Plus coasting Plus White industries freewheels

[@adityajonathanmamahit2889]

I ride fixed with double brakes, and bell. 1. Safety is number one. A lot of motorcycle riders are dumb enough to kill me. So double brakes and bell helps *a lot* 2. Aesthetic is number two. I ride classic, handmade hi-ten steel frame with no butted tubing, weighing about 13-14ish kgs (whole bike). The downside is, weighs a ton but nvm i could take it as exercise, training me to be a better cyclist with heavy bike. Also makes its sturdy.

[@dan_lazaro]

What drivetrain I prefer? 2x8 speed

[@MotoSurgeon]

I have had fixed riders bombing hills out off control nearly kill me as a pedestrian. If you ride fixed do it where you wont kill someone if you lose control. Save fixed riding for the track..

[@pitsa9838]

MotoSurgeon nah

[@MotoSurgeon]

max garcia play stupid games, win stupid prizes

[@bb3866]

MotoSurgeon I've seen guys on geared with brakes do the same thing. It's not the bike that's the problem it's the person that's on that bike.

[@MotoSurgeon]

Robert Benner lies

[@bb3866]

MotoSurgeon LMAO

[@tonyblougoutas4988]

Coasting let's me catch my breath, relax, and appreciate the ride and a beautiful day.

[@Mr71paul71]

First time I road fixed gear was in the early 90s after buying a very high end track bike to race on. The route chosen for my first test ride was a very steep hill, the test ride went great until I had to use a rather large garden hedge to stop the bike !!!! I was hooked and went on to race many times on the track, where large garden hedges are few and far between. And these days I use my track bike as my go to city bike, there great fun, simple to fix and very fast

[@cherepaha3]

Derailleur weighs nothing gives u gears. Downhill full suspension fixed gear is my favourite bike