| A fixed gear bike is bike whose socket is screwed | | | | will remain constant and there are very few |
| directly onto the hub. In other words, there is no | | | | environmental challenges. |
| freewheel which would allow the bike to coast while | | | | Advantages |
| the pedals are not moving. A fixed gear bike will | | | | A rider may choose a fixed gear bike for a number |
| cease to move if the rider stops pedaling. | | | | of reasons. First, they are generally light weight |
| Conversely, if the wheels are turning, the pedals are | | | | bicycles. Commuters often need to carry their bikes |
| moving. These bikes have specific advantages and | | | | inside their office buildings, or up or down a flight of |
| disadvantages, depending on the kind of bicycling the | | | | stairs. There are fixed gear bicycles that weigh as |
| rider wishes to do. | | | | little as 23 pounds. |
| Gears | | | | Because the construction of the fixed gear bike is |
| Generally speaking, a fixed gear bike is a single speed | | | | much simpler, maintenance is simpler as well. The |
| bike. There is an exception, but not in the traditional | | | | brake systems demand fewer parts, and there is |
| sense. Some fixed gear bikes have a cog on either | | | | only one gear. Fewer repairs equate to less money |
| side of the wheel, allowing the rider a choice of two | | | | spent and more time on the bike. |
| speed ratio; however, the rider may not shift speeds | | | | Performance, although hampered in some ways, |
| while riding. The hub, known as a flip flop hub, will | | | | improves in wet conditions because feedback to the |
| have a fixed wheel cog on either side of the wheel, | | | | rear brake from the pedals encourages better grip on |
| or a fixed wheel cog on one side and a freewheel | | | | the road and better response to the conditions. This |
| cog on the other. In either case, the rider must | | | | also is an advantage to a commuter, because |
| manually remove, reverse, and replace the rear wheel | | | | weather can be unpredictable and safety may be |
| in order to change the speed ratio of the cycle. | | | | better ensured with this bicycle. |
| Uses | | | | Disadvantages |
| Track bikes used in indoor bicycle tracks, called | | | | Without the ability to coast, the rider has little or no |
| velodromes, are fixed gear bikes. Cycle ball, bike polo, | | | | opportunity to rest on long rides; additionally, if the |
| and artistic cycling are also fixed gear bike sports. | | | | rider must rest, the bike will stop, potentially leading |
| The fixed gear bike is ideal for track stands; these | | | | to loss of control of the bicycle. Novice riders of |
| are tricks in which the bike remains stationary, while | | | | fixed gear bikes will also have difficulty in turning at |
| the rider balances it upright, with his feet in the | | | | higher speeds, as the rider does not have the |
| pedals. | | | | opportunity, afforded by freewheel bikes, to equalize |
| Many young children's bikes are fixed gear bikes, as | | | | their pedal height during these turns. As a result, the |
| are BMX bikes. The popularity of the fixed gear bike | | | | pedal may touch the ground, possibly leading to loss |
| has grown recently for use in commuting to school | | | | of control. |
| and work, under circumstances in which the terrain | | | | |