Fixed gear bikes are a pretty cool way to get around in a city, but just how do they compare to a normal bike with a selection of gears? Chris and James do a series of simple tests using Jon’s cheap fixie to find out.
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20 Comments
Just once I'd like to see these GCN dudes play it conventionally and ditch the frigging helmets. Set aside the pros (scant) and the cons (many) of the funny plastic hats, but I mean come on, the little near sighted ladies in the village on girl's bikes with baskets are riding around without the things so two healthy chaps in their twenties with 20/20 vision, fast reflexes, and sharp skills can do some of their rides without them too. Besides the mental conditioning, it's probably related to some kind of an image thing with the show's sponsors, or possibly kickbacks from the helmet manufacturers. I probably ought to add another two cents related to the idea that when guys like you wear the plastic hats every time you ride, even when it's little knock around rides in the city, you portray cycling as dangerous and somewhat abnormal at the same time, instead of something normal and safe for everyone. I'm not down on anyone, just remarking on the image and lack of necessity also.
As interesting as the concept is for a fixed gear bicycle, the business with having to let the pedals fly by themselves, like on a downhill, like you're in a Benny Hill bit, and never being able to have the relevant one lifted up in a turn, would be deal breakers for me. So nevermind anything else then.
it's not about which's better about fixie or rb, it's all about MONEY, average people just can buy fixie bcs it was cheaper than rb, and fixie need special skill to ride it like skid or standing and something like that, sorry if my english bad
This has nothing to do with gears or being fixed.
new fixed gear riders should avoid hills until your legs get stronger
if you saw one using a fixie with no brakes, he's the real deal
London is fairly flat (at least the parts that I cycle to and from) and so a fixie is absolutely perfect for me. I've stripped it back to the bare essentials, but added a front basket rack as I hate commuting wearing my backpack so I just strap it to the front. This has multiple other benefits as well. The bike is so beat up looking that I don't worry about leaving it anywhere, yet it's got that sleeper factor that I can go nuts on it if I ever want to get some speed going. It's been so long now that I actually feel safer and more in control riding fixed than with a freewheel. I ride with straps, not clips, as it just seems far more convenient – no need to dress for the part, just pick it up and go. As for upkeep – there's just no comparison. I beat up this steel frame constantly, slack on the maintenance, and it just keeps going. Finally, it's become part of my routine to cycle at least 12 miles back and from work every day, not just for the physical benefits but for the mental health benefits. I just can't see myself removing that from my routine.
fook guys why dont u speak english people can understand??? ur language is sth between black guys from harlem nyc and irish from minesota, stop that
I love gears and I love an pld, steel fixie.
Most bikers would javepre fun on an old Moto Guzzi than a new R6.
Most drivers would havepre fun on an old Lancia Flavia fhan a BMW Z4.
It is as much about feel and sensation and pure pleasure as anything…
Does your city have hills? If so, get gears. Ride a single speed / fixie for years and it just became a pain with how hilly my city was.
i like those both bikes
This was done with lawyers involvement cause no fixed gear rider is going to say no jumping red lights
Why not take the best of both by placing gears on the older bike?
My fixed gear bike is worth 5k, and I guarantee it’s lighter than that road bike. Where as this fixed gear bike is full steel, it probably weighs 25+ lbs!
I've been cycling on gears since 1960 and still cycle 3 times a week on gears .
There is no way better than gears for climate up the mountain or making a fast and safe decent.
This video largely misses the reason why fixed gear bikes became popular for city riding in the first place. Bike couriers ride them because they are inexpensive and easy to service as there are less moving parts. If you have a derailleur malfunction while your working a shift for its likely your off the road for the day. Also courier work traditionally doesn't pay that well so less moving parts means less things that need to be replaced and maintained. They became popular city bikes because yuppies saw couriers racing around the city on them and assumed it would also be the best mode of transport for them as well.
A Fixie pedaling sometimes is so hard but it goes fast in 5 secs 😂
Great quality; easy assembly
There is no logical to use a fixie if you have gears.
The problem, at least where i live, is that the fixies/single-speed became so popular with all the hipsters, it is much cheaper to buy used road bike than a rusted fixie