We probably reached peak fixie in 2008. The cool kids might be bikepacking and riding gravel now, but we at BikeRadar remain ardent fans of the freewheel-free life. Here are five reasons your next bike should be a fixie.
What do you think of our reasons? As always, let everyone know in the comments.
Check out Joe’s beautiful fixed geared build in these links.
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[Music] we probably reached Peak fixie in 2008 the cool kids might be bike packing and riding gravel now but we at bike radar remain Ardent fans of the Freewheel free life here are five reasons your next bike should be a fixie there’s no bailout gear on a fixie if you want to get up a steep hill you’re going to have to grit your teeth and get on with it or walk riding fixed will force you to work harder at times than you would on a geared bike and you’ll get stronger and fitter as a result there’s something uniquely amusing in being bound to every turn of your wheels you may not find spiritual enlightenment on a fixie but it is a very pure form of riding it’s sometimes claimed that riding fixed actually makes your pedal stroke smoother we’re very skeptical about that if anything we found the opposite but the way you’re forced to keep your legs turning does give you a pleasant feeling of momentum it can feel like there’s no dead spot in your pedaling because the motion of the bike pulls your feet over the top of the stroke want to ride down a big hill you’re going to have to keep up because coasting is not an option riding fixed forces you to adapt to riding at a huge range of cadences at the top end it’s not impossible to hit 200 RPM and a steeper scent can have you grinding down in the 20s we don’t endorse riding brakess because it’s done dumb and illegal but you can certainly break Less on a fixie modulating your speed with a bit of leg control you have to adapt your cornering style too because leaning over too hard carries the risk of pedal strikes fixies are perfect for Riders who hate looking after their bikes you still need to lube your chain occasionally but there are no gear cables and derailers to get gunked up or go out of adjustment and there’s no vulnerable hanger to get bent at the bike racks the Simplicity of a fixed gear Drive train can make for truly beautiful bicycles and they can be cheap to run too there aren’t many parts to wear out so they’re perfect for commuting and winter riding ignore all the nonsense about achieving bicycle Zen and becoming one with your machine it was rubbish back in 2008 and it’s rubbish now that doesn’t change the fact that riding fixed is a hell of a lot of fun some days gears are a godsend and free wheeling is where it’s at but we love variety and the novelty of riding fixies has never worn off you probably don’t want one as your only bike but if your marriage to cycling is in trouble and you need to spice things up climb a board of fixie and glory in the absurdity of pedling everywhere all the time do a skid get a knuckle tattoo and party like it’s 2008 [Music] [Music]
25 Comments
So, fixed geared bikes. Beautiful simplicity or an indulgence reserved only for the the hippest of the hip????? Let us know in the comments!
I convert my singel speed to fixed gear yesterday and get injuried and now I m gonna rest in my bed for few days
I thought the russian cartoon show The fixies (Фиксики Fixiki)
this just make me not wanna use a fixie even more
5 reasons why I'll never ride a fixie.
FIXED gear bike! WOW this will get your thighs biggest cool
Beautifully produced and narrated video!
hear hear! except… 2:32~ I DO want one as my only bike! and I HAVE one as my only bike….. （⌒▽⌒）
I have a fixie with 28T front crank. Was on 43T , it was a hell even on a 1-15° elevation . But its a blast on flat road like rocket . But yeah i ride for commuter so i ran 28T
Only one of those is a positive feature, and the last one is just made up to try to get even 5 things in the list.
Só no good reasons
I will never understand fixie/single speed/brake less bikes and I don't even want to.
I have a fixie for commuting and a carbon tracklocross for mtb . Main reason why in one word : challenge
I beg to differ, you can get spiritual enlightened from a fixie.
What is a fixie??
2:12 how can you make that comment? I only ride fixed and one of my favorite parts of it is because I feel more connected with the machine, like it’s apart of me and not just an apparatus I use to move around more efficiently
Correct – fixed messes up your spin! I'm fixed for life anyway, and also ride ALL the other bikes as well 🙂
Like anyone needed a reason. If you're into bikes, it's only a matter of time curiosity catches up to you.
Whoah there. I don't ride my fixie without brakes. Mostly because I'm not keen on the idea of frequent tire purchases and accelerated wear. I just don't think saying riding brake less is stupid. Some people are just as good at controlling the bike brake less as some with brakes. It's a passion thing for these riders. It would be like saying driving a car a bit faster is dumb and illegal. Yet there are people who don't break the law per se but shouldn't ever be permitted to drive a car. Report the facts and keep the judgment to yourself.
The voice. The term “fixie!” The person speaking. 👎🏿
Death wish
One speed bicicletas are great for commuting. i saw a guy going like 20 mph on a fixie bike
5 reasons NEVER to buy a fixie 😂
These brakeless fixed gear bikes are outright illegal where I live, and I’ve already reported multiple riders in my community. These so called riders act like they own the streets, weaving recklessly, ignoring traffic laws, and putting everyone, drivers, pedestrians, other cyclists, at serious risk. It’s pure negligence and a blatant disregard for public safety.
Riding brakeless on busy roads isn’t some cool edgy stunt; it’s a dangerous gamble with lives. Fixed gear fans often claim skill or control, but the reality is most of them can’t stop properly in emergencies. Skidding on asphalt, locking wheels, or relying on leg resistance doesn’t cut it when seconds matter. The lack of proper brakes makes these bikes a hazard, especially in urban traffic where unpredictability is the norm.
What’s worse, many fixed gear riders flaunt this recklessness like a badge of honor, refusing to install front or rear brakes just to look pure or authentic. That’s not dedication, that’s irresponsibility at its worst. This isn’t just about personal risk; it’s about endangering everyone around them. If they can’t follow basic traffic laws or ensure their equipment meets safety standards, they have no business on public roads.
To the enthusiasts who defend brakeless fixed gears as tradition or style, get real. Safety should come first. No trend, no look, no subculture is worth risking lives. Authorities should crack down harder, and communities as well as manufacturers need to stop enabling this madness.
The geometry is just so fun, makes a road bike feel like a crotch rocket.