In a previous post I wrote about alleycat, rules and history.
Now I would like to talk about bikes that are involved in racing.
There are so many types of bikes as there are participants. Every ride on what they like and what is comfortable to them. But most popular are fixed-gear bikes.
A fixed-gear bicycle (or fixed wheel bicycle) is a bicycle that has no freewheel, meaning it cannot coast — the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving.
Fixed-gear bikes are especially popular among bicycle couriers. Why is this so?
Fixed-gear bike is considerably lighter than a multi-speed bike of comparable quality. This bike is as simple as possible. This is actually the frame and two wheels. Fixed-gear bike is less unreliable than normal bicycle. Low weight and reliability are the most important aspects of the bicycle for bicycle couriers.
It takes a bit of practice to become comfortable on a fixed gear. Most cyclists, trying it for the first time, will automatically try to coast once the bike gets up to a certain speed. The bike will not allow this, and it is disconcerting. It takes a couple of weeks of regular riding to unlearn the impulse to coast, and become at ease on a fixed gear.
It is worth going through this learning experience, however, because once you do so, you will discover a new joy in cycling. When you ride a fixed gear, you feel a closer communion with your bike and with the road. There is a purity and simplicity to the fixed-gear bicycle that can be quite seductive. Somehow, once you get past the unfamiliarity, it is just more fun than riding a bike with gears and a freewheel!
No brakes, No problem !
Some fixed-gear riders think brakes are not strictly necessary, and brakeless fixed riding has an almost cult status in some places, based on the perception by some riders of the experience of riding in a state of intense concentration or 'flow' where brakes are thought not to be needed.
In poland cycling without brakes is illegal. The bicycle must have one efficient brake.
Fixed-gear bikes subculture.
On Fixed-gear bikes do not ride only messengers. There are many enthusiasts who are not messengers. Some people were fascinated by pure form this type of bike or try to do tricks. People belonging to the subculture of fixed-gear have a unique style of dress, referring to the costumes bicycle couriers.
Movie showing the tricks of fixed-gear bike:
If anyone wants to try his luck on the fixed-gear bike, or fix your own bike, I am happy to help. :)
There are many companies producing fixed-gear bikes. For example:
ReplyDeleteDon Walker Cycles or NS.
It's best to make a bike yourself. You can adjust it perfectly to your riding style, likes and dislikes. In addition, gives great satisfaction the first time going to the streets.
The first fixed-gear bike I made from what I found in the attic :)
Simplicity rules :-)For few years I was riding a bicycle made in 50-ties of last century (no gears and one not very well working break :-)It had particular feeling and beauty. I have never had to use any protection for it, because typical thief is not interested in such old stuff. The only disadvantage was its weight, so it wouldn't go well for alleycat ;-)
ReplyDeleteoh, I forgot about sth:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn29DvMITu4
:D
ReplyDeleteExcellent
Well as the cycling isn't really my hobby it's hard for me to judge whether fixed-gear bike is more fun or simply better than ordinary mountain bike. The only idea or association that comes to my mind is my bike from times when I used to be a little boy riding on his first bike. That was definitely kind of fixed bike on which in order to stop you had to block backwards pedals.
ReplyDeleteIt`s strange for me how to ride without breaks, how it`s possible? when you suddenly need to stop, how to do it?
ReplyDeleteHello everybody,
ReplyDeletewow I thought that fixed gear bikes already have disapeared from the streets. your story really shocked me. without breaks can be funny.
J A C K
You said that fixed gear bikes are popular among bicycle couriers. I know you backed it up with arguments about better reliability and such, but must say Im still pretty surprised.
ReplyDeleteOne could think that since bicycle courier has such a dangerous job, one of their top priorities should be safety in which case means having good breaks.
From what I understood fixed gear bikes do not have any of those right?
Perhaps I misunderstood it a bit and breakless riding is just one additional modification but one way or another if all fixed gear bikes dont have breaks, I would have to say those couriers dont value their lives.
As a side note, when I was young I had one of those bikes that could be "folded" in half after removing one screw. (Składak)
I dont really remember if it had a fixed gear but I definitely recall its funny break system.
If you wanted to stop you just had to move the pedals in opposite direction to one you normally use and bam, break.