What is the advantage of having a fixed gear bike?

Kyle E.R.

New member
I have seen a few guys riding around on them and they look cool, but what happens when you want to go fast? How do you stop? Why not just throw come brakes on there and why is the chain locked in? Can't they just be set up like BMX bikes?
 
None, in my opinion. I hate them and the Harry Hairshirt philosophy behind them. The biking equivalent of a neocon: wishing for simple solutions to a complex world.

Proponents talk about how it cleans up your stroke by demanding a smooth style, how light weight and bulletproof they are and how direct the pedal response is. When you want to go fast you have to stand up and muscle it: forget cadence or timing, it's just pump til you bleed.

You stop by backpedaling! Ever try to stop with just the rear wheel? That's the idea. Traffic anyone?

There's a reason to have all the things, like gears and brakes, they are missing. It's just a stupid fad.
 
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