| So you've decided to buy a fixed gear bike. Could it be | | | | that fits your size and frame. It is very important that |
| the simplistic look, the better control, or the | | | | you are comfortable when riding your bike. There are |
| lighter-smoother-faster performance? Are you looking | | | | two methods to figure out the size you will need. The |
| to commute, do tricks, race, exercise, or just plain kick | | | | technical way: measure the inseam of your pant leg |
| it around the neighborhood? Whatever your reasons | | | | and multiply by 0.67. If your inseam is 81 cm then |
| for buying a "fixie" there are a few things you must | | | | multiplying this by 0.67 gives 54, or a 54 cm bike |
| know before you purchase. You will need to know | | | | (notice that cm are used instead of inches, 2.54 cm |
| what type of fixed gear you want, how to size the | | | | equals 1 inch). The other method is the rule of thumb: |
| bike for you, and what type of power you will need. | | | | when you stand next to the bike, the cross bar should |
| Fixies, or a 'skinny bike", are the hippest bike going, and | | | | be about one inch below your privates! Either way, |
| I am sure if you consider these points before you buy | | | | both methods will get you to the right size bike for you. |
| a fixed gear bike it will help you find just the right one | | | | If you can, test drive the bike, or try a friend's fixie, to |
| for you. | | | | see how it feels for you. |
| On the Road or Around the Track | | | | Gain as a Measure of Power |
| There are generally two types of fixed gear bikes: | | | | Finally, you should know how powerful the bike is |
| road and track. It seems like the differences would be | | | | before you buy it. We are going to use a measure |
| significant, but for all practical purposes they are not | | | | called "gain" to help us understand the fixie's power. |
| that much different. The main difference between the | | | | Basically said gain measures how far the bike will |
| two is that track bikes have no brakes! That's right, | | | | travel for every inch you move the pedals. The higher |
| when you are racing around the velodrome you have | | | | the gain the faster the bike will go, but with a lower |
| no need for brakes. Know this before you buy your | | | | gain you have more control. You need to understand |
| fixie, because being able to brake might be important | | | | what it is you want to do with the bike so it will |
| to you. Most track fixies have the option to add a | | | | perform to your expectation. The gain is measured by |
| brake so you can do this when you buy your bike. The | | | | multiplying two ratios together. The first ratio is the |
| other major difference between the two is that track | | | | number of teeth for the front gear divided by the |
| bikes sit up a little higher and the frames are made to | | | | number of teeth for the back gear. The second ratio is |
| have steeper angles. Here is what I recommend, if you | | | | the radius of the wheel divided by the length of the |
| are going to commute or ride your fixed gear | | | | crank. Take these two ratios and multiply them |
| distances to exercise then get a track bike. If you are | | | | together and you have the gain. For racing you would |
| riding around town or campus, want to do tricks, or just | | | | want a gain that is bigger than 5, and for road use you |
| have a bike to kick around with then get a road bike. | | | | would want a gain from 3 to 6. As you can see there |
| Either way, when you want to buy a fixed gear bike | | | | is some over lap here and ultimately you should try |
| you won't be disappointed with either. | | | | riding a few fixies with different gains so you can |
| One Size Doesn't Fit All | | | | "know" what gain you will need. |
| It is extremely important that you get the right size fixie | | | | |