Why Ride a Fixed Gear Bike?

I love the quote from Henri Desgrange in 1902, "I stillstop is not a fast way to stop. There were a number
feel that variable gears are only for people overof times when I slid into the back of cars because I
forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength ofcouldn't stop fast enough.
your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? WeI enjoy riding my fixie because it's very quiet, the bike is
are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"solid feeling because the chain isn't bouncing around on
A fixed gear bike is based on a track bike, it has nothe derailleur, and you have a nicer feel for the road.
gears so it's a single speed, the bike doesn't coast, soIt's just a simpler way to ride.
if the back wheel spins the pedals spin and many don'tThe fixed gear is great for exercise since you can't
have hand brakes.coast and when you go up hills you really have to
Many people think riding a fixie without brakes is crazy,work. Riding a fixed gear bike is a nice way to work
but you can stop it by locking up the rear tire, althoughon your pedaling technique. When you go downhill you
it isn't the greatest way to stop, it does work. I shouldwill be spinning very fast and if you don't have a good
know, when I used to bike messenger I had a singletechnique you'll be bouncing all over the place.
speed coaster brake with no front brake. Skidding to a