What is the point in a fixie?

[PamNY]

I understand about the hipster cool part (spend a lot of free time in Brookyn). I just want to know why someone did that to a bike in the first place.

They do look sleek and lovely, like a sculpture.

[kmehrzad]

Fixies are great exercise as they build the muscles in your legs (no rest for the weary), without all the componentry the bike weighs less, and some say fixies help to hone your pedaling style.

Personally I have a single speed, so I can coast but still get a great workout with the one speed (42/16).

[moderncyclista]

The point of owning a fixie is accumulating "street cred" and "hipster points" that can be spent in many stores across the U.S.

In all seriousness, you feel a greater connection to the bicycle. You are part of it when riding a fixie. Me, I likes me gears here where hills abound. You can do bada$$ tricks on a fixie, part of the being connected thing. It is best to be fit-as-hell when riding a fixie too. Also, going down large hills on a fixed gear blows, hardcore. Your legs are spinning like a freaking outta-control wind turbine. I'm a big fan of multiple gears. I would never use one here. Just not practical. They are quite simple and elegant. Well, I'm sure everyone has different input.

[Grog]

I just want to know why someone did that to a bike in the first place.

I think it's actually about what one did not do to a bike, i.e. not add a freewheel.

I agree with the "feeling as one" explanation. I'm not ready to ride a fixie, but if I had more space for bikes in my home I'd sure consider it...

[crazycanuck]

After riding a track bike, I can sort of see the appeal of fixies & singlespeeds. Do I want a fixie now? Umm..no, i'll just use it at the track thanks. Singlespeed on the other hand..sure why not.

I'd like to go singlespeed on my mtb but I keep getting odd looks when I tell my other half... Really..I'd love to try it...

[Jiffer]

Seems like the fixie thing is a culture all its own. There's a guy who rides a fixie in our club. I couldn't figure him out for a long time. Didn't even realize he rode a fixie, but he was the only one wearing cargo shorts instead of spandex! I kept thinking surely he'd show up with spandex at the next ride, because surely he would figure out that spandex was the superior option.

It was my husband who eventually noted and then pointed out to me that this guy rode a fixie and what that even meant. Apparently he rides with a fixie club in L.A. Who knew there was a fixie CLUB even?!

I have to say, for a guy in cargo shorts on a fixie, he holds his own amazingly well amongst all us gear fixated spandexies!!! (Get it?! Fixie? Spandexie?! I crack myself up.)

In conclusion, on a humorous note, my husband informed me that fixie guy (who has a name, which I just can't remember right now) did finally show up to a ride with spandex.

[lph]

Jiffer, you crack me up

I've moved from considering fixies an absurd concept to being kind of tempted. A very light bike with few moving parts (and less MAINTENANCE!) with a direct and strong response sounds fun. But I think I'd freak out at the spinning downhill thing. Singlespeed maybe, sometime.

[MommyBird]

My hubbie is fixated on fixies right now. Belt drives too. I am sure the constant pedaling would get old fast and he would flip the hub.

We would like to get commuter/sightseeing bikes for our RV trips, and think a 3 or 8 speed would be good for me with a fixie as an equalizer for him.