The hipsters have moved on from their Best Fixie Bikes fixation for the most part
Fixie Bikes Parts
Fixie brakes
You will more than often see fixies without brakes, this is part of their simple beauty. Riding a fixie without brakes however can be tricky to say the least, especially in heavy traffic. While a lot of fanatic fixie riders don’t like the extra weight and appearance of brakes on their bikes, riding without brakes can be dangerous and is against the law in a lot of jurisdictions.
Slowing down or coming to a full stop without brakes is obtained by resisting the motion of the turning cranks. The rider shifts his weight to the front wheel and pulling up on the pedals. Because your weight will no longer be on the rear, your rear wheel will have less grip. The more you shift your weight back the better you’ll be able to brake. This technique must be practised and can be hard in the beginning.
Most bikes are typically equipped with a 1/8 inch or a 3/32 inch chain. While most track-fixies will come with a 1/8 inch chain, 3/32 inch chains however are more common and lighter in weight and therefor more frequently used on fixie bikes. The 3/32 chains make for a more smoother and flexible ride.
Fixie bikes generally come without chain-guard which means your chain will be at the constant mercy of dirt, rain and wind. A good chain maintenance is important to make your chain last and enjoyable. A very detailed chain maintenance guide can be found at bikeeo.com
Fixie Cranks
It is generally a good choice to go with shorter than normal cranks when riding a fixie bike. The shorter length makes for an easier control of the cadences when riding fast and reduces the chance your pedals will hit the ground when you corner. A 160-170 mm cranks-set is commonly used. Of course this depends on your frame size and preference.
Fixie Gear
Choosing your gear is very personal and is highly depended on where you will be using your fixie.
A low gear will lower your maximum speed but will make it easier to climb hills and bridges.
The opposite is true for higher gears.
A flip-flop hub is a good way to have two gears on hand. When the situation asks for a different gear you can easily flip your wheel.
Fixie Frames
Like any other bike you want your fixie to have the right size, this is perhaps the most important part of choosing your new or second hand frame. If you found a good fixie retailer, the shopkeeper can help you choose the right size, not only in height but in top tube-length as well.
Depending on the riders preferences the top tube will be anywhere between 1” and 3” lower than the inside of your legs. On average the distance between the bottom bracket and the ground will be 10”. So your maximum frame size should be the inside of your legs length minus 1” to 3” minus 10”.
The frame size is measured from the top of the frame to the centre of the pedal axle.
For every 2” increment in frame size, the distance between your saddle and handlebars should increase 1”. The saddle can always be adjusted to make it a perfect fit.
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