How To Make A Fixie Ride Safe

Although there is no question that riding a fixed gear bike, or fixie, can be a crazy yet fun experience, if riders, especially the first-timers are not careful, fun may end up in disaster. Therefore, it is important for a first-time rider of this bike to follow the tips below in order to ensure that his ride of this bike will not only be riveting but safe, too.

A first time rider of this bike should make sure that he knows what his dominant foot is. The foot that a rider places on the pedal of the bike before he starts pedaling is his dominant foot. Many riders have the habit of placing their left foot on the ground and the right one is on the pedal. This is important for people who ride a fixed gear because when they stop, they will have to remove the foot from the pedal to put it down quickly.

Knowing how to turn the fixie properly is another thing that a first-timer fixed gear bike rider has to ensure. On the whole, people who ride regular bikes don’t really find it much of a hassle to turn the handlebars. But it is a totally different story for people who ride a fixed gear bike. If the frame angle of the bike is really tight, the person who rides it must be extra careful. The reason behind this is that when a slight turn is made, the tip of the feet can strike the front wheel.

It is likewise important for first-time riders of fixed gear bikes to remember that they need to pedal over the bumps they encounter along the road. While this is not a problem with any regular bike, riders of a fixie have to pedal over sticks, stones, or any other blockages on the road. Standing on the pedal whenever a rider experiences a bump is the best way to deal with these.

Riders of a fixed gear bike should also make sure that they wear clothes that will surely make motorists notice them. This is another way to avert accidents. It is because majority of the motorists are only cautious of other motorists as well. Hence, it is important for riders of a fixed gear bike to wear clothes that will make motorists aware of their presence, too. If these tips are followed, there is no denying that a fixed gear bike ride will not only be fun, but safe, too.

Tags: fixie

Fixie Bikes: Are You Brave Enough To Try These?

When you have plans of buying fixie, you would do well to consider certain things first. These would ensure that you end up happy with your decision. You probably can ask yourself if you really know what a fixed gear bicycle is all about and why is it different from other bicycles. Obviously, you don’t want to buy such a bicycle just because all of your friends have it, and you don’t want to be left out.

Quite different from other bikes with rear wheels that have multiple cogs, fixies are built-in with single cogs only. Unlike other bikes where changing gears and freewheeling is possible, fixie only have forward motion. Hence, when the bike is moving, so are the pedals. Needless to say, even fixed gear bike riders can enjoy freewheeling. It’s easy to find the component called the flip-flop hub that you can affix to your bicycle in order to make the switch from freewheel to fixed.

If you really want to get yourself a fixed gear bicycle, there are plenty of choices to choose from. Your first option is track fixies, and these are usually seen on the track of professional sports events. The bike is super fast, but it is uncomfortable due to its stiff frame. Furthermore, you won’t find any quick-release option on the wheels. Simply put, it means that fixie perform well if on the tracks, but on the road, it’ hard to manage. The second and most commonly used by people are road fixies.

You can buy custom-built road fixies where you can pick out the color, rims, tires, handlebars, and a host of other options. Many hard core bike riders go for this type, since they can customize it any way they want. They can build it on their own to suit their preferences. Actually, old speed bikes may be converted. Ten-speed bikes are usually converted by bikers into fixies, but this demands advanced skills on their part.

Ironically, the third and last type of fixed gear mountain bike is also the least popular out of all fixie. If the first two are types of fixed gears that amateurs and newbies can enjoy, this one is for hard core riders alone. It’s already hard to ride a bike with multiple gears on rough terrain, so imagine how much more difficult it would be to use a fixed gear bike. You need to know all these before you decide to buy a fixed gear bike.

Tags: fixie, fixie bikes

Conversions Overhaul Your Bike’s Gear Settings

You can’t tell the difference between a 3 speed bike and a fixed-gear bike if you’re comparing conversions. It’s easy to confuse multispeed bikes with single speeds because the gears are sometimes built into an internal hub on the rear wheel. This keeps the bike’s sleek, classic design intact. A multispeed bike has plenty of advantages over single speeds and fixed gears, especially if you want to drive through various terrains. The difference lies in their gear options; single-speed bikes only have one gear on one side of the wheel while a multispeed can have as much as four gears on the same sprocket. The terrain usually varies with gradual and abrupt slopes, but you should manage these by shifting to larger gears for steeper slopes. The same principle applies to four-wheel vehicles, in which you’ll need to shift to first gear from a complete stop and switch to smaller gears as you build up momentum.

In case you decide you’ll be better off with a new bike and new gear configurations, then you only need to convert your old bike instead of replace it. A fixie bike should offer plenty of unique features and challenges, but a three-speed is reliable and efficient. You can customize your bike’s specs either way and on your own. Your can easily convert a single-speed bike into a fixed-gear configuration because its frame is sturdy enough to handle your weight and pedaling. The bike frame’s height has to be lowered to ensure the setup’s stability, though. You can also install a fixed gear onto mountain and road bikes, but you should choose a bike with a horizontal dropout to keep the tension manageable. The bars that hold the bike’s rear axle in place is oriented either horizontally or diagonally (the dropout), and the orientation of the brace determines its capacity to handle your weight. Three-speed conversions are also doable, especially if you’re going to customize English three-speeds (with triangle braces on their rear wheels).

You’ll need working knowledge on mechanics to install the bike gears properly. If you can’t, then you should let bike shops handle the conversions instead. Besides, you should have plenty of auxiliary customization options, particularly those which help optimize the control and comfort of your ride. You can change the handle bars, replace the saddles, or place hubs or rims over the wheels. Your 3 speed bike conversion aims to make your ride more convenient, manageable, and efficient. You shouldn’t stop with the priorities, though. It also pays to beef up the extraneous details. Visit your local bike shop and consider all your customization options.

Tags: 3 speed bike, fixie

Cycling: Different Types of Bikes

If you want to start exercising, or saving gas, cycling is the sport for you. Cycling helps you get around, stay healthy, and avoid dumping gas into your car! As you might expect, there are many different disciplines within cycling. In the following paragraphs, you will learn out the different types of bikes out there, and what they can do for you.

Let’s look at commuter bicycles to start. Commuter bikes are purpose built for getting around town, and do the job quite well. These can be anything from old mountain bikes, road bikes, single speed bikes, or any other comfortable inexpensive bicycle. Because of the high gas prices today, commuter bikes are getting more and more popular. If your aim is to put to get around, a commuter bike is the way to go.

If you’re for little more adventure, a mountain bike might be for you. Mountain bikes are rugged bikes intended for off-road use. These bikes have large, knobby tires that make them ideally suited for off-road use. Mountain bikes come in hardtail and full suspension deseigns. Today, full suspension bikes are by far the most popular. However they’re also the most expensive. If you’re looking to save money, hard tails might be the way to go. You can also save money by going for a used mountain bike.

If you are feeling the need for speed, road biking might be for you. These fast, sleek bikes are very fun to ride for long distances. Road cycling is also a great aerobic exercise, and a means of transportation. Today’s road bikes are made of many high-tech materials, such as carbon fiber. Buying a carbon fiber road bike can set you back a bit, but the result is worth it for many. Buying a road bike can be a little tricky for new riders, but if you get somebody at the shop to help you, it shouldn’t be too bad.

If you’re feeling a little unconventional, cyclocross bike might be for you. A cyclocross bike is a combination of a road bike and a mountain bike. These bikes closely resemble road bikes, but have knobby mountain bike like tires that allow them to handle basic off-road. Cyclocross bikes are great for competing in cyclocross events, as well as getting around town. Their fast yet rugged design makes them ideal each suited for a broad range of purposes.

Tags: bike, Bikes, Biking, Cycling, cyclocross, fixed gear, fixie, Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes