Jun 27 2011
Beyond the Single-Speed Bike…
I’ve written previously about the current popularity of single-speed bikes; however, if you want to really get back to cycling basics, then that single-speed hub has to lose one extra component. The freewheel mechanism. Most bikes have a system in the rear hub which allows the wheel to turn forwards without the chain and pedals moving – this is the freewheel. Take that away and behold – the fixed-wheel bike.
I’ve been riding a fixed-wheel bike for many years now. I first got interested because I knew other people who rode them, and I was curious. I also liked the idea of having a bike with fewer moving parts, as that meant less to get gunked up in the city in winter. And, therefore, less to clean and service! At the time I had just the one bicycle, a Cannondale road bike; having one to use in bad weather, saving my precious Cannondale from grime and muck, also seemed a pretty good idea.
I bought an old but serviceable bike from a local newspaper ad, and set about converting it. The bike only had a five-speed rear block, and no front changer, so this was pretty simple. I found a rear wheel which I could attach a single, fixed sprocket to, and a chain set with a suitably sized chain ring, and I was under way. The gear was a bit lower than I’d have liked, but that could be changed at a later stage if I felt like it.
Learning to ride fixed was simpler than I expected; you have no option but to pedal at all times (except when you’re stationary of course), and I didn’t know how readily I’d adapt. I’d also heard tales of the dire consequences of trying to stop pedaling – going over the bars being mentioned more than once! Thankfully, that never happened to me; on several occasions I’d make as if to freewheel, and find my legs being jolted be the pedals as they continued to turn. Startling and a little unnerving, but I never actually came off the bike as a result.
The more I rode my fixed-wheel bike, the more I enjoyed it. It’s hard in some ways to describe the experience, but there’s something very immediate about the way the bike responds – no chain lag when you pedal harder, so you accelerate instantly. It’s possible to control your speed without using the brakes a lot of the time; you can slow down by pushing back against the pedals as they turn. I’ve seen couriers in some big cities riding fixed-wheel bikes with no brakes at all – they either stop in the way I’ve just described, or (if they’re real toughs!) by jumping the bike, locking their legs and letting the back wheel skid to a halt when they land. Yes, really.
I recall once cycling home from work in a snowstorm. I was riding along over freshly laid snow; all the car drivers were taking it very gently, and I was able to keep pace with them, never having to touch the brake. In spite of the conditions, I felt totally secure. If I’d been on a bike with gears, or even a single-speed with a freewheel I very much doubt I’d have felt that way – I’d have been worried about having to brake, and the likelihood of skidding and coming off the bike.
Would I recommend riding fixed to other city cyclists? Without hesitation, yes. While it’s not great for big hills, or indeed long rides, it’s just perfect in most cities. You get a higher level of control of the bike, plus instant response from a push on the pedals; both of these are great in city traffic. I guess I’d say in the end that there’s just something about it…
© David Fowler 2011
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