What is with the fixed speed bikes? Are they a nicer ride whats the story?

Question

See them posted and people looking to trade in there multi speed bikes for them.

Answer 1

The biggest benefit to single speeds is for winter riding.  All the sand and c**p from the road will gum up derailleurs, which sometimes don't work so well in cold weather anyway.

Really, it's just a simpler machine...fewer things to wrong, but fewer features as a result.  I don't see a good reason for fair weather riders to go single speed, though for flat riding, it probably won't make much difference.  Wouldn't want to do hills on a single speed, though.

Answer 2

They are single speed bikes and it is more of a preference than performance aspect when choosing which to ride.

Answer 3

It's just a single speed like the old bikes, you don't have the cost or complication of gears and shifters.  On a fixed speed bike the pedals move anytime the wheel moves.  There is no coasting.

Answer 4

they are a great workout because you must work harder on the hilly sections , and because the chain is straight from sprocket to sprocket the pedaling is very smooth. nice bikes, but not for everyone. you can also pedal in reverse and the bike will go backwards , so you can do some neat tricks with one.

Answer 5

they are for tuff guys that can use their own strength in their legs to stop their bike.