Fixed on a Fixie
October 11, 2006
My mom thinks I'm obsessed. My sister says I'm crazy. But for the last couple months I've been looking for a third bike. Yeah, that's right, a third bike. A fixed gear or fixie. Why? I want something besides my nice, expensive road bike to commute on. But beyond that, a fixed gear is very simple mechanically. Since it only has one gear that is attached to the rear wheel you must continue pedaling while in motion even when slowing down. Oh yeah, slowing down. It typically won't have both front and rear brakes. Sometimes it will have a front brake, but not always. If you have to slow, you do so by using your body weight. This provides many advantages such as aiding in pedaling technique and strength, since you cannot shift on hills. I may end up building my own since I know exactly what I want, but I'm having a hard time finding it.
Here are some cycling links I've found recently that I wanted to remember:
http://www.shaundeller.com/ - fashionable cycling hats that don't have advertisements all over them...and they're made from recycled clothing. I ordered an 8 panel wool hat.
1 Less Car Clothing - "a couple of guys (and a girl or two) in the back of a tattoo shop with a screen printing kit and some pretty damn good ideas." I'm going to order the Crown shirt.
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/ - fixie paradise
http://www.reloadbags.com/ - messenger bags and hip cycling gear