Fixed Gear FAQ
What is a fixed gear bicycle?
Fixed gear bikes, or 'fixies', are the simplest form of bicycles. The bicycle has only one gear and doesn’t allow the rider to coast. This means that when your bike is rolling, your feet are pedaling. Traditionally fixed gear bicycles are used for track cycling in a velodrome and for race training, but they are seeing increasing use as commuting bicycles in cities. There are excellent write ups on fixed gear bikes up on Wikipedia and Sheldon Brown's website.
Why do people ride fixed gear bikes?
Riding a fixed gear bicycle is a very different experience from riding a ‘hybrid’ bike typically recommended for city biking. The geometry of the bicycle frame and the direct drive connection you have with the road makes it a much more involved experience and we think, way more fun. The best way to understand what it's like is to go try one at a bike store. Also, because they are much simpler machines, fixed gear bicycles are much sturdier and less prone than geared bicycles to mechanical failure.
How do you slow down?
Fixed gear doesn't necessarily mean no brakes. We sell all Mission Bicycles standard with a front brake installed. With the vast majority of your braking power coming from front brakes and the ability to push backwards on your pedals to slow down, fixed gear bicycles can be just as easy to slow down as a geared bicycles.
If you only have one gear, what do you do about hills?
Hilly San Francisco is home to one of the largest populations of fixed gear riders in the world. How can that be? Well, the first thing to understand is that the most common bike paths in the cities avoid all the big hills in the city. Unless your destination is at the top of a big hill you can generally get anywhere in San Francisco on a bicycle without any major climbs. And one gear doesn't mean you can't climb a hill, it just means you might be a bit more committed to getting to the top quickly.
If you have any specific technical questions about parts or process feel free to email us at: Info@missionbicycle.com
