How To Ride A Fixed Gear Bike

Chris and James take to the city to show you how to safely ride a fixed gear bike. From safely stopping, all the way to their 'advanced skills', the pair teach you all you need to know about fixie riding.

In association with Schindelhauer Bikes, PEdAL ED, Gates Carbon Drive, Cycliq and Brooks.

There is one golden rule to remember when fixie riding! Keep your legs moving! If you’re riding along and just ‘stop’ pedalling, the force and momentum in your wheels, cranks and legs will be enough to throw you up over the bars and onto the ground.

Get comfy on the bike. To start with we would recommend a saddle height around 0.5cm lower than you would normally run on your road bike. This will help with moving around on the saddle whilst you apply braking force backwards through the pedals, but it will also make it easier to move your body weight around for cornering and general technical maneuvers.

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Music: Epidemic Sound
Shadow - Cushy

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Leave us a comment below!

[peterbaskind]

Fixies are GREAT. You really get a feel for the street beneath you. Unfortunately, that feeling is often in your face as you hit the pavement.

[graham]

I've been riding a fixed gear on my daily commute for most of the last 3 years. It takes a bit to get used to, but it isn't really much different than riding a single speed with a free wheel. The only real advantages I find vs a free wheel are that it's a bit more interesting to ride and you get a better workout being able to break with your legs. Given that my commute doesn't have any flat sections and has a few quite steep sections, it's definitely harder than my old road bike I used to commute with.

[toxicmegacolon]

The only good thing about a fixed gear bike is that you never have to worry about being in the right gear, because you're always in the wrong one.

[ryansugimoto]

Been riding fixed/brakeless for 10 years now. It started as a novelty, being able to build one out of just about any frame for very little money, and became a passion. I think it's a great way to get kids and those w/o heavy pockets to have a nice setup and experience cycling at its simplest form. Once you gain the skill set to ride safely and efficiently on the roads or trails fixed, all other bikes will feel like a freakin vacation. Personally it's made me a much stronger climber on the MTB which means more energy to bomb the descents. Fun, fun, fun

[nikolapocrnja]

I hope this is first of a few videos "fixed gear" related content. I can't imagine Si and Dan riding fixed. James&Travolta are fresh blood and this is very unexpected, so keep it up! Thumbs up.

[jeanm]

Nice to see an episode on fixed gear ! I’ve been riding fixed (48/15) and geared bike and tend to switch between the two, depending on if it’s a group ride or what type of ride it is (flat vs hilly) since I got into cycling 3 years ago . I really enjoy riding fixed (with front caliper brake for emergency scenarios ).

I do have to say I laughed when you mentioned fixed gear can launch you over the bike :) In my case it really did and I ended up in emergency room with fractured vertebrae and hurt shoulder and cracked helmet . Happened in a full gas sprint, my right foot unclipped under pulling and ended up flying into the handlebar, essentially turning the front wheel into 90 degrees and over the bars I come flying 😂

Keep those legs spinning ! I have to say fixed did help me learn to keep my legs constantly moving and build my cadence as well :)

[RileyGoss]

The first time I rode fixed I was like, "Wtf, how do you operate this thing!" And that initial 60 seconds of being dazed evolved into a pursuit of learning the bicycle and retraining my body to adjust to it. It takes a few days to get used to, but pretty quickly it becomes natural like riding any other bike. Fixed gear riding is a whole other thing and I think everyone should give it a try. I had no idea what I was getting into and it was more than I ever expected.

[rtz]

I have one. I like it for its absolute silence and simplicity and being synced in with the pedals to the speed is a unique feeling.

[ckscks]

I am 49 years old. I practice in muai thai here in Greece for several years now and i decide to buy a bicycle for the streets of the city of Athens instead my motorcycle or the car. I make my research and i conclude to buy a single speed or fixed bicycle, after i test one and, i have to say, i love it. The feeling is great, and i find this type of bicycle have a lot of benefits. This sense of straight directness in pedal is nice, the service easy, nothing complicated, only your strength and stamina, and an excellent exercise also. Enjoyable.

[Tom-fieldofskulls]

I ride a fixed gear because im a hipster. But i only ride it to my local fair trade coffee shop. And dont forget about the retro cycle cap. Beard. D lock belt. Rolled up skinny jeans and the best thing ever, the messenger bag for all my essential beard oils and craft beers. And screw the legal minimum breaking requirement. Im breakless because im so awsome.

[barmarcelo]

Riding a fixie both in the city as on the road, wih a longer gear, changed my spinning skills forever...more than the years climbing with mtb...such a better cyclist i became after it..no matter the bike i ride today. Love fixie forever!

[EorAmbient]

It's nice to see some fixed gear content! It was also nice to see you take a serious direction with the video rather than the usual road attitude towards fixed riders. Great content!

[captainjakesparrow]

I consider myself to be a hardcore roadie. I have two road bikes and love to ride them. But I ride a fixie to and from school. I love my fixie!! Maybe not the most practical bicycle out there, but, damn, are they fun to ride!!

[MrDenden]

Tip number 1: you just pedal
Tip number 2: see tip number 1 for advice

[its_just_ray]

This video missed some key points. One of which is inside pedal striking the ground in the corners if leant over to far in the corners. So stay more upright than you normally do on your non-fixie bikes.

[azoique]

Fixies/track bikes are what got me absolutely hooked on bikes 10 years ago. I've been through all type of bikes since. Would be fun to build one again.

[robotmaxtron]

It's about time GCN started to recognize an entire segment of road riders and racers.

[kevinjin]

yes! finally fixed gear videos. I've been waiting forever for these

[Sergio_Math]

FINALLY SOME FIXED GEAR Imagine if GCN could cover events like last weekend's championship in Riga, the Red Hook Crit and maybe even important Alleycats. Now we're talking, GCN!

We have GCN, GTN, GMBN... why not GFN?

[laurentiupaxaman]

Awesome! I want to see more fixed gear content from GCN!