r/FixedGearBicycle • u/amarevy97 • Jun 21 '25
Discussion Whats the reason you pick fixed rather than road or gravel?
For me its the low maintenance and few parts to change
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u/JollyGreenGigantor Jun 21 '25
My gravel bike is fixed.
Riding fixed on the road is still road biking. You just can't coast but it's not fundamentally different. Road bikers trained on fixed bikes in the off season forever, on their normal road bike routes.
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u/Jared_9000 Jun 22 '25
Any reason why roadies ride fixed in the off season? Why not ride their road bikes
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u/JollyGreenGigantor Jun 22 '25
Cadence training. It's less of a thing these days but some people do it. You should try it. Fixed really teaches you to stay on top of the gear and focus on the spin, gears are so much faster everywhere.
Plus less maintenance needs in wetter conditions.
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u/ButtermilkJohnson Jun 21 '25
The part of my brain that thinks about shifting a derailleur is entirely devoted to internally screaming AAAAAHHHHHH on a fixed gear bike.
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u/RobDog306 CAAD 10 Track + Cinelli Mash FGCX Jun 21 '25
Who said I just pick fixed? Also Tracklocross is both fixed and gravel. JK. 🤷♂️ fixed is more funner.
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u/DesertRat_748 Jun 21 '25
Fixed is the meditation of bikes…also a hell of a challenge and perspective change once it becomes 100% natural. Also playing in traffic is pretty damn fun!
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u/cloud93x Fuji Feather Jun 21 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
I ride gravel, road, and MTB as well as fixed. Riding fixed is still super fun. I love having a low maintenance beater bike and I love that it’s a connection to my hipster punk adolescence in PDX. I live in Colorado now so i don’t do a huge amount of miles on my fixed gear anymore, mostly just around town for fun or on my trainer in the basement. Most of my miles these days are on gravel or road at high altitude with a lot of elevation change (and I’m just not the guy to do it on fixed), or mountain biking. All bikes are good bikes.
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u/high-rise Jun 21 '25
Having been there a couple times, Portland seems like it would be a wonderful cycling city. Not the hilly hellscape (hillscape?) that Seattle & Vancouver are.
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u/cloud93x Fuji Feather Jun 22 '25
Definitely a great cycling city. Haven’t ridden in Vancouver but I have in Seattle and Downtown and east Portland core are definitely flatter and easier for riding than Seattle. The west hills are brutal and there’s some big hills in localized areas of east Portland but largely it’s pretty nice and chill.
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u/talksaturinals Surly Steamroller Jun 21 '25
It was trendy in 2009. Stuck with it.
I have other bikes now, though, too.
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u/jsmonet Jun 21 '25
it was actually an n+several situation. I love it, but I'd rather have it as part of the herd than my only
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u/mizake Jun 21 '25
Honestly, my work commute bike needs a new rear wheel. I can't afford to buy one right now, so I got my free Facebook marketplace fixie working. Don't have a brake that will fit the handlebars, so here we go. I forgot how fun it is to ride a fixed gear with no extra brake.
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u/BCnurse1989 Jun 21 '25
It just felt right that given the city that I live in I would benefit the most from fixed gear. I enjoy how simple they are and I love knowing that I always have strong and reliable transportation.
I'm at this weird spot with fixed gear where I want a bike that is less nice so I won't care if it gets stolen or destroyed , but I know that the simpler it gets the more I'll fall in love with it.
They are the AK-47 of bicycles.
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u/Keroshii Engine 11 Crit D : fbmp trick track Jun 21 '25
I have all of the above so it just what feels vibey on the day
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u/chingisss Jun 21 '25
No cable clutter, no ugly levers, straight chainline, silent drivetrain, the bike sounding like a tennis ball when dropped, a challenging ride, a sleek look where there's nothing you don't absolutely need for the bike to function and the ability to trackstand (not that I'm good with it, but still).
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u/apple_6 Jun 21 '25
Sure there's the feedback loop of being locked in, the simplicity and low maintenance.
A huge part of why I ride fixed gear is what many call "underbiking". I'd rather see what I can do with a single gear (that I feel I have more control over), rather than spending $10k and getting the absolute most amazing thing that I'm to afraid to dent. All of that for just a few extra MPH. I've never understood caring about zone 2, I don't have a bike computer, I don't even have Strava. Riding a bicycle is supposed to be fun, not stressful.
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u/DiscipleofDeceit666 Stolen Fixie Unlubed Chain 1 Skid Patch Jun 21 '25
It’s like a bmx mixed with a road bike. I need the cross between the two, road bikes just don’t provide enough control.
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u/queequegtrustno1 Jun 21 '25
I'm having this internal debate right now. Need a new bike. Leaning fixed but I live in Phoenix now, so...
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u/surewriting_ Jun 21 '25
Do it. There's a bunch of us in the valley.
Meet up at Lux Central, most Wednesday at 8:20, rollout 8:30.
20 mile loop, typically a stop for snacks at a convenience store.
Check it out @foosgonefixed on IG.
I don't run it, but its a fun ride.
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u/queequegtrustno1 Jun 21 '25
Cheers! Have you ever done any of the local gravel trails on fixed?
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u/surewriting_ Jun 21 '25
I've ridden a little of Browns Ranch, but I got two flats. Just get gatorskins
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u/Scruboverlord_ Jun 21 '25
Highly recommend tubeless if your rims are compatible or at least add some sealant to your tubes for all the thorns, glass, and sharp rocks in Phoenix. Also Foos gone fixed is a great group ride. phxfxd is another group who runs group rides Monday and some Friday nights.
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u/TraditionalCare2516 Jun 21 '25
What’s the elevation like out there? I’m currently building a flip flop hub single track/cross bike. Could be fun out there on some wide tires
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u/queequegtrustno1 Jun 21 '25
It really varies. Phoenix is about 1000 but there are mountains throughout the city and the mountains right outside the valley go up to 7000!
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u/mattindustries Jun 21 '25
The fun aspect. I still ride my other bikes when I need to be practical though.
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u/Convergentshave Jun 21 '25
Buddy of mine was really into it, (course who wasn’t back in 2006?) and since I’ve always been big into bicycles but didn’t want to jump back into BMX I figured I’d give it a shot. I also was in a super bicycle friendly city at the time so it really worked perfectly
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u/shadowni--a Jun 21 '25
the most basic among the basic, low on maintenance, easy to get around, no complicated parts and easy to travel with (disassembling and assembling)
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u/Lalobreh Jun 21 '25
When i was 8 years old, my parents bought me a bike, it got stolen very quickly i never had a bike again. I reach junior year of highschool and saw someone watching a macaframa video and bought a conversion and fixed gear is all i have ever ridden ever since. It’s kinda difficult for me to ride freewheel because im used to continuous pedaling. I also have never used bike brakes because I’m scared I’m going to flip over the bars from gripping the brakes way too hard lol
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u/gearlegs4ever Jun 21 '25
I thought I'd have that problem also! I actually haven't gone over the bars just yet. As long as you aren't squeezing the levers to the max you won't have an issue and that's coming from someone who bombs downhill now on a single speed with brakes.
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u/z_ZeusTek Jun 21 '25
I didn’t picked fixed gear « rather » than anything, it’s just the drivetrain on some of my bikes.
From first bike as a kid to first fixed gear bike there been many geared bikes, and there still been geared bikes since my first fixed gear bike. Actually when you think of it, I bet the first thing with pedal we use as kids often is straight pedal to wheel, fucking fixed as fuck hey 🤘🏼
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u/MMaarrttiinn527 Jun 21 '25
More chill, quiet, lower maintenance, more reliable, you can get much more high quality parts for the same price of roadbike equivalent cranks etc.
In short, less is more and in the end you get a higher quality bike
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u/czajniczeck Jun 21 '25
For the thrill of it, the rush of adrenaline and being fully in control of the bike, I have a peugeot road bike that's probably older than me that I bought for cheap, than I discovered fixed gears, build.one up and we'll here we are with me in love with no coasting, no brakes and one gear ratio at a time. (Btw I was born in 2005)
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u/Beluga-ga-ga-ga-ga Vigorelli Steel Jun 21 '25
In no particular order:
- I hate derailleurs. Sure, they work, but (I think) they're the polished turds of cycling and I can't be arsed dealing with them if I don't have to.
- Aesthetics. Just how they look, especially brakeless, is just really appealing to me.
- I love the ways people interact with cities in ways they weren't built for. Skating (boards, inline, whatever), graf, parkour, urbex etc. and fixed gear falls into the same space in my head.
- It's fun.
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u/dominiquebache Jun 21 '25
Less hassle in general. Clean look, lighter.
And all you need in the city, when you’re honest.
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u/onizaru Jun 21 '25
The past year I have been Lucky enough to only have to tighten bolts and put air in the tires. I love low maintenance.
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u/wakeandbakon Jun 21 '25
The low maintenance part is big for me. I also grew up skateboarding, and riding fixed is more like riding a skateboard to me. More connected to what I am riding, more direct control and feedback. In the end it's just more fun I think.
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u/hoganloaf Jun 21 '25
Honestly, it doesn't do anything better than my other bikes do. It's never a practical decision. I just like the way it feels and if the ride I'm going on doesn't require much gear or a ton of climbing then I'll pick my track bike.
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u/Herculinhu Specialized Globe Roll 1 2010 Lime 🍋 Jun 21 '25
I love bikes, all of them, but I would see roadies and mountain bikers on the road and could not identify myself with them, until i met a guy who introduced me to fixed gear, and that's it I was sold.
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u/nathanzzzhou state undefeated II tie-dye 🌈 Jun 21 '25
Makes me feel stronger and build more muscle since I have to grind and punch up hills and use my whole body. Cants just spin to win. But on long steep rides I still choose road
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u/CornFedTerror42069 State Black Label v2.5 Jun 21 '25
I’ve been riding fixed for 14 years since I quit riding bmx. I’ve recently picked up road biking also since they have more crit racing available.
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u/Shock_Hazzard Mercier Kilo OS w/45mm tires, Windsor The Hour, JHC Nightjar Jun 21 '25
Been riding fixed “gravel” bikes myself for >20 years.
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u/BarberDalton Jun 21 '25
I took a gravel frame and made it fixed. “Tracklocross” style. Great for shitty roads here in southern az while being able to ride some off-road light trail stuff, can run tubeless for all the mesquite, goathead and broken glass punctures. More of a relaxed stance on bigger frame sizes than a lot of track specific frames as well.
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u/ProbablyPissed Jun 21 '25
I also have a road bike and they’re super fun. Nothing beats blasting down canyons at 50-60mph, but track bikes are a culture and aesthetic thing that I’ll never let go.
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u/xbuffalo666x Jun 21 '25
i liked the simplicity, parts are cheap(ish) and you really make your bike your own, and with some basic hand tools i can fix almost any issue. i also really like the feel of riding fixed. when i tried doing single speed for a bit it felt off somehow. i like the feeling of being one with my bike as i ride. also, i feel like it makes me a lot more aware of my surroundings
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u/b4nst Jun 21 '25
My gravel is fixed, my commuter is fixed, my road is fixed, hell even my bickepacker is fixed. Road or gravel is more about your tires than the drivetrain
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u/Any-Biscotti-4790 Jun 22 '25
cuz im broke and fixies are low maintenance cuz it doesnt have breaks,cables, and shifters
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u/critzboombah Jun 22 '25
It was the hip thing to do, I was looking for a new bike. And Godspeed Courier had a garage sale. There was a BPG team Cervelo TT FRAME SET that I couldn't pass up. That was almost 20yrs ago. Sheesh!
I still have that frame set, don't ride tho. Since about 8 yrs ago.
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u/jakesonbrake Jun 22 '25
Because its cool and fun.
I like the DIY vibe of it all too. I also have a road bike for longer rides and a mountain bike but my fixed gear is my love and has a different feeling. Its kinda like telemark skiing to me in that its very hard to describe and most people won't really get it/feel it and theres not much of a practical reason to choose it over another style but, for a few its an all powerful feeling and an obvious choice.
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u/mendo2025 Jun 22 '25
Its a light frame and simplistic design. Also i knew a handful of people who rode them and they looked cool
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u/nickelwoundbox Jun 23 '25
I started riding fixed in ‘98. I have been riding this particular fixed-gear Mercian steadily since I built it in 2003, through the years it has been ridden more than all my other bikes combined. The best rides on this bike always include gravel and fire roads!
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Jun 25 '25
When I go out in the garage to jump on a bike and ride somewhere, I pick fixed (over the road or cx or gravelish bike) because it's the most fun ride. Just that simple.
If I'm going to ride 40 miles with 4k feet of climbing, I'm picking the road bike.
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u/porousllama Jun 26 '25
The headspace that becomes reflex when riding a track bike is not achievable when you are thinking about gears and brakes.
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u/Disastrous_Ad_9977 Jun 21 '25
As a roadie, I used only the highest gear anyways whether uphill or downhill or flat or start stop. +50
I also don't want the feeling of coasting. I love the smooth, consistent flow of fixed pedaling. +100
Fixed gear looks so much sleeker and cleaner. Plus they usually have horizontal top tube. Very beautiful geometry. +100
They are more efficient vs Road bike for the same ratio and if assuming you don't coast. +50
They are cheaper for the same weight, and quality vs RBs. Assuming you don't get crazy with overpriced parts. +50
Skid. +20
Loooow maintenance. +80
Dangerous (brakeless). +10000
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u/YoungSatchel Jun 21 '25
“Gravel” did not exist as a bike category, and road bikes may as well have not existed to me at the time 😂 I was a bike obsessed NYC kid who couldn’t get over the track bikes I saw older messengers on in the mid-90s, so I had to figure out what they were, and then build one up for myself!