What to Know About Fixed Wheel Bicycles

A fixed wheel bicycle is different from a multiple speed bicycle because it has no freewheel. It does not under any circumstances allow the rider to coast. Why? When the rear wheel is in motion so are the pedals. On a one speed, or fixed wheel, the sprocket is directly attached to the hub. A sprocket is a toothed wheel meshed with a chain.

Riders prefer this way of riding for a number of reasons. The belief that the pedaling rhythm is smoother because there are fewer, if any, interruptions while the bicycle is in motion. The constant pedaling prevents the legs from stiffening up and encourages the blood flow. This is believed to occur because the pedals do not stop if the rear wheel is spinning. Therefore the cause, some feel, of the loss of suppleness, the habit of coasting, is not available to riders.

Further advantages to this type of bicycle are that it is lighter in weight for the simple reason that it does not need the hardware that a comparable multiple speed cycle does and as a result is easier to fix if something breaks. Also there is less chain to deal with as it is shorter due to the fact that it is a straight line from the pedal crank to the wheel hub.

When descending a hill a disadvantage to riding a single speed bicycle often manifests itself. The difficulty comes when a rider is forced to pedal faster all the way down. As always they cannot try to coast as they do on a bicycle with a freewheel, but brakes can be applied, if done properly. The consequences of an attempt at costing could range from a kick in the trailing by a pedal to falling after losing control.

Another problem beginners seem to have occurs when a rider tries to corner at speed. The pedals, if they stick out too far, tend to strike the ground. If this happens a loss of control could occur when the rear wheel loses contact with the ground. A fall is inevitable. A preventative measure is to ensure that ground clearance is sufficient and that the pedals are not too big.

To riders of a fixed wheel bicycles the advantages of riding it surpass the disadvantages by a wide margin. Especially when former riders of multiple speed bicycles become comfortable with the change in style and the fewer options available to them for getting down a hill. After all coasting is not allowed. What appeals to them is the simpler ride and the closer connection to road and bike.

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