Many people ask this question in regards to the type of bike I choose to ride. “Why do you ride a fixed gear? That thing doesn’t have breaks!!” That is probably the most often criticism I face when approached by non fixed gear riders. Well, people seem to forget that there are other ways to stop than your regular old fashioned hand brakes…it’s called skid stopping and it is really fun and not that hard to do once you get the hang of it. It’s actually just as effective as normal braking once you learn how to do it…the only drawback is the damage it does to your tires, but it is super fun to do and you can’t do it with any kind of bike. The other thing I hear from a lot of people about fixed gears is the fact that you only have one gear and no freewheel so your legs are in constant movement…”Dude, you only have one gear, isn’t it hard getting around…and doesn’t it suck not being able to stop moving your legs???” NOT AT ALL. I love the fact that my legs are always moving, i’m getting what youre supposed to get out of a bike…EXERCISE. What is the point of riding a bike if you’re just switching to a super easy gear everytime you hit a hill? And the fact that there is no freewheel is great…being in constant motion and constantly pedaling makes me feel more in touch and part of my bike. In conclusion, I love riding a fixed gear…it may not be for everyone, but it is for me…and maybe it is for you too! Try it out!
I know man, i hate that article too.