Brakes…I would say brakes are a good call, especially if you are new to fixed gears or don’t really feel comfortable riding without brakes. It is always better to be safe than sorry…you don’t want to be caught on a runaway bike without brakes.
If you grow tired of the fixed gear system, throw a freewheel on there and you don’t have to worry about the constant pedaling…just coast. Cassettes and Freewheels can be confusing at times…look out for a tutorial on them in the future.
A Chain Ring is pretty much your front sprocket…these are pretty important…you should know the specs on all your stuff so you know what is interchangeable and what works with what.
Chains are pretty straight forward…there are different sizes based on width and pitch. Most fixed gear bikes utilize a 1/8″ chain. Breaking a chain is not fun…Don’ keep it too tight…I’d carry an extra in my bag if I were you.
A crankset consists of two cranks, the chainwheel and stack bolts that hold the chainwheels to the cranks. Sometimes the crankset will include the bottom bracket axle and bearing assembly
The fork is part of the frame that holds the front wheel. Forks consist of two blades that hold the axle in place. Forks differ in many ways…it all depends on the type of steering geometry you prefer.
Handlebars are usually in two different styles, drop and upright. Drop style include Maes bend with other variations known as randonneur and anatomic bends. Most bikes used for street use incorporate upright usage.
The pedal is where you put your feet and what attaches to the crank to power the bike. Pedal sizes and styles also differ. There are plain pedals and toe clip pedals…toe clip pedals are more efficient for stopping a fixed gear without brakes.
The rim on your fixed gear bike is the outer metal loop of the wheel…the material and size of the rim can differ by a lot, so make sure you know the specifications of your bike if you are buying new rims…you can also get complete wheelsets with or without tires.
The hub is the inside of the wheel where all the spokes attach. The hub consists of an axle which attaches to the fork…a good hub will create a stiff and durable wheel and be fairly light.
A seat is a seat…this is where you sit to ride your bike. Seats can also differ in sizes, material and comfort. This is pretty much just a personal preference type thing…there are some pretty comfy seats out there, check them out.
The stem is what connects your handlebars to the steerer of the fork. The stem diameter must match the inside diameter of the steerer, which is usually 1/8″ smaller than the nominal headset size.
A tube is basically a rubber balloon with a valve that fits inside of your tire and comes through the rim so you can inflate it. These things can pop fairly often, so its not a bad idea to stock up on these and carry around an extra in your bag. Tire sizing and tubes differ.
If you really want to trick out your bike, investing in a good wheelset is a great place to start. There are so many ways to customize your wheels…different spoke counts, materials, colors…the possibilities are endless.
