Riding a fixed-gear or “fixie” is perhaps the purest form of cycling.
It is a bike that has been distilled right down to its fundamentals.
No derailleurs, no complicated cranksets, no shifters, and in its purest form, not even brakes.
More than just a bike, a fixie is a way of life.
No longer a fringe activity, more and more riders are discovering the fun and simplicity of riding a fixed-gear bike.
If you want to understand the feeling of being truly connected to your bike, then read on.
In this article, we take a look at some of the best fixed-gear bikes and what you need to know before joining the ranks of fixie riders.
Top 5 Best Fixed Gear Bikes Reviewed
1. 6KU Urban Track (Best Overall)
- Frame Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 22 lbs
The sleek-looking 6KU Urban Track has some very clear track heritage but is streetwise enough to perform well in an urban environment.
The flattened tubes of the frame and the slight angle in the chainstay scream track bike but the addition of a separate front and rear brake, as well as an efficient 46-16 gear ratio, make it suitable for everyday riding around town.
It comes with a flip-flop hub so that freewheel riding is still an option.
Features:
- Front and rear caliper brakes – the purists might rip them off immediately but they make the bike safer and more responsive when riding in traffic.
- Low weight – the 6061 aluminum allow frame not only look great thanks to smooth welds but is lightweight and nimble.
- Novatec hub – Prevent dirt and moisture from getting into the hub and is built to last.
2. Retrospec Harper (Best Budget Fixie)
- Frame Material: Steel
- Weight: 30 lbs
If you want to see what all the fixie fuss is about, look no further than the Retrospec Harper.
What it lacks in features it more than makes up for in outstanding value for money.
The focus here is on safe and comfortable city riding with a frame that puts the rider in an upright position.
The 16t rear flip-flop hub comes with a freewheel cog and the bike comes with both front and rear dual caliper brakes.
Features:
- Value for money – this bike won’t win any races but it won’t let you down on the streets and it certainly won’t break the bank.
- Available in 11 bold colors – great selection of colors with a paint job that belies the price tag.
- Dual brakes – inexperienced fixie riders will appreciate the decent dual caliper brakes.
3. Golden Cycles
- Frame Material: Steel
- Weight: 27 lbs
The Golden Cycles fixie is another great entry-level bike to give you a taste of the fixie experience.
As you would expect on an entry-level bike there is a flip-flop hub to swap to a freewheel hub and front and rear caliper brakes for more control.
Although the well-constructed steel frame is a little on the heavy side, it never feels too much of a drag when paired with the 46×16 drivetrain gear ratio.
The smooth welds look great and this is a frame that is designed to take a beating on the roads.
Features:
- Value for money – it might not be the lightest bike but it comes with everything you need for a reliable and low maintenance city cruiser.
- Deep allow rims – stylish looks with a selection of bold colors for the deep rims.
- Water bottle mounts – there are mounts for two bottle cages which is a great touch and not always considered on fixies.
4. Schwinn Kedzie
- Frame Material: Steel
- Weight: 30 lbs
The Schwinn Kedzie is another great budget fixie for low maintenance riding.
It comes with a 48x18t drivetrain and flip-flop hub that is great for city riding.
Getting used to braking with a fixie takes time and no small amount of skill so it is nice to see another entry-level bike that comes with front and rear caliper brakes.
A bottle cage holder on the down tube completes the usefulness of this bike.
Features:
- Alloy rims – the rims look great, are lightweight, and make braking responsive.
- Schwinn urban saddle – comfortable and grippy.
- Front and rear caliper brakes – keeps the bike legal and is great for getting the hang of braking with a fixed-gear without compromising on safety.
5. 650C Wabi Classic
- Frame Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 17 lbs
Short riders have often been overlooked in the fixie trend so it is refreshing to see what the Wabi Classic achieves with its 650c wheels.
These are beautiful, hand-built bikes but it makes sense to start with the wheels. They are lightweight and fast.
Where some bikes scrimp on wheels, the opposite is true here.
Darting from traffic stop to traffic stop you notice the acceleration.
The frame is also lightweight but is great at ironing out the bumps of the city street.
You can customize the geometry and gearing to get the perfect fixie without having to compromise on comfort.
Features:
- 650c wheel – one of the few fixies that accommodate shorter riders without having to compromise on comfort.
- Customizable geometry – complimenting the 650c wheels is the fact that you can customize the geometry to get the perfect bike fit makes these ideal fixies for female riders. Most fixies are designed by men for men.
- Hand-built – since each bike is hand-built you can select everything from handlebars to saddles.
Why Use A Fixed Gear Bike?
You will get some fairly philosophical answers to this question about the ultimate link between human and machine but the true answer is that fixed-gear bikes are fun.
Riding a fixed-gear represents that you are not bound by the dogma that you find in other cycling disciplines.
You are free to customize your bike design and wear what you like on your bike.
Fixed-gear bikes also make great commuter bikes due to their inherent simplicity.
It is no accident that their popularity surged when bike couriers ruled the busy streets.
For messengers time was money and they simply could not afford to stand at the side of the road fixing complicated components instead of getting paid to ride.
Read more: Guide to bike messenger bags
For commuting, you need a bike that is first and foremost reliable day-in and day-out.
Since you are connected directly to the rear wheel, riding a fixed-gear is a great way to improve your pedaling efficiency and make you a stronger rider.
Dead spots in your pedal stroke are ironed out and having only one gear means that a steep hill requires sheer effort to crest.
You need to get used to grinding up at 20rpm.
On the other hand, keeping up with the pedals on a descent might mean turning over at 200rpm (for very short periods!).
All of this is great training for your legs that can be carried forward to your regular rides with impressive results.
Video: How To Skid On A Fixie
Types Of Fixies
There are two main types of fixed-gear bikes; a Track Fixie and a Freestyle Fixie.
A track fixie is designed for high speed on a velodrome track.
In true fixie fashion, it has no freewheel and no brakes and the rider is in a very aggressive position.
A freestyle fixie is more likely to be seen out on the streets and having been designed to take a beating.
Single Speed Vs. Fixed Gear Bikes
At first glance, a single-speed bike and fixed-gear bike look almost identical with a single front chainring and rear sprocket but under the bonnet, there are some not so subtle differences.
Freewheel
The biggest difference is in the rear hubs.
A single-speed bike has a freewheel hub that allows the rear wheel to rotate even when you stop pedaling in much the same way as a standard road bike.
On a fixed-gear bike, the rear sprocket is attached to the hub meaning that if the bike is moving the pedals will always be turning.
In simple terms, there is no coasting on a true fixie.
Braking
The hub design on a fixie also means that you can lock the rear wheel by forcing the pedals to stop turning.
For some riders, this will be all the brake they need.
Others also like the option of at least a standard front brake.
Single-speed bikes have front and rear brakes just like you find on standard road bikes.
Read more: Road bikes under $2000
How To Choose A Fixie Single Speed Bike: Features To Considered
Size
You should always try to get a proper bike fit from your local bike shop when looking at a new bike.
A good rule of thumb for fixies though is to go a size down from your regular road bike
Brakes
This is a sensitive issue when it comes to fixed-gear bikes and there is sometimes stark divergence between what the law says and what traditionalists say.
Any rider who prioritizes safety on the road should ride a fixie with an additional brake at the front.
In general, you do not need a caliper brake at the rear since the wheel itself acts as a brake.
Getting the hang of safely braking using the rear wheel takes time, especially to do it effectively.
A front brake is the most effective way to stop a bike since most of your weight is over the front wheel.
Just be careful with it though; feather the brake!
Gearing Ratios
Since you only have one sprocket size on your fixie at any one time (or two if you have a flip-flop hub), careful consideration needs to be given to the gear ratio.
This will depend on your riding style (do you like to grind or spin) and your usual cycling environment.
If you happen to live somewhere flat, a higher gear ratio is a good choice.
As a general rule the higher the gear, the more fun the fixie will be to ride, as long as it is low enough to get over the most demanding hill on your route.
If you own a road bike already, a good idea is to spend some time riding in certain gears to gauge the optimal gear ratio you will need on a fixie.
Frame Material
Although carbon dominates the road bike scene, fixed-gear bikes tend to be constructed of something stronger, usually steel or aluminum.
In terms of durability, aluminum frames are better as they are more rust-resistant than steel.
On the other hand, steel tends to be more compliant than aluminum and can therefore offer a more comfortable ride.
Hubs
Fixed-gear bike hubs can be either single-sided or a flip-flop hub where you have sprockets on each side.
A flip-flop hub allows you to ride with different gearing ratios which can be utilized by flipping the wheel.
This can be effective if most of your riding is flat but there happens to be a challenging hill on the route.
Another option is to run a freewheel sprocket on one side so that you can take advantage of some coasting at times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Fixed-gear Bikes Come With Brakes?
The traditionalists will say that a proper fixed-gear bike should not be corrupted by brakes.
This is an area where the law and traditionalists tend to disagree, however.
The law in the US is vague enough that a fixed wheel would be enough for braking but that is not to say that riders have not been charged.
In the UK, the law states that bikes must have two brakes, one at the front and one at the ear.
A fixed wheel would pass for a rear brake but it would also require a front brake to be legal.
Away from the law, adding a front brake is a good idea for inexperienced fixed-gear bike riders and provides more control.
Are Fixies Dangerous?
In the wrong hands, there is certainly an argument to be made that fixed-gear bikes can be dangerous.
Backpedaling to brake is not intuitive to most riders and mastering the braking and modulation takes experience.
Riding on busy streets is no place to safely gain this experience.
Why Are Fixies So Popular?
It would be tempting to blame hipsters for the popularity of fixed-gear bikes but in truth, they have always had their cheerleaders.
There are many reasons for their popularity but perhaps the top of the list is their sheer simplicity makes them tough and extremely low maintenance.
That and the fact that riding one is fundamentally fun.
Sure, gears and a freewheel can be great but there is a certain joy in having to pedal constantly.
It is a hard sell on paper but riders who try it often fall in love with the experience.
Wrapping Up
Without getting too deep and exploring the symbiotic experience between man and machine, all you need to know is that riding a fixed-gear bike is fun.
Lots of fun.
The only way to know if fixed-gear riding is for you is to get out there and try it.
If you are looking for the best fixie then look no further than the 6KU Urban Track.
It might have a track heritage but it has everything you would want in a city bike.
Since a fixed-gear bike is a bike stripped down to its essential parts you can get some great value, no-nonsense bikes that are more than capable of getting you from A to B.
If you are on a budget but still want to travel by bike, the Retrospec Harper offers a huge amount of bang for your buck.
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