Thanks again to Harry’s! Click here Harrys.com/ZachGallardo to redeem your Trial Set for just $3! Let me know what color razor handle you got in the comments below!
One thing to watch out for: Being used to riding normal pedals on BMX (old school BMX), muscle memory kicked in when I was stopped at traffic lights, when I went to start up again I spun the pedals backwards with the intent of catching it on its way up so I was in a good push off position, only to find I'd propelled the bike backwards underneath me as I went straight over the bars... Crashing your bike at a complete stop in such spectacular fashion is quite embarrassing, stop laughing!
Don't worry, being used to a normal bike I stopped on the main road of my small city and fell because I couldn't get my left foot out of my strap... Also not ideal
@@santiagopbecerra This is why I refuse to do strap or clipped pedals. Yes I lose effeciancy. However I value being able to easily move my feet OFF the things as worth it.
really? I just got one but single speed with a flip flop hub and I reckon I'll start with single speed. Hopefully I can get up hills which I think is possible cos I saw a guy tear up a hill on fixed gear and downhill I think would be nice to coast. But no joke I saw that guy riding the fastest I've ever seen anyone ride and he was going uphill on a fixie!
@@jhowardsupporter just ride fixed. SS is nice for cruising, but the way the whole drivetrain interacts is a completely different feeling. That guy climbing was definitely attacking and carrying his cadence uphill. Bike only goes as fast as your legs are moving -- if you go into a hill slow, you're not doing yourself any favours and will have to fight the whole way up.
@@nothininterestinn Yeah but my knees are so bad the doctors removed part of it a few weeks ago. How I do anything is amazing. I don't think I can inline skate anymore. They said I might need a knee replacement but those fake knees are pretty good, like it's probably better than my real knees. But yeah braking with my legs and pedalling real fast downhill my wear out whats left of my knees. I don't know I'll see how it goes. Coasting helps too so I can rest my legs!
@@Simonsays1312 Fear. No one wants to go out and get this thing and not know what it's gonna be like. I just got one today. There's all these questions like it's hard to get up hills but how hard is it?
Oh well big mouth. Park your fixed it bike next to the river and watch the river take it away. I bet there's a few bikes washed away in the global warming instant flood world problem happening right now.
I've never ridden a fixed gear. I believe it's time. (I'm 60) I believe you nailed it when you talked about how close a fixed gear makes you feel to the bike. That's something which seems to be missing with my rides although I do enjoy the scenery, changing seasons, and the utility of a bicycle. My current bike is my main transportation for everything. No car by choice, not because of finances. We do save an incredible amount of money by not having a car. I truly enjoy the ride even if all I'm doing is hauling a load of groceries in the trailer or going for an appointment. I'm a four season rider unless there's ice/snow on the ground. I'm just too old to be breaking any more bones! Your information is incredible and spot on. Great job of communicating. It's fun to listen to your enthusiasm and yet also hear how pragmatic you are. You remind me of the joys of just riding when I was in high school. I don't understand why more people don't ride. Mine is an old Ti-Motobecane Phatom. It's almost too old to be upgraded. Mr. Gallardo, it's time for this old dog to learn some new tricks! Living in South Korea.
Thanks for this. I rode a fixed in the early mid 2000s and gravitated towards touring and road. At 42 years old, I'm curious about getting back into fixed riding for around town. This video is super useful for anyone at any stage.
Bought my first bike since my mid 20s 2 years ago at 41. It's great. I didn't get anything crazy fancy but still a solid $500 out the door, and a bunch more since.
ben riding a fixed gear bike for 11 years now. i built it myself from an old road car i bought used. its been an extension of me throughout all these years. i was never in any "scene" or "hobby" never really thought about it twice. i just loved riding a fixed gear and rode one everywhere. i even call it a fixie. nothing beats the feeling of a fixed gear bike especially one you built from scratch and know it inside out. even though my frame is slightly bent and i most likely need a new hub beacause i recently had my chain slack off and jam between the cog and the wheel on a downhill, (brown pants moment for sure) i never wanna get rid of it even though it would be wiser to invest in a new proper fixed gear frame. I just love this one so much. I also used to ride with a front brake but i recently changed my handlebars and couldn't mount the front brake anymore so i went for a back brake with the fixie and its actually nicer to me. i had a couple of close calls where i had to brake really fast and tumbled forward because of the front brake (im sure its down to bad braking technique) but with the back brake i can balance between the hand brake and the feet braking and it saved my ass when my chain broke downhill... power to all the no break runners out there, i couldn't do it personally. id rather look like a dork but still be alive and in one piece
I run both front and rear brakes on my fixed gear. I like the rear brake for going down steep hills, and the front for extra stopping power. I also like to flip the rear wheel and ride single speed, keeping brakes on gives me more versatility.
I work as a delivery rider and HIGHLY recommend keeping the brake on if you want. It doesn't add that much complexity and keeps you legs from wearing out as quick
After over a decade, I still ride with a front brake. I never even touch it, but I'm sure I'll be grateful if I ever truly need it someday. I can't justify choosing aesthetics over safety.
...Not to mention that the laws of physics make the front contact patch do about 90% of a hard emergency braking. So no matter HOW good a fixed rider you are, you still have only 10% the emergency braking of a bike with a front brake. So yeah, riding with no front brake isn't brave or skilled, its just a badge of ignorance about how bikes work.
Bang on and exactly the same, ridden fixed for years, yes I have brakeless bikes for cruising, but my work and everyday ride runs a front brake, restraps foot retention and is generally a little bit beat... But rides superb
The video clip when you talk about saddle height shows that your saddle is too high. Which is a common mistake people make. You should keep a slight bend at the bottom of the crankset and the foot shouldn’t be pointed. This causes many issues including saddle sore, leg numbness, feet numbness etc.
Anyone who gets offended so easily are elitist jerk. I use my fixie for work not for fun, call it a bicycle I don't care because it is a bicycle :D call it a fixie, sure, it is a fixie after all.
Funnily enough, I learned how to ride on a hand-me-down brakeless where I learned how to skid accidentally. Now that I am back into the fixie lifestyle I can't thank that old bike enough.
I grew up with shitty old Huffy bikes that had a fixed gear and I thought nothing of it Later in my teen years I got on someone’s road bike and tried to skid only to have my feet slip and cut my shin, leading to a bloody sock
after 7 years of absent from fixed gear trick bike riding. I today bought a secondhand fixed gear and found your chanel. I recall my youth by watching this. Lol. Thankyou. Subscribed
cannot stress the first point enough. i rode cheap hi-ten steel fixed gears for first 2-3 years of riding and dealt with so many maintenance issues compared to when i put the cash down for quality components. Ended up putting more money into the cheap bikes than i even bought them for.
Yeah the money pit these "cheap bikes" end up being is crazy. My first fixed gear was £300, I spent about 3 times the cost of the bike in its first year having to repair and replace everything on it as it wore down so fast. Got fed up with it and got a cinelli vigorelli with archetype wheels and its been my most reliable bike to date.
Seriously, my current fixie is built on an old Hi-Ten frame that I pulled from a dumpster. Used it as a test bed for painting, spent about $100 on secondhand parts with a bunch of stuff from my garage as well, and it's honestly not that bad. The frame is absolute trash (paint included) and the rear wheel is rather heavy, but besides the weight and flexiness, it's a fun experience. Still planning on going for a nicer frame next time.
Yeah i got a brandless bike for 100 dls like 6 years ago and almost never sid maintenance on it. Last year i replaced everything but the fork and spent like 600 bucks more (Good budget components). I love it of course, it's my reliable beater but this year I'm going big with a good custom frame
Well You're a liar. I out rank you by 30 years. Price means nothing. Middlemen ruined all aspects to price. Price is no indication of quality. That concept died out a long time ago. You're rediculas 1960's parts on your 2021 bike. You'll end up with only memories of the ride and the details will be lost or forgotten. The bikes will be long gone.
We can tell what era You're from just from the things you say. Bikes used to be expensive and children weren't allowed near them or else you'd get beaten up. You know PUNCHED AND KICKED for a long time till you got the message. You're a spoilt brat and nobody gives a shit what you say.
I'm a beginner fixie rider and have kept both my front/rear brakes. They're incredibly effective at stopping for beginners and are invaluable for starting out. Mind you I don't quite send it on my fixie at the moment so they are helping me personally.
Another thing i'd like to mention: Improper handlebar positioning I had my drop bars on my Wabi at an angle way too high. I always wondered why using the drops felt so uncomfortable. Well I posted a picture of my bike on Reddit and people pointed out that I had been riding with Bars that aren't mounted right. As soon as I brought them down, I enjoyed riding my bike so much, it felt like I just got a new bike.
How the fuck you think a calculator or rule of thumb works universally is mind boggling when max pressure varies not only by manufacturer and tire materials but size: Follow the manufacture's instruction, then simply run 80%-90% max for comfort, or 90-95% for speed and reducing pinch flats. Smfh.
I love purple chainrings, I have a violet anodized Garbaruk , single piece of CNC’d aluminum narrow-wide teeth so it doesn’t drop the chain like my old one did. Just pop it on the crank arm grease and torque down the chainring nut. Strong, very clean looking, no chainring nuts to fiddle with; But that purple/blue, depending on the light, is the perfect accent that goes with most prime color frames!
Someone who rides a cheap fixie here - can we pause a moment and not be haters? There's plenty of reasons why someone would intentionally buy and cheap fixie. I wanted to support my local cafe bike shop (a small business), I wanted it to be stylish, liked the simplicity of single speed, it was fun to ride, and I'm a student with little extra funds. I also bought it well aware that there were better (more expensive) options. Not everyone has the money, time, knowledge, help, resources, and tools to build a custom - also people can be interested in biking fixed gear/single speed without being obsessed. Not being interested in the technology doesn't make people who ride cheap fixies any less into biking so how about we not put others people down to feel more accomplished with their better quality "more respectable" bikes. I would expect some more positivity here, this is disappointing as a community. If someone says cool fixie, just appreciate they noticed it's not a mountain bike.
I’m a mechanic too and am always telling people “clean your drivetrain every 100 miles/every week whichever comes first”, subscribed as soon as I heard you say that 😂
Well, I DO have a fixie… Second hand Micargi hi- tensile steel, deep dish John Deere green/yellow a little too small for me (Could not pass on the deal) Left on front and rear breaks due to the hilly town I live and... have tons of fun on it!!!
I had a Peugeot PX-10 I converted to fixed for several years and loved it. Recently acquired a Serotta track frame and built it up. No holes to mount brakes! Do you have a video on how to stop w/o brakes?
I think you could have mentioned building up momentum for hills. You have to think ahead of your route and know when you will need that momentum to power up a hill. Also some techniques for riding out of the saddle would be helpful for new riders.
Grew up with fixed gear back with no front brake. Ride it all over the place and jumped the off every ram. Of course I’m a kid of the 80’s and 90’s we didn’t have helmets or pad either lol.
You've isolated yourself from the community. There's 2 generations with this problem. Its going to seriously hurt you later in life. There's lots of stuff You're missing and my generation IS training the young generation to avoid you and be smarter than you.
what do you recommend for me, i want to get a fixie, ive never owned one so don’t know anything about it, i jsut want one to cruise around with friends and to get to places, what do you recommend i get?
@@mongoosearmygaming7701 you haven't reached a conversation yet. You're just reacting to words. I started riding fixed gear bikes in 1975. Its impossible for you and me to speak to each other cause I know 40 years of stuff but you Don't. We're from different time zones. We can't even have a basic level conversation.
funny thing, my first fixed gear was a retrospec for $144, and still use it as my beater. I actually consider it a great deal, its like a tank both in durability and weight, so i actually think I lucked out in the first garbo fixie purchase
No, he's just the same toxic hipster trope: Your retrospec is perfectly fine and should you want you can always upgrade the components down the line. He talks about buying a $400 frame, neglecting that a $200 entry bike roll today, works fine to get riding, and should you want to upgrade for better grip, speed, comfort, etc.... weird, you can. Enjoy riding
The lights are so easy to take off the bike you better believe thieves are going to do it. I came out from walmart at night to find someone had stolen my lights and as pissed as I was, I should have known they'd be stolen at walmart of all places.
Regarding fit, I wish Wabi (and all bike brands) would give complete geo numbers that include reach and stack. IMO most of the bikes are made for drop bars. I'd like a longer reach so I can use flat bars. Have you ever noticed a difference between how the fit is when you swap between bars on your everyday Wabi?
I started learning skids in a cheap FIXIE. The bottom bracket rounded my cranks no matter how much torque i put on them until they broke off and my nuts hit the top tube
Here in Austria, it is highly illegal to ride without brakes on a fixed gear. Saw guys paying a 200€ Fee for not having brakes on. So most of the really good fixie riders and bikemessengers, tough they never use them, have front and rear brakes mounted on thier fixedgear bikes.
That were very, very good tips aldo I don't have a fix gear. Yet. Who knows. I am a happy MTB and my new gravel rider. But fixed gears have someting that makes me look at them with affection.
you remember that moment when you started riding fixed gear? i still know how i nearly ended up on my face cuz i literally forgot that it was fixed while standing up😂
I want to custom build a road bike 🚴♀️ from an old aluminum giant road bike ogc3, I live in Florida and will be using 100% on flat roads, I am thinking on installing a 12 teeth back rear gear and a 48T crankset, will that set up be fast? I want to average 25 to 30 mph
As far as getting a flat, what about putting slime or similar product in your tubes before you get a flat? And I wouldn't trust the gauge on the pump unless it was a high dollar pump. A cheaper and more accurate way is buy a cheap pump and a relative inexpensive digital gauge, they are supposedly very accurate.
To one of the last points: been looking at used biked online and it is crazy how many people post photos of bikes for sale and the only photo of the gears is from the non-drive side. Like, what are you showing in the zoomed in photo of the non-drive side? The cranks?
I got a fixie for $350 and it was white and black and really good for the price and with a couple of mods its super light (for a cheap bike, about 8kg)
Nice video. Unluckily in Hungarian we only have one word for fixed gear, which is ,,fixi". So I have to say ,,fixi" straight to all fixed gear riders' face. :D
Personal preference really, most trackbikes dont have cableguides and people dont want to drill the rear bridge on their frames. Rearbrakes are easier to use, frontbrakes do the job and are easier to install, look cleaner. If youre just getting into cycling a rear brake is the better choice, as locking up wont send you over direkt the bars or in the dirt.
I understand the fixed gear community is particular about brakes. However, a new fixed cyclist would be well served with front and back brakes until no longer needed. Many fixed frames are only "drilled" for a front brake and some for no brakes. A beginner fixed cyclist may want to consider a bike/bike frame that is already configured for both front and back brakes. Slamming on just a front brake can throw a rider over the front of the bike. I would also suggest considering a flip flop hub for a new rider for the option to ride fixed or single speed. 😊
@@bknapp9728 yeah I started like that. I swapped the freewheel to fixed and never came back. Also sheldon brown says that front brake is the optimal and back is for better control on corners.
Front brake is the most powerful out of the couple and when you go to hit that lever especially at high speeds all that weight will be distributed in the front causing you to literally fly over your handlebars. Either use both the front and rear or just the rear🤘
@@Pumpkinfaire well that's true but lucky me I only commute in my bike. Streets are so f*ucked up and drivers are criminal at the wheel that i rarely hit 30 kmph in the city. Front brake is enough for me
I've never broken a fixed gear chain, in over 10 years of riding. They are much more severe duty than a derailleur chain... Plus they don't have all the side to side forces exerted on them by shifters. Anyway if it did break it would suck, I'm sure.
Hi, would you recommend someone to get a single speed / fixed gear cycle for daily rides upto 50km? I'm on a budget and about to get a new cycle. Im just confused whether to go for a geared or single speed. I live in a Metro city with many Flyovers. So i thought i can manage flyovers easily with single speed. But not sure for long run. Also Im confused whether to go for cheap geared or good quality single (As to myt budget, this is what I feel)
What you think about the Bonvelo Blizz, Quella Nero and Fuji Feather Singlespeed? I wanna buy my first Singlespeed and living in Germany. The local Bike Shops having E Bikes but no Singlespeed Bikes. The Reasons for Singlespeed is low Maintenance Cost, Simplicity, Workout and Fun. I have an Scott Speedster Gravel 30 and a Electra Townie 7D EQ, I love them to ride but the Costs for Repair and Maintenance too high over the Time. I think a Singlespeed is a good choice. I live in a Region called Sauerland with a lot of hills and Mountains, but I wanna ride a Singlespeed for the reasons that I write☺️
I guess ive built a fixed gear ratio bike then. It has a Merida LTD 2000 frame, it has a hydraulic front brake, rear v brake, dual crown fork, 28 inch wheels, Michelin tires and a casette in the rear to test wich gear ratio im most comfortable with. (Ill probably keep 3 different gear ratios having to manually adjust the chain with my hands) Ive built almost all my bikes so far. ~8 9 if you count the folding bike. (I mostly pay for my bike parts by selling the bikes i get as donors) So basically i get free bikes by building and repairing them.
The thing is, Im riding a fixie right now. I paid 220€ for it. So it is a "shit bike", but I gotta say, I love every second on it. It taught me alot about bike mechanisms. Bunch of things. And also, it made me to watch this video. Thanks for all the information shared, Im looking forward to purchase a solid fixed gear. But before that, Im gonna squeeze every drop of joy out of this bike.
@@rogerjoesbury9410 well said, I used to drove a women's town bike 26km a day on country side roads. I had no idea how better bike feels. Still, it was great to me. I don't even wan't a top notch bike. I wan't to lad up slowly and grow in to it.
Hello nice information needs to know of how to care bout your Fix gear bike. This be my 2nd Fix gear bike. Yes other fix gear got stolen. But think u did hit up on drive train but not sure if I missed of maintenance to fix crank adjustment. When I heard noise cmn from the Crank. Took it to my bike shot I go to. Told him it's the crank told me no, question him. He just tightened the chain what not. Rode a few feet and chain drop. He looked at it again said was the bearings. It did ride lil better after payn $60 for bearings replace but he tightened the chain too tight so took to different shop, explain said it is the Crank so replace the crank. Again rides alright. But still makes noise. So I looked at other videos and says to tighten arnd the Crank and adjust the chain
I’ll buy that 28.6mm Thompson seat post off of you. I bought a frame when I lived in Bogota, Colombia and rode it fixed there. Kept on breaking seat post collar clamp bolts with 27.2mm post, later discovered it is a 28.6mm.
What is that 1950's technology? Someone put sylavan pedals on a 2010 era road race bike and then sold it. The person who bought then sold it. I got it and then I made them actually work on the bike. The plastic toe clips don't bend or ruin your shoes. I haven't run STRAPS for 30 years. Looks like slippers on your feet.
@@dreyn7780 if those toe clips accidentally come off when you’re riding, your pedals go insane with the back wheel, you’re speeding and can’t hook your feet back in and your life is over
Thx again for this video. Do you have any video or installguide for genetic twin toe straps. On genetic pro track pedals with genetic large twin clips ? They won't fit perfectly. Could see you had something similar on your yellow bike on this vid. Thx man 😊
If you're wanting to do that you need to either have a dual rear , have what the old Tour de France guys did by running fixed-fixed on the rear, or both. In the old days, freewheels were not allowed on The Tour. So you would ride to the top of a mountain on your climbing gear, stop, unscrew the wing nut that held the rear wheel on, flip your wheel so that your descending gear was engaged, then continue on your way. On a very cold mountaintop day, Tullio Campagnolo (yes, THAT Campagnolo) was ahead in the Tour, but his fingers were too cold to turn the wing nut. He watched his lead evaporate as others managed the switch. Thus, when he got home, he invented the quick release skewer. The rest is history. On my fixie I run a dual gear on one side (available from Surly, the Dingle) that allows me to have a climbing and descending gear on one side. I run a rear brake and it is designed align in the descending gear position, since I won't need it for climbing. If I flip the wheel, I have my commuting gear.
The main thing that I’ve noticed Fixie folk saying on RUclips and irl is they all like to point out how they are “persecuted” for lack of a better word, for riding a dangerous bike.
I tore off the head of one of rear chain tensor hex`s. Any idea on best method or how to get it out in general? Bike is in a pretty bad shape visually, scratched all over and major rust on rear parts.
I mean, a chain tensioner is pretty cheap but try a bigger hex? Otherwise you could drill it, reverse thread tap it, then screw anything in and when it's tight it'll now be tightening your new bolt in the unscrew direction of your fucked bolt. I'd go with replacing it
my first fixed frame was a kilo TT what was just too small for me. Toe overlap was soo bad. got a larger frame and no toe overlap and fit is soo much more comfortable.
Thanks again to Harry’s! Click here Harrys.com/ZachGallardo to redeem your Trial Set for just $3! Let me know what color razor handle you got in the comments below!
Was pretty sure you were calling them 'Hair-ies' which is a better name for a razor brand!
I love this channel. Wierd bike stuff before i got to work.
What size ur bike?
Can you recommend a wheel set for low price "it's for my first fixie" it came with a wheel with brakes inside the hub .
Orange, so I can find it more quickly when I'm looking through all the junk in my sink cabinet drawer
One thing to watch out for: Being used to riding normal pedals on BMX (old school BMX), muscle memory kicked in when I was stopped at traffic lights, when I went to start up again I spun the pedals backwards with the intent of catching it on its way up so I was in a good push off position, only to find I'd propelled the bike backwards underneath me as I went straight over the bars... Crashing your bike at a complete stop in such spectacular fashion is quite embarrassing, stop laughing!
Hey that beats stepping on a bike you just redid the chain on only for the chain to explode. You could continue on your way. I had no chain.
Hmmm this sounds me… (setting up my first fixie in 10 days )
Don't worry, being used to a normal bike I stopped on the main road of my small city and fell because I couldn't get my left foot out of my strap... Also not ideal
@@santiagopbecerra This is why I refuse to do strap or clipped pedals. Yes I lose effeciancy. However I value being able to easily move my feet OFF the things as worth it.
@@singletona082 it's not that bad... After like 2 weeks you get used to it
I mean, I've had people shout "nice fixie" at me from their car and that's always made me feel pretty nice about my bike
they get quite surprised when you wave them back with outside of palm and fingers up
lol same
but hey i think it’s a nice fixie too
really? I just got one but single speed with a flip flop hub and I reckon I'll start with single speed. Hopefully I can get up hills which I think is possible cos I saw a guy tear up a hill on fixed gear and downhill I think would be nice to coast. But no joke I saw that guy riding the fastest I've ever seen anyone ride and he was going uphill on a fixie!
@@jhowardsupporter just ride fixed. SS is nice for cruising, but the way the whole drivetrain interacts is a completely different feeling.
That guy climbing was definitely attacking and carrying his cadence uphill. Bike only goes as fast as your legs are moving -- if you go into a hill slow, you're not doing yourself any favours and will have to fight the whole way up.
@@nothininterestinn Yeah but my knees are so bad the doctors removed part of it a few weeks ago. How I do anything is amazing. I don't think I can inline skate anymore. They said I might need a knee replacement but those fake knees are pretty good, like it's probably better than my real knees. But yeah braking with my legs and pedalling real fast downhill my wear out whats left of my knees. I don't know I'll see how it goes. Coasting helps too so I can rest my legs!
After four years of watching your channel, today I finally bought my first fixed gear. Keep up the great work!
What took you so long smh
Whoa Calderon
@@Simonsays1312 Fear. No one wants to go out and get this thing and not know what it's gonna be like. I just got one today. There's all these questions like it's hard to get up hills but how hard is it?
Oh well big mouth.
Park your fixed it bike next to the river and watch the river take it away.
I bet there's a few bikes washed away in the global warming instant flood world problem happening right now.
@@jhowardsupporter What type did you buy then? I'm after one now and I could use 4 years of research!
I've never ridden a fixed gear. I believe it's time. (I'm 60) I believe you nailed it when you talked about how close a fixed gear makes you feel to the bike. That's something which seems to be missing with my rides although I do enjoy the scenery, changing seasons, and the utility of a bicycle. My current bike is my main transportation for everything. No car by choice, not because of finances. We do save an incredible amount of money by not having a car. I truly enjoy the ride even if all I'm doing is hauling a load of groceries in the trailer or going for an appointment. I'm a four season rider unless there's ice/snow on the ground. I'm just too old to be breaking any more bones!
Your information is incredible and spot on. Great job of communicating.
It's fun to listen to your enthusiasm and yet also hear how pragmatic you are.
You remind me of the joys of just riding when I was in high school.
I don't understand why more people don't ride.
Mine is an old Ti-Motobecane Phatom. It's almost too old to be upgraded.
Mr. Gallardo, it's time for this old dog to learn some new tricks!
Living in South Korea.
Thanks for this. I rode a fixed in the early mid 2000s and gravitated towards touring and road. At 42 years old, I'm curious about getting back into fixed riding for around town. This video is super useful for anyone at any stage.
Bought my first bike since my mid 20s 2 years ago at 41. It's great. I didn't get anything crazy fancy but still a solid $500 out the door, and a bunch more since.
ben riding a fixed gear bike for 11 years now. i built it myself from an old road car i bought used. its been an extension of me throughout all these years. i was never in any "scene" or "hobby" never really thought about it twice. i just loved riding a fixed gear and rode one everywhere. i even call it a fixie. nothing beats the feeling of a fixed gear bike especially one you built from scratch and know it inside out. even though my frame is slightly bent and i most likely need a new hub beacause i recently had my chain slack off and jam between the cog and the wheel on a downhill, (brown pants moment for sure) i never wanna get rid of it even though it would be wiser to invest in a new proper fixed gear frame. I just love this one so much.
I also used to ride with a front brake but i recently changed my handlebars and couldn't mount the front brake anymore so i went for a back brake with the fixie and its actually nicer to me. i had a couple of close calls where i had to brake really fast and tumbled forward because of the front brake (im sure its down to bad braking technique) but with the back brake i can balance between the hand brake and the feet braking and it saved my ass when my chain broke downhill...
power to all the no break runners out there, i couldn't do it personally. id rather look like a dork but still be alive and in one piece
I run both front and rear brakes on my fixed gear. I like the rear brake for going down steep hills, and the front for extra stopping power. I also like to flip the rear wheel and ride single speed, keeping brakes on gives me more versatility.
I work as a delivery rider and HIGHLY recommend keeping the brake on if you want. It doesn't add that much complexity and keeps you legs from wearing out as quick
After over a decade, I still ride with a front brake. I never even touch it, but I'm sure I'll be grateful if I ever truly need it someday. I can't justify choosing aesthetics over safety.
Recommend you keep your brake if in the UK even if you never use it. Check out the Charlie Alliston case.
...Not to mention that the laws of physics make the front contact patch do about 90% of a hard emergency braking.
So no matter HOW good a fixed rider you are, you still have only 10% the emergency braking of a bike with a front brake.
So yeah, riding with no front brake isn't brave or skilled, its just a badge of ignorance about how bikes work.
Bang on and exactly the same, ridden fixed for years, yes I have brakeless bikes for cruising, but my work and everyday ride runs a front brake, restraps foot retention and is generally a little bit beat... But rides superb
Agreed, also, today I took my rear brake off but kept the lever, I tried to use it downhill and got really scared when I noticed it wasn't there 😂
He really grew facial hair to get sponsored? :P
Yeah, makes no sense, just shave your legs 😂
Gotta respect the hustle
1 week of growing a facial for a sponsor? Why not
The video clip when you talk about saddle height shows that your saddle is too high. Which is a common mistake people make. You should keep a slight bend at the bottom of the crankset and the foot shouldn’t be pointed. This causes many issues including saddle sore, leg numbness, feet numbness etc.
Underrated comment.
I’ve never heard of people getting upset about “fixie”. Mos def must be a regional thing
Bruh they better be proud when I call them a fixie I'm one of the best in my town and I'm getting sponsored in my first year
Anyone who gets offended so easily are elitist jerk. I use my fixie for work not for fun, call it a bicycle I don't care because it is a bicycle :D call it a fixie, sure, it is a fixie after all.
Only the fake snobs get upset about it lmao
Funnily enough, I learned how to ride on a hand-me-down brakeless where I learned how to skid accidentally. Now that I am back into the fixie lifestyle I can't thank that old bike enough.
I grew up with shitty old Huffy bikes that had a fixed gear and I thought nothing of it
Later in my teen years I got on someone’s road bike and tried to skid only to have my feet slip and cut my shin, leading to a bloody sock
@@alex_rodriguez777 ya, the traction is unreal. Even being skinny af i couldnt lock it up.
after 7 years of absent from fixed gear trick bike riding. I today bought a secondhand fixed gear and found your chanel. I recall my youth by watching this. Lol. Thankyou. Subscribed
I can’t believe we just watched Zach shave. I am not sure how I feel about that.
The things we do fir RUclips. And fixies.
dude it's "fixed gear" not fixie.. :D
Always professional, funny and informative, never has paid promotion tasted so smooth,
Thx bro
cannot stress the first point enough. i rode cheap hi-ten steel fixed gears for first 2-3 years of riding and dealt with so many maintenance issues compared to when i put the cash down for quality components. Ended up putting more money into the cheap bikes than i even bought them for.
Yeah the money pit these "cheap bikes" end up being is crazy. My first fixed gear was £300, I spent about 3 times the cost of the bike in its first year having to repair and replace everything on it as it wore down so fast. Got fed up with it and got a cinelli vigorelli with archetype wheels and its been my most reliable bike to date.
Seriously, my current fixie is built on an old Hi-Ten frame that I pulled from a dumpster. Used it as a test bed for painting, spent about $100 on secondhand parts with a bunch of stuff from my garage as well, and it's honestly not that bad. The frame is absolute trash (paint included) and the rear wheel is rather heavy, but besides the weight and flexiness, it's a fun experience. Still planning on going for a nicer frame next time.
Yeah i got a brandless bike for 100 dls like 6 years ago and almost never sid maintenance on it.
Last year i replaced everything but the fork and spent like 600 bucks more (Good budget components).
I love it of course, it's my reliable beater but this year I'm going big with a good custom frame
Well You're a liar.
I out rank you by 30 years.
Price means nothing.
Middlemen ruined all aspects to price.
Price is no indication of quality.
That concept died out a long time ago.
You're rediculas 1960's parts on your 2021 bike.
You'll end up with only memories of the ride and the details will be lost or forgotten.
The bikes will be long gone.
We can tell what era You're from just from the things you say.
Bikes used to be expensive and children weren't allowed near them or else you'd get beaten up.
You know PUNCHED AND KICKED for a long time till you got the message.
You're a spoilt brat and nobody gives a shit what you say.
Nice stache psyche lmao got 'em
top beginner fixed gear mistake: shaving your stache
I actually thought it looked good on you.
Love the channel. What do you think of SOLE bikes
I'm a beginner fixie rider and have kept both my front/rear brakes. They're incredibly effective at stopping for beginners and are invaluable for starting out. Mind you I don't quite send it on my fixie at the moment so they are helping me personally.
Another thing i'd like to mention: Improper handlebar positioning I had my drop bars on my Wabi at an angle way too high. I always wondered why using the drops felt so uncomfortable. Well I posted a picture of my bike on Reddit and people pointed out that I had been riding with Bars that aren't mounted right. As soon as I brought them down, I enjoyed riding my bike so much, it felt like I just got a new bike.
Today's sponsor is Harry's razors, "Harry's... because aero"
That 27.2/28.6 mistake hit me hard as well.
Great video, Zach!
I am loving the uploads yo! Keep em comin'!
My boy Zach is on rapid fire this week I’m all for it 🤙
Bonus mistake 19 : Forgetting to include the Tire Pressure Calculator link in the description.
(Good video, though!)
90 in the back, 75 up front is my formula.
Just put 110psi in there you'll be fine
How the fuck you think a calculator or rule of thumb works universally is mind boggling when max pressure varies not only by manufacturer and tire materials but size: Follow the manufacture's instruction, then simply run 80%-90% max for comfort, or 90-95% for speed and reducing pinch flats. Smfh.
@@LXVIII_MADETHIS -- Unless your max pressure is 100psi, genius
A bike shop called my track bike a fixie and i was about to start swinging
Some pretentious roadie prick bikeshop owner called my first fixed bike a pile of scrap (was a decent midrange build for crying out loud)
Lmao.
Rotfl 🤣 good one lol
No Respect Disrespect in All Aspects_Buju Banton Keep Mashin😂😤🤦🏽♂️
I love purple chainrings, I have a violet anodized Garbaruk , single piece of CNC’d aluminum narrow-wide teeth so it doesn’t drop the chain like my old one did. Just pop it on the crank arm grease and torque down the chainring nut. Strong, very clean looking, no chainring nuts to fiddle with;
But that purple/blue, depending on the light, is the perfect accent that goes with most prime color frames!
Someone who rides a cheap fixie here - can we pause a moment and not be haters? There's plenty of reasons why someone would intentionally buy and cheap fixie. I wanted to support my local cafe bike shop (a small business), I wanted it to be stylish, liked the simplicity of single speed, it was fun to ride, and I'm a student with little extra funds. I also bought it well aware that there were better (more expensive) options. Not everyone has the money, time, knowledge, help, resources, and tools to build a custom - also people can be interested in biking fixed gear/single speed without being obsessed. Not being interested in the technology doesn't make people who ride cheap fixies any less into biking so how about we not put others people down to feel more accomplished with their better quality "more respectable" bikes. I would expect some more positivity here, this is disappointing as a community. If someone says cool fixie, just appreciate they noticed it's not a mountain bike.
Omg I love these videos but as a barber, it’s hard. I really want to cut your hair properly, and completely lose focus.
Speaking of beginner mistakes, our channel sponsor Wabi Cycles ... - I was waiting for that lmao
I’m a mechanic too and am always telling people “clean your drivetrain every 100 miles/every week whichever comes first”, subscribed as soon as I heard you say that 😂
Yo great video topic! Awesome seeing you post so much these past few days :)
Well, I DO have a fixie… Second hand Micargi hi- tensile steel, deep dish John Deere green/yellow a little too small for me (Could not pass on the deal) Left on front and rear breaks due to the hilly town I live and... have tons of fun on it!!!
They stole my micargi sometime,, still hurts me n have a dreams that she n I are reunited,,
@@tuliobenavidez9952 That's a bummer man!
Don't be nice to strange men.
My bike was invaded by all the new people and millions of horrible car and truck drivers.
I had a Peugeot PX-10 I converted to fixed for several years and loved it. Recently acquired a Serotta track frame and built it up. No holes to mount brakes! Do you have a video on how to stop w/o brakes?
Dude. Tension your brooks saddle!!! That threaded bolt is there for a reason and has a special tool. #nosag
Oh, Its the gossip again.
You mean in the past bike owners had to do work?
I thought owning bikes we could just gossip and pretend to be friends.
@@dreyn7780 -- This. 100%. So fucking tired of this toxic hipster trash
I think you could have mentioned building up momentum for hills. You have to think ahead of your route and know when you will need that momentum to power up a hill. Also some techniques for riding out of the saddle would be helpful for new riders.
This is my _fixie._ There are many _fixies_ like it, but this _fixie_ is my _fixie._ Fixie, fixie fixie. *FIXIE.* 🚲
"buying a bike is akin to buying a suit" I love that statement, you are absolutely right.
You'd like to marry that suit wearing guy.
I'll start using "fixie" from now on, thank you!
Grew up with fixed gear back with no front brake. Ride it all over the place and jumped the off every ram. Of course I’m a kid of the 80’s and 90’s we didn’t have helmets or pad either lol.
Wow. I rode my fixed gear for over ten years and always called it a fixie. That's a long-running faux pas.
You've isolated yourself from the community.
There's 2 generations with this problem.
Its going to seriously hurt you later in life.
There's lots of stuff You're missing and my generation IS training the young generation to avoid you and be smarter than you.
same here, anyone who gets offended so easily are elitist jerk, people call my fixie a bicycle, I am not offended, it is after all a bicycle
@@dreyn7780 🤢
what do you recommend for me, i want to get a fixie, ive never owned one so don’t know anything about it, i jsut want one to cruise around with friends and to get to places, what do you recommend i get?
That's the job of parents.
If you ask the question, then You're too old.
Gossip gossip gossip.
When I built my first fixed gear, I forgot you can't stop pedaling and crashed haha
You hand them to 4 year olds.
You're too late at learning.
@@dreyn7780 fixed gear? No maybe single speed with coast brake or a big wheel but big wheels are not gonna throw you off if you stop pedaling
@@mongoosearmygaming7701 you haven't reached a conversation yet.
You're just reacting to words.
I started riding fixed gear bikes in 1975.
Its impossible for you and me to speak to each other cause I know 40 years of stuff but you Don't.
We're from different time zones.
We can't even have a basic level conversation.
@@dreyn7780 🙄
@@dreyn7780 "You're just reacting to words"
Yes, and you're OVERreacting to words bruh 💀😭
4:18 omg while supplies last 😱😱😱😱 with what are we supposed to shave after that ??
I’m not that 54%. I just subbed. And today I officially got a used fixie. Thanks for this vid.
Damn my man's finally getting those sponsorships. Congrats bro 👍
Fasha,,
Subtitles please for the deaf thank you.
And for the moms who can’t watch videos at night with volume
so i have a cuestion is it a smart idea to turn my old road bike into a fixed gear?
Yeah
You know this video is great cause 2 years later all this info is still up to date.
He goes over the same items. over and over and over and over .........
your videos give some sort of therapeutic relief
Zach w the back to back ?!?! In one week. Here for it. #reasonablydangerous
funny thing, my first fixed gear was a retrospec for $144, and still use it as my beater. I actually consider it a great deal, its like a tank both in durability and weight, so i actually think I lucked out in the first garbo fixie purchase
No, he's just the same toxic hipster trope: Your retrospec is perfectly fine and should you want you can always upgrade the components down the line. He talks about buying a $400 frame, neglecting that a $200 entry bike roll today, works fine to get riding, and should you want to upgrade for better grip, speed, comfort, etc.... weird, you can. Enjoy riding
I have a retrospect too! And it’s rides Great after two years and I ride it allmost every day
The lights are so easy to take off the bike you better believe thieves are going to do it. I came out from walmart at night to find someone had stolen my lights and as pissed as I was, I should have known they'd be stolen at walmart of all places.
Yes. Yes you should have. That said, I've been the victim of being stupid myself
IMHO, beginners should also be encouraged to wear a bike helmet. I know, not cool, but has saved my life more than once😊.
Regarding fit, I wish Wabi (and all bike brands) would give complete geo numbers that include reach and stack. IMO most of the bikes are made for drop bars. I'd like a longer reach so I can use flat bars. Have you ever noticed a difference between how the fit is when you swap between bars on your everyday Wabi?
Get a size up frame for the reach. Im a medium and my large would likely do well with flat bars, it puts me really low.
The transition into that ad was as smooth as his face afterwards.
I started learning skids in a cheap FIXIE. The bottom bracket rounded my cranks no matter how much torque i put on them until they broke off and my nuts hit the top tube
Enjoy replacing tires all the time
Bro that’s one of the worst thing that can happen I swear it’s so expensive too and pain in the ass to change it
Here in Austria, it is highly illegal to ride without brakes on a fixed gear. Saw guys paying a 200€ Fee for not having brakes on.
So most of the really good fixie riders and bikemessengers, tough they never use them, have front and rear brakes mounted on thier fixedgear bikes.
Actually it's illegal in most countries, cops just have other things to look at when they're in service ^^
So don’t get a fixie bike? Do you have any good recommendations?
That were very, very good tips aldo I don't have a fix gear. Yet. Who knows. I am a happy MTB and my new gravel rider. But fixed gears have someting that makes me look at them with affection.
Ive been riding for a couple of months now and this helped alot man! Thank you
you remember that moment when you started riding fixed gear? i still know how i nearly ended up on my face cuz i literally forgot that it was fixed while standing up😂
What size is your bike?
I want to custom build a road bike 🚴♀️ from an old aluminum giant road bike ogc3, I live in Florida and will be using 100% on flat roads, I am thinking on installing a 12 teeth back rear gear and a 48T crankset, will that set up be fast? I want to average 25 to 30 mph
Your theft segment was absolutely true. Ty.
Useful thanks !
As far as getting a flat, what about putting slime or similar product in your tubes before you get a flat? And I wouldn't trust the gauge on the pump unless it was a high dollar pump. A cheaper and more accurate way is buy a cheap pump and a relative inexpensive digital gauge, they are supposedly very accurate.
I had to ride breakless for about a year, it was a really beat up bike. Not a fixie but it showed me moves.
To one of the last points: been looking at used biked online and it is crazy how many people post photos of bikes for sale and the only photo of the gears is from the non-drive side. Like, what are you showing in the zoomed in photo of the non-drive side? The cranks?
I rode my bike today. ::: leaves eggs on bread aisle and wanders away incoherently::::
Idk if you can read this but is there's a way a fixie can coast? I mean someone said that i just need to change something
I got a fixie for $350 and it was white and black and really good for the price and with a couple of mods its super light (for a cheap bike, about 8kg)
bought a lot of BIGSHOT bikes, and i am trying to sell them, by parts or assanbled,, how much they cost?
Back to back to back ⁉️⁉️⁉️
Nice video. Unluckily in Hungarian we only have one word for fixed gear, which is ,,fixi". So I have to say ,,fixi" straight to all fixed gear riders' face. :D
this is more tough than actually riding fixi))
If I use a brake, is a front brake better than a back brake?
Personal preference really, most trackbikes dont have cableguides and people dont want to drill the rear bridge on their frames. Rearbrakes are easier to use, frontbrakes do the job and are easier to install, look cleaner. If youre just getting into cycling a rear brake is the better choice, as locking up wont send you over direkt the bars or in the dirt.
I understand the fixed gear community is particular about brakes. However, a new fixed cyclist would be well served with front and back brakes until no longer needed. Many fixed frames are only "drilled" for a front brake and some for no brakes. A beginner fixed cyclist may want to consider a bike/bike frame that is already configured for both front and back brakes. Slamming on just a front brake can throw a rider over the front of the bike. I would also suggest considering a flip flop hub for a new rider for the option to ride fixed or single speed. 😊
@@bknapp9728 yeah I started like that. I swapped the freewheel to fixed and never came back.
Also sheldon brown says that front brake is the optimal and back is for better control on corners.
Front brake is the most powerful out of the couple and when you go to hit that lever especially at high speeds all that weight will be distributed in the front causing you to literally fly over your handlebars. Either use both the front and rear or just the rear🤘
@@Pumpkinfaire well that's true but lucky me I only commute in my bike. Streets are so f*ucked up and drivers are criminal at the wheel that i rarely hit 30 kmph in the city. Front brake is enough for me
I know it's an old video but look into SE bikes. Been riding an SE Draft for 12 years only have done regular maintenance
Nice video. I wonder what would happen if your chain snapped when you were going fast, and you don't have brakes?
I've never broken a fixed gear chain, in over 10 years of riding. They are much more severe duty than a derailleur chain... Plus they don't have all the side to side forces exerted on them by shifters.
Anyway if it did break it would suck, I'm sure.
Hi, would you recommend someone to get a single speed / fixed gear cycle for daily rides upto 50km?
I'm on a budget and about to get a new cycle. Im just confused whether to go for a geared or single speed.
I live in a Metro city with many Flyovers. So i thought i can manage flyovers easily with single speed. But not sure for long run.
Also Im confused whether to go for cheap geared or good quality single (As to myt budget, this is what I feel)
What you think about the Bonvelo Blizz, Quella Nero and Fuji Feather Singlespeed? I wanna buy my first Singlespeed and living in Germany. The local Bike Shops having E Bikes but no Singlespeed Bikes. The Reasons for Singlespeed is low Maintenance Cost, Simplicity, Workout and Fun. I have an Scott Speedster Gravel 30 and a Electra Townie 7D EQ, I love them to ride but the Costs for Repair and Maintenance too high over the Time. I think a Singlespeed is a good choice. I live in a Region called Sauerland with a lot of hills and Mountains, but I wanna ride a Singlespeed for the reasons that I write☺️
will you pretty please just do one really quick fixie points?
I guess ive built a fixed gear ratio bike then. It has a Merida LTD 2000 frame, it has a hydraulic front brake, rear v brake, dual crown fork, 28 inch wheels, Michelin tires and a casette in the rear to test wich gear ratio im most comfortable with. (Ill probably keep 3 different gear ratios having to manually adjust the chain with my hands) Ive built almost all my bikes so far. ~8 9 if you count the folding bike.
(I mostly pay for my bike parts by selling the bikes i get as donors) So basically i get free bikes by building and repairing them.
is 10.5 kg (22 pound) heavy for a fixed i got a steel fixed bike its good and really solid
The thing is, Im riding a fixie right now. I paid 220€ for it. So it is a "shit bike", but I gotta say, I love every second on it. It taught me alot about bike mechanisms. Bunch of things. And also, it made me to watch this video. Thanks for all the information shared, Im looking forward to purchase a solid fixed gear. But before that, Im gonna squeeze every drop of joy out of this bike.
A person on another site .. quote......if it moves then it is a good bike.........
@@rogerjoesbury9410 well said, I used to drove a women's town bike 26km a day on country side roads. I had no idea how better bike feels. Still, it was great to me. I don't even wan't a top notch bike. I wan't to lad up slowly and grow in to it.
😂😂😂 I always take pictures of my bike by the left side, 'cause that's the side I get off the bike 🙄🙄🙄 Thanks for the tips.
What is the type of brooks saddle you're using here?
Seatpost size is always labeled near the min insertion markings at the bottom of the post
Hello nice information needs to know of how to care bout your Fix gear bike. This be my 2nd Fix gear bike. Yes other fix gear got stolen. But think u did hit up on drive train but not sure if I missed of maintenance to fix crank adjustment. When I heard noise cmn from the Crank. Took it to my bike shot I go to. Told him it's the crank told me no, question him. He just tightened the chain what not. Rode a few feet and chain drop. He looked at it again said was the bearings. It did ride lil better after payn $60 for bearings replace but he tightened the chain too tight so took to different shop, explain said it is the Crank so replace the crank. Again rides alright. But still makes noise. So I looked at other videos and says to tighten arnd the Crank and adjust the chain
I’ll buy that 28.6mm Thompson seat post off of you. I bought a frame when I lived in Bogota, Colombia and rode it fixed there. Kept on breaking seat post collar clamp bolts with 27.2mm post, later discovered it is a 28.6mm.
Hey Zach any recommendations for toe straps ? I’ve been looking to purchase mks njs or toshis.
What is that 1950's technology?
Someone put sylavan pedals on a 2010 era road race bike and then sold it.
The person who bought then sold it.
I got it and then I made them actually work on the bike.
The plastic toe clips don't bend or ruin your shoes.
I haven't run STRAPS for 30 years.
Looks like slippers on your feet.
@@dreyn7780 if those toe clips accidentally come off when you’re riding, your pedals go insane with the back wheel, you’re speeding and can’t hook your feet back in and your life is over
Thx again for this video.
Do you have any video or installguide for genetic twin toe straps. On genetic pro track pedals with genetic large twin clips ? They won't fit perfectly. Could see you had something similar on your yellow bike on this vid. Thx man 😊
I currently use a heavy mtb but it’s fine because I like riding hills. Are Fixies any good on hills?
If you're wanting to do that you need to either have a dual rear , have what the old Tour de France guys did by running fixed-fixed on the rear, or both. In the old days, freewheels were not allowed on The Tour. So you would ride to the top of a mountain on your climbing gear, stop, unscrew the wing nut that held the rear wheel on, flip your wheel so that your descending gear was engaged, then continue on your way. On a very cold mountaintop day, Tullio Campagnolo (yes, THAT Campagnolo) was ahead in the Tour, but his fingers were too cold to turn the wing nut. He watched his lead evaporate as others managed the switch. Thus, when he got home, he invented the quick release skewer. The rest is history.
On my fixie I run a dual gear on one side (available from Surly, the Dingle) that allows me to have a climbing and descending gear on one side. I run a rear brake and it is designed align in the descending gear position, since I won't need it for climbing. If I flip the wheel, I have my commuting gear.
What was the tool name
And what oil lube did he use
Hi there!!!, excellent video, how much does your bike weigh (yellow)?
The main thing that I’ve noticed Fixie folk saying on RUclips and irl is they all like to point out how they are “persecuted” for lack of a better word, for riding a dangerous bike.
I tore off the head of one of rear chain tensor hex`s. Any idea on best method or how to get it out in general? Bike is in a pretty bad shape visually, scratched all over and major rust on rear parts.
I mean, a chain tensioner is pretty cheap but try a bigger hex? Otherwise you could drill it, reverse thread tap it, then screw anything in and when it's tight it'll now be tightening your new bolt in the unscrew direction of your fucked bolt. I'd go with replacing it
Can you recommend a good chain for someone with a weight of 90kg, i feel if i get a kmc s1 chain it wont last for me.
05:01 I have never in my life seen anyone mounting their bike from the front. That’s wild!
Pros of having a slammed stem hahaha
I don't understand are fix geard from fixie bad? I'm 16 and started to use my dad's old fixie which he barely ever used
Yo Zach, what are those leather shoes youre rocking?
Would love to know as well
my first fixed frame was a kilo TT what was just too small for me. Toe overlap was soo bad. got a larger frame and no toe overlap and fit is soo much more comfortable.
Fixie is an insult? .. okay lol
I barely knew about fixed gear bikes a week ago. Thanks for teaching us about it