What is the latest trend in cycling - fixed gears. What is a fixed gear? Well, it is a bicycle with direct drive connection from the crank to the cog in the rear wheel. This allows the bike to be propelled forward by pedaling forward and propelled backarwards by pedaling in reverse. The sprocket is screwed directly on to the hub and there is no freewheel. Most fixed gear bikes only have one gear ratio - controlled by the front and rear cogs. Some rear wheels will have a sprocket on each side of the hub - even one being a freewheel while the other is still a fixed. To change gear, it is necessary to remove, reverse and refit the rear wheel. A single change in the number of teeth will result in a + or - 12% in gearing ratio. The use of fixed gear bikes in NYC and San Francisco with bike messengers has lead to an entire trend of minimalist style cycling. The bike is often colorful, with matching anodized components and bar tape. Accessories are minimal with a focus on function. Riders will run without any brakes, but to simply stop via forced leg strength and pedaling backwards. This is not recommended. The trend seems to have already reached it's apex with early adopters and now it has hit the main stream. Like all early adopted trends, it generally falls out of favor as it moves into common experience.
What is the latest trend in cycling - fixed gears. What is a fixed gear? Well, it is a bicycle with direct drive connection from the crank to the cog in the rear wheel. This allows the bike to be propelled forward by pedaling forward and propelled backarwards by pedaling in reverse. The sprocket is screwed directly on to the hub and there is no freewheel. Most fixed gear bikes only have one gear ratio - controlled by the front and rear cogs. Some rear wheels will have a sprocket on each side of the hub - even one being a freewheel while the other is still a fixed. To change gear, it is necessary to remove, reverse and refit the rear wheel. A single change in the number of teeth will result in a + or - 12% in gearing ratio. The use of fixed gear bikes in NYC and San Francisco with bike messengers has lead to an entire trend of minimalist style cycling. The bike is often colorful, with matching anodized components and bar tape. Accessories are minimal with a focus on function. Riders will run without any brakes, but to simply stop via forced leg strength and pedaling backwards. This is not recommended. The trend seems to have already reached it's apex with early adopters and now it has hit the main stream. Like all early adopted trends, it generally falls out of favor as it moves into common experience.
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