By Jacob Rivas

Since 1817, the bicycle has been an effective means of transportation for many people and has evolved over the centuries. As of 2018, a very popular platform of bikes is the fixed gear.  Fixed gears are single speed bikes that do not flow freely, which means if riders stop pedaling, the wheel and gear will continue going until they come to a complete stop. This means riders cannot coast on a fixed gear bike like on a free gear bike. Because of this, it is unfamiliar to some newer riders wanting to get into the culture, but there is no need to be immediately deterred from fixed gears. Most bikes sold these days run a sort of hybrid system, which means that users can switch between fixed gear and freewheel. This is done by flipping the rear wheel and wrapping the chain around the preferred wish to use, but remember to keep the brakes if the bike is set to free gear, or else there will be no way to stop the bike.

Fixed gears can be both affordable and can break the bank if future riders invest a lot of money in a higher end bike, but for the most part, the platform is easy to get into. A good $200 will be enough to get newer riders a basic starter bike.C

Golden Cycles offers a basic fixed gear on Citygrounds.com in a variety of colors for $200. Some features include a high tensile steel that is tig welded, a 46/16 ratio gear, synthetic leather saddle, and alloy riser bars. All of this at an MSRP of $200. Not only is this a good starter bike but it is a good canvas to begin a host of upgrades and customization.

 

 

But if buyers wish to spend more money for a much higher quality bike, Citygrounds.com also offers the Crew Bike Co. Track bike, which is made of a higher quality aluminum, features bullhorn handlebars and a 46/16 gear ratio as well. The benefits include a much lighter frame material and just overall better build quality.

There’s no doubt that the fixed gears are a great platform to get into when it comes to cycling but take Tustin High Student and cyclist, Danny Gonzalez’s word for it. When asked why he suggests the fixed gear platform he replied with, “The fixed gear has this special way of connecting with you better than any other bike. You feel one with the bike.”