The Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Fixed Wheel Bicycle
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A fixed wheel bicycle has no freewheel. It does not allow the rider to coast. The pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving. On a fixed wheel, or one speed bicycle, the sprocket is screwed directly onto the hub. A sprocket, in this case, is a wheel with teeth that meshes with a chain.
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- Fixed Gear Bikes
Fixed gear bicycles cannot coast. Whenever the rear wheel is turning the pedals turn in the same direction. By resisting the forward motion of the pedals, a rider is able to slow the bike to a stop, without the aid of a brake..
Riders of this type of bicycle prefer it for several reasons. They believe that a rider's pedaling technique improves because pedaling rhythm cannot be interrupted while the bicycle is moving. After all coasting is not permitted because if the back wheel is moving so are the pedals. The continuous pedaling keeps the legs supple and improves circulation.
Other advantages of this type of bicycle are that it is lighter in weight than a similar cycle with a freewheel, and fewer mechanical parts make it easier to maintain. The chain is also shorter because of it being mounted in a straight line from crank to hub.
A disadvantage to the riding of a one speed bicycle is that descending a hill is made more difficult because the single gear forces the rider to pedal at a higher rate. The brakes, if correctly applied, can also be used to slow down but the one option a rider does not have, but does have on a bike with a freewheel, is to stop pedaling and coast. If a rider tries to coast he, or she, will most likely lose control and fall or get a kick in the trailing leg by a pedal.
Another disadvantage, especially for a beginner, is trying to turn a corner at higher speeds. The pedals tend to hit the road which would likely cause a loss of control. The rear wheel could lift off the ground causing a fall. The way to avoid this is to ensure your pedals don't stick out to far and have adequate ground clearance.
Fixed wheel bicycle riders feel the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. This is especially true when former multiple gear bicycle riders eventually get comfortable with the new, to them, way of riding and the loss of an option they relied on to get them down a hill and through other difficulties. The simpler way of riding is what appeals to them as they feel a more immediate attachment to the road and their bicycle.
