How to Build a Fixed-Gear Road Bike
The original intention of a fixed-gear bike, known technically as a track bike, is for it to be raced on a track called a velodrome. Bike messengers have been riding "fixies" in the city since the 1980s drawn to the simplicity and low maintenance of having just one gear. As with the now ubiquitous messenger bag, urban messengers seem to have started a craze among the masses. From New York to Los Angeles, "fixies" are all the rage. Building a fixed-gear bike takes some know-how and can be done online or off.
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Instructions
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Decide whether you want to build your fixed-gear road bike on the Internet or at a physical store. Several websites, including San Francisco-based Mission Bicycle Company and Sacramento's The Bicycle Business, allow you to build fixed gears--part by part--online. Offline, you can buy all of the parts you need and put the bike together yourself or commission a professional bicycle mechanic to do the job.
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Select the type of fixed-gear frame you want to use. As bicycle mechanic Sheldon Brown notes, you will need a frame with "horizontal drop-outs." The drop-out is where the axle of the rear wheel fits. It must be horizontal so you can adjust the tension of the chain on your fixed gear. Some fixed-gear frames are simply road bike frames with horizontal drop-outs. Others are frames that have track geometry. As Brown notes, track frames are less forgiving than frames with road geometry. Brown recommends going with a road-style frame for this reason.
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Determine the style of gearing you would like. You can go with a straight fixed gear. This means you use a fixed cog so that when the wheels are moving, so are the pedals. There is no freewheel, so you cannot coast. You can also go with what is called a "flip-flop" hub. This allows you to move between riding fixed and riding what is essentially a single-speed bike with a freewheel. The latter is often inaccurately called a fixed gear, as such a set-up is popular.
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Pick the remaining parts to complete your fixed gear build. Many of the parts--the handlebar, stem, saddle and seat post--are selected just as they would be on a traditional geared bicycle. Most fixed-gear frames accept one-inch, threadless headsets and stems, but this can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
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Decide the gear ratio you would like to use on your bike. This will determine what type of crank and rear cog you go with. Gear ratio is a complicated subject but, simply put, it refers to the number of teeth your chain rides on in the back (on the cog) relative to the front (the crank's chain ring). This gearing will determine how hard (or easy) it is to pedal your bike. A common gearing to start with is 46 teeth on the front chain ring and 18 teeth on the rear cog. As you get a feel for your fixed gear, you can make adjustments as these parts are easily swapped out. Obviously a chain and pedals complete your drive train.
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Pick your wheels based on the type of riding you do. Chances are your fixed gear will be for urban, road riding. If so, go for a strong wheel set. Despite being fashionable, Velocity Deep-V's are durable wheels. Select tires that are designed to wear slowly. Fixed-gear riding creates a considerable amount of friction on the rear tire, especially as you slow the bike down, so get a high-quality tire that will last.
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Tips & Warnings
As the fixed-gear bicycle craze reached epic proportions, relatively inexpensive fixed-gear bikes and parts started popping up online and elsewhere. Beware of low-priced bikes (under $500) and parts (e.g., cranks under $100). They are often inferior products that might cost far more in the long run in repairs and replacement.
Always use a front brake on your fixed gear. Even experienced riders should not ride "brakeless." A front brake offers security and can help prevent a crash. A rear brake is not necessary as two-thirds of your stopping power lies with the front brake.
References
- Photo Credit Get it in gear! image by John Saxenian from Fotolia.com
