fixed gear/single-speed, what's the difference?

mazcp
mazcp Posts: 953
edited June 2007 in Workshop
Hello
What's the difference between a fixed gear and a single-speed bike?
Thanks for your help.

(yes, it does read like a one-liner, doesn't it?)

Comments

  • keef_zip
    keef_zip Posts: 295
    A single speed has a freewheel so you can stop pedalling and the bike won't stop

    A fixed has no freewheel, so as long as the bike is move, you're pedalling!
  • domtyler
    domtyler Posts: 2,648
    edited February 2011
    Still haven't got your fixie then maz?

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Porridge not Petrol
    ________
    Zx14 vs hayabusa
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    Porridge not Petrol
  • mazcp
    mazcp Posts: 953
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by domtyler</i>

    Still haven't got your fixie then maz?

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Porridge not Petrol
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
    Nah, man. Got 2 bikes already...the 3rd might just end my marriage.
  • mazcp
    mazcp Posts: 953
    Btw, don't these bikes knacker your knees in quick on uphills?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by maz</i>

    Btw, don't these bikes knacker your knees in quick on uphills?
    <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
    No.

    I've seen many claims about exploding knees caused by pushing a high gear when climbing, never come across anyone it's happened to.
    Nobody ever got laid because they were using Shimano
  • mazcp
    mazcp Posts: 953
    Surely if you've only got the one gear to climb in, you're bound to be putting excessive pressure on your knees, right?
  • monty_dogcp
    monty_dogcp Posts: 382
    Yes and no, because training on a fixie generally means that you develop increased strength in your legs anyway - I've muscled a 72" fixie around the Surrey Hills a few times. OK, if you've got knackered knees, suggest you don't go hill climbing, but the fluid pedalling style generally means you're not push-pushing like many geared riders.

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