{"id":20601,"date":"2021-08-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.siroko.com\/blog\/c\/fixie-vs-geared-which-one-is-best-for-city-riding\/"},"modified":"2021-09-15T13:05:46","modified_gmt":"2021-09-15T11:05:46","slug":"fixie-vs-geared-which-one-is-best-for-city-riding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.siroko.com\/blog\/c\/fixie-vs-geared-which-one-is-best-for-city-riding\/","title":{"rendered":"Fixie vs Geared. Which one is best for city riding?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/b>There is no universal answer as we all have different tastes and needs. If we <\/span>focus on pure functionality, <\/b>putting fashions and personal preferences aside, <\/span>there are four key points we should consider before choosing between a fixie and a geared bike<\/b> to get around the city:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Your cycling experience.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. The type of city and weather.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. The kind of trips you do around the city.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. If you already have a geared bike and what type of bike it is.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    First, let’s explain <\/span>what a fixie is<\/b>. It is a fixed gear bicycle, without freewheel, with a single speed and usually no brakes. If the bike moves, the pedals move, which forces you to pedal constantly, using counter-force to brake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Experience<\/b><\/h3>\n

    If you have never cycled before or you only use your bike occasionally, a fixie is not the best choice because you won’t be able to coast (continue moving after you have stopped pedalling).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Fixies’ simple design makes them seem attractive for rookies as you only have to pedal and steer, but an inexperienced rider might have a hard time on curves, in traffic or on descents at high speed.<\/span><\/p>\n

    A fixie without brakes can only be stopped by backpedaling, a technique that requires practice, caution and a lot of braking skill. An inexperienced person who has to brake suddenly is unlikely to avoid an accident.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Even experienced riders need to get used to a fixie, although their riding skills are a very useful background for this type of bike.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Type of city and weather<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Fixies are in their element on flat terrains, but a hilly or mountainous city with loads of climbs or descents can be challenging. You\u2019ll need to exert more force on climbs and take your feet off the pedals on steep descents if you are going really fast. You can also use your legs and body for extra resistance to the rotation of the cranks and slow the bike down.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The weather is important but not decisive if the fixie or geared bike can be fitted with mudguards, a key element for rainy climates.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Cornering and braking on a fixie during rain or on wet terrain can also be tough. Since we can’t stop pedaling and our brakes are our legs, the bike becomes even more unstable in wet conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In a bike-friendly city we can use both a fixie and a geared bike, however, geared is a better choice in a city with loads of traffic and scarce bike lanes.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What kind of trips do you go on around the city?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    On longer distances, a geared bike is more comfortable and faster. A fixie offers the same level of performance (or even a slightly better one) on shorter trips. If you use the bike to commute and you can leave it at your company’s facilities or in a guarded parking lot, either of the two bikes will work. On the other hand, if you also use the bike for leisure and you have to park it on the street, a fixie or a cheap and unremarkable geared bike is a better choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What type of geared bike do you have?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Depending on how much you value your geared bike and how expensive it is, you most probably can’t (and shouldn’t) park it just anywhere. Even if you have the strongest bike lock, it might not keep the thieves away.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Besides, you have to be more careful when locking a carbon geared bike than a fixie.<\/span><\/p>\n

    That being said, let’s take a look at the<\/span> pros and cons of a fixie and a geared city bike.<\/b><\/p>\n

    Fixie – Pros<\/b><\/h3>\n