How dangerous are fixed gear bikes ?

Provided you ride at a controlled leisurely pace and anticipate road / pedestrian conflicts , I haven't had any issues. But i notice they get a real bad rap among some people. I myself enjoy the simpleness and fluidity of the ride.

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on June 10, 2015 at 8:09am

Depends on how risky your riding is. A fixed gear vs. a freewheel does not in and of itself make a bike more dangerous. 

If you're talking brake-less fixed gear riding then you run the risk of not being able to stop if your chain breaks or falls off. And a skid stop will never have as short a stopping distance as stopping with brakes on the verge of lockup on the same bike. Anticipating is one thing but shit happens unexpectedly all the time. 

Only other risk is if you haven't ridden fixed in a while and try to coast. Anyone who's ridden fixed knows the feeling of the bike trying to throw you off like a bucking bronco if you forget you can't coast. 

Permalink Reply by djm on June 10, 2015 at 8:17am

Another risk when fixed is if something (e.g.: pants leg, bag) gets caught in the drivetrain.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on June 10, 2015 at 8:21am

Had that happen to me before! 

Oh ya be careful when cleaning your chain. 

Permalink Reply by djm on June 10, 2015 at 10:10am

Pedal strike is more of an issue with road bike conversions than a bike designed as fixed gear, which will have a higher bottom bracket, shorter crank arms, lower Q (shorter spindle and narrower cranks) and narrow pedals.  Converting an old 27" frame to 700C also reduces pedal clearance a few mm if tire height remains the same.

Permalink Reply by djm on June 10, 2015 at 11:05am

A bike designed as a fixed / single-speed road bike is likely the best choice.  True track bikes have more radical geometry, little tire clearance (e.g.: 21mm @ 175 psi tires) and their forks arent designed for brakes (no mount, short reach, blades not designed for braking loads).

Permalink Reply by Gecko on June 10, 2015 at 10:53am

If the bike is properly maintained and the rider is comfortable, they're not really dangerous unless they're being ridden brakeless.

That said, why would you essentially ignore over 100 years of innovation?  The first bikes were ALL fixed gear, and coasting came along later to help increase efficiency.  Riding a fixed gear, in my mind, is pretty much like driving an F1 car around town.  Sure it's possible, but it doesn't make much sense.

Permalink Reply by Gecko on June 10, 2015 at 4:06pm

Acceleration depends on gearing, crank length, and leg strength, not whether a bike is fixed or free.

Please elaborate on "brake torquing in snow".

The "puts you more in tune with your bike" argument has been used many times before and is completely worn out.  Of course you're more "in tune" with the bike you ride every day vs. the one you just take out on the weekends.  Just like I'd play my own guitar better than I would someone else's, because I'm used to MY guitar.  It doesn't matter if one is acoustic and one is electric.

Permalink Reply by Gecko on June 10, 2015 at 4:00pm

Yep, the funny bike is just for fun.  It can still coast, though, which is the main difference of opinion here.

I'll never ride fixed.  I've tried and it just seems too limiting for no good reason.  Why take away the efficiency advantage of being able to coast?  It's completely backwards and illogical.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on June 11, 2015 at 3:47am

I rode fixed gear for several years in Chicago and thought it made great sense for urban riding. I liked being able to better control my speed through the pedals. And once up to speed I felt like it required less effort to cruise. The cranks are spinning anyway so it's just a matter of enough pedal pressure to keep them moving. I will concede that it FELT like less effort. I have no idea if that was the actual case it terms of wattage, heart rate, etc. Coming up to stoplights it was easier to keep your feet up if the light was about to change. 

When people say riding fixed puts you more in tune with your bike I think of the way driving a stick shift puts you more in tune with your car than a slushbox err automatic. It gives you an additional way to control your bike. 

Riding fixed also taught me to how to maintain a smoother overall pedal stroke. And to pedal through puddles, mud, and other loose patches that others often coast through. 

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 12, 2015 at 4:07am

And snow and ice! I don't have a fixed gear currently, but when I did, one of the many great things about it was how great it felt when riding in winter.

Which reminds me that I initially went fixed because I got tired of dealing with winter wear and tear on deraillers and freewheels. (the internal two speed has that covered also)

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on June 10, 2015 at 12:27pm
It's only dangerous if you don't know how to ride fixed. I ride fixed 90% of the time and ride with dual brakes as well. The perception of someone riding 15 mph in a bike lane next to cars doin 25-35 or 50 mph is somehow more dangerous is silly.
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on June 10, 2015 at 12:42pm
The normal reaction when stopping suddenly is to stop pedaling so instead of coasting and applying the brakes your legs are already stopping and if you have your hands on the brakes you can stop in 3 feet! I've tested it and looked back at my skid mark just don't ride with only a front brake because your weight is shifted forward, your steering capabilities are gone your back wheel is off the ground, then you wreck or look like you have no control.

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