FAQ

I'm starting from scratch. Can you help?

If you really are starting from scratch, buy a dedicated fixed-gear frame. With the right hubset and a good local bikeshop to do the build, you'll be on the road in no time.

Can my old bike become a fix?

Yes. With the right hub, any bike can be a fix. An old 10spd is a classic choice. A fixed gear MTB makes a bombproof all-weather commuter. We even know of fixed gear recumbents. Use your imagination!

But it's true that some bikes are better suited than others to fixing. You really want a frame with horizontal dropouts, not the vertical ones that you find on most modern multispeeds. That's because you need to be able to slide the rear wheel to snug up the chain.

There's also the issue of spacing, the gap between the dropouts. Modern bikes generally have wider spacings than older ones. Although your shop can often 'respace' for you, your best bet is to choose a hub with the right spacing in the first place. Browse our makers' pages, or take a look at the compatibility chart on 63xc.com.

My bike has vertical dropouts. Can I fix it anyway?

Yes. At your own risk, you can do a bodge known in the trade as magic gear. There's a How To on 63xc.com, tho' we don't recommend it. A better approach is to install a so-called eccentric hub like the White ENO, which is a Hubjub stock item.

Do I need a front brake?

Yes. UK law specifies that your bike must have two independent braking systems. Good legal precedent says that the fixed rear wheel counts as one--but you still need a second, and the best place for that is on your front wheel.

Any other special bits I should think about?

Well, on a fixed gear bike, you want good chainline--that is, you want the chainring and the sprocket to line up neatly. Perfect chainline may not be achievable with your old multispeed chainset--although a replacement bottom bracket sometimes helps.