Why ride fixed? 10 good reasons

1. Less is more

Riding fixed puts you into direct contact with the bike. To go faster, you pedal faster. To brake, you pull up on the clips. To climb, you stand on the pedals and push. When you've only got one gear, you learn to work it ten different ways.

2. Quality where you want it

Half the price of a new multispeed goes on bits. When you buy a fix, you put your money where you can see and feel it: frame, wheels, bars, saddle. Pick the components you really want. Likely the total package will still cost less than your old gearie.

3. Fitness

You can't just sit there and pedal. A fix takes more--especially at the start. Pulling on the pedals and out-of-the-saddle climbs will exercise muscles you might have forgotten about. A daily fixed commute is a great workout!

4. Zero maintenance

A fix is always ready to go. Maintenance means pumping the tyres, keeping the chain oiled and tight, and replacing sprockets as they wear. Five minutes a week should do it.

5. Control

Skidded recently? Nine times out of ten, it was because something shocked you and you grabbed the brakes. On a fix, you do most of your braking through the pedals. It's hard to lock the wheel up that way. Skids are unusual.

6. A fix is forever

Fixed gear bikes are highly evolved. They hardly change from year to year, or from decade to decade. Why do you think so many couriers use them to earn a living? A fix is yours for life, if you want it.

7. Spin

You get smoothness from coping with long downhills. You learn to power every part of the stroke to keep from wearing out one group of muscles. A fixer gets a good spin: it's part of the package.

8. Winter

Fixes hate to skid, and their transmissions are unaffected by cold and damp. Constant pedalling keeps you toastie warm. A strong fixed gear bike is your best winter mount.

9. Pose quotient

Strange but true: a fix has more 'wow' factor than any other bike. Try it if you don't believe us.

10. Fun

Lots. Really. A multispeed makes you into an engine. A fix lets you be yourself. It just feels better.