Which Bike Should You Choose - an 8-Speed Bike or a Fixie?

The urban subcultures of the modern times include avid bikers who take their two-wheels in the city and beyond as their means of transportation. If you'd like to jump into this new breed of urbanites, you need to decide first which bike you should go for.

While 8 speed bikes and fixies have their own set of benefits, you need to understand that each of them also has a specific forte when it comes to riding them. 8 speeds are great for mountainous or sloping terrain thanks to the way they are designed and built. Having different speeds and an internal hub makes a huge difference in taking this type of bike to a terrain other than a flat road. You will also be able to coast with this bike and ride downhill without pedaling.

As for fixie gear bikes, these are best used on flat roads and streets. Since you cannot shift gears with this bike, it is easier to ride and maintain. However, you will need to keep on pedaling while riding this bike. If you need more speed, you'd have to pedal faster and powerfully. Coasting is not possible with this bike since, as mentioned earlier, it requires constant pedaling.

When it is time to choose among these two types, it is best to factor in your regular usage and need for this bike. Also, it is ideal to determine what type of biker you are - a sporty biker or city rider? For the sporty types, it is best to go for the 8 speed bike since this one can be ridden on- and off-road, and on sloping terrain. The city rider should take the fixie because it is made for the roads primarily.

Another thing you should factor in is your budget. Generally, the fixie bike costs less than the 8-speed bike as it does not require other additional parts to make it work. It is also easier to maintain and repair. Fixies are also great for beginners because it can train them to ride carefully on busy streets. There are many other benefits from using fixie bikes, so it is best to check on them if this is the bike of your choice.

What's best about both of these bikes are their clean lines and ingenuity. You can find many bike sellers out there, no doubt. But if you'd like the Italian ingenuity and design, it is best to go for Chappelli bicycles.

The Many Benefits of a Single-Speed Bike

For many years, people have learned to ride bikes for many reasons, mainly to get from one place to another without too much hassle or stress and most especially to save on gas. These days, it is common to see people using fixie bikes to commute to and from work, lessening the stress of catching buses. Riding a bike to work also makes sure you get to enjoy the scenery so when you arrive at work, you are relaxed and ready to face anything and everything.

The popularity of fixie bikes has grown so much that it is already considered a culture by itself. People who ride fixie bikes are perceived as cool as people who ride on skateboards and motorcycles. In fact, there has been a spate of restoring old fixie bikes that have been stored in bike sheds and a clamor to buy the best fixie bikes at reputable bike dealers or online bike shops like Chappelli. No longer is bike riding considered a messenger’s job. Today’s coolest people can be seen pedaling to and from everywhere in the city and look good while doing it. Some people may consider this trend over and out but they couldn’t be more wrong.

For one, fixie bikes don’t require much maintenance and are lighter and definitely easier to maneuver. It is also the best bike to ride in any condition because its transmission provides increased feedback on the tire grip, meaning you don’t run the risk of falling over. They are also popular as racing bikes because the rider can easily control them although riding at high speed and making those tricky turns need a little bit more expertise to pull off. Chappelli Cycles are also the best types of bikes to have during these times of economic uncertainty because they are also the most affordable ones on the block that keeps up with people’s simple needs.

For fitness buffs, a fixie is also the most ideal cardio exercise, a great alternative to jogging or brisk walking. Riding fixies have also been proven to help significantly with the management of hypertension and prevention of heart disease. In fact, studies show that embarking on daily 15-minute riding routine can make you lose as much as 11 pounds a day. All you need to do is make sure you ride your fixie bikes on even roads to prevent leg strains. Riding is supposed to strengthen your leg muscles after all, not weaken them.

Also, like skateboards and motor bikes, the fixie also has endless customization possibilities that will express your personality and preferences. In some countries, part of their customization includes getting fixies that are brakeless, making it an outlet for minor rebellions but of course, even a great-looking fixie is not worth any jail time so make sure you keep any rebellious thoughts in check. There are even bike sites online that show the many, many ways you can customize your fixie, from looking like an 80’s-inspired BMX to something close to being the fixie version of a Harley.

Check out sites like chappelli.com.au if you’re interested in starting your fixie fixation. You can choose from a wide variety of fixies that provide the utmost safety, comfort and performance. The bikes take inspiration from the classic speed bikes prevalent during the 1950s and 1960s which possessed modern design elements. They also come equipped with flip/flop hubs which mean you have a choice of riding them either as a single-speed or a fixie, which makes them conducive to any riding condition and environment. You’ll never have an excuse not to enjoy bike rides with fixies so go on, log on to your computer and begin browsing through http://chappelli.com.au and be on your way to a happier, healthier you.

Getting Your First Single Speed Bicycle

People have always enjoyed riding on two wheels ever since the dandy horse was invented by German inventor Baron Karl von Drais in 1817. Today, bicycles come in different shapes and sizes and are now used not only as a means of transportation, but also in sports competitions. There are now millions of bike users worldwide, with Amsterdam taking the top spot in terms of bicycle use. A lot of residents of modern cities are now getting back to pedaling their way to work or school not only because of the savings they’ll get from not having to pay for their transportation fare or fuel expenses, but also because it’s a good form of physical fitness and has no negative impact on the environment.

Buying a bicycle is truly a good investment. Aside from the benefits mentioned above, it is also easier to maintain compared to owning a car or a motorcycle since it has no engine. You don’t have to learn a lot about mechanics to replace or fix its parts. And since it has fewer parts compared to machines that have engines, you also need only a few tools in case you need to repair it.

If you’re planning to join the worldwide bicycle bandwagon, you might want to invest in a single speed bicycle in case it’s your first time owning one. As the term itself suggests, it’s a type of bicycle that only has a single gear or speed ratio (you can visit Chappelli Cycles for single speed bikes). This type of bike is ideal for riders who don’t really put much premium on speed and challenges like climbs on sloping surfaces. If riding a bike for you is simply to enjoy the breeze or see the sights around the city, a single speed road bike would be good enough. You can also use it as a way of warming up as you head out to the gym for your workout.

There are actually many types of single speed bicycles. Most bicycles designed for children use this type. Some BMX bikes, track racing bicycles, and even unicycles are some examples of this type.

Sometimes, the term ‘single speed bicycle’ is interchanged with the term ‘fixed gear bikes’ or ‘fixies.’ Although they have a lot in common, the difference between them lies in the fact that the latter does not allow coasting. With single speed bikes, even if you’ve stopped pedaling, the bike will still continue to roll or freewheel.

Whatever your choice is, there are truly many advantages to riding a bike. Get yourself one now and enjoy its multiple benefits.