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.