Fixie Bikes, Stripped down to the Bare Essentials

What's up with fixie bikes that cyclists are raving about the limited specifications? Many maintain that fixies are all about novelty and less about function, but others prefer the freedom of the limitation, especially in comparison to multi-speed and mountain bikes. Sure, product safety is the primary concern when you're riding a bike that's stripped off all the frills, including breaks, but you'll warm up to the simple setup soon enough and a fixie just might become your favorite commute vehicle. The differences between fixies and multi-speeds are obvious, and most cyclists own both so they can alternate between convenience and simplicity whenever they want to.

 Chappelli (Classic Women's Fixie Style)

It's all in the Gear Setup

The main feature of a fixie bike is in the gear setup. You'll find it awkward at first when the gear turns with the wheel and you're forced to pedal continuously during the right. This is a stark contrast to freewheeling bikes, which allows your legs enough time to rest as you coast on the momentum you've built during the ride. That being said, fixie gear bikes offer the convenience of a worry-free ride.

With or without Brakes?

The preferences are split on whether fixie bikes are better off with or without brakes. If you had to keep it simple, then why go for something that defeats the purpose of convenience? Safety is an issue, though, and unless you have a death wish weaving through urban traffic, brakes are your best safety measure against accidents. Some cyclists strip their bikes, though, essentials such as brakes included. You can manage without brakes if you're confident with multi-speeds in the first place. The setup feels odd at first and you'll have to warm up to it, but your efforts will pay off in the long run. Fixie bikes are worth flaunting on the street; people will gawk at the sheer simplicity, even silencing those who can't get enough of gears and speed settings.

 Chappelli Le Coq (Single Speed)

Rugged Fixies for the Urban Cyclist

Fixie bikes are rugged and carefree, and you'll be amazed at the ease of not having to worry about when to shift gears and which gears to shift to. The pleasure is all in the ride, and fixie bikes offer a smooth, hassle-free ride without all the frills. If you're considering bike specifications and settings, then you'll either go for convenience or simplicity. Convenience is all about accessibility, something that multi-speed and mountain bikes offer by default. You should consider a fixed gear bike at Chappelli if you'd rather go with simplicity, though. You'll find enough benefit with bikes stripped down to the bare essentials.

Choose Bike Specs that Meet Your Commute Needs

Choosing a bike seems easy enough, until you're at the shop and someone's hard-selling you a multi-speed with all the trimmings. You're easily overwhelmed with all the choices, and unless you have particular specifications in mind before coming into the shop, you'll likely spend hours wandering the displays, browsing through catalogs. It gets frustrating, but your choice should be based more on function than on style. That being said, mountain bikes are very popular nowadays, but these may not offer the specifications you need. Sure, mountain bikes are built for rough terrain, and you can ride these on the urban jungle when you want to, but the perks of durability are offset by speed, something you'll need as you weave in and out of city traffic.

 Chappelli Crema (Caballero)

It's all about Utility

Prioritize function over form, and remember that it's all about utility. Product safety is also crucial when you're choosing vehicles, bicycles included. Bikes are built to meet preferences in speed and accessibility, and you should opt for road bikes if you're going to use yours on urban traffic. Road bikes are lightweight and sleek. Thin wheels and a wiry build ensure you'll skirt through traffic with ease. The seat is propped higher so you'll have to bend over to reach the handlebars, enhancing speed with less wind resistance. The tradeoff with road bikes is in durability, though. Most aren't built to handle heavy loads and extended use, but you can always customize yours to ensure it complements your build.

Mountain Bikes for Rougher Terrain

Mountain bikes are preferable if you really want to rough out the off-trails. These have sturdier, bulkier frames, and the wheels are built wider for durability. The seat is oriented so you're always upright on it, an advantage if you'd rather not hunch over your bike for the entirety of the ride. Note that salesmen tend to hard-sell mountain bikes to anyone with the sense to consider choices. You should only choose mountain bike specs if you intend to maximize these.

Chappelli Le Coq (Single Speed)

Fixies and Internal Gears

You can also go for a fixie bike if you prefer the challenge. These come with old-school, fixed-gears, built for simplicity. An internal gear hub bicycle also offers more options for the advanced cyclist. Internal hub bikes are particular with the maintenance, though, so make sure yours is properly and regularly tuned. With all that variety available to you, it's easier if you choose a bike with your commute needs already set. You can check out Chappelli Cycles if you're looking for specs that match your preference. Function should be your basis for purchase; design and build should be secondary.