Fixed-wheel bicycles are bicycles with a single gear and without freewheel: if the bike is in motion, the pedals cannot be stopped. They are extremely popular with bicycle couriers because they are simple, reliable and hard to steal (you will notice after you try it). For these same reasons they are becoming popular with cyclists in general, also because they allow you to exercise more and require more attention when riding.
Steps
Step 1. Build a stationary bike
The best way is to adapt a classic bicycle, they are the cheapest and easily modified. Make sure your frame has diagonal or horizontal wheel dropouts - the vertical ones don't allow for changes and aren't a good starting point for a stationary bike. You will have to decide which ratio to adopt and whether to add a front or rear brake. Usually you choose a very low gear and put a brake on the front wheel. Or you can buy a cheap racing bike frame and modify it with quality components. Ready-made stationary bikes usually have poor quality components.
Alternatively, many retailers offer stationary bikes at reasonable prices. If you don't have the necessary mechanical skills or don't know how to do maintenance, buying a new bike will save you from choosing, converting and repairing an old bike
Step 2. Continue pedaling
It seems obvious, but if you don't control the bike, it will control you, with unpleasant consequences. It's not as obvious as it sounds. It will take a while to avoid the reflex to stop pedaling, and at first it will seem impossible to stop.
Step 3. Practice braking
Depending on your brake choices, this part may take a long time. You need to practice locking the wheel, or at least slowing down by trying to pedal backwards. It is complicated at first. If you can't brake or stop, jump off the bike, otherwise you risk seriously injuring yourself or even killing yourself.
Step 4. Leave the odometer and heart rate monitor at home
We need to simplify everything as much as possible, to return to experience the joy of pedaling as when we were children.
Step 5. Learn not to lose the rhythm
Stopping and starting on a stationary bike requires more effort than a geared bike. If you see a green light in front of you that is about to turn yellow, slow down in time and try to switch to the next green without stopping. Do not accelerate because you risk having to stop suddenly at red.
Advice
- It is good to have a brake, because having to lock the wheels to brake puts a strain on the kneecaps, with a consequent risk of injury. At the same time it consumes more tires. But that's just one point of view: many people have been driving unrestrained for years and have no problems whatsoever.
- Riding a bike with classic pedals and without brakes is very risky. Interlocking pedals and cages hold your foot in place and allow you to brake easily.
- The braking distance increases by locking the wheel. If you need to stop quickly, pedal in reverse (i.e. resist the movement of the pedals) rather than trying to lock your knees.
- Be careful when servicing your bike! If you stick a finger in the spokes, in a gear or in the chain, you risk losing it.
- Practice in a low-traffic area. The first few rides won't be easy, so it's best to practice in a place where if you fall you don't risk getting hit.
- Before leaving, make sure you are not wearing anything that could end up in the middle of the chain (e.g. shoelaces). If something gets caught in the moving parts you will soon find yourself on the ground.
- Stationary bikes usually don't have quick releases for the wheels (and the rear wheel should never have one). So you will need to have a 15 wrench to loosen the nuts and adjust the chain tension. Tension is important! The chain must be tight, because stationary bikes do not have the rear derailleur to keep it in tension.
- Once you get used to the bike you might want to switch to the click pedals. Two-sided ones are often used, which allow you to ride both with cycling shoes (with the cleat under the sole) or with normal shoes (pay attention to the laces). You can also use cages. The latter will allow you to have your foot tied to the pedal without using special shoes. It is essential to have a good grip on the pedals if you want to brake and stop effectively.
- Stretch your knees before traveling and after arriving. Sometimes those who use these bikes for many years suffer from back and knee problems. Stretching greatly reduces the risk of injury and allows for proper muscle growth around the joints.
- Practice locking the wheel on park grass before trying the road.
Warnings
- Watch out for the descents. Inertia is inevitable and pedaling at high speed, even at more than 120 strokes per minute, requires flexibility, balance and practice. Good luck and have fun!
- In some countries it is mandatory to have brakes on both wheels. Ask for information in a bicycle shop.
