{"id":4472,"date":"2022-06-21T15:20:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T19:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brooklynfixedgear.com\/?p=4472"},"modified":"2024-02-05T22:41:06","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T03:41:06","slug":"history-of-fixie-bikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brooklynfixedgear.com\/culture-and-community\/history-of-fixie-bikes\/","title":{"rendered":"History of The Fixed-Gear: Origins and Future of Fixie Bike"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fixed gear cycling has a passionate culture. There is no shortage of Facebook groups and Instagram accounts dedicated to sharing the passion of riding fixed. And with their recent surge in popularity, it can sometimes seem like fixies are something new. However, the history of the fixie<\/strong> goes a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, you will learn the origins of fixed-gear cycling, how they came about, and where the fixed-gear culture is headed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor’s note: This article was updated on June 22, 2022<\/strong>, to include additional information about cycling history.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before getting into the future of fixed gear bikes, let’s first understand their origin in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a fixed-geared bike?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A fixed-gear bike<\/a> is a bike with only one gear. Fixed-gear bikes are often revered for their visual simplicity and minimalist design. <\/strong>Fixed-gear bikes are also called fixies and you will often hear the terms used interchangeably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fixed-gear bike requires continuous pedaling. Unlike a typical bike, a fixed-gear bike does not allow you to coast. Most bikes have a freewheel cog<\/a> that allows the wheel to move independently of the pedals. You must pedal (even while riding downhill) with a fixed gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fixed-gears usually include both a front and rear brake. However, fixie purists stick to only a front brake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many cyclists prefer the simplicity of a fixed-gear bike because they are easy to maintain due to fewer moving components that may get damaged and need to be replaced. And, they are often cheaper and lighter than a regular multi-geared bike<\/a>, making them great for commuting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what is a fixie, really<\/em>? Again, there’s a wonderful quote that goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cYou can always add something to your bike, but you’ll get to a point where you can’t subtract anything else, and that’s a fixed gear.<\/em>\u201c<\/p>\nGraeme Obree<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I think this statement perfectly captures the essence of fixed-gear bikes and the beauty of their simplicity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re in the market for a fixie, check out our post on the top 10 fixie bikes<\/a>, or check out some of the options below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n[azonpress template=”grid” asin=”B07VVGW8JD,B07614W85S,B01B5H1ABO”]\n\n\n\n

Who invented the fixed gear bike?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Giovanni de la Fontana invented the first bicycle<\/strong> like contraption in 1418, describing it as a human-powered, four-wheel creation with a rope loop attached to gears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though not exactly a “bike,” the earliest fixie bikes may be traced back to Fontana’s invention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drawing
Drawing of the first bicycle by giovanni fontana. Source: wikimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Four hundred years later, in 1813, a German nobleman replicated Fontana’s innovation, developing his four-wheeled human-powered vehicle. However, Daria’s introduction of a two-wheeled creation in Europe in 1817 laid the groundwork for contemporary fixies as we know them today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the bicycle’s history is contentious at best, determining when the first fixie was created outside of a general “19th-century” response is difficult. However, when fixie bikes gained popularity among Americans and Europeans, they were used by the postal courier system in the 1800s to transport vital business papers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bicycles started to take a more contemporary look with the Lawson safety bike, which allowed you to steer the bike with the handlebars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Image
Image of the lawson safety bicycle. Source: wikimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The full history of the fixie bicycle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a little about the history of fixed gear cycling. We’ll divide fixed gear bike history into five distinct periods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Early cycling era<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Track racing era<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Bike messenger era<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mid-2000s’ hipster’ era<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Modern era<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Early cycling era<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Even though the single-speed road bike utilizes little technology and is seen as “simple” by many today, the bike’s history seems more contentious than most other bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The oldest examples of fixed-gear bikes date back to the invention of bicycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    All of the early bikes, in their many variations, had some type of fixed gear system. They employed a wheel linked to a pedal by the chain, and the hub and cog of that wheel were attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Things stayed this way for years until the freewheel was invented, followed by derailleurs and multi-gear bicycles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Image
    Image of four young cyclists in the early 1900s. Source: library of congress, unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Track racing era<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Fixed-gear bikes remained enormously popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Big cities like New York City often have big track races, and in 1876, Madison Square Garden was the first place to have a velodrome track. Consequently, these events became known as the “Madison races.” Participants pushed themselves to the limit in these team races, circling the course until they were “tagged” into the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the 1800s, the typical racer earned $150,000 a year, compared to a tradesman’s average of $5,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Track racing was (and continues to be) dominated by fixed-gear bikes. While the sport of track racing has evolved, the use of fixed-gear bikes has remained consistent. Even now, track racing is a popular pastime for Americans and Europeans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Legendary racers such as Eddy Merckx and Francesco Moser invented a fixie built entirely of washing machine components, which served as the inspiration for the film “The Flying Scotsman,” demonstrating how important fixies have been throughout history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Track racing was (and continues to be) dominated by fixed-gear bikes. While the sport of track racing has evolved, the use of fixed-gear bikes has remained consistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And due to the popularity of fixed gear bikes, many road bike competitors were already acquainted with them. So, fixed gear bikes are still popular for road cyclists to train on during the off-season<\/strong> because they offer a unique workout and help them improve their pedal cadence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you love history, check out this video from the OpenLearn from The Open University YouTube channel detailing the history of the bicycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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