Looking for a decent hybrid fixed gear bike
#1
Looking for a decent hybrid fixed gear bike
I'm pretty new to biking and I want to purchase a hybrid fixed gear bike to go on the road or a little bit of trails.
My budget is $300 - $500
What can you guys recommend me at this price range?
My budget is $300 - $500
What can you guys recommend me at this price range?
#3
Is that not the right type of bike for road and a little bit of off trail biking?
I want a bike that doesn't have to be taken care of with all the derailluers etc. So a single speed is needed.
I also like the handlebars of a hybrid so it's easy to commute without hurting my neck like a dropbar.
I also want a slightly bigger tire than road bikes to go offroad.
Isn't a hybrid single speed good for this job? Or should I be looking at a different type of bike
I want a bike that doesn't have to be taken care of with all the derailluers etc. So a single speed is needed.
I also like the handlebars of a hybrid so it's easy to commute without hurting my neck like a dropbar.
I also want a slightly bigger tire than road bikes to go offroad.
Isn't a hybrid single speed good for this job? Or should I be looking at a different type of bike
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 13,321
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Liked 4,331 Times
in
2,788 Posts
Do you understand the difference between fix gear and single speed? You mention both. While they are mechanically rather similar, there are two very important differences. A fix gear uses a cog that screws onto the hun and must be locked in place with a lockring with left-hand threads to prevent backpedaling, whether intentional or not, from unscrewing the cog. Hence the hub must be a fix gear hub with twp separate sets of threads. A singlespeed uses a freewheel that screws onto the hub but no lockring is required. The freewheel can be screwed onto any hub designed for either a freewheel or a fix gear.
And then there is the riding. Very different. The pedals on the fix gear are always turning with the rear wheel. There is no coasting.
I'm guessing you already knew this and just wasn't thinking when you wrote the title. If indeed you are looking for a fix gear, you have to make that clear or the bike you receive probably will not have a rear wheel that is fix gear compatible.
Ben
And then there is the riding. Very different. The pedals on the fix gear are always turning with the rear wheel. There is no coasting.
I'm guessing you already knew this and just wasn't thinking when you wrote the title. If indeed you are looking for a fix gear, you have to make that clear or the bike you receive probably will not have a rear wheel that is fix gear compatible.
Ben
#5
Do you understand the difference between fix gear and single speed? You mention both. While they are mechanically rather similar, there are two very important differences. A fix gear uses a cog that screws onto the hun and must be locked in place with a lockring with left-hand threads to prevent backpedaling, whether intentional or not, from unscrewing the cog. Hence the hub must be a fix gear hub with twp separate sets of threads. A singlespeed uses a freewheel that screws onto the hub but no lockring is required. The freewheel can be screwed onto any hub designed for either a freewheel or a fix gear.
And then there is the riding. Very different. The pedals on the fix gear are always turning with the rear wheel. There is no coasting.
I'm guessing you already knew this and just wasn't thinking when you wrote the title. If indeed you are looking for a fix gear, you have to make that clear or the bike you receive probably will not have a rear wheel that is fix gear compatible.
Ben
And then there is the riding. Very different. The pedals on the fix gear are always turning with the rear wheel. There is no coasting.
I'm guessing you already knew this and just wasn't thinking when you wrote the title. If indeed you are looking for a fix gear, you have to make that clear or the bike you receive probably will not have a rear wheel that is fix gear compatible.
Ben
Either way, I prefer a fixed bike that requires the pedals to move and no coasting.
#6
Grumpy Old Bugga
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
The sort of hub you're thinking of is often called a flip flop hub. Even here you have to be careful because they can be set up for SS on both sides (sometimes called free-free), FG on both sides (fixed-fixed) or, most common, FG on one side and SS on the other (fixed-free).
In practice, you can screw a SS freewheel onto a FG hub without a problem, there are plenty of threads. Therefore, the most useful hubs are FG on both sides, thus allowing you two have a different sized fixed cog on each side (allowing you to change gears simply by flipping the wheel, useful for fine tuning your gearing), or a fixed cog on one side and a freewheel on the other (useful for long rides where you may get very tired or have long downhills). The reality is that few people ever get around to flipping the wheel.
If cost effective, buy a hub that allows you to run a fixed cog on both sides. Most though, will take a freewheel and a fixed cog and in the real world, that doesn't matter enough to worry about.
#7
Veteran Racer
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Posts: 11,792
Bikes: 32 frames + 80 wheels
Liked 795 Times
in
451 Posts
I think something like the Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes | Track Bikes | Fixed Gear | Single Speed Bicycles | Motobecane Fixie Flat Bar singlespeed bicycles | Save up to 60% off list prices might best suit your needs. It comes stock with a singlespeed freewheel, but the the rear hub can easily be flipped to add a fixed cog and lockring. It has an upright riding position with a flat bar and is equipped with larger 700x28c tires and probably has room for wider tires if needed. It is modestly priced, so you can afford to make changes / additions / upgrades w/o breaking the bank.
#8
I think something like the Save Up to 60% Off Road Bikes | Track Bikes | Fixed Gear | Single Speed Bicycles | Motobecane Fixie Flat Bar singlespeed bicycles | Save up to 60% off list prices might best suit your needs. It comes stock with a singlespeed freewheel, but the the rear hub can easily be flipped to add a fixed cog and lockring. It has an upright riding position with a flat bar and is equipped with larger 700x28c tires and probably has room for wider tires if needed. It is modestly priced, so you can afford to make changes / additions / upgrades w/o breaking the bank.
#9
Veteran Racer
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Posts: 11,792
Bikes: 32 frames + 80 wheels
Liked 795 Times
in
451 Posts
You just need to buy a fixed cog and lockring, and then install them on the unused threads on the flip side of the hub. You will need to buy a chain whip and lockring tool to properly tighten the cog and lockring on the hub. You also need a 15mm or adjustable wrench to loosen the axle nuts to remove and reinstall the rear wheel. You do not need the remove the freewheel that is already installed on the hub.
#11
Fresh Garbage
Is that not the right type of bike for road and a little bit of off trail biking?
I want a bike that doesn't have to be taken care of with all the derailluers etc. So a single speed is needed.
I also like the handlebars of a hybrid so it's easy to commute without hurting my neck like a dropbar.
I also want a slightly bigger tire than road bikes to go offroad.
Isn't a hybrid single speed good for this job? Or should I be looking at a different type of bike
I want a bike that doesn't have to be taken care of with all the derailluers etc. So a single speed is needed.
I also like the handlebars of a hybrid so it's easy to commute without hurting my neck like a dropbar.
I also want a slightly bigger tire than road bikes to go offroad.
Isn't a hybrid single speed good for this job? Or should I be looking at a different type of bike
#13
Fresh Garbage
#16
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SO-CAL
Posts: 851
Bikes: Litespeed Teramo, Argon 18 Road, Fuji Mt Fuji Pro MTB, Fuji Track Pro FG, & Cannondale Quick CX Cross
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I used to own a Specialized SingleCross which technically it's a fixed hybrid and a pretty decent one if you ask me.
This model was short lived. I don't believe is made anymore but you can find it often in CL. I bought mine new for $450.
I am not aware of any other hybrid types. It's a rare breed.
This model was short lived. I don't believe is made anymore but you can find it often in CL. I bought mine new for $450.
I am not aware of any other hybrid types. It's a rare breed.