The Fixie : a concept bike
🚲 What Is a Fixie?
A fixie, short for fixed-gear bicycles, is a bike with no freewheel mechanism, meaning the pedals are always in motion when the rear wheel turns. It typically has no gears and often no brakes, emphasizing mechanical simplicity and direct control.
Origins on the Track
The fixie was originally developed for track cycling in velodromes, where simplicity and a direct drivetrain gave riders maximum efficiency. Dating back to the late 19th century, fixed-gear bikes were once the standard before geared bicycles became widespread.
Rebirth in Urban Culture
In the 1980s and 1990s, bike couriers in cities like New York adopted fixies for their light weight, low maintenance, and quick handling. The fixie quickly spread to urban centers like San Francisco, London, Tokyo, and Paris, becoming a symbol of urban rebellion and freedom.
« Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. » – Albert Einstein
🔄 Evolution & Reinvention
From Function to Fashion
By the early 2000s, the fixie evolved from utility to urban icon:
- Custom-painted frames, minimalist builds, often brakeless by choice.
- It became part of hipster, streetwear, and DIY cultures, a form of personal expression on two wheels.
Modern-Day Fixie
Today, fixies are:
- Popular among design lovers for their clean lines.
- Used in freestyle trick riding and bike polo.
- Still present in track cycling, but also available in hybrid forms—with brakes or flip-flop hubs (switchable between fixed and freewheel).
More Than a Bike: A Lifestyle 🌍
The fixie is more than a mode of transport:
- It’s a style statement, a return to minimalism.
- An eco-friendly, fast, and agile way to move through cities.
- And for many, a creative extension of identity.