9 Best Affordable Fixed Gear Bikes

You might not be able to reach those top speeds of the best electric bikes or even a road bike , but a fixed gear bike is an appealing alternative because it’s extremely low-maintenance. Fixed gear bikes are also easy on the wallet and cater to commuters and urban cyclists alike with their typically lighter weight construction and simplistic designs.

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What Is a Fixed Gear Bike Good For?

There’s a lot that single-speed bikes are good for, from their low-maintenance design to the fact that they’re generally light and fast and are especially appealing to commuters and urban riders. Unlike your average road bike, a fixed or single-gear bike only has one gear. While this can take some getting used to, you’ll probably find that you don’t even miss those extra gears on rides around town.

You’ll typically pay less for a fixie than another type of bike, but that’s because this stripped-down bicycle often only comes with a chain, pedals, a seat, wheels and handlebars. Some single-speed bikes don’t even come with hand brakes.

Some bikes are listed as both fixed gear and single speed. This is because most bikes have a flip-flop hub design that allows you to choose between riding fixed gear or single speed.

The main difference between the two types of bikes is that single speed bikes have full braking capabilities and allow you to coast, while fixed gear bikes have limited braking (or no braking at all) and aren’t able to coast.

Should I Buy a Fixed Gear Bike?

Unlike some other types of bikes, including hybrid bicycles, it’s quite easy to assemble and remove components on a fixed gear bike. This is particularly useful for bikes that have lower-quality saddles, pedals, and brakes.

If you plan on riding the bike frequently, or will use it primarily for urban riding, it’s often worth the extra cost and effort to upgrade these basic components. Also, unless you plan on riding your fixed gear bike around the track, it’s best to install at least one set of brakes for your safety. Many bikes on this list come with front and rear brakes.

According to Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance UK, single-speed bikes have a freewheel, while fixed gear bikes do not. Another main difference is that single-speed bikes generally have the same brakes as geared bicycles, while fixies can either come with a single brake or without any brakes at all. While single speeds are ideal for commuting and running errands around town, many fixed gear bikes are designed for the track.

What Is the Best Fixed Gear Bike?

As you’re checking out available fixed gear bikes in your price range, you’ve likely noticed that there are two main types of steel bike frames. High-tensile, or hi-ten, is a more cost-effective type of steel.

It’s not as robust as some of the higher-end types of steel frames, but a hi-ten frame is still plenty durable for most riding demands. If weight is a concern, especially if you’re looking at a fixed gear track bike, it’s worth knowing that hi-ten is the heaviest steel used in bike frames, according to Livestrong.com.