Global Sports: The Reason Why A Flip Flop Hub Is A Fixed Bike Necessity For Riding

Sunday, October 7, 2012

The Reason Why A Flip Flop Hub Is A Fixed Bike Necessity For Riding

By Daniel Turbin


We are all used to the regular set up on most bicycles, fixie or otherwise. The chain will go around the sprocket on the rear end wheel and pushes you forward. This really is usually the scenario, even when you own a fixed gear bike. Its just you must pedal harder. For this reason a flip flop hubcan be such a revelation in the right hands. Just what exactly is it and why is it so handy?

Well usually the singular sprocket drive set on a fixie back rim is everything you have. Pedal stronger or faster to ride up a steep slope or to manage the descent. This is ideal for almost all fixed gear riders. However occasionally you might actually need a rest or maybe some assistance going up the bigger hills. It will take time to master a fixie and to improve your strength. So a flip flop hubis the answer.

The way it works is that on the opposite side of the normal sprocket, you attach either a second sprocket or a freewheel unit. This means that you may flip the wheel around to change the gearing or to permit coasting also. You can have several combinations either higher or lower to suit where you are going and the way you want to do it.

So a flip flop hubis actually an added bit of flexibility to your fixed gear bicycle, without making compromises on principles. Of course you are able to effectively 'change' gear but all that you are doing switching from one fixed gear to a different fixed gear.

You get rid of none of the purity of fixed gear bike riding or the connection to the street that is so extraordinary. But it definitely could open up all kinds of new opportunities and challenges that you never thought possible without it. Hail to the hub is what I say.



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