A fixie bike is indeed different in lots of ways to a geared cycle. Amongst the main differences is the installing of a flip flop hubto the rear wheel. Of course on your regular bike the back wheel cog has multiple cogs, generally with a derailleur type gearing mechanism as well as the capability to freewheel as you want. A fixed gear hub includes just one cog. You go at a single gear and speed is dictated by how quickly you can turn those pedals. If you want to change the gearing you will need to change the hub assembly completely.
Now here the attractiveness of the flip flop hubcomes into its own. The flip flop rear wheel has got two cogs on it. Therefore you have 1 each side. This flip flop wheelset could do numerous things, based on the set up on your fixed gear bike.
First of all you could have two fixed gear cogs. Out comes the tire, flip it over and hey presto you have an unique gearing to suit the terrain or circumstance. Saves changing whole cogs in their entirety I think. Also saves carrying around all to devices and spare cogs to do with it as well. Secondly you could have a flip flop hubtyre with a gearing cog on the drive side and also a freewheel on the opposite. Simply flip it around and you've the freewheel, that the hard core fixie is without as the regular.
If you're setting up a flip flop hub, then the most typical way is with a fixed gear setting on 1 side of the hub and then a freewheel sitting on the other. The freewheel gearing is normally larger compared to the fixed gear. It is all personal choice of course, however that difference is often only by 1 to 2 teeth setting. That is everything you need really in nearly all situations.
So what are the benefits of a flip flop hub? Well it actually comes into its own as part of a flip flop rim set up when taking longer rides that include a lot of slopes or steep climbs with reciprocal down glides. This allows you to freewheel and turn those pedals the way you want on the down ride. Very beneficial for purging the lactic acid build up. This actually saves on the energy if you've a long way to go to home or your next stop point for the night.
So if you purchase a flip flop hub you should take into account which set up you will choose. Double fixed gear has its advantages to some, particularly over hilly terrain where a 2nd larger gear makes those large climbs easier. Or you can go for a freewheel/fixed gear flip flop wheelset. Which means it helps with climbs however also you don't have to pedal your life away downhill. You may have had that beautiful feeling of biking it so hard as you descend, that the co-ordination goes and your foot slips. Nothing focuses the mind like a steel pedal into the shins at speed.
Now here the attractiveness of the flip flop hubcomes into its own. The flip flop rear wheel has got two cogs on it. Therefore you have 1 each side. This flip flop wheelset could do numerous things, based on the set up on your fixed gear bike.
First of all you could have two fixed gear cogs. Out comes the tire, flip it over and hey presto you have an unique gearing to suit the terrain or circumstance. Saves changing whole cogs in their entirety I think. Also saves carrying around all to devices and spare cogs to do with it as well. Secondly you could have a flip flop hubtyre with a gearing cog on the drive side and also a freewheel on the opposite. Simply flip it around and you've the freewheel, that the hard core fixie is without as the regular.
If you're setting up a flip flop hub, then the most typical way is with a fixed gear setting on 1 side of the hub and then a freewheel sitting on the other. The freewheel gearing is normally larger compared to the fixed gear. It is all personal choice of course, however that difference is often only by 1 to 2 teeth setting. That is everything you need really in nearly all situations.
So what are the benefits of a flip flop hub? Well it actually comes into its own as part of a flip flop rim set up when taking longer rides that include a lot of slopes or steep climbs with reciprocal down glides. This allows you to freewheel and turn those pedals the way you want on the down ride. Very beneficial for purging the lactic acid build up. This actually saves on the energy if you've a long way to go to home or your next stop point for the night.
So if you purchase a flip flop hub you should take into account which set up you will choose. Double fixed gear has its advantages to some, particularly over hilly terrain where a 2nd larger gear makes those large climbs easier. Or you can go for a freewheel/fixed gear flip flop wheelset. Which means it helps with climbs however also you don't have to pedal your life away downhill. You may have had that beautiful feeling of biking it so hard as you descend, that the co-ordination goes and your foot slips. Nothing focuses the mind like a steel pedal into the shins at speed.
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