All About Fixie Bikes: Things To Know Before Getting Your Fixed-Gear Bicycle Paperback – January 15, 2014

I'm a bicycle rider. I ride 2 fixed gear bikes. 2 Fixies.'All About Fixie Bikes' by Sound & Simple Lifestyle ebooks is a book introducing the concept and benefits of riding fixed gear bicycles. For the non-initiated, what is a 'Fixie'? In plain terms, it is a bike that is stripped of all non essential components: no cables, no brakes (it is wise to retain a working front brake, however) and no gears. Pedalling a fixie reveals the primary difference between a free wheeled hub and a fixed hub; you cannot 'coast', as the wheels turn, so do the pedals!This short A4 format book is apparently aimed at the NEW or novice rider. On page 8, there is a remark 'that a fix is the simplest and recommended (sic) by professional to all newbie's'. (!!) I have some concerns over that statement.For a newcomer to this style of riding, the inability to coast when something unexpected occurs (and it will, on the roads) the newbie is likely to come to grief all too quickly! From the perspective of this book being an introductory text, there is simply not enough detail! There should be pictures demonstrating techniques (of which, there are too few) such as 'kicking in' but instead, there is a vague description urging the rider to 'try it'.Interestingly but not in a good way, on page 15, there is a recommendation for newbies to attempt a 'Skid Stop' to stop their bikes. Skid stopping is well known for its permanent damage to riders knees! WHY was this given without the warnings of what can go wrong?On the plus side, there 'good information' here and a link to a (dated to no later than 2005) site that does provide more detail in general on Fixies. Overall, I was disappointed with this book. I'm passionate about fixed gear bicycles and the potential of what can be achieved with them. I can only give this book 3 Stars. I would like to see an updated version of this book released in future with more pictures and clearer detail.It's OK but ................. !

I downloaded the book because it was free (at the time), and the cover looked interesting. In case you are wondering, a fixie bike is doesn't have gears. Like a child's tricycle or first bicycle, it only has one gear.I am not the target audience. If you don't need training wheels, you don't need a fixie bike. I don't think I know any adult that would consider it. If you are the type of person thinking about riding a fixie bike to be pretentious (as the author suggests you should), then I'm not the person to tell you whether this book has any useful advice for you. The authors implies that there is a population of wanna-be-hipsters looking for ways to waste their money and exercise without getting healthier.If you need a bike for transportation, this book will not be helpful. If you are thinking about triathalons, skip this book. If you are teaching kids to bicycle, not this book.

This short guide is the perfect introduction to an old concept that has become quite popular.Read all of it. While some of the points made in this guide may seem obvious, they all combine to make a well balanced overview. If you skip around, or over points, you will assuredly miss some important advise and information.Pay special attention to the safety points such as "Skid Stopping" that is discussed late in the book. Skid stopping is definitely not the way to go when it can permanently damage your knees.If you have become intrigued by the though of a fixed gear "Fixie" bike then you absolutely should get this well laid out informative guide first.

This answered my main question: without a freewheel cog one must keep peddling.

So short, people need more content in order to chose a good bike. The price should be lower for the book

Learned more about fixie bikes.

good

I read the entire book in 8 minutes and learned absolutely nothing. The grammatical band syntax errors were, however, amusing.No wonder there is no author named, it is an embarrassment

Ok but could have been better if longer. as being a cyclist myself I know almost all there is to know about it but I fancied the read and for a beginner it would be perfect

Cheap production, useless information

As It is not mentioned, that's not really a book, more of a printed pdf, and not a really interesting one, I sent in back.I realy don't recommend it.