A fixie bike is very different in a number of ways to a geared cycle. One among the major differences is the fitting of a flip flop hubto the rear wheel. Obviously on your regular bike the rear tire cog has several cogs, typically with a derailleur type gearing mechanism and also the capability to freewheel the way you want. A fixed gear hub includes one single cog. You go at a single gear and speed is dictated by how fast you can turn those pedals. If you want to alter the gearing you must change the hub assembly entirely.
Now this is where the beauty of the flip flop hubcomes into its own. The flip flop rear tyre has 2 cogs on it. Therefore you've one each side. This flip flop wheelset could do numerous things, as per the set up on your fixed gear bike.
Firstly you could have 2 fixed gear cogs. Out comes the wheel, flip it over and hey presto you have a unique gearing to fit with the terrain or circumstance. Saves changing whole cogs in their entirety I believe. Additionally saves carrying around all to devices and spare cogs to do with it as well. Secondly you can have a flip flop hubtyre with a gearing cog on the drive side and a freewheel on the opposite. Simply flip it around and you have the freewheel, that the hard core fixie is without like the standard.
If you are setting up a flip flop hub, then the most typical way is with a fixed gear setting on one side of the hub and then a freewheel sitting on the other. The freewheel gearing is usually bigger compared to the fixed gear. It is all personal preference obviously, but that difference is usually only by one to two teeth setting. That is everything you need really in most circumstances.
So what are the advantages of a flip flop hub? Well it actually comes into its own as part of a flip flop rim set up while taking longer rides which include lots of slopes or steep climbs with reciprocal down glides. This allows you to freewheel and turn those pedals the way you wish on the down ride. Very helpful for purging the lactic acid build up. This really saves on the energy if you've a very long way to go to home or your next stop point for the night time.
So if you purchase a flip flop hub you must carefully consider which set up you will opt for. Double fixed gear has its advantages to some, particularly over hilly terrain where a second larger gear makes those large climbs easier. Or you can go for a freewheel/fixed gear flip flop wheelset. That means it helps with climbs but also you don't need to pedal your life away downhill. You may have had that beautiful feeling of biking it so hard as you descend, that the coordination goes and your foot slips. Nothing focuses the mind like a steel pedal into the shins at speed.
Now this is where the beauty of the flip flop hubcomes into its own. The flip flop rear tyre has 2 cogs on it. Therefore you've one each side. This flip flop wheelset could do numerous things, as per the set up on your fixed gear bike.
Firstly you could have 2 fixed gear cogs. Out comes the wheel, flip it over and hey presto you have a unique gearing to fit with the terrain or circumstance. Saves changing whole cogs in their entirety I believe. Additionally saves carrying around all to devices and spare cogs to do with it as well. Secondly you can have a flip flop hubtyre with a gearing cog on the drive side and a freewheel on the opposite. Simply flip it around and you have the freewheel, that the hard core fixie is without like the standard.
If you are setting up a flip flop hub, then the most typical way is with a fixed gear setting on one side of the hub and then a freewheel sitting on the other. The freewheel gearing is usually bigger compared to the fixed gear. It is all personal preference obviously, but that difference is usually only by one to two teeth setting. That is everything you need really in most circumstances.
So what are the advantages of a flip flop hub? Well it actually comes into its own as part of a flip flop rim set up while taking longer rides which include lots of slopes or steep climbs with reciprocal down glides. This allows you to freewheel and turn those pedals the way you wish on the down ride. Very helpful for purging the lactic acid build up. This really saves on the energy if you've a very long way to go to home or your next stop point for the night time.
So if you purchase a flip flop hub you must carefully consider which set up you will opt for. Double fixed gear has its advantages to some, particularly over hilly terrain where a second larger gear makes those large climbs easier. Or you can go for a freewheel/fixed gear flip flop wheelset. That means it helps with climbs but also you don't need to pedal your life away downhill. You may have had that beautiful feeling of biking it so hard as you descend, that the coordination goes and your foot slips. Nothing focuses the mind like a steel pedal into the shins at speed.
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