What is a fixie bike?

A fixie is a fixed-gear bike. It is a single speed bike that you can find in wheelsizes of 20″, 24″ and 700C. They used to be supplied with frames, wheelsets and tyres that are brightly coloured. 

The double wall rims are usually wide which may require tubes with valve length of up 80mm.

If the double wall rim of the fixie you going to purchase is very wide, check with the bike shop to make sure that they have stock for replacement tubes with valves in the length required.

This is one of its features that attract cyclists. On most fixies, if you look at the rear wheel, you will notice that other than the regular freewheel for single speed attached on the right hand side of the hub, you will also see a fixed gear cog installed on the left. That is because the rear wheel is installed with a double-sided or a flip-flop hub.  Cyclist can flip the rear wheel to ride the bike with the fixed gear cog or the freewheel.  I have written about the differences between freewheel and a fixed gear cog earlier.

Fixie used to be very popular with the younger generation as it is low in cost and maintenance. At one time they were looking for fixies with curved shaped frame and bullhorn (handlebar) installed. This is how it looks like. This higher end model from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has Chromoly frame and the parts installed are branded.

As you can brake with your legs when you are cycling on fixed gear cog, some models have only front brake installed. The more expensive models have their front brake cables inserted through a hole in the centre of the stems and they come out from the base of the steerer tubes to be attached to the brake calipers. This is how a 20″ wheelsize fixie with such a brake system installed looks like. 

You can find out why it was designed this way in the following article I shared about its history:

Why do bike messengersride fixies rather than bikes with gears?

In Malaysia, fixie used to be very popular in the early to mid-2010s.  There is currently a revival in interest for fixed-gear bikes. It started during the Covid-19 pandemic. We have been getting many request to fix up fixies from young cyclists.  They tend to replace the original handlebar on their fixies with drop bar and hooded brake lever.

They want their bikes to look like road bikes. 

Cyclists who are still interested in fixie are now looking for less colourful models. This is a later version with bullhorn installed. It is a high end model with an alloy frame and a sport rim.

Some cyclists made the mistake of buying their sport rims online with double wall rims that are 100mm in width.  We were not able to replace their tubes as, currently, in Malaysia, the longest valve length available is only up to 80mm.

What makes a fixie with a rear freewheel different from other types of fixed-gear bikes?

I have noted the difference between a freewheel and a fixed gear cog in the following table.

A cyclist on a single speed bike with freewheel installed should not have any problem coasting on flat surfaces and cycling uphill.

Without the freewheel mechanism on the fixed gear cog, the cyclist may have to stand on his pedals and strain to pedal uphill. To stop the bicycle from rolling backwards down the slope, the cyclist will have to apply a braking force with his legs and bodyweight to resist the rotation of the cranks.

If your rear wheel is installed with a double-sided or a flip-flop hub, you do not have to remove the freewheel in order to install the fixed gear cog, or vice versa. In fact, some fixies with flip-flop hub on their rear wheels are supplied installed with both the freewheel and fixed gear cog. Cyclists can decide on which of these gears they want their chains to run on. 

You can see what I mean by double-sided hub when you look at the wheel in the following video. From it, you can also learn how a fixed gear cog is installed.

Just send your fixie to the bike shop if you do not have the tools required, to install a fixed gear cog.

Watch this video to see how, when you are cycling on fixed gear cog, you can switch over to cycle on your freewheel or vice versa.

Should I buy a fork for BMX or MTB?

When you buy a fork for mountain bike, you have the option to buy one with suspension or without. There are forks in the market for 20″ MTB like the one shown here. 20″ MTBs are usually recommended for kids of age 6 and above.

If you plan to buy a replacement fork just make sure that it fits the size of the bicycle you intend to install it on. They come in sizes for 20″ right up to 29″ bicycles. Choose one with suspension if you plan on riding off road as it will take the strain off your shoulders during bumpy rides on your bicycle.

If you buy a cheaper fork with suspension, it is likely that you will not be able to adjust the shock absorbers as there is no dial on it to adjust their tension or to lock it so that it does not move at all.


BMX forks do not have suspension and they are usually built sturdier and stronger than other fork without suspension, eg, meant for a fixie or a regular 20″ bicycle. You will not be able to install your BMX rims or tyres on a fixed gear fork as the tyre width for BMX can be as wide as 2.35″

Mountings on the fork for the brakes are located differently for V-Brake, U-Brake or disc brakes. So, inform the shop the kind of brakes you intend to fix on your BMX.

In Malaysia, it is now popular for youngsters to modify their 20″ BMX with a double fork (with or without suspension) like this.

This is how they want their BMX to look like after modification.

Or like this.


This is how they ride (fly) the modified BMX.


This is dangerous and illegal. Bicycles like these get confiscated by the local authorities if riders are caught in the act.

Why do some people still buy brand new bicycles without gears?

I noticed that cyclists, especially the younger ones still schooling, would prefer to choose the type of bicycles their friends are ridding, which are usually single speed bikes, like BMX 

or fixie.

Parents would rather buy their children single speed bicycles if they think that their children do not know how to care for their belongings. Maintenance cost will be lower if there are less parts there for them to damage.

How much air should I have in my fixie bike tyres?

Try to maintain the correct inflation pressure in your tube to lower the risk of punctures. Look at the inflation recommendations marked on the sidewall of your tyre and pump your tube to the pressure within that range.

If you are aiming for speed, you can inflate your tube right up to the maximum PSI indicated as that will help to reduce the rolling resistance of the tyre.

For better grip, you can let out some air for a more comfortable ride, especially when it is raining. Remember not go below the minimum PSI range recommended as the inner tube can get pinched between the rim and the tyre which can cause punctures.

If you enjoy riding your fixie downhill, during descents, use your brakes in an on-and-off fashion to prevent the rim from been heated up as that could expand the air in your tube and cause a tyre blow-off. That is a good reason not to over inflate your tube.

If you visit Schwalbe’s website, you will find a tyre pressure chart calculated based on body weight.

Some companies supply their pumps with a PSI chart attached. So, for fixie tyre of size 700x28C, if you can’t read the markings on your tyre, it is safe to pump your tube right up to 73 PSI .