18 Beginner Fixed Gear Mistakes Everyone Makes & How to Avoid Them 

Thanks again to Harry’s! Click here Harrys.com/ZachGallardo to redeem your Trial Set for just $3! Let me know what color razor handle you got in the comments below!

One thing to watch out for: Being used to riding normal pedals on BMX (old school BMX), muscle memory kicked in when I was stopped at traffic lights, when I went to start up again I spun the pedals backwards with the intent of catching it on its way up so I was in a good push off position, only to find I'd propelled the bike backwards underneath me as I went straight over the bars... Crashing your bike at a complete stop in such spectacular fashion is quite embarrassing, stop laughing!

I mean, I've had people shout "nice fixie" at me from their car and that's always made me feel pretty nice about my bike

I've never ridden a fixed gear. I believe it's time. (I'm 60) I believe you nailed it when you talked about how close a fixed gear makes you feel to the bike. That's something which seems to be missing with my rides although I do enjoy the scenery, changing seasons, and the utility of a bicycle. My current bike is my main transportation for everything. No car by choice, not because of finances. We do save an incredible amount of money by not having a car. I truly enjoy the ride even if all I'm doing is hauling a load of groceries in the trailer or going for an appointment. I'm a four season rider unless there's ice/snow on the ground. I'm just too old to be breaking any more bones! Your information is incredible and spot on. Great job of communicating. It's fun to listen to your enthusiasm and yet also hear how pragmatic you are. You remind me of the joys of just riding when I was in high school. I don't understand why more people don't ride. Mine is an old Ti-Motobecane Phatom. It's almost too old to be upgraded. Mr. Gallardo, it's time for this old dog to learn some new tricks! Living in South Korea.

After four years of watching your channel, today I finally bought my first fixed gear. Keep up the great work!

Thanks for this. I rode a fixed in the early mid 2000s and gravitated towards touring and road. At 42 years old, I'm curious about getting back into fixed riding for around town. This video is super useful for anyone at any stage.

ben riding a fixed gear bike for 11 years now. i built it myself from an old road car i bought used. its been an extension of me throughout all these years. i was never in any "scene" or "hobby" never really thought about it twice. i just loved riding a fixed gear and rode one everywhere. i even call it a fixie. nothing beats the feeling of a fixed gear bike especially one you built from scratch and know it inside out. even though my frame is slightly bent and i most likely need a new hub beacause i recently had my chain slack off and jam between the cog and the wheel on a downhill, (brown pants moment for sure) i never wanna get rid of it even though it would be wiser to invest in a new proper fixed gear frame. I just love this one so much. I also used to ride with a front brake but i recently changed my handlebars and couldn't mount the front brake anymore so i went for a back brake with the fixie and its actually nicer to me. i had a couple of close calls where i had to brake really fast and tumbled forward because of the front brake (im sure its down to bad braking technique) but with the back brake i can balance between the hand brake and the feet braking and it saved my ass when my chain broke downhill... power to all the no break runners out there, i couldn't do it personally. id rather look like a dork but still be alive and in one piece

I work as a delivery rider and HIGHLY recommend keeping the brake on if you want. It doesn't add that much complexity and keeps you legs from wearing out as quick

He really grew facial hair to get sponsored? :P

The video clip when you talk about saddle height shows that your saddle is too high. Which is a common mistake people make. You should keep a slight bend at the bottom of the crankset and the foot shouldn’t be pointed. This causes many issues including saddle sore, leg numbness, feet numbness etc.

Always professional, funny and informative, never has paid promotion tasted so smooth, Thx bro

I’ve never heard of people getting upset about “fixie”. Mos def must be a regional thing

That 27.2/28.6 mistake hit me hard as well. Great video, Zach!

I am loving the uploads yo! Keep em comin'!

My boy Zach is on rapid fire this week I’m all for it 🤙

Funnily enough, I learned how to ride on a hand-me-down brakeless where I learned how to skid accidentally. Now that I am back into the fixie lifestyle I can't thank that old bike enough.

Useful thanks !

cannot stress the first point enough. i rode cheap hi-ten steel fixed gears for first 2-3 years of riding and dealt with so many maintenance issues compared to when i put the cash down for quality components. Ended up putting more money into the cheap bikes than i even bought them for.

after 7 years of absent from fixed gear trick bike riding. I today bought a secondhand fixed gear and found your chanel. I recall my youth by watching this. Lol. Thankyou. Subscribed

Nice stache psyche lmao got 'em

Ive been riding for a couple of months now and this helped alot man! Thank you

Yo great video topic! Awesome seeing you post so much these past few days :)

Another thing i'd like to mention: Improper handlebar positioning I had my drop bars on my Wabi at an angle way too high. I always wondered why using the drops felt so uncomfortable. Well I posted a picture of my bike on Reddit and people pointed out that I had been riding with Bars that aren't mounted right. As soon as I brought them down, I enjoyed riding my bike so much, it felt like I just got a new bike.

your videos give some sort of therapeutic relief

I can’t believe we just watched Zach shave. I am not sure how I feel about that. The things we do fir RU-vid. And fixies.

Today's sponsor is Harry's razors, "Harry's... because aero"

I agree with the flat kit! Saves me every time i skid too much. I always have an extra tube and a 15 inch wrench with a pump

Hi zach amazing videos thanks very helpful tips 👍🚴

Your theft segment was absolutely true. Ty.

The ad transition was beautiful man. Love it.

Omg I love these videos but as a barber, it’s hard. I really want to cut your hair properly, and completely lose focus.

This is a really helpfull video, thanks bro

A bike shop called my track bike a fixie and i was about to start swinging

I had a Peugeot PX-10 I converted to fixed for several years and loved it. Recently acquired a Serotta track frame and built it up. No holes to mount brakes! Do you have a video on how to stop w/o brakes?

Bonus mistake 19 : Forgetting to include the Tire Pressure Calculator link in the description. (Good video, though!)

Dude. Tension your brooks saddle!!! That threaded bolt is there for a reason and has a special tool. #nosag

I'll start using "fixie" from now on, thank you!

This guy's pace in content 👌

This is my _fixie._ There are many _fixies_ like it, but this _fixie_ is my _fixie._ Fixie, fixie fixie. *FIXIE.* 🚲

I love purple chainrings, I have a violet anodized Garbaruk , single piece of CNC’d aluminum narrow-wide teeth so it doesn’t drop the chain like my old one did. Just pop it on the crank arm grease and torque down the chainring nut. Strong, very clean looking, no chainring nuts to fiddle with; But that purple/blue, depending on the light, is the perfect accent that goes with most prime color frames!

Speaking of beginner mistakes, our channel sponsor Wabi Cycles ... - I was waiting for that lmao

I got a fixie for $350 and it was white and black and really good for the price and with a couple of mods its super light (for a cheap bike, about 8kg)

Hi Zach! What are your thoughts on running a coaster brake hub?

Back to back to back ⁉️⁉️⁉️

Hey loved the video just subbed. Was wondering whats the name/model of that sugino crankset? thx x

Instantly Like & Sub when you show how to get in the straps, been tryna figure out how can ppl do that for a whileeeee 🙏🏻

Awesome channel man...

Hi there!!!, excellent video, how much does your bike weigh (yellow)?

Regarding fit, I wish Wabi (and all bike brands) would give complete geo numbers that include reach and stack. IMO most of the bikes are made for drop bars. I'd like a longer reach so I can use flat bars. Have you ever noticed a difference between how the fit is when you swap between bars on your everyday Wabi?

Love your channel! And yes, I am subscribed, lol.... I have a line on an inexpensive fixed gear but I can't find any info on the brand. It's lugged and the brand is Liberty. Are at all familiar with the brand?

Zach how long you been youtubing it and riding? I remember watching some stuff from you when I was still in Phoenix and fixed riding years back. Also, HoldFast straps are killer for feet belts, as are RaceFace Chester flats!

Grew up with fixed gear back with no front brake. Ride it all over the place and jumped the off every ram. Of course I’m a kid of the 80’s and 90’s we didn’t have helmets or pad either lol.

I have that same purple All City frame/fork set. So nice, one of my favorites.

"buying a bike is akin to buying a suit" I love that statement, you are absolutely right.

That were very, very good tips aldo I don't have a fix gear. Yet. Who knows. I am a happy MTB and my new gravel rider. But fixed gears have someting that makes me look at them with affection.

Love the moustache 🥸!

Holy Molly, back-to-back-to-back days with an upload! Im loving this week, keep it up Zach, great job!

Zach w the back to back ?!?! In one week. Here for it. #reasonablydangerous

Wow. I rode my fixed gear for over ten years and always called it a fixie. That's a long-running faux pas.

I’m not that 54%. I just subbed. And today I officially got a used fixie. Thanks for this vid.

That purple chainring is 🔥

Damn my man's finally getting those sponsorships. Congrats bro 👍

Been watching these videos for a few days now, can't wait to go buy my first fixie and pretend like I know what I'm talking about

The quality of the videos r 👌

Hi Zach great channel! where did you get the toe clip with red double leather strap? Thank you for all answer

my first fixed frame was a kilo TT what was just too small for me. Toe overlap was soo bad. got a larger frame and no toe overlap and fit is soo much more comfortable.

Watched this this morning and potentially going to purchase a 2nd hand fixie (yes I called it a fixie rather than fixed gear cos I'm daring ;-)). I may call it a fixed gear later. Thanks for the info though. Helped. Subbed :-)

great job on fitting in your sponsors.

Seatpost size is always labeled near the min insertion markings at the bottom of the post

...liked! Excellent vid. Thank you! Just got the Sole Overthrow II from Venice Beach...what do you think of this bike? ...i love it! Biking has become an almost totally new experience. Thank you very much for the information. i'm old, too. Subed...!

I have a Pixel by fyxation. I like it a lot it's pretty light as far as I'm concerned and has 7 gears. Was that a good move?

Thx again for this video. Do you have any video or installguide for genetic twin toe straps. On genetic pro track pedals with genetic large twin clips ? They won't fit perfectly. Could see you had something similar on your yellow bike on this vid. Thx man 😊

funny thing, my first fixed gear was a retrospec for $144, and still use it as my beater. I actually consider it a great deal, its like a tank both in durability and weight, so i actually think I lucked out in the first garbo fixie purchase

I’ve been watching a bunch of his vids and doing my research but I wanted to see what the comments say is a good or decent beginner bike, I’ve been thinking maybe the core line🧐

I had to ride breakless for about a year, it was a really beat up bike. Not a fixie but it showed me moves.

Well, I DO have a fixie… Second hand Micargi hi- tensile steel, deep dish John Deere green/yellow a little too small for me (Could not pass on the deal) Left on front and rear breaks due to the hilly town I live and... have tons of fun on it!!!

Any suggestions for pedal straps?

I dig the sweater!!! where can I get one?

Make sure you measure the frame when you get it. I bought a decent frame but it ended up being manufactured wrong (72.5⁰ HA vs 74⁰ advertised). Due to covid I didn't build and ride the bike for a while and now it's a big hassle to get warranty support.

Hey Zach any recommendations for toe straps ? I’ve been looking to purchase mks njs or toshis.

You know this video is great cause 2 years later all this info is still up to date.

you remember that moment when you started riding fixed gear? i still know how i nearly ended up on my face cuz i literally forgot that it was fixed while standing up😂

I will say, a fixed gear bike with a few modifications would be idea for motorizing especially after adding a coaster gear wheel. Mainly because they are so basic and have a classic two triangle frame.

I’ll buy that 28.6mm Thompson seat post off of you. I bought a frame when I lived in Bogota, Colombia and rode it fixed there. Kept on breaking seat post collar clamp bolts with 27.2mm post, later discovered it is a 28.6mm.

Zach’s Mom alert!

🤣🤣🤣🤣premium rush is my FAVE bike movie that's the movie that got me into the fixie world

😂😂😂 I always take pictures of my bike by the left side, 'cause that's the side I get off the bike 🙄🙄🙄 Thanks for the tips.

get good at braking or die is the way I learnt 😂 but I would back off early and slow down so I could always make it stop

The transition into that ad was as smooth as his face afterwards.

Awesome!

Valve stems lined up like a boss

My worst mistake was at high speed downhill losing contact with the fast turning pedals. It was very difficult and painful to get my feet back on the pedals.

Hey man you look really good with that facial hair, the slight scruff suits you well 👌

As far as getting a flat, what about putting slime or similar product in your tubes before you get a flat? And I wouldn't trust the gauge on the pump unless it was a high dollar pump. A cheaper and more accurate way is buy a cheap pump and a relative inexpensive digital gauge, they are supposedly very accurate.

I guess ive built a fixed gear ratio bike then. It has a Merida LTD 2000 frame, it has a hydraulic front brake, rear v brake, dual crown fork, 28 inch wheels, Michelin tires and a casette in the rear to test wich gear ratio im most comfortable with. (Ill probably keep 3 different gear ratios having to manually adjust the chain with my hands) Ive built almost all my bikes so far. ~8 9 if you count the folding bike. (I mostly pay for my bike parts by selling the bikes i get as donors) So basically i get free bikes by building and repairing them.

Fill your tires once a week? I usually top up every other day or every 3 days at most

What is the type of brooks saddle you're using here?

2 u locks and cord n oh steel seat post just in case u Catch a thieves in the act, you got something smash am with👍🏽 happy riding

Yeah! I'm guilty but the bike looked cool so I bought it and now it needs to go to the shop. But I do have a track bike that I need to race👍

"Can's stop - don't want to, either." is still among the coolest one liners ever. It may not be smart, but it's the definition of charisma. And to be fair, if you are riding fixies for smarts, you lost your mind. The smart thing to do is to have 2 breaks, having coast and having multiple gears, with fenders, lights and rack. Also, probably wider tires. So if you have a problem with this quote, that's probably just jealousy of those who take this lifestyle to the logical end. Fixed gear is purely about the charisma, and the coolness factor, not about smart choices.