Fixed-gear bikes, or “fixies,” are so hip now that they are almost exclusively associated in the casual cyclist’s mind with “hipster” riders in major cities. Still, the original goal of the design was safety.
The Rover of 1885 used cranks and a chain to send power to a fixed-gear rear wheel. At the time, this was fairly radical—besides the “penny-farthing” big-front-wheel bikes that dominated the period, significant numbers of treadle-driven efforts used no chain whatsoever, not to mention the front-wheel-drive bikes!
One hundred and thirty-six years later, the appeal of the fixed-gear bicycle is simplicity, not safety. Acceleration and deceleration are both handled via pedal pressure. There’s very little to go wrong. These bikes are weather-resistant, long-lasting, and charming in their lack of levers and mechanical addenda.
Mandatory for certain timed competitive events and almost mandatory in the secretive world of professional bike messengers, the “fixie” is also de rigeur among those who hold aesthetics as the highest purpose of a bicycle.
Stay comfy with that fixie. Browse our picks for the best men’s cycling shorts, bike jerseys, and helmets.
The Best Fixie Bikes
What to Consider
Purpose
Interested in racing? Then you’ll want something with razor-sharp geometry and attention paid to reducing both aerodynamic and mechanical drag. The vast majority of buyers, however, won’t be happy with a bicycle like that.
Instead, you likely want a comfort-oriented bicycle with upright seating and a large saddle, or a “cafe racer” that evokes the heavily chromed, thin-tubed racing bikes of the pre-World War I era (without the absolute focus on performance).
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Brakes
True fixed-gear race bikes have no brakes. Should you skip them as well? It might look cool at the coffee shop, but there is little reason to operate a brakeless bicycle unless you are an exceptionally skilled rider with a high risk tolerance.
The reaction most novices have when a fixie gets unwieldy—to pull their feet off the pedals and squeeze the brakes in a death grip—isn’t very productive if you have no brakes.
How We Evaluated
Every bike here has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our test editors. We researched the market, surveyed user reviews, spoke with product managers and engineers, and used our own experience racing and riding these fixies to determine the best options.
Some models have been tested by our staff, and those that haven’t have been carefully chosen based on their value, quality of parts (many of which we’ve tested separately), our experiences with similar models, user reviews, and how the overall package meets the needs of the intended buyer.
Pros
- Versatile and affordable
- Stylish
- Great for beginners
- Sealed bottom bracket
Cons
- Saddle may be uncomfortable for some
- May feel heavier than expected
Key Specs
| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Tires | 700c x 25 mm. |
| Weight | 24 lbs., 8 oz. |
The Core-Line is the epitome of a fixie as a cost-conscious commuter. It comes stock with riser bars, but an extra $25 gets you bullhorn or flat bars. While the front and rear caliper brakes may not feel responsive for all uses, the bike is still an excellent choice for someone with a short commute or a desire to spend as little as possible.
Eight of our members rode this bike for a field test and most were impressed by its sturdy steel frame and smooth, easy response. The Core-Line embodies the ethos of a fixie in all the right ways.
Pros
- Beautiful frame
- Decent performance on gravel
- Versatile
Cons
- Weak chain tensioner screws in dropout
Key Specs
| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Tires | 650b x 47mm |
| Weight | 24 lbs. |
One of the more versatile picks on this list, the All-City Super Professional is a striking ride with a combination geared or single-speed sliding dropout system. It has clearance for 700c x 45mm or 650b x 47mm tires, a chromoly steel frame, and Tektro HD-R280 Hydraulic brakes.
If you need a handy commuter, it also has mounts for fenders and racks. Sleek, attractive, and sturdy, this is worth the fixie splurge. Its only frustration comes from its dropout, which some user reviews say has weak chain tensioner screws.
Pros
- Great value
- No-frills, simple build
- Retro style
Cons
- Poor handling
- Heavy
Key Specs
| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Tires | 700c x 28mm |
| Weight | 31 lbs. |
This single-size, no-frills, flip-flop commuter bike won’t garner too many admiring glances from the fixie crowd—but when the price is this right, who cares?
The Kedzie has brakes front and rear, a flat bar, two color choices, and a plastic chainguard for wet-weather comfort. The bar and stem have considerable rise to them, so expect more of a beach-cruiser response at speed, rather than the finely tuned but high-strung steering of a traditional fixie.
Pros
- Comfortable for most riders
- Fast and aggressive
- Great intro-level price
Cons
What sets 6KU’s offering apart from the other budget bikes? An aluminum frame, which saves weight and transfers more pedal power to the wheels, at the expense of some ride comfort. The flip-flop rear hub is standard, and the bike is monochrome-finished to reduce corrosion and decrease the likelihood of theft.
Because 6KU is the manufacturer and retailer, you can save some cash while also getting a slightly higher grade of equipment than what you’ll find on similar competitors. A riser bar and a long seatpost allow for easy adjustment to suit a variety of riders beyond the six standard frame sizes.
Pros
- Zippy, lightweight
- Relaxed geometry
Cons
Key Specs
| Frame | Aluminum |
|---|---|
| Tires | 700c x 25mm |
| Weight | 18.4 lbs. |
If there’s one bike brand that is adored by the street-style set, it’s All-City—and with the Thunderdome, this fashion-focused company has finally decided to drag its customer base into the no-excuses world of velodrome racing.
The round-tubing aluminum frame is approved for UCI competition, as is the carbon fork. Cane Creek supplies the headset. The geometry on this model has been relaxed slightly to provide a compromise between board-track and criterium events. Naturally, it’s gorgeous from stem to stern.
Could you buy a Thunderdome and sentence it to a life of Starbucks rides? Yes, you could. But wouldn’t that be a little cruel?
Pros
- Easily swaps between fixed and freewheel cogs
- Stylish city bike
- Very affordable
- Comfy saddle
Cons
Key Specs
| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Tires | 700c x 28mm |
| Weight | 24 lbs. |
The Ace is Priority’s fixie with a touch of class. It’s designed for commuters who like a little pep in their daily ride but aren’t fans of bike maintenance.
Recreational-focused riders will do fine with the more manageable gear ratio and budget-friendly parts of the $499 Ace of Clubs. Performance-minded riders will appreciate the Ace of Spades for its carbon fork and seatpost, and higher gear ratio.
Both models feature a flip-flop hub with a cassette body and a fixed thread that lets you easily swap between fixed and freewheel cogs with a standard bottom bracket tool. And all adult Priority models use a quieter, cleaner, less-mess Gates belt drive instead of the traditional chain and cassette.
A 680mm-wide, flat handlebar and 28mm WTB ThickSlick tires round out this clean-looking, stylish city fixie.
Pros
- Beautiful style and colors
- Looks and acts high-end
- Super fast
- Built to order
Cons
- Could get a much more versatile bike for the same price
Key Specs
| Frame | Steel |
|---|---|
| Tires | 700c x 23mm |
| Weight | 18.5 pounds |
At just 18 pounds, the Wabi Lightning is fast enough to race but handsome enough to leave outside a Chelsea coffeehouse. Credit the Columbus Spirit tubing, made in Italy and shipped to Taiwan for assembly into a rocketship frame.
Everything about the Lightning can be customized, from the handlebar shape to the gearing—each and every bike is made to order. Not quite a fully custom, top-shelf fixie, the Lightning is indistinguishable from a higher-end pick for virtually every normal human being.
Jack Baruth is a writer and competitor who has earned podiums in more than fifteen different classes and sanctions of automotive and cycling competition, in both amateur and professional capacities, as well as an enthusiastic hobbyist musician and audiophile who owns hundreds of musical instruments and audio systems. His work has appeared in Bicycling, Cycle World, Road & Track, WIRED, Wheels Weekly, EVO Malaysia, Esquire, and many other publications. His original design for a guitar, the Melody Burner, has been played by Billy Gibbons, Sheryl Crow, and others.
Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.
