We are all accustomed to the normal set up on most bicycles, fixie or not. The chain will go around the sprocket on the rear end wheel and drives you forward. This is certainly usually the situation, even when you have a fixed gear bicycle. Its simply you must pedal harder. For this reason a flip flop hubcan be such a revelation in the appropriate hands. Just what exactly is it and also why is it so useful?
Well normally the singular sprocket drive set on a fixie rear wheel is everything you have. Pedal even harder or quicker to go up a steep hill or to handle the descent. Which is perfect for most fixed gear riders. However at times you could actually wish for a break or perhaps help riding up the larger hills. You will need time to master a fixie and to improve your endurance. So a flip flop hubis the answer.
The way it operates is that on the opposite side of the standard sprocket, you attach either an extra sprocket or a freewheel unit. This means that you may turn the rim around to change the gearing or to allow coasting also. You can have several combinations either higher or lower to fit where you are heading and the method that you want to do it.
So a flip flop hubis really an added piece of flexibility to your fixed gear bike, without making compromises on principles. Yes you can effectively 'change' gear but all that you are doing switching from one fixed gear to a new fixed gear.
You eliminate none of the purity of fixed gear bicycle riding or the contact with the track which is so unique. However it could open up all sorts of new opportunities and challenges that you just never believed possible without it. Hail to the hub is what I say.
Well normally the singular sprocket drive set on a fixie rear wheel is everything you have. Pedal even harder or quicker to go up a steep hill or to handle the descent. Which is perfect for most fixed gear riders. However at times you could actually wish for a break or perhaps help riding up the larger hills. You will need time to master a fixie and to improve your endurance. So a flip flop hubis the answer.
The way it operates is that on the opposite side of the standard sprocket, you attach either an extra sprocket or a freewheel unit. This means that you may turn the rim around to change the gearing or to allow coasting also. You can have several combinations either higher or lower to fit where you are heading and the method that you want to do it.
So a flip flop hubis really an added piece of flexibility to your fixed gear bike, without making compromises on principles. Yes you can effectively 'change' gear but all that you are doing switching from one fixed gear to a new fixed gear.
You eliminate none of the purity of fixed gear bicycle riding or the contact with the track which is so unique. However it could open up all sorts of new opportunities and challenges that you just never believed possible without it. Hail to the hub is what I say.
