Fixed Gear Bikes in Japan

bicycles reviews | bicycles videos | bicycles online

1. what about other styles of bikes??
2. You pick the best all around gear for your area.
3. Fixies are too much exciting because you have to control your speed through your pedals, instead of your brake levels. For that reason, singles speed can be less exciting but more safer. I was bored riding a mountain bike, that's why I'm going to buy a Single Speed tomorrow. 
4. Fixed gears aren't very cheap. ESPECIALLY in Japan. Although this was a cheap frame so probably between $400-600
5. Osaka is pretty flat. Especially in the downtown area.
6. oddly enough I bought a fixed gear bike in Sannomiya about 9 months ago. And in Osaka 7/10 bikes you see girls riding aren't actually fixed gears. If they can coast its not a fixed gear. I couldn't see that bike close enough to tell if it was actually a fixed gear because you went over it very quickly. But I imagine due to the fact that it was missing a rear brake it is probably fixed. Also to note that in Japan if you are missing a brake its a 5万 fine per if the police stop you.
7. One speed (or single speed) bikes can be fixed or freewheel. When it's a freewheel you can stop pedaling but the wheel will keep going, still you have just one speed. Fixed gear is called that way because the gear is fixed (woah) to the wheel, if you stop pedaling you will stop, but it requires some strength to stop the motion.
8. Single speed, with a fixed cog. which means No coasting, like a bike used on tracks(velodromes)
9. fixed gear bikes are great for urban cruising. I've rode the same bike for 20 years (all but frame and fork has been changed at least once). They rarely get stolen, thieves prefer valuable equipment. Gears are for touring, Fixed gear is more of a cardiac exercise thing.
10. O yeh great look short skirt riders !!!
11. Does fixed gear mean that there is only one gear for the bike? That would rally suck for hills.
12. Where I come from, fixed gear bikes are common as well.
13. I'm thinking Kobe has more gear changers because the city is on an upward grade from the waterfront to the foot of the mountain. It especially becomes noticeable between Sannomiya and Kitano and Shin-Kobe Station right? Or maybe more bikes get stolen in a dense city like Osaka so people opt for cheaper bikes?
14. more precise you can pedal forwards and backwards. Another words no free wheel.
15. I've got to say riding fixed is a lot of fun. I recently switched my hub over and I don't think I'm going back to freewheel anytime soon. Give it a shot. 
16. Plus there is no freewheel usually, so you have to peddle non stop ;)
17. oooh... Interesting, Indeed! Thanks Kevin! 
18. Could it be how flat the area is?
19. yes...one speed.
20. By fixed gear bikes do you mean they have only one speed, or multiple speeds (I am older, and still call bikes ten speeds)