Getting your fix
The fixed-gear perspective
By Adam Scoppa |
|
Sporting a green small-brimmed hat and rolled up jeans, Zach Henkel appears slightly fatigued. He should be very fatigued - he rode his bike to meet me at 15th and High from German Village. In about 10 minutes. Undaunted, he only asks to be excused for water before we start talking bikes.
You see, a four-mile jaunt in around 10 minutes is no problem for Henkel, who lives and breathes cycling. The 26-year-old Short North resident hosts a half-hour radio talk show called "Cranksters" on Fridays at 7 p.m., a "lighthearted, irreverent show about Columbus bike culture" on WCRS Simply Living Radio, 98.3 and 102.1 FM. The program often covers, aside from bragging about bikes, as Henkel put it, bicycle events, safety, activism, and other two-wheel matters.
Photo: Christopher Atwood
His preferred ride, and the bike of choice for many young Columbus cyclists, is a fixed-gear.
This bicycle, simply put, features one sprocket screwed directly onto the rear wheel hub, without a 'freewheel,' or coasting mechanism. Because the pedals move in tandem at all times with the back wheel, they can also be ridden in reverse. The cyclist's legs, active constantly, always moving at the same speed as the crank, become more integral to the machine.
Shedding shifters, cables, gears, and even brakes from multi-speed bicycles has been a growing trend since the last half of the decade in Columbus. Many embrace fixed-gears, or 'fixies,' because of their minimal maintenance requirements, as fewer parts means fewer malfunctions and repairs. The unique physical challenge they offer is appealing as well. Some just relish the simple, streamlined visual aesthetic.
Henkel, who converted his bike to a fixed-gear about eight months ago, enjoys it for all of these reasons. "In heavy traffic, fooling around with gearing isn't really the best use of your time," he says. "They are fashionable, but I think they're (also) utilitarian."
First attempts at maneuvering a fixie are disorienting, as they can feel awkward and stiff. The rider must maintain an acute awareness of speed, geography, and surroundings. Inclines demand more effort. Braking, literally a balancing act of resisting momentum with the legs and applying pressure to the brake handle(s), requires nuance. Henkel warns against sharp turns; if the pedal's crankshaft is perpendicular to the ground, he says, it could catch and toss the rider like a bull. With a little patience, however, fixed-gears are refreshingly simple to operate.
Many Columbus bike shops stock new, ready-made fixies, including BikeSource and Paradise Garage. 'Flip-flops,' which are reversible hubs that provide a freewheel option, are also available.
If you happen to be trying out a fixed-gear in the coming warmer months, you just might see Zach Henkel riding on his. Although he tries to avoid a busy High Street, he says, "I ride everywhere."
Originally Published: May 1, 2009
