A fixed gear's rear hub A fixie (or fixed gear) is a bike without a freewheel and only one gear ratio. You can't coast or shift on these bikes. Over time fixed-gears have gained a certain, perhaps unreasonable, cult status among some cyclists.

Easily spotted around town, especially in the Mission, along the wiggle and in the Haight. Dolores Park on a sunny day is probably populated with more gearless bikes than geared ones.

Fixed gear bikes are often constructed with a flip-flop hub in the back that allows for switching to a freewheel mode. Lots of folks coast through the city on single-speed freewheeled bikes.

These have become a part of hipster chic, alongside classics like the messenger bag.

Perfect bikes for Bike Polo.