Bikes Without Gears: Types and Benefits

Bicycles come in all shapes and sizes these days, from lightweight road racers to sturdy cargo haulers. One intriguing type that has grown in popularity recently is bikes without gears. Let’s explore what gearless bike options exist and the potential upsides to ditching the derailleurs.

Main Types of Bikes Without Gears
While single speed and fixed gear bikes have been around since the early days of cycling, the recent surge of interest in simplicity and low maintenance has shined a spotlight on gearless rides. Here are the primary types of bikes you’ll find lacking gears:

Single Speed Bikes
As the name suggests, single speed bikes just have one main rear cog and thus only one speed. You power the bike via the pedals directly turning the rear wheel. Simple, low maintenance, and that pure cyclist feel!

Fixies/Fixed Gear Bikes
Fixies take the single speed idea even further by having no freewheel mechanism. This means anytime the bike is rolling, the pedals are also turning. You control speed entirely through pedaling cadence and resistance. Fixies teach riding efficiency.

Coaster Brake Cruisers
Classic cruiser bikes often forego gears and hand brakes by using a coaster braking system activated by pedaling backward. Great for relaxed riding and maximum simplicity.

Benefits of Riding a Bike Without Gears
Ditching the gears, cables, and shifters certainly saves money on purchase and maintenance costs. But gearless bikes have other advantages too:

Lower Weight – Fewer parts equals less overall weight to haul around.

Improved Efficiency – You learn to pedal smoothly without relying on gears.

Increased Durability – Less components means fewer things to break or repair.

Enhanced Connectedness – You feel more in tune with the bike’s movement.

More Affordability – From fixies to cruisers, gearless bikes run the price spectrum.

So for everything from easy cruising to intense workouts, a bike without gears can be ideal. You may be surprised how much fun it is relying on your own leg power instead of clicking through cogs!

Potential Downsides to Consider
Going gearless isn’t all about faster speeds and pure riding bliss however. Depending on your needs, there are a few potential disadvantages too:

Limited Versatility – Tackling very hilly terrain can be challenging without gear ratios.

Increased Difficulty – Starting from stops requires extra leg strength.

Decreased Control – Improper braking technique causes “skidding out” on fixies.

Less Customization – Getting the perfect fit may be harder with limited size/parts options.

While sometimes seen as hipster affectations, single speeds and fixed gears offer a pure back-to-basics cycling feel that many riders fall in love with. Gearless can be great, you just have to set proper expectations!

FAQs About Bikes Without Gears

Here are answers to 5 common questions people have about gearless bicycles:

Are bikes without gears hard to ride?
It depends on the terrain. Flat areas are manageable, but hills will certainly give your legs a good workout! Gradually building strength makes it more doable.

Where are single speed and fixie bikes most common?
Urban areas are particularly popular due to the stop-and-go nature and shorter commute distances favoring simpler bikes. Many bike messengers and hardcore cyclists ride fixies.

What maintenance do gearless bikes require?
General adjustments like brakes, tires, and chains still need occasional tweaking. But much fewer drivetrain parts makes them very low-fuss overall.

Is a single speed bike faster than a road bike?
On flat ground, an experienced single speed rider can potentially best a geared bike. But varied terrain gives road bikes an advantage to find an optimal cadence.

Are kids bikes without gears?
Yes, children’s bikes rarely have derailleur gearing systems. Instead they use a single rear cog, making it simpler to learn pedaling basics without frequent shifting.

Conclusion
While sometimes seen as just another hip fad, the recent expansion of bikes without gears has shown they have genuine staying power for certain riders. Fewer parts and purity of design is liberating. Before deciding if gearless fits your needs, be realistic about your terrain and willingness to build leg strength. But if so inclined, kiss complexity goodbye and see how connected you feel on an iconically simple bike!