At 2 a.m., on Tianhui Road, the night is deep. Under the streetlights, spinning wheels paint streaks of color along the road as 22-year-old Zhu Junjie rides his “fixed-gear” bike, speeding forward with his friends.
“Many people don’t understand what a ‘fixed-gear’ is. In fact, as an extreme cycling sport, it’s not only fun and eco-friendly but also a way to stay true to yourself and pursue a positive and uplifting lifestyle.” Today, the first episode of the 2012 season of “Ordinary People, Great Chengdu” has officially launched. For Zhu Junjie, one of the extreme sports enthusiasts featured in the first installment, “no backpedaling” is the most distinctive feature of a fixed-gear bicycle, but it has also given him a unique life experience.
After graduation, he worked at a fixed-gear shop
Wearing a T-shirt, jeans, and black-rimmed glasses, 22-year-old Zhu Junjie works at a fixed-gear shop on Kuixinglou Street in Qingyang District, Chengdu.
Assembling and selling fixed-gear bikes is his main job. If you ask how fixed-gear bikes differ from regular ones, it’s mainly that they are often brightly colored, simply designed, and have a rear wheel that is fixed to the hub — meaning it can’t freewheel or backpedal.
In early 2011, Zhu Junjie was instantly captivated the first time he saw a fixed-gear bike. “A friend rode past me, and I thought, wow, what an awesome bike!” Soon after, he spent 2,300 yuan to assemble his first fixed-gear at the shop.
After graduating from university, Zhu Junjie chose to work at the fixed-gear shop. “It doesn’t pay much, but I really love the experience that comes with riding fixed-gear.”
Falling is part of the fixed-gear experience
The experience Zhu Junjie talks about isn’t just the thrill of riding, but also learning a fighting spirit in life. “Just like it can’t backpedal, you have to keep moving forward.”
When racing on a fixed-gear, the wind rushes past. Zhu Junjie says it’s like all the pressure in life just vanishes. “It can only be described as awesome.”
In addition, fixed-gear bikes allow for flatland tricks. “Braking techniques include seat braking, jump braking, and crossover braking — the moves are clean, sharp, stylish, and practical,” Zhu Junjie explains. Those who can ride a regular bike will find it easier to get started with a fixed-gear, but attempting advanced tricks often means taking some tumbles.
Assembling a fixed-gear requires many foreign parts
To many, a fixed-gear without brakes seems dangerous, but Zhu Junjie says it’s actually more convenient than using hand brakes. “Because the rear cog is fixed, when you stop pedaling, the bike automatically slows down.”
Assembling a fixed-gear only takes 19 parts — a simple frame, no brake cables — but putting a bike together still takes quite a bit of time. “Each fixed-gear is customized to the rider, and many parts have to be ordered from abroad,” Zhu Junjie says.
Earlier this year, Zhu Junjie spent six months assembling a new fixed-gear for himself. “It cost 15,000 yuan, and some parts were sourced from agents in Italy and Japan.” Nowadays, he and his colleagues can assemble a regular fixed-gear in just over two hours.
The Community
Before 2011, there were only five people in Chengdu who rode fixed-gear bikes. But now the number has grown to five or six hundred. Most are aged 18–25, love trendy things, and are full of energy.”
— Zhu Junjie’s boss, Chen Junhan
■ What Is a Fixed-Gear?
A fixed-gear, also called a track bike, literally means the cog is fixed. A regular bike has a “free” cog.
A fixed cog means the chain is locked to the rear wheel — when the wheel turns, the chain must turn, and you must pedal. Because the cog is fixed, riders can control the rear wheel through pedaling to slow down or brake. It also allows excellent bike control for performing various tricks.
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