On the evening of August 3, the square in front of the Basic Teaching Building at Sichuan University became lively. A group of young people gathered together riding colorful bicycles—some rode backward, others suddenly lifted their front wheels while keeping their rear wheels grounded and stood upright mid-ride… They weren’t stunt performers, but a group of “fixed-gear” enthusiasts who loved showing off their skills.
The term “fixed-gear” comes from the English “Fixed Gear,” referring to bicycles with fixed gears. Unlike regular bikes where the freewheel can rotate independently, the gear on a fixed-gear bike is fixed in place—hence the name. When you pedal, the wheel turns; when you stop pedaling, the wheel stops. There are no brakes, no gear shifts—all control comes from foot power managing the gear’s movement, giving it an inherently cool and stylish vibe. This street culture, which originated in the U.S. and Japan, quickly gained popularity in Chengdu after arriving a few years ago. Today, Chengdu’s fixed-gear community has grown to over 1,000 members.
Showing Off Riding Skills: Bikes That Can Also Dance “Ballet”
Zhang Yangxin, a 20-year-old student at Sichuan Normal University, is a fixed-gear enthusiast. Last October, he stumbled upon a fixed-gear bike at a bicycle shop and was immediately drawn to its vibrant appearance. After trying it out, he discovered that the bike could actually be braked using just the pedals—“So cool!” The next day, he spent over 2,000 yuan to buy a fixed-gear bike online.
Soon, under the guidance of experienced fixed-gear riders, Zhang learned various stunts like the track stand and riding backward: sitting upright, tilting the handlebars 45 degrees to the right, letting go of both hands, placing one foot on the pedal while the other dangled freely, and staying steadily balanced on the bike. A neat track stand was complete. Zhang said that skilled riders could maintain this position for an hour without issue, “I’ve even seen someone eat instant noodles like that while riding!”
On the evening of the 3rd, with the sound of tires squealing, an orange fixed-gear bike “drifted” into the open space of the square from a distance. The rider, Luo Yue, had his feet firmly gripping the pedals in a V-shape, hands tightly holding the handlebars, and body leaning forward as he executed a stylish track stand shift. Luo said this was just a moderately difficult move, relying on the rider’s leg strength and balance. With a fixed-gear bike, as long as you can control your speed and balance, you can master all kinds of stunts.
Of course, before mastering balance, Luo took plenty of tumbles, often scraping his arms and shins. But he said the sense of achievement after successfully nailing a new move was incredibly rewarding.
Showcasing Personality: Crafting a Unique Ride
Walk down the street, and if you see a group of fixed-gear riders passing by, you’ll notice there isn’t a single identical bike among them. That’s because every fixed-gear rider customizes their beloved bike to be truly one-of-a-kind.
Unlike Zhang Yangxin, Li Bowen, a white-collar worker, spent over 10,000 yuan on his first fixed-gear bike, with every component carefully selected online.
Last March, a friend lent Li a fixed-gear bike to try. Having only ridden mountain bikes before, he found the fixed-gear incredibly lightweight and decided to get one himself. After some online research, he discovered that many fixed-gear enthusiasts build their own bikes by selecting parts and having them assembled.
Mavic finished wheelsets, aerospace aluminum frames, aluminum road drop handlebars… Li spent five months sourcing 19 different components online. Now, he’s become quite the expert—knowing exactly which frames are both lightweight and affordable, which handlebars offer the best leverage while riding, and which wheels have the least wear. “Different combinations of parts reflect the rider’s personality. Riding a fixed-gear is all about being different.”
According to him, some fixed-gear bikes today are made with bamboo charcoal fiber, so light they can be lifted with a single finger, with prices starting at over 100,000 yuan. Some enthusiasts even import parts directly from abroad, and with shipping and customs fees, a single small component can cost two or three thousand yuan.
Loving Cycling: Pursuing a Green and Healthy Lifestyle
Stunts, high speeds… Since fixed-gear bikes entered China, they’ve been surrounded by controversy and skepticism. Especially after a middle school student in Zhangzhou, Fujian, collided with a private car while riding a fixed-gear in March this year, some media jokingly referred to fixed-gear bikes as ones that “fly even when dead.”
In reality, true fixed-gear enthusiasts take cycling safety very seriously. For them, riding a fixed-gear isn’t just about looking cool—it’s a green and healthy way of life.
An Boyuan and Lin Gaogao, who run a bicycle shop in Chengdu, are two Americans who are passionate about fixed-gear riding. However, An said their fixed-gear bikes are equipped with hand brakes, and they also recommend customers at their shop install them. “Not having brakes isn’t cool. Cycling is a healthy lifestyle—you don’t need to risk your life.”
Li Bowen, 25, sets aside an hour after work every day to ride. Starting from Yingmenkou, he cycles around the Second Ring Road before heading home—a total of about 30 kilometers. By the end of the loop, his clothes are soaked with sweat. But Li doesn’t mind, “I love that drenched feeling. When I’m riding, I feel free. The more tired my body gets, the lighter my heart feels.”
Since taking up cycling, Li’s physical health has improved, and his personality has become more outgoing. Along with fellow fixed-gear riders, he goes on cycling trips on sunny days, exploring places like Xindu, Longquan, and Chongzhou—nearly covering all the areas around Chengdu. “Cycling is low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and great exercise—an excellent way to get around.”