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 fixed-gear bikes. 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 episode, "never chain back" is the most distinctive feature of a fixed-gear bike, 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, making it impossible for the chain to "chain back."
In early 2011, Zhu Junjie was immediately 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 bike 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 enjoy the experience that comes with riding a fixed-gear bike."
Experience: Falling is Part of the Ride
The experience Zhu Junjie refers to isn’t just the thrill of riding but also learning a fighting spirit in life. "Just like it can’t chain back, you have to keep moving forward."
When racing on a fixed-gear bike, the wind whistles past. Zhu Junjie says it’s as if all the pressure in life vanishes. "It can only be described as awesome."
Additionally, fixed-gear bikes allow for flatland tricks. "Braking includes styles like seated braking, jump braking, and crossover braking — the moves are clean, sharp, stylish, and practical," Zhu Junjie says. Those who can ride regular bikes will pick up fixed-gear biking more quickly, but attempting advanced tricks often leads to plenty of falls.
Assembling a Fixed-Gear Bike Requires Many Foreign Parts
To many, a fixed-gear bike without brakes seems dangerous, but Zhu Junjie says it’s actually more convenient than using hand brakes. "Because the rear cog is fixed, once you stop pedaling, the bike automatically brakes."
Assembling a fixed-gear bike requires only 19 parts — a simple frame, no brake cables — but putting one together still takes quite a bit of time. "Each fixed-gear bike is customized to the rider, and many parts have to be purchased from abroad," Zhu Junjie says.
Earlier this year, Zhu Junjie spent six months assembling a new fixed-gear bike for himself. "It cost 15,000 yuan, and some parts were sourced from agents in Italy and Japan." Nowadays, he and a colleague can assemble a regular fixed-gear bike 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 500–600. Most of them are between 18 and 25 years old, love trendy things, and are full of energy."
— Zhu Junjie’s boss, Chen Junhan
■ What Is a Fixed-Gear Bike?
A fixed-gear bike, also called a track bike, literally means the cog is fixed. In contrast, a regular bike has a "free" cog.
A fixed cog means the chain is fixed to the rear wheel — when the wheel turns, the chain must turn, and so must you. Because the cog is fixed, riders can control the rear wheel through pedaling to slow down or brake, maintain precise control, and perform various tricks.