fixie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to Medium (Common in cycling subcultures and urban contexts, uncommon in general discourse)Informal, colloquial, subcultural
Quick answer
What does “fixie” mean?
A bicycle with a single gear that is fixed to the rear wheel, meaning it cannot coast — the pedals always move when the bicycle is in motion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bicycle with a single gear that is fixed to the rear wheel, meaning it cannot coast — the pedals always move when the bicycle is in motion.
A style of minimalist, single-speed bicycle popular in urban cycling and messenger culture, often stripped of brakes and other components for simplicity and aesthetic appeal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and recognition are similar, though the associated subculture may have slightly different historical roots (UK track cycling vs. US bike messenger culture). The term is used in both varieties.
Connotations
Both share connotations of urban cool, minimalism, and a dedicated subculture. In the UK, there may be a slightly stronger historical link to track racing. In the US, the link to bike messenger culture in cities like New York or San Francisco is prominent.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties within the relevant subcultures. Virtually unknown to the general public outside cities with strong cycling scenes.
Grammar
How to Use “fixie” in a Sentence
ride a fixieconvert a bike into a fixiebuild a fixie from scratchcommute on a fixieVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fixie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to fixie his old racer.
- I'm fixie-ing it for the London commute.
American English
- She's going to fixie that vintage frame.
- They fixied their bikes for the alleycat race.
adverb
British English
- He rides fixie through central Manchester.
American English
- She commutes fixie every day, rain or shine.
adjective
British English
- It's a fixie crowd at that café.
- He has a very fixie aesthetic.
American English
- That's a super fixie look.
- The fixie scene downtown is huge.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in niche retail (bike shops) or lifestyle marketing.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in cultural studies, sociology, or urban design papers discussing subcultures.
Everyday
Low frequency. Used among cyclists, in urban areas, or when discussing specific types of bicycles.
Technical
Not a standard technical term. Mechanics and engineers use 'fixed-gear bicycle' or 'fixed-wheel drive'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fixie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fixie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fixie”
- Using 'fixie' to refer to any simple or old bicycle.
- Assuming all single-speed bikes are fixies (they must have a fixed hub, not a freewheel).
- Spelling as 'fixy' or 'fixi'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. All fixies are single-speed, but not all single-speed bikes are fixies. A single-speed bike can have a freewheel, allowing you to coast. A fixie has a fixed gear, so the pedals move whenever the bike is moving.
It is a stylistic and subcultural choice emphasising minimalism and direct control. Riders stop by resisting the pedals ('skidding' or 'back-pressure'). This is illegal in some places and considered dangerous by many.
Often yes, if it has a suitable frame (horizontal dropouts help) and you purchase a fixed-gear rear wheel and hub. It requires specific tools and mechanical skill, or a bike mechanic's help.
Primarily in informal English within cycling subcultures, especially among urban cyclists, bike messengers, and in cities with strong track cycling or street cycling scenes. It is not common in general everyday language.
A bicycle with a single gear that is fixed to the rear wheel, meaning it cannot coast — the pedals always move when the bicycle is in motion.
Fixie is usually informal, colloquial, subcultural in register.
Fixie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪk.si/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪk.si/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No true fixie has brakes. (Subcultural saying)”
- “He's married to his fixie. (Implies deep devotion/subcultural identity)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FIXIE = FIXed gear bIcycle (Think: the gear is 'fixed' so you can't stop pedaling).
Conceptual Metaphor
SIMPLICITY IS PURITY (The fixie, stripped of gears and often brakes, is metaphorically a 'pure' form of cycling).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining mechanical feature of a fixie?