Why Do Track Bikes Have Fixed Gears? | Built For Speed

Why Do Track Bikes Have Fixed Gears?

On a velodrome, racing is tight, speeds are high, and space is limited. A fixed gear locks the rear cog to the hub, so the rear wheel and pedals always turn together. That simple link removes coasting, which keeps riders’ legs engaged and their lines steady through every lap. That steady, simple feel is the core answer to why do track bikes have fixed gears?

Fixed-Gear Advantage	What It Delivers On Track	Why It Matters
Direct Drive	Immediate power with no freewheel lag	Quicker jumps and cleaner accelerations
Cadence Discipline	Pedals never stop turning	Smoother pacing and tighter packs
Simplicity	No derailleurs or shifters	Fewer failure points in sprints
Predictable Lines	Constant pedal input	Stable cornering on steep banking
Weight Savings	Minimal hardware	Faster jumps and less to maintain
Brake-Free Control	Speed managed by legs and wind	Reduces stack-ups from panic stops
Coachability	Gear choice sets race rhythm	Easy to teach starts and pacing
Aero Cleanliness	Fewer cables and levers	Lower drag during full-gas efforts

Fixed Gear On A Track Bike: Rules, Pros, And Trade-Offs

Track racing runs under strict equipment rules. In many federations, a track bike must have a single cog fixed wheel with no brakes or derailleurs for mass-start events. The goal is safety, fairness, and clear race craft. A simple bike places the focus on legs, lines, and timing.

That rule set is not random. On steep banking, a stopped pedal can strike the surface at speed. Fixed drivetrains keep feet turning and crank arms level through the bend. Riders also avoid mid-corner shifts that could unbalance the bike or stall a jump. The result is smooth traffic and fewer surprises.

Power Transfer And Cadence Control

A fixed cog ties every watt to the rear tire with no pick-up delay. Sprinters feel that snap in a 200-meter effort. Endurance riders feel it as a steady pull in a pursuit. Because you cannot coast, cadence becomes a skill you build on every lap. That rhythm helps riders surf the banking and time efforts with meter-by-meter precision.

Why No Brakes On The Boards

Brakes would trigger chain reactions in a pack. One sudden stop on a 42-degree turn invites pile-ups. Instead, riders manage speed by sitting up, moving up the track, or gently resisting the pedals. The group reads those cues instantly.

Gear Choice Sets The Race

Since you cannot shift, you choose your chainring and cog before the start. That pick balances jump, top speed, and the lap profile. A shorter gear helps starts and accelerations. A taller gear helps hold pace in a team pursuit. Coaches often tune one or two teeth either way for air density and track length.

Cadence Targets You’ll Hear At The Track

Sprinters aim for peak cadence during the wind-up, then hold through the line. Endurance riders aim for steady clocks across splits. Either way, the fixed setup turns cadence into the main dial you learn to read.

Why Do Track Bikes Have Fixed Gears? In Real Racing Situations

Think of three moments. In a keirin, the pacer pulls off and the field launches. Direct drive lets a racer hit maximum torque right now. In a points race, the pack swings high to set up a sprint; fixed cadence keeps everyone flowing at the same tempo. In a team pursuit, four riders rotate within centimeters; a simple drivetrain removes shift noise and keeps pulls repeatable.

How Fixed Helps On Banked Turns

On a banked turn, you counter the inward force with speed and line choice. Fixed pedals ensure a constant arc through the corner, so the inside crank does not drop into the boards. With a freewheel, a surprise coast could pitch the crank at the wrong moment. The fixed setup keeps the geometry and timing stable.

Technique: Slowing, Holding Lines, And Communication

Riders slow by shifting body position and lane, not by clamping a lever. To bleed speed, move up the banking to add distance and wind. To hold a wheel, sit slightly taller to catch air. To signal, look, call, and keep a smooth arc. Because everyone pedals, the group can predict moves from body language alone.

Maintenance That Pays Off

Track drivetrains run tight and clean. A straight chain line, a fresh chain, and a secure lockring are non-negotiable. Tire pressure and smooth bearings add free speed. With so few parts, small lapses stand out, so teams inspect gear before every session. Teams re-tension chains between efforts and verify lockrings after hard starts.

Rules And References For Fixed-Gear Track Bikes

National and international bodies set the guardrails for equipment. In the United States, the federation rulebook spells out that a track bike uses a single cog fixed wheel with no brakes or derailleurs for track races; see the USA Cycling rulebook. In Britain, the pathway page for new riders states that standard track bikes run one fixed gear and no brakes; see British Cycling’s track intro.

Local velodromes also publish house rules and rental bike specs; check session notes at sign-on so your setup and gear selection match the venue’s expectations.

When A Freewheel Ever Shows Up

Some timed training or beginner sessions may allow a freewheel or a brake during early skill work, depending on venue policy. For racing, the field returns to true track setup. The shared expectation keeps bunch events clean and repeatable.

Use Case	Setup That Fits	Trade-Off
Mass-Start Racing	Fixed, single gear, no brakes	Gear must fit surges and top end
Team Pursuit	Fixed with taller ratio	Harder starts, faster cruise
Keirin	Fixed with mid-tall ratio	Compromise between jump and speed
Warm-Up And Skills	Fixed; some venues allow brakes	Local rules vary by session
Road Training On A Track Bike	Not advised; no brakes	Traffic requires stopping power

Choosing Ratios For The Velodrome

Gear inches and rollout define how far the bike travels per pedal turn. Riders pick a number that matches their goal cadence and event. A shorter ratio spins up fast for jumps and madisons. A taller ratio holds speed in pursuits and kilo efforts. Wind and track length can nudge that pick up or down. Bring a tiny notebook or phone note and log ratio, cadence, and lap times to speed up later picks.

Simple Ratio Math You Can Use

Find gear inches by dividing the chainring teeth by the cog teeth and multiplying by wheel diameter. Rollout is gear inches multiplied by π. Keep it simple at first: bring two cogs and one spare chainring, then test lap times and leg feel across short blocks.

Safety Outside The Velodrome

Fixed bikes without brakes belong on closed tracks. City riding on a brakeless setup risks everyone on the road. If you want the training feel on pavement, fit a front brake and use a frame made for the street, not a track frame with tight clearances and dropouts built for rear-axle tensioners.

Key Takeaways Riders Repeat

why do track bikes have fixed gears? The answer sits in three words: control, speed, and simplicity. Control comes from pedals that never stop. Speed comes from direct drive and clean aerodynamics. Simplicity strips parts that fail at the worst time. Together, those traits keep packs smooth and races fair.

External rules back that logic. The national rulebook outlines the fixed, single-gear requirement for track races, and national pathway pages for new riders describe the same standard in plain language. Add a banked track and a tight bunch, and the case writes itself.

If you are new to the boards, start with skills: riding the line, holding a wheel, moving up and down the banking, and slowing with posture. Ask the local coach about session types and loaner bikes. Then pick a sensible ratio, focus on cadence, and enjoy the clean feel of a true track setup. You will learn fast with steady, repeatable laps. Session by session.