Sorry for the cross post, but this is being discussed
on both lists and I'm sure after you've read this, the
confusion will be cleared up!
>From a dictionary... I didn't make this stuff up!
FIXED (adj.) 1)Not changing or not able to be changed. 2)Firmly fastened to something and in a particular position...
GEAR (n.) 1)The machinery in a vehicle that turns power from the engine into movement...
SPEED (n.) 1)How fast something moves or travels...
In a literal sence then:
1) A wheel, if "fixed", wouldn't be able to roll.
2) A gear attached to the wheel or crank can be fixed (or not).
3) Speed refers to the rate of travel, therefore, no bicycles are "single speed" or "10 speed, 12 speed, 21 speed etc" but rather they are infinitely variable whether they have one or more gears attached. Their speed should be discussed in terms of distance over time as in meters/mile per minute/hour etc.
4) Freewheels and freehubs only exist at the dump..Otherwise, nothing is free...not even lunch! We'll have to coin a new term for them such as: "Rachet Hubs" or "Rachet Gears" or "Unidirectional Drive Hubs" etc. For now, we'll simply continue to use the term "coaster".
So let's form a grass roots movement and do all the English speaking nations of the world a favor and straighten out our terms and nomenclature thusly:
1) FIXED GEAR BICYCLE ... A bicycle with one front and rear sprocket connected by a chain or one having a direct drive wheel as in the case of a tricycle or high wheeler. The pedals are always in motion while the wheel(s) are in motion.
2) COASTER BICYCLE... A bicycle with the ability to cease pedaling while the wheels are in motion.
3) MULTIGEAR BICYCLE... A bicycle with more than one set of gears which can be changed. Pedaling may or may not be able to cease while the wheels are in motion...
Using this terminology, all bicycles would be classified as:
1) Fixed Gear 2) Fixed Gear Coaster 3) Miltigear Coaster 4) Multigear Fixed (yes, they do exist!)
These difinitions refer only to the drive train of the bicycle. When discussing the ability to stop a bicycle, the existing terms still apply. i.e. coaster brake, rim brake, drum brake, disc brake etc.
The terms "freewheel and single speed" will no longer be used and within two generations will be forgotten.
All in favor say "eye"....<<<EYE>>>><<<EYE>>>>!!!!!!!! All opposed say "nay"....deafening silence...
Passed... Good, now let's get to it. I'm running late for an appointment and have to run out and jump on my fixie... Cheers!!
Bruce Schrader San Francisco...where the love and life long commitments abound...
===== "Not all those that wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)