Why are fixed wheel bikes so expensive?

[Colin_P]

Hipster tax.

 

[rogerzilla]

They're very cheap if you get an old steel racer with horizontal dropouts, unscrew the freewheel and screw a 20T fixed sprocket in place*. Dump the mechs and the inner chainring, keeping the 52T outer ring. You will generally need a shorter BB to fix the chainline and a new chain. Total cost about £35-40.

*use a massive chain whip and it won't come undone

 

[Ian H]

I got a new frame with long road dropouts.

 

[12boy]

11 days after I broke my pelvis in 3 places I left the rehab center and began outpatient therapy. First thing was a stationary bicycle. In 7 weeks I was riding 10 miles or so and in another month, 20. Bike good medicine!

 

[Drago]

Because there's always some schmuck who'll pay a premium for an intangible fashion item. Hell, building a bike without a freewheel or expensive gears ain't cheap you know.