Fixie, single or geared - what bike is best for you?

Walking into a bike shop can be intimidating. Row upon row of bikes and unattractive lyrca outfits insult your fashion sense, and there's a real danger of being bamboozled by an overenthusiastic salesman. Finding the right combination of attractiveness, affordability and functionality in a bike can be a challenge.

If you don't know a lot about bikes, don't fret: it's not rocket science. All you need to know is that today's hippest bikes come in three main styles.

The first are fixed-geared bikes – or 'fixies' as they are commonly known. Fixies are gearless, meaning the pedals are always in motion when the bicycle is moving. Fixies are a popular choice for enthusiasts drawn to the charming history of the bike. Just remember they are not the ideal choice for hilly terrain.

Next are single-speed bikes which, as the name suggests, are single-geared and perfect for flat terrain such as Bourke Street – where Clover's dream bike lane is ready to be unveiled.

Third up are geared bikes. Geared bikes can have anywhere between three and 30 gears, giving even the fussiest queer cyclist plenty of easy options, especially when doing an Olivia Newton-John and getting physical up hills.

If you're looking for a place to buy a quality and affordable bike without getting attitude, online store Chappelli Cycles is a great option. These guys serve up a range of beautifully crafted bikes at a fraction of the cost mass manufacturers demand.

Chappelli do an awesome range of fixed, single and three-geared bikes that break away from the generic sporting look of many bikes, and tap into the old-school aesthetics of Italian bike culture.

If you're going be seen on it, it ought to look good.

While cycling may have been dominated by the ‘lycra set', or pro cyclists who dart fast and furiously in between the traffic, Clover's passion for getting regular peeps on bikes has seen the addition of bike lanes throughout the queer hood, which are bound to make a city cycle a lot safer and more enjoyable.

It's a great way to give the finger to the rising costs of public transport and the quickest way to killer calves and hot quads to boot.

Check the bikes out at www.chappelli.com.

Andrew Georgiou

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