The sun is out  and it’s high time to skip the cab for a pignon fixe! You’ve certainly heard about them, or been annoyed on the street by these fast, flashy rides.  Paris’s grey Velibs can take you from A-Z, but a hype bike is better. Is’t fashion the most important thing in life ?  The fixie, or fixed-gear bicycle, has no freewheel  which means it can’t coast as the pedals are always in motion when the bike is moving.  This allows you to  ride backwards and cycle extra-fast without any limits (read brakes). You can buy one ready made,  but D.I.Y. (make your own) is much more fun; just put the pieces together from the fixie shop, or a rare bike boutique.

Here’s Ten Days Best Bike Lovers store list to make your fixie dreams come true:

En selle Marcel 

This adorable store is where you will find all the cycling essentials from around the world with a team of wide smile sales’ help on hand  for any  advice you need. If you’re not a mechanic, you can always buy a ready-made bike here! It’s pricey,  but there’s nothing better than vintage wheels for a quiet afternoon exploring the Canal Saint Martin.

En selle Marcel
40 rue  Tiquetonne
75002 Paris
Open: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am – 7pm.
Metro: Etienne Marcel

Cyclope

This  fixie paradise has  all the cool stuff you need to make your own bike: Amazing colours, high style wheels and  the best  threads (tops, shoes and bags)  to wear on your new fixie.  And at  Cyclope you can catch up on all  Paris’s latest bike news including  underground rides  where fixie fanatics  meet each week.

Cyclope
104 rue de la Folie-Méricourt
75011 Paris
Open: Monday, 2pm – 7pm.  Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30am – 7pm.
Metro: République

Urban Solution

Dr. Urban has all the solutions.  This is the place for a chat with the pros on site, but it’s also a fantastic source for frames, the fixie skeleton.  The selection here is huge with something for every budget.  Have a look!

Urban Solution
13 rue du Quatre-Septembre
75002 Paris
Open: Monday to Saturday, 10:30am to 19:30pm.
Metro: Quatre-Septembre

So discover the pleasure of a fixie ride and if you’re game, put your new wheels together piece by piece.  There’s no better way to show off your personal style than a D.I.Y. bike

Article: Jan Melka