Does cycling actually make your butt bigger? Here's what the research says

 As cycling has become an increasingly popular form of exercise, many people have questioned whether or not it can help to increase the size of the butt. After all, we often hear about the benefits of cycling for building strong legs, but is it possible that it could also lead to a larger buttocks area? aka cyclist butt

To answer this question, it's important to understand a bit about how the body responds to exercise. When we engage in any physical activity, our muscles are subjected to stress and strain. In response to this stress, the muscles undergo a process of adaptation, which involves the breakdown and rebuilding of muscle fibers. This process, known as muscle hypertrophy, can lead to an increase in muscle size and strength.

So, does cycling lead to muscle hypertrophy in the buttocks area? The short answer is that it depends on the intensity and duration of the cycling workouts, as well as the individual's genetics and diet.

Some research suggests that cycling can indeed lead to muscle hypertrophy in the lower body, including the buttocks. For example, a study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that cycling was effective at increasing quadriceps and gluteal muscle size in trained male athletes.

Fixie Bikes Parts

Fixie brakes

You will more than often see fixies without brakes, this is part of their simple beauty. Riding a fixie without brakes however can be tricky to say the least, especially in heavy traffic. While a lot of fanatic fixie riders don’t like the extra weight and appearance of brakes on their bikes, riding without brakes can be dangerous and is against the law in a lot of jurisdictions.

Slowing down or coming to a full stop without brakes is obtained by resisting the motion of the turning cranks. The rider shifts his weight to the front wheel and pulling up on the pedals. Because your weight will no longer be on the rear, your rear wheel will have less grip. The more you shift your weight back the better you’ll be able to brake. This technique must be practised and can be hard in the beginning.

Fixie chains

Most bikes are typically equipped with a 1/8 inch or a 3/32 inch chain. While most track-fixies will come with a 1/8 inch chain, 3/32 inch chains however are more common and lighter in weight and therefor more frequently used on fixie bikes. The 3/32 chains make for a more smoother and flexible ride.
Fixie bikes generally come without chain-guard which means your chain will be at the constant mercy of dirt, rain and wind. A good chain maintenance is important to make your chain last and enjoyable. A very detailed chain maintenance guide can be found online.

Fixie Cranks

It is generally a good choice to go with shorter than normal cranks when riding a fixie bike. The shorter length makes for an easier control of the cadences when riding fast and reduces the chance your pedals will hit the ground when you corner. A 160-170 mm cranks-set is commonly used. Of course this depends on your frame size and preference.

Fixie Gear

Choosing your gear is very personal and is highly depended on where you will be using your fixie.
A low gear will lower your maximum speed but will make it easier to climb hills and bridges.
The opposite is true for higher gears.
A flip-flop hub is a good way to have two gears on hand. When the situation asks for a different gear you can easily flip your wheel.

Fixie Frames

Like any other bike you want your fixie to have the right size, this is perhaps the most important part of choosing your new or second hand frame. If you found a good fixie retailer, the shopkeeper can help you choose the right size, not only in height but in top tube-length as well.

Depending on the riders preferences the top tube will be anywhere between 1” and 3” lower than the inside of your legs. On average the distance between the bottom bracket and the ground will be 10”. So your maximum frame size should be the inside of your legs length minus 1” to 3” minus 10”.
The frame size is measured from the top of the frame to the centre of the pedal axle.

For every 2” increment in frame size, the distance between your saddle and handlebars should increase 1”. The saddle can always be adjusted to make it a perfect fit.

If you are looking to buy a second hand frame be sure to buy one without any deep dents and cracks, or an abundance of rust. And make sure it has horizontal drop-outs so you can get the correct tension on the chain.

Fixie Handlebars

There are many types of handlebars on the market, all of them with their own pros and cons. The bars can be divided in 3 main shapes: track bars, freestyle bars and bullhorn bars. Many fixie riders customise their handlebars. Freestyle bars are often cut shorter to sometimes ridicules short and dangerous length because this allows an easier manner between close traffic or just because it looks cool.
There are various grips available or handlebar tape can be installed. During winter an unwrapped bar can get very cold and uncomfortable and during summer it can get slippery when sweating.

Fixie Pedals

Depending on what you want to use your bike for you can either choose regular pedals, strapped pedals or toe-clips. It is highly recommended to use the system you are used to and only use the regular pedals if you are an experienced fixie rider.

Fixie Rims

Finding a pair of fixie bike rims can be a bit of an adventure. This is because there is a large selection of bike rims out there for you to choose from. When you are choosing a set of fixie rims, you have to make sure they are right ones for you.
Like many other sports, certain parts of your fixie bike will contribute to the statement you want to make. For example, skateboards have an almost limitless amount of graphics on the decks, various wheels with even more colours to choose from. This applies to snowboards, skates, BMX riding,... And the rims of a fixie bike are no different. While your frame and choice of materials for other parts will also contribute to the overall style of your bike, bike rims have proven to be quite a competitive market for many manufacturers.

Types of Fixie Bike Rims

When choosing fixie rims, you have to keep in mind for which purposes you're going to ride the bike. There are two options available for their own type of tire:

• Clincher rims
• Tubular rims

A clincher tire is the type of tire that most people think of and are used to. A quick explanation, these are tires with an inner tube. When filled with air, the tire will press against the 2 available sides of the rim holding it in place. Nowadays, these rims are also designed with a hooking system, called a hook-edge rim.
Tubular rims, on the other hand, are not held in place by the pressure of the tires. Instead they are glued onto the rim. Because of this many sporadic or recreational riders stick to clincher rims because they are more accessible for maintenance. Tubular rims and tires are used more by experienced riders and track riders because they are lighter. However, it is advised that you carry a spare tubular tire with you on the road. Decent tubular tires can also be quite expensive.
If your'e unsure which tire you want to use, either start out with clincher rims and tires for your first fixie bike or try out a fixie with tubular tires if possible.

The fixed-gear bicycle

The first fixie bikes were seen in the late 19th century. But it wasn't for long before new improvements started to enter the market, such as handbrakes and the "freewheel." Though, the fixed geared bikes didn't disappear and stayed popular for quite a while. They were continuously used by sports riders during training sessions to improve their shape and flexibility. The riders also used the fixie bikes during specific competitions or parts of the competitions. Later on, messengers in New York City started using the fixed gear bicycles who ride without fear and without coming to a stop throughout the busy streets. Nowadays, more and more bike messengers in other parts of the world are starting to ride these types of bicycles.

A bicycle without a "freewheel" is better known as a fixed gear bicycle, or a fixie for short. This means that the gear on the rear wheel is directly attached to the rear hub. A direct consequence of this setup is not being able to "coast," which means that whenever the bike is moving, the pedals will be moving as well and the rider will not be able to keep his feet and legs from moving.

You'll often see these fixie bikes without any brakes. Partly due to the nature of the fixed gear, which allows braking in itself, but also because they can disrupt the simplistic beauty of the fixie. Its part of a whole "back to basics" mentality that gets rid of any and all features that aren't a crucial part of the bicycle. They will be stripped completely of the usual bicycle parts, such as fenders, front and rear lights, bells, etc.

Without all these "superfluous luxuries," the rider remains in direct contact with his bicycle and the street. To arrive at a complete stop, he or she must hold the pedals or pedal slower to ride slower and eventually halt. This technique requires some training and getting used to and the rider needs to be able to control their bike very well before trying to ride in streets and places with traffic. You should also keep in mind that there are laws in many countries which require your bicycle to have been fitted with brakes, no matter "how pro you are."

Tricking with a fixie bike

Once you're used to riding a fixie bike, you can start with some more advanced and more fun things. Many tricks can be done with a fixie, such as riding backward, jumping or performing a track stand (standing still without your feet touching the ground). Many of these tricks can't be done with a regular bicycle. Some of the more advanced riders also try to develop their own tricks, many of which are extremely difficult or dangerous to perform. Just like many other sports, this one is in constant development and the list of tricks is expanded every day.

Acquiring your own fixie

So the reason you're here is most likely because you are interested in fixie bikes and the whole phenomenon. Perhaps you're even eager to try one out or purchase a fixie yourself? It might be difficult to find a decent fixie bike retailer near you depending on where you live, or you might find them too expensive for a bicycle or for your budget. But fixed gear bicycles can also be purchased online, usually at a lower price than at retailers, or it's also possible to buy used fixie bikes. Did you know that people can also completely transform an old bicycle into a fixie? Whether you're looking to buy fixed gear bicycles or looking to build your own fixie, keep coming back to this website to find out information and updates on all topics surrounding fixie bikes!