Track bikes are used on velodromes and have no brakes, while fixies are similar but used on roads. Both use clipless pedals. Track bikes are aerodynamic and lightweight, while fixies often have refurbished parts and a vintage look.
Track bicycles are designed for use on a type of cycle path known as a velodrome; this velodrome is made with wooden flooring and the track itself slopes upwards. The overall structure resembles a large bowl, and as riders pick up speed, they will ride up the ascending slope of the track. Track bikes are fixed wheel bikes, meaning that a rider cannot coast. The pedals will move as long as the rear wheel moves, and bikes usually don’t come with brakes. A more fashionable type of bike modeled after the track bike is the “fixie”.
A “fixie,” or fixed-gear bike, works similar to track bikes, but is used primarily on the road by bike messengers and bike commuters. The popularity of these bikes has exploded due to the clean and simple aesthetics of these bikes and the challenge of riding them. Sometimes a bike designed for commuting will only have a front brake, although some have no brakes at all and the rider will need to master the technique known as a skid stop. The only way to stop the bicycle is to stop the pedals, causing the rear wheel to slip.
Track bikes designed for racing are usually exceptionally light and simple, and are designed for aerodynamic performance. Carbon frames are famous for their stiffness and lightness; the bike is not equipped with a braking system and the cyclist is secured to the pedals by clipless pedals and shoes. The shoes feature a cleat that clips into the pedals. When the rider needs to disengage from the pedals, he will simply push his heel outward away from the bike.
Cyclists who get around town usually use clipless pedals or toe clips. Toe clips are cages into which the cyclist can slide his feet. They are secured around the foot with an adjustable strap and give the rider more pedaling control, as well as more power when pedalling. These trail bikes are often made with refurbished parts, and vintage bikes are often stripped down to the bare minimum. The aesthetics of these bikes are usually not as sleek and streamlined as track bikes used for racing, although many fixie owners prefer the used, vintage look. Steel frames are most commonly used for fixies and the handlebars are often very narrow to get through the tight spaces between cars in traffic.
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