Coasties takes the fixed-gear trend for clean, cable-free lines and single cogs and applies it to the cruiser. The company offers cheap deep-V wheel-sets which swap out the rear track-hub for a coaster hub. This means you get all the aesthetic advantage of running a fixed-gear — non-visible rear brake, no cables or brake levers, but you actually get a brake so you can stop without blowing out your knees.
Better for some, you can also freewheel (a coaster brake, often found on Dutch city bikes, engages when you pedal backwards) and ride without toe-clips. I know a girl here in Barcelona who runs exactly this setup, and although she didn’t buy the wheels from Coasties, her bike looks fantastic.
Some might say that this is just jumping on the “fixie” fashion-train, but who really cares? “Purists” are often short-sighted whiners anyway, and using a pair of Coasties on your ride means you can have a very cool looking (and lightweight) bike that is also comfy to ride. The Coasties come in various powder-coated colors and are finished for use with a brake. They ship with an 18-tooth cog and start at $140.
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