I still hang on to fixedwheel in a curmudgeonly retro-grouch way.
Quite right too!
I think the origin of the term must come from the days of the introduction of the free wheel - - before that everything was fixed, and there were just 'ordinaries' and 'safeties', so it's inappropriate to think the term 'fixed' refers to a lack of variable gears. In any case, fixed gear is not a good description since you can usually turn the wheel round onto that other sprocket.
Quite right too!
I think the origin of the term must come from the days of the introduction of the free wheel - - before that everything was fixed, and there were just 'ordinaries' and 'safeties', so it's inappropriate to think the term 'fixed' refers to a lack of variable gears. In any case, fixed gear is not a good description since you can usually turn the wheel round onto that other sprocket.