Despite their obvious utility, I’m not a big fan of Fixies. I understand they have minimal maintenance – which make them great for commuting – and the fixed gear forces excellent pedaling technique. But the wide-spread adoption of these bikes has less to do with those two considerations than they do with fad. But fads aren’t all bad, and I really do appreciate how they’ve made cycling more popular in metro areas and it’s been keeping people out of their cars more. To visit a Farmer’s market in Seattle is a testament to the wide-spread use of the bicycle as transportation, due in no smart part to the popularization of the Fixie.
For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of bike ownership is the process of tweaking and customizing it to make it your own, personal bike of which there is no other in the world exactly like it. The sad fact is that most people don’t even recognize that a bike is a collection of separate parts. Back in 2002, I was going through the process of buying components for the new Bianchi XL EV2 frame I had recently acquired. In passing, I told my boss about the project and I remember he was shocked that bikes are available à la carte and aren’t only sold as complete packages. The truth of the matter is that you have to have a certain level of interest in bikes before you even realize there are parts on your bike, let alone that you can make choices that will make your bike more to your liking. And that is one thing I love about the Fixie community: most of these are some seriously customized rides. One of the most memorable examples I have seen was a guy in Ballard who was scooting around on a mid-80’s Kilo bike, complete with 26-inch front wheel.
At the risk of looking like I’m imitating the Bike Snob, I’ve been snapping some shots around town as I spot a bike that I feel exemplifies the love and care that goes into customizing your bike. Check back and watch for updates; I’ll keep posting more shots here as I come across more.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
Fixie douchebaggery is picking up steam here in NZ... only 3 years behind. I'm over it, but we have ordered in a heap of crappy bars and cranks and other coloured shit and are taking the plebs cold hard with joy. Idiots.
@brett
My brother sent me this. Isn't that the Australian Champ jersey?
It's an Aussie representative jersey, like you'd get to wear at Worlds etc.
I saw that video the other day. Reminds me of Jizz in My Pants or I'm on a Boat. Funnier though to me b/c of the cycling reference.
@Marko
You've lived in Seattle; can you imagine riding a fixie in this town? My knees hurt just thinking about it.
I ride one everyday. Suck it up.
@jim
And in winter you troll for rocks with your knees; you obviously don't value your joints. You are exempt.
In your defense, I have to say, you found the only unhilly route in Seattle, and you use it to commute every day, rain or shine (more often than not, rain).
That, and you're a better skier than anyone I know, even with the handicap of said skiing style.
I have to admit, I jumped on the fixie train. I'd wanted one for a few years and this new fad made it easier and less expensive for me to get one. Tweaking, customizing, and outfitting it has been fun. Riding it is even better. It's virtually silent, smooth like Couvoisiere, and the simplicity is refreshing. It's also very challenging and the inability to coast is both scary and exhausting at times. My fixie is also my bike I don't fret over. It's nice not having to worry about it. Let me also point out the irony of velominati's symbol being an IRO fixed rear cog.
@Marko
Touché. I would like to clarify, however, that we are the Keepers of the Cog, not Keepers of the Fixie.
@frank
I love SpandX's vid. (The guy is actually a commercial film maker.) It's full of self-deprecatory irony from the first shot: a close up on a triple chainring! No serious roadie would be caught dead with triple chain ring. "When I'm in the pack I'm always holding my line", and then the shot's of him weaving back and forth down the street like a pixie .. . err, fixie hipster. Absolutely worn out Castelli shorts, with an Australian national champion's jersey. Hehe! Again, any serious roadie would be in team kit. On the other hand, how many roadies do you see in absolutely worn out kit? It's all too common. I'm tired of looking at sweaty asses on group rides. At :41 seconds the shot is on his cheap Tirreno bike, one of the Performance brands. "24/7, I'm in nothing but spandex", and here he is clearly mocking roadies wearing nasty kit all day long. I've done it my self. But the highlight of the vid is definitely the redhead pump pumper all the way on the right. Jesus Christ. At 2:36 she lets her hair down. Phffft! (&*(^0086