24 July 2008
Fixies and hippies
Posted by Charley under: Thoughts .
At first I judged the whole fixed-gear bike craze. I didn’t get it. Caught myself asking, ‘why would you not want brakes?’ etc. They make sense for messengers, but that’s because messengers ride all the live long day. Those guys/gals need something that is easy and cheap to upkeep considering the miles endured. Over the past three years I’ve changed my opinion though. A few buds of mine have jumped on board and I’ve noticed something cool…
People who purchase fixies (especially cycling newbs) genuinely get more into bikes. They understand how to better repair them and ride more often. The hype around fixies kind of reminds me of the 1960’s VW bus craze. The buses were inexpensive (especially when purchased used) and really easy to learn and fix up. Many people (mostly hippies) knew how to take apart the engines and find replacement parts. Like fixies, the buses had their own specialized purpose which is what caused them to standout. They could hold a bunch of people and allowed for cooking or sleeping unlike the average car of the era. Like the VW bus, fixies teach the ‘hip’ how to repair and better operate their main form of transportation.
As we cut back on fossil fuels and watch bikes roll back into the limelight, I’m having fun seeing friends getting passionate about their bikes. I still don’t own one; maybe I’ll give in soon. Wondering if single-gear bikes are stolen less often than multi-gear? Are thieves turned off by them due to the learning curve behind riding them?
2 Comments so far...
a newb bike rider Says:
24 July 2008 at 9:48 pm.
The irony of this entire situation of fixed gear bikes is that the bike companies are making a killing on pop aspect of it. It is purely pop at this point. I’ve been hanging out in Boulder and seen many young professionals riding fixed gears of the higher brands (non-generics) like Bianchi. These fixed gear commuter bikes run $700+ when in reality someone can get on craigslist and buy an old aluminum frame for less than $100. Realistically someone could build a fixed commuter from recycled/used parts for $100 - $150. That’s not that bad at all. But the truism of the situation is that pop culture dictates what is “hot.”
kirt (your brother) Says:
24 July 2008 at 10:07 pm.
I agree with you Charley, young people do really get into cycling with the whole fixie scene. I also agree with “a newb bike rider.” The fixed gear scene is a fad. I consider a fixed gear bike “the gateway bike.” I’ve noticed most kids who are buying up all the Biachi Pistas and Giant Bowerys end up riding around town on road bikes that have more than one gear (and 2 more brakes). It’s great that our generation is getting this exposure to cycling. In fact I think I might head out for a ride right now, and I’m taking all 20 gears with me.
