Firing off at fixed-gears
Those fashionable fixies, now on film
RANT/FILM I'm all for the current bicycle renaissance in San Francisco. As the Indian summer heats up, you'll notice the bike lanes will be nose to tail with bikers — like a line of baby elephants. This is a good thing. Maybe the notoriously free-form, Tijuana driving style of SF residents will ease up a notch and they'll return to mowing down pedestrians exclusively. There's safety in numbers.
There is no freewheel or cassette mechanism, so if the hub is moving, the cog is moving. Which means if the chain is moving, the pedals are moving, and if the bike is moving, you're pedaling. There is no coasting.
Of course, every revolution has its drawbacks. There's always going to be that crew that wants to convince the world they're that much more revolutionary, devoted, and pure than everyone else. And as the rubber hits the roads in San Francisco, a clan of tight-trousered, mullet-headed, vintage-T-shirt-clad Robespierres has coalesced around the fixed-gear bicycle, or as it's called in its proponents' cutesy parlance, the "fixie."
What's a fixed-gear? Imagine yourself cruising down the street on your bike. You get tired and so you stop pedaling and coast. The freewheel mechanism in your hub disengages the drive train and lets the back wheel continue to spin while the cranks and pedals are still. On a fixed-gear the rear cog is bolted directly to the hub.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
There is no freewheel or cassette mechanism, so if the hub is moving, the cog is moving. Which means if the chain is moving, the pedals are moving, and if the bike is moving, you're pedaling. There is no coasting.
Sounds like a pain in the ass. If you're like me, the first question that comes to mind is "why?" Well, the modern SF two-wheeled steel, aluminum, and rubber hipster fashion accessory has its roots in racing, like other wheeled vehicles that don't really translate to street usage. They were — and still are — used on banked, velodrome-style tracks during races that employ all manner of strategies, including slowing down to a stop or near stop and doing a "track stand" — balancing at a standstill without putting your feet down — so your opponent can pass you and you can ride in the draft.
Since you're not likely to be drafting anyone on city streets, a track bike is a highly impractical choice of wheels. What’s more impractical is that fixed-gears often appear to lack brakes. The bike's speed is controlled by the rider's pedaling cadence — slow the pedaling, you slow the bike. Stop pedaling, stop the bike. This effect can be augmented by adding a front caliper brake, but that's frowned upon by fixie fashionistas who do things like cut their handlebars down to a foot and don't run bar tape or grips. The problem with using pedal cadence as a braking mechanism is that stopping is dependent on rider skill.
Now there's the rub. Like trucker hats and PBR, what started as a bike messenger thing has become a fashion statement and status symbol. You've got kids in the Mission with the left leg of their jeans rolled up, a little biker hat on crooked, slip-on Vans, and a brand-new fixed-gear Bianchi; and they don't know their ass from a light socket. Cadence? You may as well be talking astrophysics. They just know that it looks cool. It looks less cool, however, when one of these lemmings comes screaming down the Haight Street hill unable to keep up with the speed of the pedals and wrecks in the middle of Divisadero. A friend was riding down Stanyan with a box in his hand when some goon on a fixed-gear, unable to slow down, ran into his back wheel and crashed him in the middle of the street. He didn't even stop to see if my friend was OK.
So what was the original draw that caused the person ...
( 47 comments | Comment on this article )
taisau on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 06:42 PM
>with the left leg of their jeans rolled up,... and they don't know their ass from a light socket.
They know what pant leg to roll up, and it's not the left.
Start again.
They know what pant leg to roll up, and it's not the left.
Start again.
taisau on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 06:49 PM
>with the left leg of their jeans rolled up,... and they don't know their ass from a light socket.
They know what pant leg to roll up, and it's not the left.
Start again.
They know what pant leg to roll up, and it's not the left.
Start again.
skazat on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 07:49 PM
Quote:
What's a fixed-gear? Imagine yourself cruising down the street on your bike. You get tired and so you stop pedaling and coast. The freewheel mechanism in your hub disengages the drive train and lets the back wheel continue to spin while the cranks and pedals are still. On a fixed-gear the rear cog is bolted directly to the hub. There is no freewheel or cassette mechanism, so if the hub is moving, the cog is moving. Which means if the chain is moving, the pedals are moving, and if the bike is moving, you're pedaling. There is no coasting.
-----------------------------------
My god man, do you have an editor? Just say: You can't coast on this kind of bike. Done.
What's a fixed-gear? Imagine yourself cruising down the street on your bike. You get tired and so you stop pedaling and coast. The freewheel mechanism in your hub disengages the drive train and lets the back wheel continue to spin while the cranks and pedals are still. On a fixed-gear the rear cog is bolted directly to the hub. There is no freewheel or cassette mechanism, so if the hub is moving, the cog is moving. Which means if the chain is moving, the pedals are moving, and if the bike is moving, you're pedaling. There is no coasting.
-----------------------------------
My god man, do you have an editor? Just say: You can't coast on this kind of bike. Done.
skazat on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 07:50 PM
Quote:
Well, the modern SF two-wheeled steel, aluminum, and rubber hipster fashion accessory has its roots in racing,
-------------------------
Or, the fact that ALL bikes were fixed-geared, at one time, not just bikes used for racing events. Check your facts.
Well, the modern SF two-wheeled steel, aluminum, and rubber hipster fashion accessory has its roots in racing,
-------------------------
Or, the fact that ALL bikes were fixed-geared, at one time, not just bikes used for racing events. Check your facts.
skazat on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 07:51 PM
Quote:
Cadence? You may as well be talking astrophysics.
-------------------------------------
Fixed-Geared bicycles are often used in winter training by atheletes to develop smoother cadence in the off season. The training is usually referred to as, "spinning".
Cadence? You may as well be talking astrophysics.
-------------------------------------
Fixed-Geared bicycles are often used in winter training by atheletes to develop smoother cadence in the off season. The training is usually referred to as, "spinning".
skazat on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 07:57 PM
Quote:
If you've got bike skills, why not take them to a higher level? Go home and search for "Steven Hamilton" or "World Cup Downhill" on YouTube and see what can really be done on a bike that has the capabilities to be pushed.
----------------------------------------------
Geez, how about, "I'll do what I want to do with what I have". Lookie at:
[link]
6,000 miles, cross country on fixed geared bikes and they all have diabetes. Sounds challanging to me. Gah.
If you've got bike skills, why not take them to a higher level? Go home and search for "Steven Hamilton" or "World Cup Downhill" on YouTube and see what can really be done on a bike that has the capabilities to be pushed.
----------------------------------------------
Geez, how about, "I'll do what I want to do with what I have". Lookie at:
[link]
6,000 miles, cross country on fixed geared bikes and they all have diabetes. Sounds challanging to me. Gah.
jankon73 on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 08:04 PM
Don't knock it until you try it.
After you try it and if you still hate it, then write about it. You'll at least have picked up some actual information on the subject of which you're writing.
Yes, there are some clueless hipsters who have made this a fad, but there are also people who have been riding this way for years because they have fallen in love with it.
I've ridden every kind of geared bike for decades, but after riding fixed, I'll never go back. There's nothing like it. And you can take that to the bank.
After you try it and if you still hate it, then write about it. You'll at least have picked up some actual information on the subject of which you're writing.
Yes, there are some clueless hipsters who have made this a fad, but there are also people who have been riding this way for years because they have fallen in love with it.
I've ridden every kind of geared bike for decades, but after riding fixed, I'll never go back. There's nothing like it. And you can take that to the bank.
jakeguy on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 08:25 PM
Your article is based on ignorance, stereotypes, and one bad experience shared by your friend.
You are not qualified to have written this article. You have no knowledge on the subject matter, and are spreading misinformation to others with no regard for responsible fixed gear riders.
Check your facts.
This sounds like last-minute news filler. I'm disappointed.
You are not qualified to have written this article. You have no knowledge on the subject matter, and are spreading misinformation to others with no regard for responsible fixed gear riders.
Check your facts.
This sounds like last-minute news filler. I'm disappointed.
McBomb on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 09:42 PM
"(There is a whole European tradition of flatland tricks on fixed-gears that takes serious skills, but it doesn't seem to be a part of the current SF scenester fixie explosion.)"
that's funny. 90% of the fixed riders I know do tricks like that. and it's not called "flatland tricks on fixed-gears" it's called Hallenrad, or Artistic Cycling. But hey, why do research on an article right? it's not like anyone takes The Guardian seriously.
"Does anyone in this town ever do anything original?"
what, like write an original article? how many times is someone going to write a stupid article on fixies that's nothing more than a rant? Hey lets all hear what "Duncan Scott Davidson" has to say! I'm really curious about his opinion on everything, I mean shit he writes for the GUARDIAN. that's almost as good as writing for a crappy free newspaper that hires hack journalists.
The Guardian - research free since 1973! (or whenever it was founded)
that's funny. 90% of the fixed riders I know do tricks like that. and it's not called "flatland tricks on fixed-gears" it's called Hallenrad, or Artistic Cycling. But hey, why do research on an article right? it's not like anyone takes The Guardian seriously.
"Does anyone in this town ever do anything original?"
what, like write an original article? how many times is someone going to write a stupid article on fixies that's nothing more than a rant? Hey lets all hear what "Duncan Scott Davidson" has to say! I'm really curious about his opinion on everything, I mean shit he writes for the GUARDIAN. that's almost as good as writing for a crappy free newspaper that hires hack journalists.
The Guardian - research free since 1973! (or whenever it was founded)
McBomb on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 09:59 PM
"The fixed-gear is to 2006 what the Razor scooter was to 1996: a wheeled freak show for wannabes."
a lot of other morons probably said the same thing about skateboards, I remember how much people hated those in the 80's. yeah, that was just a fad, you don't see anyone riding a board anymore.
a lot of other morons probably said the same thing about skateboards, I remember how much people hated those in the 80's. yeah, that was just a fad, you don't see anyone riding a board anymore.
McBomb on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 10:01 PM
also, I don't remember a lot of people ever riding razor scooters. you must be stoned.
McBomb on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 10:34 PM
"(There is a whole European tradition of flatland tricks on fixed-gears that takes serious skills, but it doesn't seem to be a part of the current SF scenester fixie explosion.)"
had to bring this up again, the bikes traditionally used in artistic cycling are very specific. the frames, wheels and gearing are designed for indoor cycling, these bikes would be nearly useless on the street because they use a 1:1 gearing. (knowing this takes more than 2 seconds of online searching so the writer probably has no idea what I'm talking about at this point, but bear with me) 1:1 gearing is fantastic for flatland and indoor cycling tricks, but to ride on the street you'd be spinning like crazy and toping out at about 5mph. The frames used are often custom made by frame builders in germany. Two have websites, one has an order page and neither are in english. The frames alone are MUCH more expensive than the IRO I ride and VERY rarely turn up on Ebay (where a lot of people obtain their track frames), even rarer would be finding one in the right size.
never the less, people learn the tricks they can. certainly not as skilled as the european world class people who have been working with a personal coach since they were five, but we do what we can. the writer wouldn't know, because he didn't research. some people even modify their bikes for this purpose, putting on smaller forks or front wheels for bar spins. (the writer doesn't know what bar-spin means, the writer has never heard of a no-hands trackstand, seen one of us do a no hands wheelie, have any idea what "foot down" is, has ever been to the P.F.(heh) or have any idea that a lot of fixed gears ARE set up with brakes.
had to bring this up again, the bikes traditionally used in artistic cycling are very specific. the frames, wheels and gearing are designed for indoor cycling, these bikes would be nearly useless on the street because they use a 1:1 gearing. (knowing this takes more than 2 seconds of online searching so the writer probably has no idea what I'm talking about at this point, but bear with me) 1:1 gearing is fantastic for flatland and indoor cycling tricks, but to ride on the street you'd be spinning like crazy and toping out at about 5mph. The frames used are often custom made by frame builders in germany. Two have websites, one has an order page and neither are in english. The frames alone are MUCH more expensive than the IRO I ride and VERY rarely turn up on Ebay (where a lot of people obtain their track frames), even rarer would be finding one in the right size.
never the less, people learn the tricks they can. certainly not as skilled as the european world class people who have been working with a personal coach since they were five, but we do what we can. the writer wouldn't know, because he didn't research. some people even modify their bikes for this purpose, putting on smaller forks or front wheels for bar spins. (the writer doesn't know what bar-spin means, the writer has never heard of a no-hands trackstand, seen one of us do a no hands wheelie, have any idea what "foot down" is, has ever been to the P.F.(heh) or have any idea that a lot of fixed gears ARE set up with brakes.
McBomb on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 10:57 PM
also, I don't remember a lot of people ever riding razor scooters. you must be stoned.
kyledr on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 11:49 PM
"They were — and still are — used on banked, velodrome-style tracks during races that employ all manner of strategies, including slowing down to a stop or near stop and doing a "track stand" — balancing at a standstill without putting your feet down — so your opponent can pass you and you can ride in the draft."
Durr... Slowing down is not a strategy on the track--certainly not to a stop. Many track riders don't even use lockrings since slowing any more than at a pseudo coast (where you let the pedals push your feet, slowly slowing down) is only done in an emergency (read: crash).
Are you indicating that people do track stands on the track? Never. When people are getting ready for a race, they hold on to a bar at the top or are balanced by a second person who will give them a push. People might do it while not racing, but the trackstand is just called that since it's done on TRACK bikes, not necessarily at the track.
This just highlightes the fact that you don't know your ass from a lockring. Have you even ridden a fixed gear? It's fun. Life isn't always about practicality. I actually argue that in an important aspect, fixed is more like riding a manual. Many drive manual for the feel and the purism of it. Driving a manual gives more control on various road surfaces, and you're more aware of what the bike is doing. That's exactly how it is on a fixed gear, and that's why it's the best in the winter.
When I ride my road bike (in Minnesota), I switch within 2 or 3 gears if it's windy on a 30 mile ride, primarily being in one gear. A fixed takes that one gear and makes the most of it. It's more efficient, fun, less stealable, less to maintain, cheaper (if you do it right), etc... The reasons are numerous, but you have to go and discover them yourself before judging so harshly.
I personally would feel like an idiot riding a 16-30 gear bike around the city (Minneapolis) only using one gear. Brakes are up to the rider, but I never need them, and mine is a real track bike, so it doesn't accomodate them. I learned to stop quickly this way, and am very safe. One nice thing about this is that often times theives will ditch a fixed gear if they start riding on it and figure out it has no brakes and they can't coast. Not to mention many thugs don't want something so strange looking that it seems to be missing parts.
Durr... Slowing down is not a strategy on the track--certainly not to a stop. Many track riders don't even use lockrings since slowing any more than at a pseudo coast (where you let the pedals push your feet, slowly slowing down) is only done in an emergency (read: crash).
Are you indicating that people do track stands on the track? Never. When people are getting ready for a race, they hold on to a bar at the top or are balanced by a second person who will give them a push. People might do it while not racing, but the trackstand is just called that since it's done on TRACK bikes, not necessarily at the track.
This just highlightes the fact that you don't know your ass from a lockring. Have you even ridden a fixed gear? It's fun. Life isn't always about practicality. I actually argue that in an important aspect, fixed is more like riding a manual. Many drive manual for the feel and the purism of it. Driving a manual gives more control on various road surfaces, and you're more aware of what the bike is doing. That's exactly how it is on a fixed gear, and that's why it's the best in the winter.
When I ride my road bike (in Minnesota), I switch within 2 or 3 gears if it's windy on a 30 mile ride, primarily being in one gear. A fixed takes that one gear and makes the most of it. It's more efficient, fun, less stealable, less to maintain, cheaper (if you do it right), etc... The reasons are numerous, but you have to go and discover them yourself before judging so harshly.
I personally would feel like an idiot riding a 16-30 gear bike around the city (Minneapolis) only using one gear. Brakes are up to the rider, but I never need them, and mine is a real track bike, so it doesn't accomodate them. I learned to stop quickly this way, and am very safe. One nice thing about this is that often times theives will ditch a fixed gear if they start riding on it and figure out it has no brakes and they can't coast. Not to mention many thugs don't want something so strange looking that it seems to be missing parts.
kyledr on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 11:53 PM
I would also compare it to manual action watches. The most serious collectors are into them because of the history and craftmanship involved, when they could get a more accurate automatic action or even digital synching clock. However, I would say fixed still is more practical than a manual action watch.
Also, I forgot to mention that the chain is on the RIGHT side of the bike. They don't walk around with their LEFT leg rolled up unless both legs are...
Also, I forgot to mention that the chain is on the RIGHT side of the bike. They don't walk around with their LEFT leg rolled up unless both legs are...
McBomb on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 12:46 AM
by the authors own admission on his myspace page ([link])
"I'm on prescription psych meds."
well, I guess that explains a lot.
oh and by the way, Jesus Lizard sucked balls. big time.
"I'm on prescription psych meds."
well, I guess that explains a lot.
oh and by the way, Jesus Lizard sucked balls. big time.
casual on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 04:11 AM
"Like trucker hats and PBR, what started as a bike messenger thing has become a fashion statement and status symbol."
Does the author mean to say that bicycle messengers started the trucker-hat and Pabst Blue Ribbon fads? If so, he is quite laughably wrong. Or is he merely unable to make a simple analogy without screwing it up?
The banality of Davidson's choice of subject matter and his lack of basic bicycle knowledge and research skills have been adequately pointed out by other commenters. I just can't help noticing that the quality of his writing is several notches below that of many pajama-clad bloggers of my (virtual) acquaintance. Doesn't take much these days to write for the Guardian, I guess.
Does the author mean to say that bicycle messengers started the trucker-hat and Pabst Blue Ribbon fads? If so, he is quite laughably wrong. Or is he merely unable to make a simple analogy without screwing it up?
The banality of Davidson's choice of subject matter and his lack of basic bicycle knowledge and research skills have been adequately pointed out by other commenters. I just can't help noticing that the quality of his writing is several notches below that of many pajama-clad bloggers of my (virtual) acquaintance. Doesn't take much these days to write for the Guardian, I guess.
superprestige on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 09:10 AM
kyledr:
"Durr... Slowing down is not a strategy on the track--certainly not to a stop. Many track riders don't even use lockrings since slowing any more than at a pseudo coast (where you let the pedals push your feet, slowly slowing down) is only done in an emergency (read: crash)."
i take it you've never seen a sprint race then? for someone who claims to know alot about track racing, it seems you haven't ever watched one of the most popular events. i don't know much about track racing but i do know some of the tactics of a sprint race and one is slowing down, possibly even to a standstill or "track stand".
"Durr... Slowing down is not a strategy on the track--certainly not to a stop. Many track riders don't even use lockrings since slowing any more than at a pseudo coast (where you let the pedals push your feet, slowly slowing down) is only done in an emergency (read: crash)."
i take it you've never seen a sprint race then? for someone who claims to know alot about track racing, it seems you haven't ever watched one of the most popular events. i don't know much about track racing but i do know some of the tactics of a sprint race and one is slowing down, possibly even to a standstill or "track stand".
joshua on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Dude! I couldn't agree more! I'm glad to see someone else is finally taking up the cause against these damn hipsters!
I myself have started a campaign against the entire Mission district, since most hipsters live there. I mean, respect to the old-school heads who've been living there since way back, but as someone who's lived way gnarlier places, it's just not all that impressive.
You know what else? Pedestrians. Hate 'em all, I've made t-shirts against them ("Fuck Peds"). My buddy was walking down Valencia (1st mistake!) when some goon in checkered Vans walking the other way bumped into him, spilling his coffee and upsetting his "cadence". Didn't even stop to see if he was OK! Damn hipsters. This clearly makes it unacceptable to walk anywhere- I always have Segwayed everywhere, anyway. Walking is like driving an automatic: no feet are going to tell me when to step!
Indie rock, too. Listening to indie rock is like handicapping yourself. The music is so awkward to listen to that not looking like an idiot while listening to it is an accomplishment- talk about a limit on your creativity! Ask yourself- are you listening to the White Stripes becuase it makes you happy, or does fitting in make you happy?
Hipsters wear blue jeans- originally made for the Genoese Navy who employed all manner of stragtegies for wearing them. Since you're not likely to be swabbing any decks on city streets, blue jeans are a highly impractical choice of pantwear. People I know who wear them talk about "being at one" with a favorite pair of jeans- I'll go with that, but this human/pant cyborg crap has reached the level of "I'm A Local Newpaper And I'm Going To Write About This Hipsters On 'Fixes' Thing" crap. Where did all the originality go in this town?
I myself have started a campaign against the entire Mission district, since most hipsters live there. I mean, respect to the old-school heads who've been living there since way back, but as someone who's lived way gnarlier places, it's just not all that impressive.
You know what else? Pedestrians. Hate 'em all, I've made t-shirts against them ("Fuck Peds"). My buddy was walking down Valencia (1st mistake!) when some goon in checkered Vans walking the other way bumped into him, spilling his coffee and upsetting his "cadence". Didn't even stop to see if he was OK! Damn hipsters. This clearly makes it unacceptable to walk anywhere- I always have Segwayed everywhere, anyway. Walking is like driving an automatic: no feet are going to tell me when to step!
Indie rock, too. Listening to indie rock is like handicapping yourself. The music is so awkward to listen to that not looking like an idiot while listening to it is an accomplishment- talk about a limit on your creativity! Ask yourself- are you listening to the White Stripes becuase it makes you happy, or does fitting in make you happy?
Hipsters wear blue jeans- originally made for the Genoese Navy who employed all manner of stragtegies for wearing them. Since you're not likely to be swabbing any decks on city streets, blue jeans are a highly impractical choice of pantwear. People I know who wear them talk about "being at one" with a favorite pair of jeans- I'll go with that, but this human/pant cyborg crap has reached the level of "I'm A Local Newpaper And I'm Going To Write About This Hipsters On 'Fixes' Thing" crap. Where did all the originality go in this town?
marieantoinette on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 11:53 AM
I guess you get pretty excited when they let you do more than compile the events calendar and write a couple of blurbs and show reviews, huh?
McBomb on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 06:31 PM
"A friend was riding down Stanyan with a box in his hand..."
and another bike ran into him and he wrecked, blah blah blah... sounds like your friend needs a bike rack. or his wubbie. I can think of 10-20 bike accidents caused by newbie riders on mountain bikes, but I don't go blaming all mountain bike riders for it. but hey, lets go with the statistics. 1 accident caused by a fixed gear rider (or an idiot riding while holding a box) and 10 caused by mountain bikers. well, that settles it. mountainbike riders (downhill included) are all douches.
and another bike ran into him and he wrecked, blah blah blah... sounds like your friend needs a bike rack. or his wubbie. I can think of 10-20 bike accidents caused by newbie riders on mountain bikes, but I don't go blaming all mountain bike riders for it. but hey, lets go with the statistics. 1 accident caused by a fixed gear rider (or an idiot riding while holding a box) and 10 caused by mountain bikers. well, that settles it. mountainbike riders (downhill included) are all douches.
McBomb on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 06:37 PM
"one of those old-timey bikes with the enormous front wheel with the cranks mounted directly to it like a tricycle. You know, the ones you need a ladder to get on and off of."
uhhmmm, you mean penny-farthings, high-wheelers?, boneshakers? wow, you sure know your bike stuff.
uhhmmm, you mean penny-farthings, high-wheelers?, boneshakers? wow, you sure know your bike stuff.
McBomb on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at 06:43 PM
"Do what makes you happy, but also do some soul-searching, champ:"
you're a fake journalist, you don't get to call anyone champ.
"does riding a fixed-gear make you happy or does fitting in make you happy?"
both make me happy, most humans like to fit in, yourself included, like it or not.
"Ask yourself, what bike was I riding last year?"
I rode two bikes last year, one was fixed the other was geared, and it makes fuck all difference.
"Was I riding one at all?"
Champ, I've been riding bikes since 1976.
you're a fake journalist, you don't get to call anyone champ.
"does riding a fixed-gear make you happy or does fitting in make you happy?"
both make me happy, most humans like to fit in, yourself included, like it or not.
"Ask yourself, what bike was I riding last year?"
I rode two bikes last year, one was fixed the other was geared, and it makes fuck all difference.
"Was I riding one at all?"
Champ, I've been riding bikes since 1976.
wiener on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 01:00 AM
People have already beat on the "journalist" or writing such a shitty article. I'd just like to add that drafting is not something that is exclusive to the track. Plenty of people, myself included, draft on city streets. And I dont even have a fixie/track bike.
Also, since I know a journalist or two, the telltale sign of a crank article, is the fact that he quotes nobody with any knowledge of the subject. Even worse, its clear that the author, as others have pointed out, obviously has little knowledge of the subject.
Also, since I know a journalist or two, the telltale sign of a crank article, is the fact that he quotes nobody with any knowledge of the subject. Even worse, its clear that the author, as others have pointed out, obviously has little knowledge of the subject.
casual on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 03:59 AM
Wiener wrote:
>I'd just like to add that drafting is not
>something that is exclusive to the track.
>Plenty of people, myself included, draft on
>city streets.
And perhaps more to the point, track bikes are not designed to make drafting easier, as the author seems strongly to imply (hey, it wouldn't be any more jaw-droppingly stupid and ill-informed than anything else in his article). Rather, trackstanding as a tactic in matched sprints takes advantage of a particular aspect of the track bike (the fixed gear) that is there for other reasons.
>I'd just like to add that drafting is not
>something that is exclusive to the track.
>Plenty of people, myself included, draft on
>city streets.
And perhaps more to the point, track bikes are not designed to make drafting easier, as the author seems strongly to imply (hey, it wouldn't be any more jaw-droppingly stupid and ill-informed than anything else in his article). Rather, trackstanding as a tactic in matched sprints takes advantage of a particular aspect of the track bike (the fixed gear) that is there for other reasons.
wunnspeed on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 10:38 AM
You know.. it's even become 'trendy' to take pot-shots at things that you have absolutely no idea about. Seems you've fallen in to that particular trap.
I've been a fixie rider for something like 8 years and a single-speed mountain biker (on a 'trendy' rigid forked 29'er) for 10 years. Count that.. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10.
Write an article on bell-bottoms pants or the 'trendy' use of quote marks. Sounds like you might have a better clue about that. Leave bikes to those of us that ride them daily.
I've been a fixie rider for something like 8 years and a single-speed mountain biker (on a 'trendy' rigid forked 29'er) for 10 years. Count that.. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10.
Write an article on bell-bottoms pants or the 'trendy' use of quote marks. Sounds like you might have a better clue about that. Leave bikes to those of us that ride them daily.
especiallyforyou on Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 11:50 AM
well done! you made someone from blighty give a crap enough to register to post a comment.
nice bit of investigative journalism there. oh wait, who needs to get their facts straight OR write something vaguely coherent.
shame on you. i'll let everyone else elaborate on how 'off' you are.
s.f. is a fantastic city to ride fixie around and i would like to thank all the fixie riders who said "yo!" to me in my 2003 trip.
nice bit of investigative journalism there. oh wait, who needs to get their facts straight OR write something vaguely coherent.
shame on you. i'll let everyone else elaborate on how 'off' you are.
s.f. is a fantastic city to ride fixie around and i would like to thank all the fixie riders who said "yo!" to me in my 2003 trip.
strawberryshortgook on Friday, September 29, 2006 at 12:06 PM
Thanks Duncan for writing this hilarious diatribe. You're a brave, brave man and I commend you for it.
hastingsshade on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 07:27 AM
A few factual erros aside, which the guilty parties mentioned in the article have pointed out, Dunca has hit it on the nose, the little wanna-be's cruising the Mission , trying to pretend they are all so "core" is far more than annoying, it's like a disease.
Trendoids have always been there to annoy the non sheep. Seems like the little sheepies are mad now..BAH BAH BAH, poor little sheepies. Maybe some day they will get an original thought of their own and stop following.
How do all the defenders of the fixxie explain away the "uniform" The cap, the mini ulock in the back pocket, the RIGHT leg rolled up (actually knickers if your truly cool BAH, and I believe they have to be brown BAH), don't forget pink Phil Wood hubs to go along w/ your white rims BAH BAH BAH.AND YOU MUST THROW A FEW CARDS IN YOUR SPOKES, preferably in some language you prob. don't speak.
If you offended by the article and it made you mad, think about why, your the person he was talking about and , BAH BAH, you don't like being called out on it, sorry little sheepie, your not original, and your not cutting edge, you are a trend following LOSER, sorry ...go graze somewhere on a Pabst..maybe we need to import some wolves to keep the sheep population down...lots of sheep make for nice wool riding jerseys tho, maybe we can shave all of your asses ...have a great day..
Trendoids have always been there to annoy the non sheep. Seems like the little sheepies are mad now..BAH BAH BAH, poor little sheepies. Maybe some day they will get an original thought of their own and stop following.
How do all the defenders of the fixxie explain away the "uniform" The cap, the mini ulock in the back pocket, the RIGHT leg rolled up (actually knickers if your truly cool BAH, and I believe they have to be brown BAH), don't forget pink Phil Wood hubs to go along w/ your white rims BAH BAH BAH.AND YOU MUST THROW A FEW CARDS IN YOUR SPOKES, preferably in some language you prob. don't speak.
If you offended by the article and it made you mad, think about why, your the person he was talking about and , BAH BAH, you don't like being called out on it, sorry little sheepie, your not original, and your not cutting edge, you are a trend following LOSER, sorry ...go graze somewhere on a Pabst..maybe we need to import some wolves to keep the sheep population down...lots of sheep make for nice wool riding jerseys tho, maybe we can shave all of your asses ...have a great day..
biker7 on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 08:36 AM
I think the left leg thing was supposed to be a joke. Not funny, but I think it was supposed to be.
pissfaggart on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 12:24 PM
You're all missing the saddest pot shot of the whole article:
"The fixed-gear is to 2006 what the Razor scooter was to 1996: a wheeled freak show for wannabes."
How dare! I've been riding a Razor scooter (well an off brand inline scooter actually) for about a month now since I found it in the bushes. It needed a new steering bar and some new wheels, and damn is that shit sweet, straight up! Talk about being one with the pavement. And the jumps!
Live and let live, Champ!
"The fixed-gear is to 2006 what the Razor scooter was to 1996: a wheeled freak show for wannabes."
How dare! I've been riding a Razor scooter (well an off brand inline scooter actually) for about a month now since I found it in the bushes. It needed a new steering bar and some new wheels, and damn is that shit sweet, straight up! Talk about being one with the pavement. And the jumps!
Live and let live, Champ!
mikebaudio on Monday, October 2, 2006 at 03:45 AM
I have yet to see a compelling argument for riding a fixed on the street, especially without additional brakes. I admit to never riding one because of the risk of getting thrown over the handlebars. Forget to keep pedaling? You're tossed! Shoelace caught in gear? You're tossed! Tight and fast turn while your foot scrapes the ground? You're tossed!
I don't know anyone that has been involved in an accident, but the minimalistic design itself makes them dangerous. Having front and rear brakes will always slow you faster than just skip-stopping your rear tire or applying counterforce on the pedals. I'll continue to think that it's idiocy until someone tells me why it's either not risky or worth the risk.
And doesn't skidding your rear tire often necessitate regular replacements? Seems expensive.
I don't know anyone that has been involved in an accident, but the minimalistic design itself makes them dangerous. Having front and rear brakes will always slow you faster than just skip-stopping your rear tire or applying counterforce on the pedals. I'll continue to think that it's idiocy until someone tells me why it's either not risky or worth the risk.
And doesn't skidding your rear tire often necessitate regular replacements? Seems expensive.
thenightcabbie on Monday, October 2, 2006 at 05:50 AM
Yeah, but as all the inane, droning comments from all the fixie pussies attest to, riding one obviously turns you into a pompous ass.
Look, noone really gives a shit if you can do tricks on your stupid bike. Noone really gives a shit about your 'clean lines' or smaller forks or anything else you do with those fucking contraptions. It's a bike people. It'll get you from here to there. Big Fucking Deal. I ride a bike, but you don't see me around town blathering on about it. I ride it where I'm going. I lock it up (not hanging from a wall, or any other stupid place - just a regular spot, like to a meter or a pole). I then go inside and forget all about my bike. Then, later, I come back out, unlock it and ride it home.
I think the writer went way too easy on you pricks. So what if he didn't do much research? So what if he doesn't know what he's talking about or doesn't ride one himself? He knows that he's sick of your bullshit asses being all "Look at me and my stupid bike!" all over town. Everyone who doesn't ride one has had enough of your tired act. That's the point of the article. It's not about writing an well-researched, reasonable argument about why you suck. It's just that you suck. Period.
Just like the point of this comment isn't to add anything intelligent to this discussion at all. It's just to say, once again, all you fixed gear assholes suck.
Now go ahead and argue all you want, but all you're doing is making his point.
And now you suck even more.
Look, noone really gives a shit if you can do tricks on your stupid bike. Noone really gives a shit about your 'clean lines' or smaller forks or anything else you do with those fucking contraptions. It's a bike people. It'll get you from here to there. Big Fucking Deal. I ride a bike, but you don't see me around town blathering on about it. I ride it where I'm going. I lock it up (not hanging from a wall, or any other stupid place - just a regular spot, like to a meter or a pole). I then go inside and forget all about my bike. Then, later, I come back out, unlock it and ride it home.
I think the writer went way too easy on you pricks. So what if he didn't do much research? So what if he doesn't know what he's talking about or doesn't ride one himself? He knows that he's sick of your bullshit asses being all "Look at me and my stupid bike!" all over town. Everyone who doesn't ride one has had enough of your tired act. That's the point of the article. It's not about writing an well-researched, reasonable argument about why you suck. It's just that you suck. Period.
Just like the point of this comment isn't to add anything intelligent to this discussion at all. It's just to say, once again, all you fixed gear assholes suck.
Now go ahead and argue all you want, but all you're doing is making his point.
And now you suck even more.
gruner23 on Monday, October 2, 2006 at 12:32 PM
Duncan, you need to turn your frown upside down. Surely the blessed fixie trend was sent to us from above to cull the ranks of insufferable scenesters. May their limp-wristed, ironically-clad, well-coiffed bods all be hospitalized.
123456 on Monday, October 2, 2006 at 12:48 PM
If you would have wrote more about The Bicycle Film Festival and less about fixed-gears.
You might of not come off like such a jerk.
Peace,
Steve
You might of not come off like such a jerk.
Peace,
Steve
casual on Monday, October 2, 2006 at 05:00 PM
Interesting how all of a sudden Davidson and his know-nothing article have some defenders, after a solid week of commenter after commenter pointing out how little he knows about fixed gear bikes (or just bikes, period). Little behind-the-scenes Internet campaigning going on, maybe? :)
erikswedberg on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at 11:38 AM
I've never ridden fixed, but you must admit there is some romance caught up in the concept when you read a passage like this:
multiple gear ratios provide mechanical flexibility,
but it is also important to extend the range of the
rider, and a useful aid for this can be riding a
"fixed" gear. This is a single sprocket without a
freewheel, so that when the back wheel turns, so do
the cranks. The only way to stop pedalling is to stop
the bike.
Riding fixed is a traditional European method for
winter training. At the end of the road racing season,
the multi-gear bike is put away, and replaced with a
fixed gear machine. Sometimes the bike is a track
model made for the job, but often it is an old,
stripped down road bike that won't be too deeply
offended by the grunge and grime of winter. The
classic gear ratio is 63 inches, which is low and easy
to spin.
The bike is used for everything. With only one gear
ratio, the rider is forced to learn how to spin the
cranks at blinding speeds. There's no other way to
make the bike move, or stay with it on downhills. The
rider becomes progressively more supple, fluid, and
fast. In the spring, on returning to the multi-gear
bike, the rider is a tiger.
- Richard's 21st-Century Bicycle Book, Richard
Ballantine, p.74
[link]
multiple gear ratios provide mechanical flexibility,
but it is also important to extend the range of the
rider, and a useful aid for this can be riding a
"fixed" gear. This is a single sprocket without a
freewheel, so that when the back wheel turns, so do
the cranks. The only way to stop pedalling is to stop
the bike.
Riding fixed is a traditional European method for
winter training. At the end of the road racing season,
the multi-gear bike is put away, and replaced with a
fixed gear machine. Sometimes the bike is a track
model made for the job, but often it is an old,
stripped down road bike that won't be too deeply
offended by the grunge and grime of winter. The
classic gear ratio is 63 inches, which is low and easy
to spin.
The bike is used for everything. With only one gear
ratio, the rider is forced to learn how to spin the
cranks at blinding speeds. There's no other way to
make the bike move, or stay with it on downhills. The
rider becomes progressively more supple, fluid, and
fast. In the spring, on returning to the multi-gear
bike, the rider is a tiger.
- Richard's 21st-Century Bicycle Book, Richard
Ballantine, p.74
[link]
bikesarefun on Sunday, October 8, 2006 at 02:35 AM
at least these kids are riding BIKES not driving huge, gas guzzling, tricked out mustangs and drag racing down valencia. in fact, they hate cars completely. there are websites dedicated to stamping out cars ( + there's critical mass). i'm sorry, but bikes being trendy is about the best thing i can think of. the fact that kids think it is cool to bike makes me smile. i don't care what kind of bike they ride, where they park it, or how they dress.
fixiehater on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 03:43 PM
You fixie defenders are missing the point. The auther is slamming hipsters and thier use of the bike, not the bike it self. I guess as soon as you read anything bad about your beloved bike you just get sooooo mad that you can't comprehend what the auther is saying. Don't worry....soon enough the hipsters will move away from fixies to the 70ish PUCH mopeds and you can have your stupid bike niche back.
summitash on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 07:07 PM
My 2 cents. I grew up on bikes learning to ride without trainwheels when i was three i think. I had never heard of a fixed gear bike until i moved into seattle and saw them. My friend got one, and after riding his i new i needed one of my own. So we hit up the local bike shop bought all the second hand parts and built it up with a little help from the shop. I am no hipster, far from it....kind of a loner if you will. But what i have found in fixed gears can only be desribed with one word: Love.
I love how bikesarefun put it, "the fact that kids think it is cool to bike makes me smile. i don't care what kind of bike they ride, where they park it, or how they dress." well put. (ONE LESS CAR)
I love how bikesarefun put it, "the fact that kids think it is cool to bike makes me smile. i don't care what kind of bike they ride, where they park it, or how they dress." well put. (ONE LESS CAR)
summitash on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 07:07 PM
*training wheels
Lucasicu on Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 01:20 AM
I must agree that the Sir Duncan Davidson, the grandest of grand, grand-'ol journalists, ought to have checked his facts prior to this little rant of his - it certainly doesn't help his case that he lacked the rather critical initiative to research about that which one is paid to write (hopefully well) about.
Well, this piece is yet another case of the ironic trend that is bashing on that which is trendy - or perhaps on a grander scale - fads in general. Or more specifically, the easy-to-hate-upon fads. I'm not defend nor condemn to riding a fixie, but simply point out with a reciprocal sassy intonation so as to match that of your article - that you - yes you, sir - were (or are) part of one or a few illogical fads in your lifetime! (Yes, I am acknowledging that there probably are always a few illogical things about riding a fixie or being a trendster). It seems to me that you've made a comfy place for yourself on the throne of self-proclaimed elitism as some ill-qualified voice of reason.
Anyway, before I step off my soapbox, allow me to say that I simply think that fad bashing is itself illogical - simply because it destroys your credibility as one who hasn't the ability to recognize that he himself has engaged as things as equvalently lame as being a fixed-gear hipster.
Well, this piece is yet another case of the ironic trend that is bashing on that which is trendy - or perhaps on a grander scale - fads in general. Or more specifically, the easy-to-hate-upon fads. I'm not defend nor condemn to riding a fixie, but simply point out with a reciprocal sassy intonation so as to match that of your article - that you - yes you, sir - were (or are) part of one or a few illogical fads in your lifetime! (Yes, I am acknowledging that there probably are always a few illogical things about riding a fixie or being a trendster). It seems to me that you've made a comfy place for yourself on the throne of self-proclaimed elitism as some ill-qualified voice of reason.
Anyway, before I step off my soapbox, allow me to say that I simply think that fad bashing is itself illogical - simply because it destroys your credibility as one who hasn't the ability to recognize that he himself has engaged as things as equvalently lame as being a fixed-gear hipster.
ROBOT on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 12:29 PM
I've never heard such a cry-baby rant in my life! Seriously, check your facts! I do agree that riding a fixie has become uber trendy but at the same time, those trendy kids don't last and more and more of them are opting to ride a freewheel, or the ever popular growing trend of old beater 10 speeds. Doesn't everything start from a trend? I don't think riding a bike, which ever type you choose is a bad trend at all.
Riding fixed does connect you with the road, and essentially makes you a better rider. Some of us ride every style of bike and riding fixed allows us to improve our skills all together. It's disappointing that some fat kid in a cubicle who probably doesn't ride a bike more then a trip to 7-11 can whine about kids on fixies. Isn't it better they are on fixies then in cars, busses or any other form of gas polluting, ozone killers? Sorry we can't all afford hybrid cars and don't get paid to pick on other people, I'm sure it's really fun!
Oh, by the way, your friend carrying anything that wasn't strapped to himself while riding is illegal, ie. "with a box in his hand", and probably wouldn't have wrecked if he had both hands on the handlebars. Maybe if he rode a fixie he would have had the appropriate skills to balance better.
I say if you can control your fixie and stop accurately by resisting and/or skidding then there is no reason you shouldn't be allowed to ride one. I have been building bikes, on the cheap, for environmentally conscious people for years now and riding since I was a kid, and if somebody wants me to build them their first fixie in 2007 then I will!
Riding fixed does connect you with the road, and essentially makes you a better rider. Some of us ride every style of bike and riding fixed allows us to improve our skills all together. It's disappointing that some fat kid in a cubicle who probably doesn't ride a bike more then a trip to 7-11 can whine about kids on fixies. Isn't it better they are on fixies then in cars, busses or any other form of gas polluting, ozone killers? Sorry we can't all afford hybrid cars and don't get paid to pick on other people, I'm sure it's really fun!
Oh, by the way, your friend carrying anything that wasn't strapped to himself while riding is illegal, ie. "with a box in his hand", and probably wouldn't have wrecked if he had both hands on the handlebars. Maybe if he rode a fixie he would have had the appropriate skills to balance better.
I say if you can control your fixie and stop accurately by resisting and/or skidding then there is no reason you shouldn't be allowed to ride one. I have been building bikes, on the cheap, for environmentally conscious people for years now and riding since I was a kid, and if somebody wants me to build them their first fixie in 2007 then I will!
bsgarcia on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:17 PM
fabulous article. I love sf. I love bikes. but fixed gears leave a lot to be desired - true at least they are not driving. well written article finished with class and humor.
krooked on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 09:56 PM
id rather see kids riding a bike fixed gear or geared than a car.
fixed gear is not a fad its a way of life fool.
fixed gear is not a fad its a way of life fool.
spacemen3 on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 11:37 PM
It makes me very sad that all the non-original no thnking sheep hipster fixed gear kids here in Seattle, have decided to appropriate (steal) Surf and Skate and Punk Rock counter culture credibility to advance their lame scene.
They've also decided that the best shoe's in the universe (Vans) are their's, and their's alone regarding cool kid footwear.
And blue jeans.
Sad and lame and un-original.
They've also decided that the best shoe's in the universe (Vans) are their's, and their's alone regarding cool kid footwear.
And blue jeans.
Sad and lame and un-original.
mattshap on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 10:54 AM
very nice article. that was fucking hilarious. that one part, when it said like, "i havent gotten laid in 15 years", or something like that. and then the other part where it was like "hey, the last girl that touched me was my mom!" those parts were the best. but seriously. what the fuck goes through your mind when you make fun of someone for riding a bike without brakes? do you realize how incredibly stupid you sound? you're making fun of people for doing something thats hard! thats like me making fun of you for trying to get a girl to look at you. and the reason we think were better than you for riding fixed, is because we are. so what if its a trend. most of the people part of that trend are raw as shit and could tear you apart. get off your lazy ass and hop on a fixie. you probably wont be able to ride it cause you suck so much dick.
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