Sarcasm isn’t dead. Found this funny post about the war on fixies.

Here are some choice lines:

The fixed gear community is largely intertwined with the likes of window smashing anarchists and vegan extremists.

t is rumored that the secret leader of these fanatics is a middle-aged bearded man going by the moniker Sheldon Brown. This shadowy overlord has helped to foster the fixed gear community by giving step by step instructions on how to build these death-cycles.

t is rumored that the secret leader of these fanatics is a middle-aged bearded man going by the moniker Sheldon Brown. This shadowy overlord has helped to foster the fixed gear community by giving step by step instructions on how to build these death-cycles.

Ok this may seem like a shock for some of you, but Bike Republic has joined forces with Urban Outfitters. Check out the new bike store at Urban Outfitters. Now some of you may think this is the worst thing that could have happened, and maybe you’re right. I still don’t know how I feel about this but leave your comment and help me sort this out.

Leave your thoughts below…

Francesco “Fran” D’Anna is staring down the famed Cat’s Hill in Los Gatos. The 24 year old taks to the slope a grade of 23 percent.

D’Anna locks his legs, stopping the back wheel as he slows a bit, then continues through the intersection unscathed and unafraid as if he was in complete control the whole time.

The subculture known as the fixed-gear bicycling scene is spreading into neighborhoods across the Bay Area. Once a fixture of urban centers New York City and San Francisco, “fixies” have trickled to the South Bay first to San Jose and now its surrounding areas.

Whether you think fixed gear is just a passing fad or just getting started, one thing can’t be denied it’s spreading.

In case you’re reading this and donlt know what a fixed gear is:

“A fixed-gear bike is essentially a track bike with a fixed cog, instead of a freewheel, that doesn’t allow the bike to coast. As long as the wheels are in motion, the pedals move in the same direction, and the bike has the capability to move forward or in reverse. Some fixed-gear bikes are equipped with a braking system, but most experienced riders ride brakeless, stopping or slowing only by resisting the rotation of the cranks.”

Track bikes originated in the velodrome an arena for track cycling until bicycle messengers picked up on them for their simplicity and low maintenance. The bikes were easy to maneuver in urban areas and were lightweight and versatile enough to take everywhere.

But almost a decade ago, riders started performing tricks on the bikes, moving the fixed-gear scene once more.

The person largely responsible for bringing fixed-gear to the South Bay is Mark Cosio, founder of San Jose Fixed an online community bulletin board where riders can organize rallies and post discussion topics. He also opened iMINUSD a bike shop specializing in fixed-gear, single-speed and track bikes about a year ago in downtown San Jose, just as the boom was taking place in the area.

Since then, his customers have come from Sacramento, Stockton, Gilroy, Santa Rosa and even San Francisco, supposedly the birthplace of the sport.

“Before I started riding, there were probably three or four other guys I knew riding fixed-gear bikes downtown, and now they’re on every stoplight, every street corner,” said Cosio, a seven-year fixed-gear rider.

In truth, fixed-gear bicycling is practiced all over the world in major metropolitan areas. Only now, though, is the movement starting to hit neighborhood streets.

Similar to what Cosio did in San Jose, D’Anna brought fixed-gear to Los Gatos, promoting the scene simply by riding through town and performing tricks like the surfer, in which he pops on top of the bike and balances using his feet. The trick isn’t specific to fixed-gear bikes, but it’s a show-stopper, and D’Anna says it leads to questions about what else he can do.

His arsenal of tricks include the wheelie, barspin, pogo, leg-over, whirlie bird and of course the whip skid for downhill rides. He’ll also cruise around on his 7-foot tall bike, also a fixed-gear, which turns a lot of heads.

D’Anna picked up on fixed-gear bikes through his bicycle messenger friends while he was attending college in San Francisco. When he moved back to Los Gatos, he brought the bikes with him and soon people began riding fixies around town.

“This little community started arising out of Los Gatos,” said D’Anna, who has ties to prominent fixed-gear riding crew Macaframa. “In the past three years in the South Bay Area, bike riding has just gotten exponentially bigger, especially single-speeds and fixed-gears.”

The fixed-gear movement has somewhat piggybacked on the success of San Jose Bike Party, a monthly ride of 3,000 to 5,000 cyclists hitting the streets all over the Silicon Valley. Just a few years ago there were fewer than a 100 regular riders, barely enough to cause a stir, but now there are thousands, most of whom are riding a fixed-gear bike.

The growth of the fixed-gear culture is akin to how other underground phenomenons have emerged. They’re first valued for practical means before developing an identity of their own as they enter a more widespread forum.

“It takes riding your bike and turning it into more of skateboarding,” says D’Anna, who works at Los Gatos’ Mike’s Bikes.

What he means is the nature of a fixed-gear bike makes it versatile to take around town, stop in a parking lot for some tricks and then head down a few hills if one is so inclined. Some observers have compared the movements in fixed-gear riding to that of board sports, particularly skidding which parallels carving in snowboarding.

The concern, though, is that enthusiastic yet inexperienced riders may be jumping on board before they’re ready. Veterans often caution beginners to practice fixed-gear riding with a set of brakes until they get comfortable.

“If you know what you’re doing, it’s just as easy as riding a bike with brakes,” Marshall said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re going to get hurt, period.”

Marshall isn’t overstating that last part. One of the hardest things to learn about fixed-gear is how to stay in complete control of the bike, especially when traveling downhill. The constant movement of the pedals is awkward to learn at first and goes against traditional bike riding, so “you basically have to learn how to ride a bike all over again,” said Brian Hamilton, 20, of Summit Bikes in Los Gatos.

Traveling downhill requires a great deal of agility, body control and leg strength, Hamilton said. As the bike picks up speed, the rider’s legs have to keep up with the pedaling motion, otherwise all control is lost. Fearful beginners may instinctively pull their feet off the pedals to slow down, but that’s probably the worst thing that can happen.

“You’re at the will of the hill at that point,” Hamilton said.

A fixed-gear bike has an element of danger to it, but it also provides its share of health benefits and advantages. It takes a lot of energy to constantly pedal from place to place using just one gear, and even more effort is exerted performing tricks.

The other attraction is the aesthetics of a fixed-gear bike. It’s fairly inexpensive and fully customizable, which is a major appeal to a generation with a vested interest in originality, Cosio said. As styles shift back toward a simpler, cleaner look, fixies appear to have the edge over the bells and whistles of a more modern bike.

“The thing with trends is that if it’s a trend and there’s no substance to it, it goes away,” Cosio said. “The reason why fixed-gear got so huge is because it actually works you out and gets you in shape. I know some riders who came in looking like Jell-O and they come out looking rock hard.

The appeal of fixed-gear seems deeper than just fitness, however. Word of mouth and videos on YouTube have created intrigueabout the sport. It’s something most people have never witnessed before, with maneuvers on a bicycle that are unheard of but open the door to endless possibilities. Sometimes watching the perfect sequence of tricks can be almost poetic.

“I’d say we’re not even close to our peak yet,” he continued. “This is the early development stage, but there’s still a long way to go.”

You can read full original article at Mercury News

I got hit by a car last night! It was a rather cold night and unfortunately I was not prepared for it. I mashed my way up North Avenue trying to warm my body with some sprints. The streets in Chicago are so straight, flat, and deserted at night that it’s hard to keep from sprinting. I ride a blue Nishiki fixed conversion I built it out of my mom’s old road bike. It’s very pretty and I am in love with it.

I was eagerly chasing down the horizon of eventual warmth when a car making a left turn hit me. I flew onto the hood and tumbled to the ground. I got up to a crowd of panicking witnesses. The crash had snapped off my left pedal, crank arm, and a toenail. The front wheel of my bike was nearly folded in half. All sorts of important uniformed people started asking me simple questions, which helped to calm me. They wanted me to take an ambulance and they took my bike to a fire station where I can pick it up at my convenience. I went to a hospital and was discharged at three in the morning. The taxi driver on the way home shared her strategies about how to extort money out of the driver who hit me. It was his fault completely.

So what happens now? I suppose I will build a new bike. Until then I will borrow some bikes and try to get back to work as soon as possible. I do messenger work downtown, so not having a bike or working legs is going to make coming up with rent quite hard. People from the bike culture here are already helping me get back on my feet. I will probably be able to build a bike for very little money at west town bikes. West town is an awesome community bike center run by volunteers and supported by donations. I am a responsible biker, I like to go fast but I am always aware of my surroundings. This crash reminded me that no matter how safe you are biking there is always the possibility of an accident.

Submitted by Mike Locker

I love riding fixed gear. I love the control, the connection, the aesthetic, and the history of Velodrome racing. I love that I can confidently fix anything on my bike. I first went fixed because I needed a light and responsive bike but I was very poor. At the time I was racing at the San Diego Velodrome weekly. One day I borrowed a Bianchi Pista Concept and rode it around San Diego. It was wonderful; it felt pure in the way that my first bike felt to me.

I found a frame at a swap meet and put some wheels and a crank set on it. The bike was beautiful and only set me back a couple hundred dollars. It weighed sixteen pounds. The frame was a fetish custom track frame. I was planning to use the bike to race on the track and on the street but I could never afford regulation track drops. I chopped and flipped some old road handlebars into bullhorns. I never raced this bike on the track but I loved going up and down the hilly streets in San Diego.

To me, the fixed gear bike is a very empowering thing. I had built my own bike for very little money and it kicked ass. Recently I have built nice bikes for nearly no cost. I feel like everyone should have a right to transportation and the fixed gear bike is such a feasible mode. The learning curve was fairly intense. I learned to gauge the terrain and traffic, which soon became almost subconscious. The thought behind using the bike in the streets is fascinating. Fixed gear technology was not meant for street riding. Track bikes are built for the track. The bikes are designed to go very fast for a short period of time and never stop. I find the vision of earlier messengers very inspiring. They started using these bikes on the streets because they needed to go very fast with the least amount of stopping. It inspires me when people use technology in ways that the inventors never intended. Now fixed gear bikes are an integral part of the bike culture amongst people who may never even see a Velodrome in their lives.

Submitted by Holy McBain

In the world of fixed gear bikes, there is an ongoing debate whether to have brakes or ride brakeless. Most long time fixies say only posers or trend-riders go with brakes because they have no idea how to ride or control their bike. On the other hand, if you are new to the sport, having the ability to stop quickly will cut down on accidents and avoid potential hazards that only seasoned “fixies” can maneuver through.
Part of the problem of going brakeless is most people learned to ride a free-wheel bike which requires a brake as there is no possible way to stop easily. It has been ingrained into your psyche that a bicycle must have a brake. However, if you recall the bike you first learned to ride (possibly a tricycle) then you already know how to control a fixed gear mechanism. I know, it sounds really simplistic and silly, but think about it for a moment.

Now, if you are just converting to a fixed gear bike, you definitely need a brake – for your safety and those you share the road with. Yes, it’s a crutch, but a necessary one unless you want to end up on top of someone’s car or squished flat on the road. In fact, you should practice riding your “fixie” on a huge open parking lot where the chance of hitting a car or going off the road is mute. Practice making turns while pedaling, stopping with and without the brake, signaling turns, and emergency stops. It is important to protect yourself with riding experience prior to venturing out into the unknown world of streets and roads where cars pop out of nowhere and animals love to jump out in front of you.
Once you are ready for the open road, keep that brake on your fixed gear bike. I know it means looking like an amateur, but guess what? You are an amateur and need the security of the brake for a while. Once you feel comfortable with your fixed gear riding abilities and have practiced long and hard stopping without applying your brakes, you can choose to remove your brakes and enter into the realm of hard-core fixie!
The answer to Brake vs. Brakeless is simple – yes to having a brake if you are a newbie to fixed gear riding; yes to going brakeless when your abilities and confidence merit the advancement in your riding.

Submitted by Holly McBain

Why do I enjoy riding my fixed gear bike? There are many reasons, but the most important is it reminds me of my childhood and the first bicycle I ever owned.
It was my fifth birthday and my big present was a blue Schwinn with a blue sparkle banana seat, ape-hanger handle bars with streamers, a white wicker basket with plastic flowers, and (of course) training wheels. My favorite past time was making skid marks with the tires by applying the brakes at a high rate of speed. The brake was putting pressure on the pedals in reverse. Sound familiar?
Well, it may not be exactly like riding my fixie, but it sure puts a smile on my face just remembering all the fun and good times I enjoyed on that little blue Schwinn. Every summer, it was my transportation to anywhere I wanted to go – the public pool, the mall, the ice house (convenience store), or my best friend’s house. I had independence and freedom because of that bike.
That is the same feeling I get every time I ride my fixed gear bike. Riding a ten-speed or freewheel bike doesn’t recapture the memories and emotions of my childhood, but my fixie sure does. I feel young and alive on it – I don’t wear a helmet (I know) but helmets for bicycling were not invented when I was young. When I venture out into the world of street riding with cars, I do wear a helmet. But riding around my neighborhood, I don’t – I want to remember when I was five and riding my blue Schwinn.
I rode that bike until it fell apart. After that, I got a “3-speed” and then a “10-speed” bike, but it wasn’t the same as that little blue Schwinn – that bike was my first and most fun. That’s why I love my fixie – it is the most fun riding since I was five. If only I could bottle that feeling and sell it, I’d be a billionaire.

Flickr pic thanks to Eelke

Speed vs. tricks it’s a mad question when you’re talking about fixie, which better, which is more rad, and which is more dangerous. Well let’s through all these questions out the window, and say they are both nice, both rad, and both dangerous. When ya see a fixie haulin ass down a hill, or barspinnin it backwards in the G-store parking lot, you’re gonna say holy crap that’s sweet. So what’s the debate for, is there really any need to argue? Maybe, or maybe not, I personally ride for fun, sometimes a little bit of speed and once in a while a little trick here or there. Whether you do one of the other, you’re still having fun right? So why argue about who’s better?

For all you tricksters out there, my congratulations go out to you. Your bmx like tricks are some of the sickest I’ve ever seen, you lay your body on the line every time you ride, and let me tell you it’s looking good, keep on keeping on.
For all you speedsters out there, my congratulations go out to you. You flash like speed is indescribable, you get me my package in record time, and you can do laps around that track faster than my car. Your legs are like your engine, when you fly around town on your two wheeled self-propelled speed machine. So for all you speedsters keep on speeding on.
For anyone else I might have missed here, my congratulations goes out you, you ride your fixie to get to work, you ride your fixie to get to school, and you ride your fixie to make it to the store. No worries you don’t have to be fast, you don’t have to do sweet tricks, just keep on riding on.

Flikr photo by A Continuous Lean

If you are just starting to think about making the transfer to fixed gear riding, there are few things you may want to consider, when looking for the right fixie for you. There are a few I can think of, off the top of my head. Start with something simple, make it cheap, and finally consider a break, and a flip-flop hub.

Something simple is probably the best thing you can start on, if you are not sure how to ride a fixie yet, you might want to make it cheap. It’s a different type of ride; some of you plain and simply may not like it very much. It looks fun, it is fun, but it’s not for everyone. So the best fixie to start on might be something like a Bianchi Pista, a cheap complete steal frame bike, or if you are experienced with bike building or have a good friend that is, you might want to go an even cheaper way. By building it from scrap parts. If you find it hard to find parts, you can buy some of the parts, and find some of the parts. Don’t expect to find all your parts right away or all for free. It might take a while it is most definitely a test of patience.

The next thing you may want to look for when getting into fixed gear riding is a break; for a bit of safety as you are learning to ride, and a flip-flop hub. Which is in case you don’t like the fixie ride, you can always switch to a free wheel ride, which is more like a traditional bike. So if you’re thinking about it, consider my suggestions, and I think you might end up being a very happy rider.

“My friend Joel once said, there are a few things that are true in this world, and those are bikes and wood grain..” Once heard he had said this, I realized immediately that he was right, bikes are true, you work, you pedal, you move nothing can assist you there is no motor and no one else helping you, unless you are on a tandem. All bikes are true, whether you are riding a fixie, a multispeed, a unicycle, a BIG wheel, or even a tandem. They are true, whether you’re riding around town for fun, or whether you’re commuting to school or work.
The other day it was a gorgeous 60 degrees out, and for a November day in the northern parts of Wisconsin that is rare. I hopped on my bike bright and early for my morning trek to school; it’s about 7 miles. Which isn’t all that bad it’s about a 25-minute bike on my Surly fixed gear. On my way to school that morning, I realized this was one of the few nice days I was going to have left in the year, before the snow would fly. Well let’s just say I took full advantage of it, and I rode my bike just to ride it, I skipped a few classes and cruised almost the whole day, I probably did over 50 miles, and loved pretty much all of them. So unless you’re a carpenter working with wood grain, get out on your bike enjoy a few of the last nice days you’ll probably have in your area. They come quickly and leave just as quickly. So clip in, step in, sit down, however you get into your bike, and pedal your heart out before all the nice days are gone.