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.

I came across this post on tree hugger about the top 7 reasons fixies are hot. You can read the full article here

This article is complete bull shit. I’ll recap their top reasons so you can see for yourself.

1. People Love Subcultures

People love subcultures, especially when its protagonists are perceived as cool. Nobody doubts that the use of skateboards spread rapidly not only because kids loved to ride a table with wheels, but also because they wanted to ressemble a bunch of really cool Californian teenagers who did it.

This might be true but Fixies are cutting across many different cultures. Also, why does everyone have to compare anything new to skateboarding and surfing?

2. Their Cheapness

Let’s be honest: Who can really afford a designer bike? On the other hand, foldings can be a little expensive sometimes, as well as all really nice bikes.

But fixed gear bikes are (or were?) cheap. As Wired put it: “Find an old beat-up road bike, buy a new hub and throw away all extraneous hardware. You now have a fixie.” To make it unique, all you have to do is add your touch

First of all that article they mention from Wired was written years ago. Second fixed gear bikes ARE NOT CHEAP, unless of course you sign up to my email and get crazy discounts on frames and parts.

3. Light and Clean Looks

Long, long gone are the times when biking meant bulky bicycles with tons of accessories. As these vehicles get more integrated to everyday lives, people are looking for simple models that just get the job done. Additionally, we live in times when frugal living and simpleness have become desirable values for some segments.

Just because the bike looks clean doesn’t mean that each component is not premium. The line about just getting the job done really ticked me off.

4. Endless Customization

Fine this one I’ll let them slide on.

5. Speed/Danger/Feel/”The zen thing”

Why are extreme sports so popular? One of the reasons may be that people love activities that are a little bit dangerous but that also provide some ultra-connection with the surrounding environment and a shock of adrenaline.

Last time I checked theres no fixed gears at the X-Games!!

6. The Culture Around Them

The article doesn’t mention shit about the culture except that it exists… weak.

7. The Trend

Finally, let’s just say it: fixed gear bikes are so hot right now because they’re in fashion, and some people are always looking for the next big thing.

But as we know, some trends come and go in a minute, and others find a way to stick around and create a whole industry around them. are temporary, others come to stay.

Fixed gear bikes already showed themselves to be more than just another fad.

Anyway this article sucks and poorly researched weak attempt at link bait by Paula Alvarado.

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 Paul Scarsella

Usually when I talk about cycling with someone interested in getting started riding on the road, the inevitable question becomes how much will I need to spend on a decent road bike? The answer is you could spend as little as $700 to as much as $3k (or more). This is usually enough to make many people dismiss getting started in cycling as an option. In reality, you can get something nice in the $700 to $800 range but it will consist of a solid frame (usually aluminum) with some really lousy wheels and subpar components. Anyone who is slightly on the heavy side (which is most people) and does a lot of riding will inevitably wear this stuff out quickly and will need to replace wheels and parts. What’s left is usually the frame, just begging to be upgraded.

The other option is to put together a nice package of frame and components/wheels together yourself. This can be in one over the counter purchase or as I like to do it, which is to drool over many bicycle frames then finally buy one. Then within a year or so, pick out the parts I want and have it put together by a professional. This will cost much more, ($2k to $3K) but either way doing this will result in a nice bike you can ride for a while without replacing too much stuff (hopefully).

Then there is always plan B – get yourself a fix. I would recommend once again picking out a nice frame. Then have it built up with the parts you like. Either way you will be spending much less than you would on a road bike, complete with gears, brakes and all the bells and whistles.

Here you have the same options but you can probably find a complete bike that is road worthy for much less ($400 to $700) Or find a nice track frame and build it up for (about $800 to $1k). Of course you could spend much more on a real sweet track bike or fix. But for most people who just want to go for a ride this is unnecessary. I would strongly recommend the use of a front brake on your new fix. A rear brake is optional (but unnecessary for most people), unless you live in a very hilly area. Also pick a gear that is easy for you, remember this will be your one and only gear on this bike, so pick one you can handle as you learn to tame the beast;)

GRAND PRIZE – Have Your Bike Be Featured As The Main Bike Picture

Yes that’s right, you can have your bike seen by thousands every single week on this site. All that hard work you put into your bike, show it off to everyone. Maybe you want to rep your city, your crew, don’t matter… if you win you will be one the homepages.

Runner Up – will get a blog post featuring the bike and any other details you want me to include.

So how is this contest going to work?

1. Use the Contact form in the upper right to submit your bike picture AND tell me why you should win.
2. I will pick 10 finalists from the submissions.
3. Will let people vote on the winner (if i feel like it… or if there is a clear winner I’ll just pick that)
4. Contact the winners and tell them the good news
5. Deadline for Entry: April 17th 2009

Got this message sent to me… help a brotha out and give him some stickers for his fixie

Subject: STICKERS

Message: Hi all, I’m thinking of covering my bike in stickers instead
of a new paint job. Could look funky. If you’ve got any you don’t
want, I’ll send you a stamped envelope, even if its only one or two
I’d really appreciate it.

email me at
Buddy4693@comcast.net

Thanks,

Stephen

Here are some sick photos that were submitted through the online form. Enjoy!

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.

Found this great picture of Obama riding a fixed gear bike on this blogspot blog

I got this user submitted question regarding some rims. Not totally fixed gear related but if anyone knows the answer please leave a comment below.

Hi,

I am a cyclist who is in the process of building up a single speed bike. While sourcing up some parts to complete my project, I came across a pair of rims known as Araya B16 Red. This is a brand new but old stock rims from one of the shop in my hometown. While searching in the net to find out more on this particular model, I found out that this rims are specially used in the velodrome for Keirin riders and very popular in Japan. While looking at the rims I also notice that that there is no braking surface on the rims. I intend to ride regularly on road and placing brakes on the bike is importance. Hence this is a concern for me. Cud you guys shed some light over the matter. The rims is light though. Have you known anybody who ride the rims on road with brake?

Txs n rgds,

Mehmoud
Malaysia