Give hipsters a brake
People have been whining about fixies and their descent into the mainstream for a long time now, but it now seems as if everyone you see on a fixed-gear bike is an idiot. It’s like the people who actually know how to ride the things have all retreated in shame, and left the entire field to the fools.
Not so long ago you had to know a thing or two to even acquire a fixed-gear bike. I first rode fixed gear waaaaay back in the day as winter training. I didn’t know you could thread a fixed-gear cog on a standard hub because it never occurred to me to try it. Instead I bought a cheap track wheel and built up a clincher wheel on the hub (back then, and yes this was a long time ago, everyone raced on tubulars, or “sew-ups” as we called them). My fixed gear bike had two sets of brakes and I only rode it because my coach made me.
Then came the messenger culture and people started showing how those bikes actually had a place in the world, and could be ridden with exceptional grace and style.
Nowadays though you can buy that fixed gear style (but not grace) right off the floor and ride off into glory without knowing the first goddamned thing about bicycles. And judging from the looks of things around the U of A, lots of people are doing so. I saw some guy on a Schwinn cruiser bike with a fixed gear, brakeless, wearing Converse High-Tops and no toe clips. What the hell? What sadistic madman built that thing?
Last week I was in my car and some kid passed me on the left — on the left mind you — while I was entering the Sixth Avenue tunnel! He was pedaling about 150 rpms and all over the road.
I am not representing that person when he flies into a bus.
–Erik Ryberg
September 21st, 2009 at 8:47 pm
But Erik, you gave me a frame just for that purpose.
September 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Also, happy birthday erik.
September 21st, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Yeah I know Mickey, that’s because I was trying to kill you, but you ended up putting toe clips on the thing and now it is at least marginally safe.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 am
Fixed-gear bikes are a bit much for most fixed-gear “aficianados” especially in the real world of roadways. Much more safe for them would be to ride freewheel, perhaps flip-flop. Realistically, Fixed-gear bikes belong on the track with track bikes or in the mega-mall parking lot at six a.m.
Some info and training they would never get from the sale-hungry bike store:
“Fixed Gear for the Road” by the late Sheldon Brown at:
http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 am
“It’s like the people who actually know how to ride the things have all retreated in shame, and left the entire field to the fools.”
Well said, Erik. Now that fixies have gone mainstream, I have to wonder if actual hipsters are the ones even riding them anymore. I think the trend was filtered and passed down to wannabe hipsters who shop at Urban Outfitters. Actually the whole hipsterdom thing in itself has pretty much gone mainstream as well.
That sticker is really cute…did Dwight design that?
I’m still waiting for the next big underground cycling trend for the hipsters to co-opt and subsequently hand over to the mainstream. I’ve decided it’s probably going to be recumbents. Suddenly we’ll start seeing brightly colored powder coated ‘bents.’ Instead of the proliferation of top tube pads we’ve seen lately, it’s going to be helmet mirrors and orange safety vests.
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
I’m sorry lauren, but fully-loaded touring is the next fixed gear. 1 years from now (like a century in hip-years), we will all look back on your little blog and realize that that was the turning point to get all the hipsters to jump the shark and start adding braze-ons instead of just filing them all off. Ed Foster will be recruited by American Apparel to mass-produce long-bike colorways.
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:25 am
God I hope you are right Mickey. When I see legions of U of A students sporting custom long-tails and packing for a bike ride to Alaska via Newfoundland, I can retire and join them.
EBR
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
you made about 12 good points Erik. I put gears on my bike a year ago because i was tired of being marginally associated with the morons I see on campus (not to mention the TNBR).
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I rode a borrowed fixed gear a few times–very carefully. I been thrown from a horse a time of two, and falling into the mud or the grass is a bit different from hitting pavement. I got this feeling I’d do face-plant if I wasn’t careful. It just wasn’t for me.
Cheers! Bruce
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I’m not denying that there are plenty of irresponsible ‘cyclists’ on fixed gears, but they hardly corner the market on stupidity. Just last week I was almost taken out by a long-tail bike salmon.
In my experience poor riding practices transcend social clicks.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I ride fixed pretty much all the time and I notice how many other people do to. I think it’s a good idea to rock a front brake, I do, and with one a “track” bike is just as safe on the road as any other type of bike. Maybe even safer, you are very in control with that type of direct drive train. What I do think is stupid is the ppl I see riding a freewheel “fakesie” with just a front break or no brakes at all!!! Yes I’ve seen it and it makes no sence to me…
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I found myself nodding in agreement as I read this piece. Nothing wrong with a fixed gear bike. I’ve owned several, with a few in the garage right now. But brakeless is asking for trouble. Skidding is not control. Brakes are control. Cars are dangerous. Accidents happen. Brakeless fixies, helmetless, platform pedals… ugh. Why must I watch you risk your life like that?
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
it’s all kevin bacon’s fault. In quicksilver he’s all about rocking a fixed gear with no brakes, yet in every action scene it magically starts coasting, again without brakes.
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:58 pm
^^^still a dope bike movie!!!
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:07 am
Fixed gear bikes are a lot of fun and I can understand why people ride them around town.
I think Sheldon Brown played a critical role in popularizing fixed gear bikes for the road by providing articles with instructions on how to convert old road bikes into fixies. Sheldon was more hip than the hipsters, but he never intended for people to be riding track bikes without brakes. He maintains that track bikes are intended for the velodrome.
From the Sheldon Brown article that Red Star mentioned:
“Despite the coolness factor of true track bikes, a fixed-gear road bicycle is what I would recommend for the road cyclist in search of the benefits of fixed-gear riding.
This would typically be an older road bike, modified into a fixed-gear machine. Most older “ten-speeds” are good candidates for this sort of modification.”
Since Sheldon was so hip and he rode a recumbent in his last years on the planet, it’s obvious that ‘bents’ are gonna be the next big thing.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 am
I need one of these sticker’s for my bike!
create & buy custom products at Zazzle
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:31 am
The sticker didn’t post properly, here it is :
http://www.zazzle.com/one_fewer_fixie_bumper_sticker-128315756114424236
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 am
Hey Israel, the best source for bike stickers (and T-Shirts) is
http://www.worldsbestbikestickers.com
right here in Tucson!
That’s where I got the “Give Hipsters a Brake” sticker.
EBR
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Putting the innane thing of stickers to the side, Lauren is correct that Sheldon Brown was a cheerleader for fixed-gear bikes. But he also informed the dangers, something the masses, being masses, ignore.
http://cyclingfunmontreal.blogspot.com/2008/01/fixed-gear-bikes-and-safety.html
Of course, bicyles are inherently dangerous as is the butter knife you use to spread jams, jellies, and “I Can’t Believe It’s not Butter” on your English muffin.
September 24th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
“I Can’t Believe It’s not Butter” is more dangerous than brakeless fixies…it has trans-fat in it.
September 24th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
mmmm, trans-fat.
Most “track bikes” that hipsters crave these days are just road-ready geometries with track dropouts welded on. All the street cred of the actual velodrome without any of those dangerous cornering problems.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
From the classic rendezvous list….the original hipster??
Today good friend was buried. His name was Peter (Pietro) D’Alliessi. Some of you old timers may have known him.
In the 1950’s (before my time) he raced for the prominent New York, club the Unione Sportiva Italiana. In 1954 & 1956 he was club champion. In 1957 he turned pro and rode his first
six-day. His partner and guide was our own Ted Ernst. I believe this was in Cleveland (correct me if I am wrong Ted).
He was T-boned by an SUV and spent the next 6 weeks in intensive care. After an operation last Friday he died from his injuries. He was 78, hit on his birthday riding his 50’s Balilla with no brakes but incredible skill. He could stop on a dime and would still dismount by pushing the bike forward
and jumping off the back. 78! They said that he survived at all was due to the shape he was in.
Sorry if this is off-topic Dale. Pietro certainly wasn’t. He did not deserve to go this way. It can be bad out there. As my wife says, you look
right and BAM! They hit you from the left. Be Careful!
Edward Albert
September 25th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Pietro sounds like an incredible guy. A six day racer!
You don’t see too many people in their 70s riding around town on old track bikes. I hate to hear that his life was cut short in such a horrible way.
December 15th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
He was T-boned by an SUV and spent the next 6 weeks in intensive care. After an operation last Friday he died from his injuries. He was 78, hit on his birthday riding his 50’s Balilla with no brakes but incredible skill. He could stop on a dime and would still dismount by pushing the bike forward