Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - What's up NYC???

Can anyone give some insight on the whole "I'm too cool for you" fixie attitude here in New York. I commute to work about 4 times a week down the West Side bike path and everytime I see another rider on a fix they seem to give off a "what the ***** are you looking at?" vibe (except the chick in a dress riding the Pista :). Is it cause I have a water bottle and a front brake on my bike? Is it cause I wear a regular back pack and not a Chrome bag? All I'm doing is riding a freaking bike. One guy even blatantly mocked me for resting my hands on the outer parts of my bars. Screw you by the way, *******!!!

All I'm doing is riding a bike. I didn't realize that there were certain rules I had to abide by.

Sorry for the rant but can someone please explain this to me.

Best,
rlh

oh my god. who cares?

Can anyone give some insight on the whole "I'm too cool for you" fixie attitude here in New York. I commute to work about 4 times a week down the West Side bike path and everytime I see another rider on a fix they seem to give off a "what the ***** are you looking at?" vibe (except the chick in a dress riding the Pista :). Is it cause I have a water bottle and a front brake on my bike? Is it cause I wear a regular back pack and not a Chrome bag? All I'm doing is riding a freaking bike. One guy even blatantly mocked me for resting my hands on the outer parts of my bars. Screw you by the way, *******!!!

All I'm doing is riding a bike. I didn't realize that there were certain rules I had to abide by.

Sorry for the rant but can someone please explain this to me.

Best,
rlh

I didn't want to have to tell you this in a public forum, but it's your odor.

You stink. Sorry to be the one to have to say it.

i ride down the west side to work during the week also. i usually never see any other fixed riders. but this may be because i'm usually not paying any attention to anyone else. but if i do see you riding around i'll be sure to smile and nod. i'm the guy on the markV. and i hope i see this woman w/ the pista also!

i ride the west side path every day. i see a lot of fixed riders. i have a brake and a bottle too. never once got attitude. either you're too sensitive or you're full of crap, is what I think.

if you took a helicopter instead, then you could do all the sneering at all those idiots below.

and dont get the chrome either.. youll just look like a fetchrider and that will only give you more frowning and such..
but come- on greet the riders you see and if they dont salute you back.. who cares. you might pass someone down the block who is really sweet..

must be you because every fixed rider I encounter has nothing but love.

and bags full of it

i get some 'tude from other fixies on the west side. some people are all up in their own a**es and i ignore them. some are nice, and i smile back. its just how it is

I don't believe it's a "i'm too cool attitude" you're observing...I just think that other riders just don't give a $#1+ ! I hope you're not expecting them to jump off their bikes and give you hugs just cause you're riding a fixie. I felt the same way when I recently started riding a fix - I thought that other fixie riders would acknowledge what I'm riding - then I thought about it and compared it to other bikes - I never expect any acknoledgement when I'm riding my road bike or mountain bike - why should a fix be any different?
Just ride and don't worry about other people's attitudes - hug yourself ! : )

I second the helicopter comments, I'm posting from mine right now while orbiting the moon, sneering at all you silly ass bike riders.

this whole attitude thing is interesting. what exactly is the kind of reaction you're getting? are these other fixie riders literally spitting on you or laughing and pointing? this isn't the first time people have complained of the attitude people get from other riders and i'm wondering what exactly these other riders are doing. i'mjust hoping i'm not one of these riders giving off the 'tude unknowingly.

If you have to ask, you're probably doing it.

-s ;)

d'oh!

it gets annoying if you have to say hi to every fixie you see on the street seeing as how hundreds seem to pop outta nowhere everyday. I'll acknowledge riders, fixed or not at a light and sometimes in passing, only if they look cool, but other than that, it's just too much head nodding for me.

I'll acknowledge riders, fixed or not at a light and sometimes in passing, only if they look cool, but other than that, it's just too much head nodding for me.


Define "cool" please...

I just want to be ready if you approach me at a stop light.

it gets annoying if you have to say hi to every fixie you see on the street seeing as how hundreds seem to pop outta nowhere everyday. I'll acknowledge riders, fixed or not at a light and sometimes in passing, only if they look cool, but other than that, it's just too much head nodding for me.

Is that like when we were stopped at that light yesterday right before the Fulton Mall? I said "hi, what's up dude" because I've seen you around and talked with you a little bit at numerous events, and all you gave me was bland "hey" and didn't look at me anymore after that. Then you hammered off when the light changed and nearly hit two different pedestrians crossing the street in the span of twenty feet.

Bad morning, or did you just not recognize me? Maybe it's cuz I was riding a Pista, and that takes away my street cred, right?

See, OP. Sometimes even people that have met you before have a bad attitude toward you. I was kind of amused by it though. I only have negative feelings towards the people that ride really slow and swerve to and fro across the path, the roller bladers, and sometimes people who don't wear helmets. Other than that, I love cyclists!!! :love:

f'n rollerbladers! i hate those people

f'n rollerbladers! i hate those people

fruitbooters:)

there are definitely people in Philly that are "too cool"....**** them. thinking you are cooler than someone cause you ride a bike is lame. you should just accept the fact that those people are lame and are prolly huge dorks.

that being said i try to nod at all bike riders. it's kinda like when motorcyclists wave at another motorcyclist even if they don't know them. if i get no reaction...i just assume they didn't see me.

Is that like when we were stopped at that light yesterday right before the Fulton Mall? I said "hi, what's up dude" because I've seen you around and talked with you a little bit at numerous events, and all you gave me was bland "hey" and didn't look at me anymore after that. Then you hammered off when the light changed and nearly hit two different pedestrians crossing the street in the span of twenty feet.

Bad morning, or did you just not recognize me? Maybe it's cuz I was riding a Pista, and that takes away my street cred, right?


No f**kin' way... He didn't.

Ha!

Ok, so what's worse, you being ignored by wangster at a light in Brooklyn or my being called a "squid (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=123907&highlight=squid)" by TimArchy (aka, elitist hipster from the south)?

it's kinda like when motorcyclists wave at another motorcyclist even if they don't know them. if i get no reaction...i just assume they didn't see me.

I rarely get waves back from Bimmer riders...however I have no problem sleeping at night because of this.

yeah like i said...it's not a big deal

Maybe your fauxhawk isn't high enough. Or the frame on your sunglasses isn't thick enough, or isn't white. Or your t-shirt isn't tight enough, or has the logo of the wrong state fair on it. Or your jeans are the wrong brand, or you're not showing enough crack. Could be anything! A lot of fixie riders in this town are Williamsburg (or LES) hipster trash; if you're not ironically trailer enough - and in exactly the right way - they'll never acknowledge you.

um. I still don't get it. Do some of you want me to wave at you when I'm going past?

Sounds like when Crocodile Dundee came to NYC and tried to say hi to everyone on the street. This is the big city folks, we don't say hi. There are too many people to do that and it is not an efficient use of time anyway. If you cry yourself to sleep every night because of that that's your problem.

But that is too mean. Here, I'll do my part right now: *waves* *smiles* *I like you!* *you are looking so f-ing cool and your fixie, dudez* *etc*

What's up with going into friendship-offering-mode whenever you see someone riding a fixed gear bicycle? That is just sick! ;) You would not do that with fellow pedestrians, fellow sneaker wearers, fellow car drivers, fellow rollerbladers (well maybe rollerbladers), fellow subway riders, etc. Maybe people think you are weird for saying hello to them when you don't know them.
Now, if you want to get respect from people you DON'T know there is only one way. It is not about the look but about being better or at least just as good as them doing what you and they are doing. Kick their a$$ and see if they still look at you the wrong way. On top of that it will do wonder for your self esteem!

Maybe your fauxhawk isn't high enough. Or the frame on your sunglasses isn't thick enough, or isn't white. Or your t-shirt isn't tight enough, or has the logo of the wrong state fair on it. Or your jeans are the wrong brand, or you're not showing enough crack. Could be anything! A lot of fixie riders in this town are Williamsburg (or LES) hipster trash; if you're not ironically trailer enough - and in exactly the right way - they'll never acknowledge you.

WOW.....nice.

well i have this to say. i was riding up lafayette and passed a rider going the same way. i turned down great jones and as i got to broadway he caught up with me and said "you'd be more comfortable if you lowered your saddle a little." and then he turned off up broadway (against traffic). now firstly he was right; i dropped the seat some and my whole fit was way better. secondly he hadn't needed to make that turn because he carried on north, so he only made it to catch me up and offer his advice because he thought i'd enjoy my ride better. her didn't care what i was wearing, or how i was holding that bars or any of that - just that i was set up poorly, so props to that rider. that's nyc cameraderie in my book.

i just listen to what my mom taught me. "Never talk to strangers." could she have been wrong all these years about that?

I'm working on converting from a "never talk to strangers" philosophy to a "try to be friendly" philosophy. It turns out that sometime after college "don't talk to strangers" leads to "never, ever get laid again".

people don't say hello to me because i have road geometry.

Here, I'll do my part right now: *waves* *smiles* *I like you!* *you are looking so f-ing cool and your fixie, dudez* *etc*
Ah, the cold, stinging embrace of bitter, acrimonious sarcasm. I can't wait to air my insecurities, doubts and fears among my understanding and sympathetic peers on the bike forums. (big shuddering sigh) I guess it all goes back to that Christmas, when I saved my allowance to buy my mom that charm bracelet…

I'm working on converting from a "never talk to strangers" philosophy to a "try to be friendly" philosophy. It turns out that sometime after college "don't talk to strangers" leads to "never, ever get laid again".

HHAHAHAH! sigh.

Ah, the cold, stinging embrace of bitter, acrimonious sarcasm. I can't wait to air my insecurities, doubts and fears among my understanding and sympathetic peers on the bike forums. (big shuddering sigh) I guess it all goes back to that Christmas, when I saved my allowance to buy my mom that charm bracelet…

Let me guess...You never received a "D" in English class????

on a somewhat unrelated note... *new* guy, you're avatar is bringing back some weird memories. I bought that album when I was like 13 or 14 y.o., probably on Kurt Cobain's recommendation, and it totally freaked me out. So much so that I think I listened to it twice and then sold it to the local record store. Haven't really thought about it since. Now that I'm, errr, more mature, I'd be interested how it would sound to my ears these days.

(well maybe rollerbladers)

excellent.

I'm working on converting from a "never talk to strangers" philosophy to a "try to be friendly" philosophy. It turns out that sometime after college "don't talk to strangers" leads to "never, ever get laid again".

Again, skills matter not words! ;)

on a somewhat unrelated note... *new* guy, you're avatar is bringing back some weird memories. I bought that album when I was like 13 or 14 y.o., probably on Kurt Cobain's recommendation, and it totally freaked me out. So much so that I think I listened to it twice and then sold it to the local record store. Haven't really thought about it since. Now that I'm, errr, more mature, I'd be interested how it would sound to my ears these days.

scratch acid still rocks.

and i like your mathew barney avatar.

on a somewhat unrelated note... *new* guy, you're avatar is bringing back some weird memories. I bought that album when I was like 13 or 14 y.o., probably on Kurt Cobain's recommendation, and it totally freaked me out. So much so that I think I listened to it twice and then sold it to the local record store. Haven't really thought about it since. Now that I'm, errr, more mature, I'd be interested how it would sound to my ears these days.

Hey ELC. That album has so many great tracks on it. It came out after the band had split, right when the Jesus Lizard was really blowing up. Yow and Sims together were unstoppable. I think the music is pretty timeless, unlike so much of the shiet that I listened to in the 80's.

Is that like when we were stopped at that light yesterday right before the Fulton Mall? I said "hi, what's up dude" because I've seen you around and talked with you a little bit at numerous events, and all you gave me was bland "hey" and didn't look at me anymore after that. Then you hammered off when the light changed and nearly hit two different pedestrians crossing the street in the span of twenty feet.

Bad morning, or did you just not recognize me? Maybe it's cuz I was riding a Pista, and that takes away my street cred, right?

See, OP. Sometimes even people that have met you before have a bad attitude toward you. I was kind of amused by it though. I only have negative feelings towards the people that ride really slow and swerve to and fro across the path, the roller bladers, and sometimes people who don't wear helmets. Other than that, I love cyclists!!! :love:

wow dude, sorry about that, didn't recognize you...and your right it was a bad morning and just been a bad week already and still going. I was late for work and just in a pissy mood. I wasn't gonna hit those stupid people, that lady screamed for no reason, I was gonna go around them by the curb but being pedestrians they screamed anyways. but I do feel bad about not being more friendly with you so I apologize for being an a$$.

Jose R, I was being sarcastic... 'COOL' is only reserved for guys with white belts and a faux hawk so you need not appy, unless you have both, then I'll definately say hi to you.

I just don't see why we have to say hi to everyone we see on a fixie. It's not a membership card or anything to own a fixie or a bike and with the amount of bikers on the streets now, that can old really quick. Its not about being unfriendly.

I gave up on waving and trying to say hi. Instead I give fixies (especially messengers) the Finger and wave it high in the air where they can really see it. Much more effective. Guaranteed response.

If you can't say hi to them, tell them to f- off.

no worries. Wasn't trying to slag you. I kinda figured you didn't recognize me. Helmets don't help with that sort of thing either.

It's funny. When I see folks on fixies on my way to work everyday, I always wonder if they're on the forums. And if we're like two ships silently passing in the night :rolleyes:. At this point I think I've probably met about 25% of the NYers on ss/fg in real life. Still many visual gaps to fill in.

The last thing I'll say about this (I think... unless things start to get ridiculous...then I might have to chime in again) is that its unfortunate that people just don't say hi to eachother more often. People always bandy about crap about the strengh of new yorkers and how amazing they are and post 9-11 blah blah blah fortitude and courage and whatever. Yet, you guys are complaining about when another cyclists only wants to acknowledge you and say, "hey man, you're on a bike, i'm on a bike, and we're both doing well -- the best we can -- in this car-strewn black smoke city"?? When I walk down my block in Brooklyn, I try to at least say hello to everyone. Black, white, young, old, strangers, friends. It's all the same. I spent a long time in Latin America. One of the first things you notice is how much more open and friendlier people are. It's okay to talk to strangers. It's okay to smile and chat. Shake hands or exchange kisses on the cheek.
Our culture definitely does not foster these interactions (e.g. see guys on the internet balking at the idea of waving hello to a fellow bicycle rider -- NO, you're not obligated to have to do that -- some people just like being friendly). New York is such an interesting place because it embodies/exemplifies the very BEST and WORST aspects of American culture simultaneously. We live in this duality, and I think it is confusing for many people. Especially transplants.

If you're friendly to people, they most likely will be friendly back to you. IF they're not, it's cause they're suspicious (why would anyone be friendly to someone they don't know???) or jerks. 90% of the time, people will respond to kindness, with, gasp more kindness.

In the end, they're only smiles and nods. But sometimes these small gestures (or lack thereof) can make a difference in someone's day. Not everyone is as hardened as some of you guys paint yourselves to be. And I for one am grateful for that.

That is all.

J

oh... and then there's always this:

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050817/BIZ/508170346/1001
:eek:

ELC, i always enjoy your posts and avatars, but please change that mbarney. i can't look at that thing everyday. bring back yoda. :)

no worries. Wasn't trying to slag you. I kinda figured you didn't recognize me. Helmets don't help with that sort of thing either.

It's funny. When I see folks on fixies on my way to work everyday, I always wonder if they're on the forums. And if we're like two ships silently passing in the night :rolleyes:. At this point I think I've probably met about 25% of the NYers on ss/fg in real life. Still many visual gaps to fill in.

The last thing I'll say about this (I think... unless things start to get ridiculous...then I might have to chime in again) is that its unfortunate that people just don't say hi to eachother more often. People always bandy about crap about the strengh of new yorkers and how amazing they are and post 9-11 blah blah blah fortitude and courage and whatever. Yet, you guys are complaining about when another cyclists only wants to acknowledge you and say, "hey man, you're on a bike, i'm on a bike, and we're both doing well -- the best we can -- in this car-strewn black smoke city"?? When I walk down my block in Brooklyn, I try to at least say hello to everyone. Black, white, young, old, strangers, friends. It's all the same. I spent a long time in Latin America. One of the first things you notice is how much more open and friendlier people are. It's okay to talk to strangers. It's okay to smile and chat. Shake hands or exchange kisses on the cheek.
Our culture definitely does not foster these interactions (e.g. see guys on the internet balking at the idea of waving hello to a fellow bicycle rider -- NO, you're not obligated to have to do that -- some people just like being friendly). New York is such an interesting place because it embodies/exemplifies the very BEST and WORST aspects of American culture simultaneously. We live in this duality, and I think it is confusing for many people. Especially transplants.

If you're friendly to people, they most likely will be friendly back to you. IF they're not, it's cause they're suspicious (why would anyone be friendly to someone they don't know???) or jerks. 90% of the time, people will respond to kindness, with, gasp more kindness.

In the end, they're only smiles and nods. But sometimes these small gestures (or lack thereof) can make a difference in someone's day. Not everyone is as hardened as some of you guys paint yourselves to be. And I for one am grateful for that.

That is all.

J

oh... and then there's always this:

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050817/BIZ/508170346/1001
:eek:


good words. great link. good one

ps anyone says hello to me will get a holla back. i ride a chrome pista with yellow electrical tape all over it, no bar tape. of course if you feel pista riders are somehow beneath you that's cool too. i ride the westside highway, all over downtown (i live on spring/bowery, work on broadway/great jones)) and i often hit the billburg bridge and roll down berry to greenpoint in the mornings for ****s n giggles.

oh and peace to the dread on the 05 pista in prospect park last night. he didn't have any issues with saying hi to another rider

I dunno... I tend to wave at people (roadies, fixies, etc.) primarily because I think riding in the city is a challenge that not everyone is up to meet, and it's cool to meet a fellow traveller.

Hi, I'm Sasha. I ride a blue 3Rensho, missing most of the stickers, and have a black Bell helmet. I commute in midtown/chelsea, and ride the West Side or CP after work. Nice to meet you!

-s, preemptive friendliness saves later effort

If you're friendly to people, they most likely will be friendly back to you. IF they're not, it's cause they're suspicious (why would anyone be friendly to someone they don't know???) or jerks. 90% of the time, people will respond to kindness, with, gasp more kindness.


ELC - Funny you mention this. I wonder a lot of the same thing -- if certain riders I see are on the forums. And there actually are.

Most of the Chicago forum members I know in real life and we ride together. There is sort of a core group born out of this forum (which resulted in the DCC), when this forum was much smaller (I've been on the forums since '02 before there was even an SS/FG forum) and when this forum appeared, we bonded quick. There was of course trepidation at meeting up with people, sort of an awkward, "Uh, should I post about wanting to ride with someone else from Chicago?" kind of a thing but now it's the more, the merrier.

The other thing: I grew up in different countries and places. Lots of different vibes and cultural differences.

I always try to talk to people on the street or in store or whatever if I'm curious about something. Like you said, act in kind and there's a good chance you'll get a good response too.

I was locking up at Whole Foods a few months back and there was a guy leaving, an indie/hipster type (as if I'm not) and he was leaving from the rack. I noticed his bike, he noticed mine and he came over. I knew he'd be friendly and he was. He had a black Bareknuckle with ProMaxes and flat bars. His name was Brendan, and he'd just moved here from SF. He got his bike built up just then, when he was back in SF for a visit at American Cyclery and we bonded for 10 minutes or so as we knew specific things about fixies and such. It was a lot of fun - it's the kind of response and small exchange that makes you feel that the world is a decent place. This can occur anywhere -- I've had this small conversation at the grocery, or at a bar or at a restaurant.

And the one place I've struck up a miniscule amount of conversation but always want to do more is on the train/subway -- but I also respect that people like their privacy on those. I'm always amazed that people aren't chatting away their days on the train ride home. Maybe they need to serve liquor...

Howdy sashae... I'm wangster...ignorer of people and just a general ******bag that rides a IRO mark V. I commute on Fulton, dodging buses, I have no time to wave... ELC can vouche for that part.

i'm sincerely swayed by this thread. i will really make an effort to say howdy next time i pass a fixie. having been born and raised in nyc i honestly do feel suspicious to kindness sometimes. the first step is acknowledging you have a problem.

What kind of bike is it? How old is it? Does it still have any factory paint left? How many Campy components does it have? Single- or double-sided hub? How many stock components does it still have?
All these things matter. There is a rigid code of fix-gear coolness here in New York, and you might have to face the reality that you are simply Not Worthy. Have you considered throwing yourself into the Hudson? It might be for the best. Make sure to donate the bike first, though: there is undoubtably a more deserving individual out there who can ride a fix without embarrassing the rest of us.
I, too have brakes on my ride. They're 80's vintage Modolo Professionals. My water is carried in an Aquarack, which mounts the bottles on the seat post, up behind the saddle. Get it? Not some no-name caliper, and an unusual bit of triathlon kit to carry water.
You've got to get with the program here. This really matters, more than paying the rent or eating. You should also get down to Canal St, and pick yourself up a pair of genuinely fake Oakleys for $5.
Perhaps we can all take a look-see through out parts boxes and give this guy some of our unused bits. Perhaps through a concerted group effort, he might be brought up to snuff.
Or, we should station a few folks along the West Side: when he rides by, we can knock him off the bike, wrap our arms around him, and give him a big slobbery kiss on the lips so he won't feel so bad.