Alt Bike Culture - So I have a question

What is with the postcards or stickers or whatever they are in the back wheel of so many fixies when people take pics of them? Also why do people put grips or pads on the top tube of fixies? I know theses are stupid qustions, but I am wondering.

Why don't you ask in the singlespeed & fixed gear forum? There are about 50 times as many people there to answer your question.

They are mean to new people over there in the SS/FG forum :eek: !

I don't know why they do it, either.

East Hill

Some people who ride fixies and SS's think theyre something special. I know a few guys here in town who are just the opposite and slam fixie and SS riders whenever they get a chance. They say there all just a bunch of trendy kids who don't know jack about riding. I have worked in shops for a long time and cannot figure out why people want to act like snobs to people who don't know about bikes, but want to start riding. If we as riders were nicer to these noob riders maybe there would be more people on the road and we could have bike lanes on every street because of all the people riding everyday. Alas it is and always will be a dream. Too many of us think we are super humans instead of just a geek on two wheels. As for me I'll just keep enjoying my ride and meeting up with other cool people along the way.

The pads are top tube protectors that keep the bars from slamming into the frame and marking it up.

The cards are from bike races (alleycats). When you enter they give you a card to put in your spokes to show you were there. The top tube things are what wethepeople said. The handle bars on most ss/fg bikes will swing around and hit the top tube easily if you drop it or something.

I know there are snobby/jerky ss/fg people out there, but the ones I ride with (up to 30-40 at a time, depending on how good the drink specials are) are all nice folks who go out of their way to help other people both on and off bikes. From what I've seen there are just as many jerks out there who are roadies/recumbent/bmx/non-riders/etc as ss/fg.

The odd thing is that the SS/FG people I've met (none have been BF members, though) are really nice in person, but there are still an awful lot of snooty, unhelpful responses in the SS/FG forum.

Perhaps I should try asking this question and see what response I get?

East Hill

The top-tube pad also helps when carrying your bike.

The top-tube pad also helps when carrying your bike.

doesn't help much when the chain snaps though.... (remembering my BMX days...)

wait a minute wrong forum

I think people who ride hold each other at a higher regard. We expect other people to learn about bikes before they say stupid things. I agree there are jerks in all aspects of riding and alot of us treat other riders like that as well. ie. Roadies against MTBers, Dirt jumpers against Freestylers etc..... Funny story though. In my younger days when I first really started wrenching. I'd been at it about a year or so, but I'd been riding for a long time. Some snobby rich guy came into the shop I was working at and asked for a Dura Ace Rear Dérailleur. (He pronounced it Durachi like Hibachi) Me being a smart ass teenager replied "Sorry dude all we carry is cheap ass Dura Ace." He said yeah I don't want that junk and left. I know now that it was wrong and elitist, but at the time it was very funny.

Perhaps I should try asking this question and see what response I get?


Please don't. I really don't feel like locking another spokecard/top tube protector thread. :D

Please don't. I really don't feel like locking another spokecard/top tube protector thread. :D

Somehow I just KNEW you were going to say that :beer: .

I think the question's been asked and answered to number 17's satisfaction.

East Hill

im too cool for snobs!:D

im too cool for snobs!:D

You're a good man, Fast Eddie! But I think it's more like "I'm too much FUN for snobs!"

:D

East Hill

Snobs come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They don't teach this bike stuff in school and it's not on the SAT exams. We hate the French for expecting us to totally master their language and culture before granting respect, but we do the same thing to our fellow bikers. What a crazy, mixed up world we live in.

Snobs come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Exactly. I'm sure some people here look down on other posters for not being "alt" enough. For example: I wear spandex on my way to work on a regular basis. I have bikes that I did not get from the trash, one was even purchased new, made in Taiwan even. I live in the suburbs.

Somebody will read that and go "oh, he's not as enlightened as me cause I eat out of dumpsters and never buy anything from evil corporations." Which is fine. We all do it, some of us just don't say it out loud.