Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - More and more... so where does it go?

Now, I'm no dean of coolness, and infact, I owe all my fixed gear/single speed knowledge to this Forum, RainmanP and folks who hang out here. And I know that SS/FG have been around longer than I've been riding a bike. HOWEVER, it seems that lately, things are taking off in this market niche. I saw yesterday a Bianchi that was 500 bucks new.

Which leads me to wonder, what difference this will make for those of us who have dug through thrift shops and garage sales and trash cans looking for suitable frames... Harassed LBS, scavenged, stripped and canabalized to make something that is unique, cool, and an extension of ourselves. What happens when ever joe shmoe can run down and purchase a SS at... Walmart (eek)?

Just a random.. on the train to work thought this morning.

Opinions/comments?

Now, I'm no dean of coolness, and infact, I owe all my fixed gear/single speed knowledge to this Forum, RainmanP and folks who hang out here. And I know that SS/FG have been around longer than I've been riding a bike. HOWEVER, it seems that lately, things are taking off in this market niche. I saw yesterday a Bianchi that was 500 bucks new.

Which leads me to wonder, what difference this will make for those of us who have dug through thrift shops and garage sales and trash cans looking for suitable frames... Harassed LBS, scavenged, stripped and canabalized to make something that is unique, cool, and an extension of ourselves. What happens when ever joe shmoe can run down and purchase a SS at... Walmart (eek)?

Just a random.. on the train to work thought this morning.

Opinions/comments?





I don't know, I am just learning on this forum and don't have much to offer yet.
At first I was going to convert a junker over to fixed gear, now I wonder if it wouldn't be better in the long run to purchase something like a surly frame and build it up or buy a whole bike finished by someone who knows what they're doing. You can get SS cruiser retro style bikes at a bike shop can't you?

FXjohn

I think it comes down to a "build or buy" ideal of what's better. I don't try to get involved in that debate. My main thought (or ramble, really) is what a surge in population of fixed gears would do...

The Bianchi Pista (the bike you mentioned) has been on the market for quite a while now. A favourite of many a messenger and track fan, it's a good deal for the money and like you said, it's a "build or buy" preference. You may spend the same amount of more building up a really good fixie.

Chicago has a strong presence of fixed gear riders, especially withing the "alternative", "hipster", "indie" types (and I use those terms very very loosely) as is evident at Critical Mass. But aren't we all just a little bit off the beaten path? ;)

I have not seen another fixed person in Grand Rapids. I know they exist, well maybe.

On the last organized ride I did someone asked me if I could build him up a fixed. I said I would help him but he had to do the hands on. That made him lose interest. I think some people are not mechanically inclined and building a bike intimidates them.

So for some to enjoy the fixed experience , the only option is buying.

Maybe the problem is that you were riding the train to work... away from your bike, people can't see how cool you are... (I find myself feeling that way sometimes).

Anyway about cheap pre-built fixies--there are already several on the market (bianchi, khs, fuji, now specialized...). Those in the know will always be able to see how much personal attention and effort has gone into a bike. But on the other hand, if someone wants a bike that works right away without any hassle, the bianchi pista is perfect.

A flood of entry-level fixies means A. a better used market, and B. more people realizing they want a better bike and driving the more upscale market.

Personally I like to think that I'm into fixies because there's something special about them... not just their rarity.

But aren't we all just a little bit off the beaten path? ;)

Perhaps I'm wondering how soon it will be come mainstream? Or... maybee I just didn't have a clear mind this morning as I thought?

I wonder what will happen if FG or SS becomes mainstreme? Will there be some movement to "install brakes on these bikes of death".. Will it become an "I'm cool to" movement..

Just randomness.. that's all?

Maybe the problem is that you were riding the train to work... away from your bike, people can't see how cool you are... (I find myself feeling that way sometimes).

Anyway about cheap pre-built fixies--there are already several on the market (bianchi, khs, fuji, now specialized...). Those in the know will always be able to see how much personal attention and effort has gone into a bike. But on the other hand, if someone wants a bike that works right away without any hassle, the bianchi pista is perfect.

A flood of entry-level fixies means A. a better used market, and B. more people realizing they want a better bike and driving the more upscale market.

Personally I like to think that I'm into fixies because there's something special about them... not just their rarity.

I can't ride fixed all the way to work. It's 14 miles one way, and has more hills than you could possibly imagine. More an issue of the hills... So I ride fixed to the train on the days I train it in.

Posted by captsven - 10-24-03 at 10:10 AM
I have not seen another fixed person in Grand Rapids. I know they exist, well maybe.

On the last organized ride I did someone asked me if I could build him up a fixed. I said I would help him but he had to do the hands on. That made him lose interest. I think some people are not mechanically inclined and building a bike intimidates them.

So for some to enjoy the fixed experience , the only option is buying.


I am not sure wether I am building or buying yet. It may be that buying makes the most sense financially (don't want to put money into junk) and mechanically(ending up with a better quality bike). I am all ears as far as being able to build a bike from scratch and save money, and up with a great bike. Maybe I'm one of the people "spoiling the coolness" hope not :p

Maybe I'm one of the people "spoiling the coolness" hope not :p

I'm not trying to say that people who buy out right spoil the coolness.. as I said, I'm not trying to get into a build vs buy debate..

Just wondering what will happen when a flood of FG hit the streets...

Just wondering what will happen when a flood of FG hit the streets...


nothing... b/c it'll probably never happen ;)

Just wondering what will happen when a flood of FG hit the streets...

The E-rooms will probably overflow!!!!

ok, if we're not getting into a 'buy vs build' debate, i'll do my best to avoid that. (as i see it, it's personal preference, and all that debating should go on inside one's own head anyway. why worry about other ppl's bikes?)

so, the topic of this thread is 'what if ss/fg becomes mainstream?' i contend that it already has, at least 'round me. every third bike in philly is fixed these days. many cycling snobs have already been switching their fixies back to other systems for some time now, b/c they don't want to be associated with the 'dregs' of cycling society on their store-bought fixies.

even here on my side of the river, you see a goodly number of fixed gear/single speeds out there. and even some ppl who don't ride at all seem to know what a fixed gear bicycle is.

fixed gear already is mainstream. doesnt bother me at all; it's just a bike.

-rob

I ride an SS...Fixed gear for plenty is out of economic neccessity..lower cost lower maintenance less appeal to theives,lighter to haul up a four flight walk up...there is definately a FG subculture and you can't buy into that...Madonna wears a kilt she aint Punk Rock know what I mean.
Anyway riding Fixed takes skill and practice not all new buyers seduced by the alternative aspects of FG will be dedicated enough to master them.
What'll probably happen is prices for classic steel will go up,then eventually the secondary market will be flooded with peoples status or fashion driven decisions.

ok, if we're not getting into a 'buy vs build' debate, i'll do my best to avoid that. (as i see it, it's personal preference, and all that debating should go on inside one's own head anyway. why worry about other ppl's bikes?)

so, the topic of this thread is 'what if ss/fg becomes mainstream?' i contend that it already has, at least 'round me. every third bike in philly is fixed these days. many cycling snobs have already been switching their fixies back to other systems for some time now, b/c they don't want to be associated with the 'dregs' of cycling society on their store-bought fixies.

even here on my side of the river, you see a goodly number of fixed gear/single speeds out there. and even some ppl who don't ride at all seem to know what a fixed gear bicycle is.

fixed gear already is mainstream. doesnt bother me at all; it's just a bike.

-rob
surreal- you're absolutely right. i live in philly, and although its not every 1 in 3 is a fixed gear, its pretty durn close. there is an amazing amount of fixies in this fine city! and its true about non-bikers knowing what they are...when you live in the city, even if you dont ride, you notice people riding brakeless and begin to ask questions...eventually even if you dont ride you learn what a fixed gear is. ive been asked a few times why i dont have a back brake...so i spin the cranks backwards and say "look, no coasting" and impart the fixed gear knowledge to someone else.

i remember when i first noticed brakeless bikes and i asked the owner of Via Bicycles (who gave me a job, briefly)....he let my ride one and i was hooked, and built one up for myself. then i built one for my gf, another for a friend, and now im building up an old motobecane into a SS....

i dont care how mainstream FG's get, im addicted. philadelphia is very FG friendly, no hills i cant make it up... and plenty of shops who will cater to a FG enthusiast!

I think buying a nice fixed from the store is great, but I think that building a fix that has a perfect chainline a great look and a great ride from spare parts is something special. Some of the satisfaction I think comes from the time that you invest in the project and overcoming problems that you encounter in the build. I am by no means an expert...I'm really quite new to the whole fixed gear thing, but I'm definitely hooked. When I look at the pictures thread I see some bikes that are just a step above store bought ones. BBQ's Schwinn and Shrimpx's Nishiki come to mind. They are both beautiful bikes that you can't buy in a store. I'm not saying I don't like store bought ones, I'm just saying that I like the idea of one-off rebuilds/conversions better because you can't go to the shop and bring one home just like it.

Right on, MKRG. To me, fixed is a state of mind. I spent many beer-drinking hours in my garage making a handmedown bike work and look just the way I wanted (straight and ugly). Sure, I'd love to have me one of those light and shiny store-bought fixies, but I am darn proud to ride the one I built myself.

Another thing to keep in mind, is most of you are talking about building an old road bike into a fixed gear vs. buying a new bianchi. I bought the bianchi because I wanted track geometry not road geometry. Old track frames are a lot harder to come buy than a road frame suitable for deconstruction. There is a big difference between track and road geometry.

cory

i dont' really think there's a problem with fixed gear bikes flooding the streets. the way i see it is if more people are out riding bikes, that's more people who are out getting fit, and less people out driving around trying to run me over.

i don't see riding track bikes as being a fad, or like something that needs to be protected from "the great unwashed" or whatever. i see it as being the most connected to your bike as you possibly can be.

there has only ever been one track bike that i would have bought complete from a store and that's the orange KHS flite100. i loved that damn bike. the sloping top tube, the nasty as hell orange color....the older ones were a little better because they had better decals i think...i really just wanted the frame so i could build it up with phil wheels, a dura ace crank, and some other goodies. but now i'm looking at nagasawa keirin frames. i love the craftsmanship, and all the little details, like the fork ends being "lugged" onto the blades. i do not, however like the $2000 price tag for just the frame, fork, BB, and headset (granted, all those are top quality HATTA keirin spec'd stuff, but....ouch!).

Another thing to keep in mind, is most of you are talking about building an old road bike into a fixed gear vs. buying a new bianchi. I bought the bianchi because I wanted track geometry not road geometry. Old track frames are a lot harder to come buy than a road frame suitable for deconstruction. There is a big difference between track and road geometry.

cory

i think for most of doing commuting on our fixie converts, road geometry is more suitable. a track geometry isnt very friendly for anything but all out sprints! the pista is a bit different tho, it seems to be a less-aggressive track geometry... dont get me wrong, i still want to find a nice old steel track frame, and build it up w/ gucci components!

(as i see it, it's personal preference, and all that debating should go on inside one's own head anyway. why worry about other ppl's bikes?)-rob

I don't, not really anyway.. I guess I came off wrong with the comment on available bikes.

The comment on the availability of premade FG's had more to do with impulse purchase, I want to tag along, etc stuff more than anything.

Guess I'm not getting the point accross...

We are simply a special breed of cyclists who enjoy riding and/or building fixies. Riding fixed do not appeal to the general masses. It never was or ever will be just a fad. I remember growing up as a kid living in Japan and seeing men riding Keirin track bikes on the streets......even back then, not knowing much about bikes, the simplicity & uniqueness off those machines used to catch my attention every time I saw them.

George

i will throw my two cents in...
i'm one that just ordered a complete FG. for me, after looking at building one, then buying parts and tools, it was an easy decision just to buy a complete bike for not a whole lot more.

for *my* uses, mainly short training rides & rollers, the bianchi pista should serve its purpose quite well. :)

I just built up my fixie from a new frame. Had I started with a junk bike I would have had to replace most everything but the frame anyway so it made sense to me. Sort of.
Just based on the apparent increase of new complete bikes, framesets, and components out there I'd say that the market is growing. That HAS to mean more people riding or at least owning the bikes. Some of them are hard core messenger/punks. Some are posers that like to tell their friends about the fixie in their garage. Lots probalby fall in the middle. But that's a pretty good cross section of the 'cycling' population anyway. Some hardcore people, some poseurs, lots inbetween. It got me back on a bike that I really love for the first time since I outgrew my Huffy BMX and got a 10 speed. For me the growth in fixies is good, I might not have found out about them otherwise. Thanks guys. :)

originally posted by legalize_it:

[I]surreal- you're absolutely right. i live in philly, and although its not every 1 in 3 is a fixed gear, its pretty durn close. there is an amazing amount of fixies in this fine city! and its true about non-bikers knowing what they are...when you live in the city, even if you dont ride, you notice people riding brakeless and begin to ask questions...eventually even if you dont ride you learn what a fixed gear is. ive been asked a few times why i dont have a back brake...so i spin the cranks backwards and say "look, no coasting" and impart the fixed gear knowledge to someone else.

i remember when i first noticed brakeless bikes and i asked the owner of Via Bicycles (who gave me a job, briefly)....he let my ride one and i was hooked, and built one up for myself. then i built one for my gf, another for a friend, and now im building up an old motobecane into a SS....

i dont care how mainstream FG's get, im addicted. philadelphia is very FG friendly, no hills i cant make it up... and plenty of shops who will cater to a FG enthusiast!

legalize_it,

i agree. philly itself (i wouldnt wanna ride my fixed in manayunk, i think) is very FG friendly, both in terms of topography and badass bike shops who understand the needs of a FG cyclist. some of these shops in jersey, man, they dont even know what type of chain goes on a fixed half the time. it's sad, i guess. how did you like working for via? that place sorta gives me the kreeps in some ways.

but yeah, i dont think FG is about fashion or fads. it's about fun. it's about not having to clean those derailleur pulleys every 5 minutes. it's about gettin' there quicker, b/c a guy like me coasts too much with a freewheel. i don't care what other ppl ride, but i'm not overly interested in derailleur bikes until i find time and $$$ to tour. even then, i'll prolly go nexus.-rob

originally posted by legalize_it:

legalize_it,

i agree. philly itself (i wouldnt wanna ride my fixed in manayunk, i think) is very FG friendly, both in terms of topography and badass bike shops who understand the needs of a FG cyclist. some of these shops in jersey, man, they dont even know what type of chain goes on a fixed half the time. it's sad, i guess. how did you like working for via? that place sorta gives me the kreeps in some ways.

but yeah, i dont think FG is about fashion or fads. it's about fun. it's about not having to clean those derailleur pulleys every 5 minutes. it's about gettin' there quicker, b/c a guy like me coasts too much with a freewheel. i don't care what other ppl ride, but i'm not overly interested in derailleur bikes until i find time and $$$ to tour. even then, i'll prolly go nexus.-rob

working at via was great....curtis (the owner) has some amazing bikes in his personal collection, and has more bike crap than anyone probably. he was a great guy to work for (till he fired me, but thats besides the point!) if you need a hard to find part, he has it!! he taught me a lot while i was there and i owe him for that! i just wish i still worked there...

I don't, not really anyway.. I guess I came off wrong with the comment on available bikes.

The comment on the availability of premade FG's had more to do with impulse purchase, I want to tag along, etc stuff more than anything.

Guess I'm not getting the point accross...


i think i understand what you're saying. as i see it, if lots of ppl buy a premade FG and don't ride it, a lot of other ppl can take advantage of an affordable used market.

another thing to remember is, a premade FG is a good start for a longer project. if you need a bike right now (as i did, when my last bike got stolen) it makes more sense to just buy a FG in a store, if FG is what you want. building up an old frame could take a very long time to get everything straight. eventually, that store-bought fixie becomes a unique project. in time, you switch out wheels, hubs, other components. you might even paint the frame and do some cosmetic stuff. you can make even a premade FG your own, with some time and work, but you get the benefit of a rolling bike from day one. i guess the downside is that there's more character/story in building up an old roadie.

-rob

And yet another thing to consider, not everyone has the skill and parts connections to build a fixed bike from a collection of used parts.
If any one wants to ride fixed I am all for it. I will sell a customer a Pista or Langster(If Spec. actually sells them) and make some money or spend thirty minutes telling them what they need to look for, for free.
I do think a built bike is cooler than a dead stock new bike, but who leaves a bike dead stock for long. :D

I love the fixed gear revolution, I wish that everyone rode fixed. I think that all the manufacturers can do is create lighter and tougher frames and components. What can they do, add another gear? I think that it is crazy to say someone would ride fixed for image. I don't think that fixed will have a nationwide boom, I think that people are just realizing how f'ing sweet it is to ride fixed.

I think that people are just realizing how f'ing sweet it is to ride fixed.
Or frustrating... as I'm still ****ing around with this dam suzue hub. @!#$@ lock ring problems.