Advocacy & Safety - bike hater alert

What about this guy!:mad::mad::mad:

Does he hate fixed wheel bikes or what?:crash::crash::crash:

http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2008/12/02/What_is_the_fixy_phenomenon

Meh. I don't ride a fixy but I added my opinion. Basically I told him to HTFU and not to criticize what he doesn't understand.

Does he hate fixed wheel bikes or what?

I didn't really get "hate" from that piece. He obviously does not ride a track bike, so you can't really expect him to "get it". It would be nice if people in general stopped writing about things they know nothing about (first hand).

I rode a fixie once. My knees hurt for a week, but I biked slower and had no trouble stopping the thing.

That’s probably cos unless you know what you’re doing it is.


And while it mightn’t be much fun.

I really doubt this guy will get anything published, his writing is atrocious.

I really don't give much credit to all these "Fixed gears are in, but they have no brakes *gasp*" articles. It feels like the authors of these pieces are just fishing a cheap story from a trend.

It's fixie, not fixy.

The article says nothing that has not been said on the SSFG forum a zillion times.

OK, so the guy doesn't 'get it', but there is no hate here.

A concern about bikes having no brakes and about fashionable people *without skills* adopting them is valid. On a track is fine (ie a controlled environment), but in public with hipsters on them is trouble. Experienced riders/messengers are not the problem, it is the 'me too' wannabes who can buy one easily, yet not have the skill to do it properly.

What he is saying is basically "no brakes and no skills = accident waiting to happen".

I ride SS to work and love it, but I don't have the skill, strength or interest in fixed (and I do regard it as a bit dangerous, but admit I've never tried).

people dont seem to be taking into consideration the fact that it is possible to ride a fixed gear bike AND use a brake, making them just as safe as any other type of bike.

What the author failed to mention, is that MOST fixed riders ride with at least a front brake. There are people who ride brakeless, yes. That is true. But usually these riders are experienced riders who can negotiate hills, traffic and their bike all at the same time. Other riders who ride brakeless are usually jackasses who barely ride their bike and do it for aesthetics. There's a saying where I come from, and it goes like, "OP IS FAIL".

FAIL? Hello pot.........

I don't think he's a hater, he's nailed the fixie phenom and I agree with most of what he said. I have a track bike that I ride on the track about once a month (ok, its been a while, but I did go to the velodrome at least 10 times this year), but I wouldn't ride it on the street.

A fixie is a bike thats in the wrong gear 90% of the time. And, you can't go fast around corners on because the pedals keep going around and you will pedal strike when leaned over.

And with the slack geometry of some of the fixies coming out, (71-72 deg head tube angle so that there is no toe overlap and Mister Hipster doesn't hit his toesy on the front wheel and fall and get a booboo) I'm surprised they can turn at all on their bikes.

The only saving grace of the fixie craze is that many cool steel road frames from the 70s-90s are being converted and preserved, instead of ending up in the trash.

The only saving grace of the fixie craze is that many cool steel road frames from the 70s-90s are being converted and preserved, instead of ending up in the trash.

Another saving grace. I just turned 50 and most of the guys/gals I ride with regularly are 25-35. When they were "roadies" I could see that keeping up with them, even casually, was starting to strain me a bit.

Now that they are all "fixed" I can easily hang with them on my road bike. Thank you Fashion!

The only saving grace of the fixie craze is that many cool steel road frames from the 70s-90s are being converted and preserved, instead of ending up in the trash.

Some people over do it (like I did) I had all the braze-ons removed and track ends put into the frame.
I felt bad about doing that so I got an identical bike just to keep stock. Its fun to ride too.

Some people over do it (like I did) I had all the braze-ons removed and track ends put into the frame.
I felt bad about doing that so I got an identical bike just to keep stock. Its fun to ride too.

Sacrilege! But you have done your penance. You will be forgiven by the bicycle gods.

Some people over do it (like I did) I had all the braze-ons removed and track ends put into the frame.

If it was anything C&V, you'll never be forgiven.

http://www.jaysmarine.com/dontbeadrew.jpg

-Kurt