Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - When is it time to hang up the fixed?

You think there is an age limit to a fixed gear? I am 38 and still ride one, but get crazy looks now. It's almost embarrassing to be riding one now. I still skateboard and breakdance (been breaking since I was 14) as well so I am kind of a freak who can't grow up, and I am a family man. I usually don't give a damn what people think, but obviously I am because I wouldn't be writing this.

Maybe it's not the bike...

If my dad knew how to pop, lock, and bust the freshest I'd have been one happy child. Instead I got an ex-marine for a father. I'd say that as long as your a good Dad, that it shouldn't matter what your hobbies are.

You hang up your bike or adidas tracksuit and shell-toes when you feel like it.

There is not a age limit to this... forget the haters and let them hate... enjoy yourself, that's what matters most! :)

Maybe it's not the bike...

Could be.

If my dad knew how to pop, lock, and bust the freshest I'd have been one happy child. Instead I got an ex-marine for a father. I'd say that as long as your a good Dad, that it shouldn't matter what your hobbies are.

You hang up your bike or adidas tracksuit and shell-toes when you feel like it.

I have got a 3 year old son who already knows the basics. It's fun!

Could be.

Lance Armstrong is 38. Not getting into whether he is or isn't competitive anymore, he doesn't look silly on a bike.

One of the guys in the MASH crew is about 40 as well. Doesn't seem to get any trouble about his age despite being part of one of the movers of "fixed gear culture".

If you're really worried about what people think maybe it's your sense of style and how you look on the bike, not the bike itself. I wouldn't normally say this is a big deal but clearly it's bugging you, so maybe taht's something to work on.

I hear you. I'm 36 and I did the last alleycat when Macaframa came to town and I rode with a group of kids and pulled them through the whole race. At the end of the race one of the guys I rode with was telling someone about the race said "it was cool, we met some old guy and he totally knew the way".

All that being said, I don't think there is a time to hang up a bike, just show them how to ride better and share your knowledge.

The only time I get looks from the young guys is when I'm trackstanding at a light on my CX bike while in a tie on my way home from work.

According to the description of the SS/FG forum "Variable Gears are for those over forty-five" so no, you got a few more years. And after that, you'll just be more hardcore than the rest.

my dad is 51 and he borrows my bike and flips the hub to SS... not quite fixed, but still. not variable gears.

Aye dude, you don't need to be embarrassing when you ride a fixed gear.. I am something 30s and I ride a fixed gear what i am proud of. Anyway, I saw the something 60s Man ride a fixed gear bike.. thats soo awesome! So, There and here are no limit age to a fixed gear at all.. a fixed gear is for rest of all ages.. ;)

Hang it up.
You already know the truth or you wouldn't have written.

I'm 58 and ride a sedate, store-bought Raleigh Oneway with fenders, brakes, 35c tire and a bell on the bar.

Hang it up and run for your life. Don't let this happen to you!

Let the poppers pop, and the breakers break.

Lance Armstrong is 38. Not getting into whether he is or isn't competitive anymore, he doesn't look silly on a bike.

One of the guys in the MASH crew is about 40 as well. Doesn't seem to get any trouble about his age despite being part of one of the movers of "fixed gear culture".

If you're really worried about what people think maybe it's your sense of style and how you look on the bike, not the bike itself. I wouldn't normally say this is a big deal but clearly it's bugging you, so maybe taht's something to work on.

Style? No I know its not that. I have been riding bikes my whole life. I used to road race from 15 - 22. I live in a somewhat snooty part of town, never used to be but anyways.... I have road bikes, mtb's all that jazz. Just was making an observation of the stares i get when I ride my fixed from the weekend warriors on their geared bikes, what they don't understand I am one too, but I don't look down on people. It's strange.

I hear you. I'm 36 and I did the last alleycat when Macaframa came to town and I rode with a group of kids and pulled them through the whole race. At the end of the race one of the guys I rode with was telling someone about the race said "it was cool, we met some old guy and he totally knew the way".

All that being said, I don't think there is a time to hang up a bike, just show them how to ride better and share your knowledge.

The only time I get looks from the young guys is when I'm trackstanding at a light on my CX bike while in a tie on my way home from work.


That is awesome!

I am only proud of crushing the weak..... on the internetz.

I'm 46 (soon to be 47) and rode my fixed gear into work this morning. If people think I'm weird, it's because I rode in on a bicycle, not because of the number (or lack) of gears.

I say ride until you no longer enjoy it.

Don't give up on something you enjoy because of others' opinions. The reason I started riding fixed was when I met this really cool older roadie who told me all about they joys of fixed. I have met people in their 50s and near 60 riding fixed. The only thing that's gonna change is you're gonna start making your bike more comfortable as you age, that's a given.

I have got a 3 year old son who already knows the basics. It's fun!

Get him started on head spins.

I can't believe that any of you would recommend giving up any method of riding a bike. If you get schooled in a scramble by a 30+'er you're the sad chump... not the 30+'er who you think is sad for still riding a FG. Promotion of cycling in any way for should be the credo, even recumbant riding.

Riding bikes isn't serious buisiness. If you make Cycling into a metaphorical cage-match where your opponents are Keeping-up-with-the-joneses and Mob-mentality, then that's when you should hang up your bike.

My dad is 62, surfs everyday, writes songs and records them (although they aren't very good), and we share the same music taste. I think he is pretty cool, and the reason I think he is cool at 62 is because he doesn't try to be cool at all. He just does what he loves to do and doesn't care what anyone else thinks. Do what you love, AYHSMB.

I've ridden since I could and will as long as I can. On fixed at 34 and don't see an end in sight.

I just act and gear up accordingly when riding the fixed gear or any other type bike. No problems here.

There are 2 guys who are in their 60's who I see riding brakeless whenever I do bike tours. There are 2 other guys at the velodrome in their 50's who still ride. You really shouldn't care what people think of you. Ride on and have fun


(let's be mature about the pic ppl, yes he's skinny...BIG DEAL. He could probably out ride most of us on here)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/245969461_78c6993156.jpg?v=0

Oy. It's a one-speed bike that doesn't coast. It doesn't have to be a fashion statement.

Sometimes a bike is just a bike.

My dad is 62, surfs everyday, writes songs and records them (although they aren't very good), and we share the same music taste. I think he is pretty cool, and the reason I think he is cool at 62 is because he doesn't try to be cool at all. He just does what he loves to do and doesn't care what anyone else thinks. Do what you love, AYHSMB.

i wish my dad is as cool as your guys dads. my dad is 64 this year....does nothing cool....
stamp collecting...gardening...garage sales...antique shows
...no bike riding
old people stuff

boring

I am 38... I still skateboard and breakdance

the world needs more people like you.

In a few years, the kids whose opinions you're worrying about will have moved on to the next fad. As a skater, you should be familiar with this phenomenon.

There are 2 guys who are in their 60's who I see riding brakeless whenever I do bike tours. There are 2 other guys at the velodrome in their 50's who still ride. You really shouldn't care what people think of you. Ride on and have fun


(let's be mature about the pic ppl, yes he's skinny...BIG DEAL. He could probably out ride most of us on here)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/245969461_78c6993156.jpg?v=0

Actually, I was going to make fun of the US Postal kit, and then I looked more closely. Is that the Masters' team kit? Those guys are studs.

in a few years, the kids whose opinions you're worrying about will have moved on to the next fad. As a skater, you should be familiar with this phenomenon.

+1

breakdancing will keep you young for life

I just turned 50, and commute on my track bikes to work fairly often. No one here seems to care, about the bike I'm riding or even that I am riding. In fact, sometimes I wish they would notice - I love to talk bike stuff. The other day, a man at the coffee shop saw my bike (old fuji track),and said "hey, I noticed your bike and it reminded me of my new raleigh mtn. bike that fell off my car rack and now I have to get it repaired, blah blah blah". So he really didn't notice my bike but that's okay the ride home was nice!

Reg Harris was the world's best track rider in the mid fifties and came back in 1975, at the age of 54 to win the British championship.

It does give one hope.

I'm 41. Built my first Fixed gear this year from an old 80's Raliegh I picked up. Now I'm working on putting together a steamroller with a frame I picked up on ebay. I ride to and from work 3 times a week and on weekends I take my bike to the beach. People at work look at me with a fisheye. F'em ! I've been riding since I had a big wheel. Never listen to anyone who thinks different and enjoy the wind!!

There are 2 guys who are in their 60's who I see riding brakeless whenever I do bike tours. There are 2 other guys at the velodrome in their 50's who still ride. You really shouldn't care what people think of you. Ride on and have fun


(let's be mature about the pic ppl, yes he's skinny...BIG DEAL. He could probably out ride most of us on here)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/245969461_78c6993156.jpg?v=0

No doubt. I have seen this guy before in other pictures.

In a few years, the kids whose opinions you're worrying about will have moved on to the next fad. As a skater, you should be familiar with this phenomenon.

I sure do, all the skaters went to inline skating when skateboarding wasn't COOL anymore Please don't get me started on that fad. ha!

I am 42 and I just got my first fixed bike a week ago. I love it.

You think there is an age limit to a fixed gear? I am 38 and still ride one, but get crazy looks now. It's almost embarrassing to be riding one now. I still skateboard and breakdance (been breaking since I was 14) as well so I am kind of a freak who can't grow up, and I am a family man. I usually don't give a damn what people think, but obviously I am because I wouldn't be writing this.
I'm 53 (54 in June) and I still ride one.

Never did skateboard or break dance, though... :)

Umm Yeah I am not that old only 19, but I ride my FG EVERYWHERE. People look at me all the time, I just wave at them, sometimes When They stop I try and talk to them, some people are very creeped out when I do this, But Hey who cares I am having fun. Who cares what the rest of the world thinks. You are you because you are different. My dad says it best "They laugh at you because your different, you laugh at them because they are all the same." that has always stuck with me.

Hang it up?

Never!

Style? Who cares...you either pedal smooth or you don't!

I'm 48, rode my fixed gear 50 miles last weekend, nice smooth 20 mph pace.

My dad bought himself a brand new custom Serotta for his 75th birthday last year...it has gears but still...

Now breakdancing...that'll hurt ya! :roflmao2:

Keep spinning!

Never Hang It Up!

If you like it keep on doin' it. If you feel you're too old for the "culture" of fixed gear bikes, you probably are, so skip the scene. The scene is just that, the scene. It's not riding, it's socializing. If you like riding, keep riding. One of the things I love about bikin' is that you can make it exactly what you want it to be - purely for fitness, for style, for a social scene, for competition, as a entertainment on a sweet mushroom trip, a way to get into nature and be lone...anything!

I only started skating when I was 29. Me and some buddies built an indoor mini-ramp. I mostly wanted to build the ramp and improve my surfin and snowboardin skills and really have no interest in the skate "culture" at all. WTF do I care if Colour magazine thinks I a dork? I'm a 30 year old ****ty skater! One who's having a wicked time riding my own personal skate ramp with my homies and building wicked board sports skills in the process. I'll give it up when I can't take the hits or the risk anymore, not when the scene tell me to. They're all kids in the skate scene anyway, and kids suck! (sorry kids, you'll realize it later)

edit: Sorry, that last bit was needlessly inflammatory. Get off my lawn!

I live in a somewhat snooty part of town, never used to be but anyways.... I have road bikes, mtb's all that jazz. Just was making an observation of the stares i get when I ride my fixed from the weekend warriors on their geared bikes, what they don't understand I am one too, but I don't look down on people. It's strange.

I thought the weekend warriors on their geared bikes gave stares to all fixed gear riders, regardless of their age.

At age 80 my mother still rides her mamachari almost everyday. I guess I'll keep riding my fixed til at least I'm 80.

haha mamachari for the win!

You think there is an age limit to a fixed gear? I am 38 and still ride one, but get crazy looks now. It's almost embarrassing to be riding one now. I still skateboard and breakdance (been breaking since I was 14) as well so I am kind of a freak who can't grow up, and I am a family man. I usually don't give a damn what people think, but obviously I am because I wouldn't be writing this.

If you give a damn what people think about you I suggest you stay in your home...forever! wait....someone might think your weird if you do that. ;)

Sometimes a bike is just a bike.

An important thing to remember! And sometimes a difficult one, with the current social climate.

i wish my dad is as cool as your guys dads. my dad is 64 this year....does nothing cool....
stamp collecting...gardening...garage sales...antique shows
...no bike riding
old people stuff

Yes, but he'll be a whole lot cooler once you start asking him to keep an eye out for old road frames at the garage sales and antique shows and he starts bringing home KICK ASS finds for you to restore/convert/flip/ride.

Just was making an observation of the stares i get when I ride my fixed from the weekend warriors on their geared bikes...If you're worried about their opinions maybe you should pose the question on their forum.

The difference in replies should be interesting.

Oh **** I guess they forgot to I.D. me at CityBikes when I went in to buy my cog / lockring.
Is this some kinda Logans Run thing?

never stop doing what you love. it is that simple

There are 2 guys who are in their 60's who I see riding brakeless whenever I do bike tours. There are 2 other guys at the velodrome in their 50's who still ride. You really shouldn't care what people think of you. Ride on and have fun


(let's be mature about the pic ppl, yes he's skinny...BIG DEAL. He could probably out ride most of us on here)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/245969461_78c6993156.jpg?v=0

This BMFer just became my wallpaper AND my avatar! :thumb:

I am nearly 57 years old and I still prefer to ride my fixed gear bike. Sometimes I ride an older road bike (gears) but I never enjoy it quite as much. My advice is this - if you like riding fixed keep on riding it. Who cares what others think. It's a bike and it's about having fun and enjoying yourself.