Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixed gear culture

So this morning I went to a really little bike shop in my neighborhood to check it out. The guy that owned it was really nice and helpfull and we got to talking for awhile about fixed gear culture and the people who are involved. Ive known for a while now that there is obviously a culture somewhat accompanied to fix geared riding in most cities, and he invited me to go to one of the events held on Fridays here in Seattle, but mentioned to me that there are some people that are jerks out there that dont want new people involved in fixed gear riding. I enjoy "talking bike" with anyone, and I dont really mind if people are proud of being involved in a sub culture surrounding it and dont want it "exploited", but at the same time I think anyone riding a bicycle is great, regardless. Why is it that some people feel differently? Maybe the fixed gear snobbery is something I dont understand, but I guess I'd like to know why some people have this mentality in the first place.

If you feel like you're one of these people, mind giving me some insight? Im just curious

welcome to the world of hipsters!

I haven't figured it out either but then again I'm socially backwards.

read half the posts on here, those are the people your bike guy is referring to

welcome to the world of hipsters!

I haven't figured it out either but then again I'm socially backwards.


Yeah! I suppose I am socially backwards a bit too. I dont mind either way if people feel that way, thats thier deal, Im just curious as to why. It reminds me of the people in the bands Ive played with and even the one Im in now. Music culture and fixed gear culture...eerily similar

Yeah! I suppose I am socially backwards a bit too. I dont mind either way if people feel that way, thats thier deal, Im just curious as to why. It reminds me of the people in the bands Ive played with and even the one Im in now. Music culture and fixed gear culture...eerily similar
Because they are still in that tender young mindset of immaturity and naivety.
What they don't realize is they are just as much on a bandwagon as anyone else and are self conscious about their percieved coolness and individualism becoming mainstream.
They just can't handle it. :(

Let them have their culture. Obviously you/we don't need a subculture to feel good about ourselves. We have friends of our own, hobbies of our own, priorities of our own that don't necessarily involve snobbery! I think the more broad a person is, the more interesting they become. Don't hate!

Let them have their culture. Obviously you/we don't need a subculture to feel good about ourselves. We have friends of our own, hobbies of our own, priorities of our own that don't necessarily involve snobbery! I think the more broad a person is, the more interesting they become. Don't hate!

I agree, just more curious as why when someone wants to be involved in something fun and enjoyable, they can be chastised, especially something like cycling. Everyones got a reason I guess


...priorities of our own that don't necessarily involve snobbery!
I study physics and we have physics snobs too! What the hell!? lol! :crash:

In every field there are people who think they're better than others. That's what people call subculture. Saying subculture is just another way of saying "You're not included."

is that like as in making yogurt?


"Open hipster mouth, add two large tablespoons of fixed gear culture, and shake well by inversion. keep covered with a cloth on the windowsill for two days at 80-84 degrees, then stir well and refrigerate. good for two weeks but best consumed immediately"

I guess snobs will be snobs. Let's make our own subculture, the culture that rejects subcultures.

I say flood the streets with fixed gear bikes: hippsters, parents, children, senators....seriously, I love riding fixed for the same reason I CHOOSE to drive a stick shift car. It just FEELS that much better...as far as the elitist mentality its found anywhere. Unfortunately its hard to ignore with bike kids. But, I find the messengers I ride with on monthly alleycats to be more amenable to newcomers to fixed gear riding than hipster college students who don't ride for a living....perhaps because the messengers know that in the end its just a bike.

Just keep showing up and rub it in their face...

I'm seeing a big drop in the overall "fixed scene" in my town. My best guess is all the folks that bought a fixed wheel for the style factor have run out of excuses for why it sits in the living room or rides around on their trunk rack instead of actually being ridden. I do, however, still see a group of people sticking to it, trading in their stylish components for functional ones, adding front brakes for emergency stops and tire/knee life extension(you know, practical stuff). In essence, some people who jumped on the bandwagon for styles sake initially, have realized they love riding fixed and will probably stick with it regardless of society's fickle faddishness. Like most fads, some people will end up carrying on well after it's out of style. I'm glad for the current boom of bikes, it really is enlightening people to the fact that a bike is a reasonable transportation form, even one with a single gear and no option to coast. If the masses were just able to realize that you don't have to be a messenger(most of the ones I know are bitter *******s) to be cool, riding a bike is cool, no matter why you do it. As for hipster bashing, I'm opposed, there have been/will always be hipsters, for example: Beatniks and beat poets, folk musicians and such. Representing what you believe in transcends hipsterism and beliefs change over time. That being said, people that buy all the gear and never use it will always be lame, no matter if it's a beret and a tambourine or a fixed gear.

Yah, coming from someone new to fixed/ss, I definitely feel the more hip than thou attitude. It's all good. My frankenbike conversion looks like complete **** and I actually kinda like it that way.:lol:

I definitely owe it to trendiness that I heard about fixed, and I'm definitely glad I stopped being so uptight and decided to give it a shot. There's no real "culture" here per se, but every now and again when I go get coffee I'll see a few conversions and a Langster parked outside the coffee shop. Oddly enough, they've asked me about my Planet Bike strap on fenders on a bike with aerobars and custom wheels, so I gather these kids have their wits about them. I think it's probably also a symptom of a bike-friendly town.

By the way, fixed-gear senators would be AWESOME.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/SQHo5t2IouI/AAAAAAAADcw/vq4xlj73mY4/s1600/mccainskidnz0.jpg

he invited me to go to one of the events held on Fridays here in Seattle, but mentioned to me that there are some people that are jerks out there that dont want new people involved in fixed gear riding. I enjoy "talking bike" with anyone, and I dont really mind if people are proud of being involved in a sub culture surrounding it and dont want it "exploited", but at the same time I think anyone riding a bicycle is great, regardless. Why is it that some people feel differently? Maybe the fixed gear snobbery is something I dont understand, but I guess I'd like to know why some people have this mentality in the first place.
In my experience, these are usually people who are insecure about their own place in the culture. A new person is an unknown, and might (gasp!) actually know some things they don't yet know, and thus (in their insecure view) diminish their own standing in the culture.

Just ignore them, and hang with the people who aren't jerks.

it's just like any other trend


people that did it before it got popular will always get defensive towards people who start after they do

I don't really ride with the exclusively fixed gear kids. I find them obnoxious, so if they want to keep their own little club, that's perfectly fine by me.

The groups that I have the most fun with share my (fairly open) sensibilities on style, attitude, speed, etc. and they are composed of a variety of fixed and geared riders.

You shouldn't really put much emphasis on the opinion of people who use their bike as a means to a photo op, or merely own it to fulfill a part of them that wants to belong to a certain clique. My bike is my vehicle, my stress reliever, my gym, not an accessory. People who are territorial of something that can only benefit a person's health and the environment is an utter female sanitation bladder!

I'm seeing a big drop in the overall "fixed scene" in my town. My best guess is all the folks that bought a fixed wheel for the style factor have run out of excuses for why it sits in the living room or rides around on their trunk rack instead of actually being ridden. I do, however, still see a group of people sticking to it, trading in their stylish components for functional ones, adding front brakes for emergency stops and tire/knee life extension(you know, practical stuff). In essence, some people who jumped on the bandwagon for styles sake initially, have realized they love riding fixed and will probably stick with it regardless of society's fickle faddishness. Like most fads, some people will end up carrying on well after it's out of style. I'm glad for the current boom of bikes, it really is enlightening people to the fact that a bike is a reasonable transportation form, even one with a single gear and no option to coast. If the masses were just able to realize that you don't have to be a messenger(most of the ones I know are bitter *******s) to be cool, riding a bike is cool, no matter why you do it. As for hipster bashing, I'm opposed, there have been/will always be hipsters, for example: Beatniks and beat poets, folk musicians and such. Representing what you believe in transcends hipsterism and beliefs change over time. That being said, people that buy all the gear and never use it will always be lame, no matter if it's a beret and a tambourine or a fixed gear.

I like this reply! This is like the kids at my shows who buy all the classic punk and metal records but dont know what they bought, why they bought it, and dont own a record player. So in this sense, I understand having the attitude, but music subculture has always been snobby I guess. I agree with you though. If there are people out there that do fun things on Sundays (or whatever day) with thier bikes Im all in, and Im not worried about the people that question it because I think thats sorta weird? As I said, I dont mind people being "proud" of what they're into and I guess I sort of understand, I just think a bad attitude is going to furthur push people away from something that is generally beneficial to a community as a whole.

it's just like any other trend


people that did it before it got popular will always get defensive towards people who start after they do

+1. im pretty sure this is all there is to it. the feeling that they are the cool kids and the style makers, but then they get pissy when theyre style catches on. however, i can relate to an extent. when you actually do something because you like it, and have to deal with other people who do its because its cool and the new, in thing, it can be really frustrating. especially to watch some rich kids roll around with all the bling you wish you could afford, but cant, because your mommy and daddy dont pay for stuff anymore. at least, if you are truly into it and on top of your game, you will still smoke that pansy with the hed3 on his color coordinated NJS sparkling bridgestone frame. **** him. hahhaa

for me, personally, i got a road bike in a swap, fell in love with it. it finally dawned on me that bikes arent JUST for people with DUI's or broke *****es without a car. then i found out about fixed and trick track via the streetwear, street art, urban culture.

foot down comps especially remind me of the days when i was kid watching the xgames when they would have the flatland freestyle bmx competitions. it was like these dudes were dancing with their bikes. it was amazing to see, but it kinda fell off the map (at least fell out of my realm of awareness). when i watch foot downs and people doing 720 big spins, etc etc etc it ignites a flame inside me that says, "get on your bike, ride it, you can learn this stuff if you just try hard and often enough."

i grew up playing ice hockey (in south florida, if you can believe that) when everyone else was outside in the heat riding skate boards and surfing and wakeboarding, i was chillin hard inside the frozen tundra of my local rink four days a week, sometimes more. i played travel, high school and in college too. having been buried in one sport, i completely missed out on "extreme" sports. i missed the sense of challenge, and subsequent accomplishment that comes from playing a sport, but i have found it in trick track and fixed riding in general. biking is for the most part a low cost hobby, and i dont need 10 other people to coordinate with. i just get on my bike and go, when i want to, where i want to. besides, id rather be in private when im busting my ass repeatedly trying to learn new tricks! lmao

people ask me all the time, "if you want to do tricks, why not bmx?" ill tell you why. im 6' and kinda sorta fat. have you seen how low those seats are on bmx bikes? you basically have to stand the entire time you ride. its completely impractical and uncomfortable. if you want to actually use your bike to get around, bmx makes no sense. track bikes just fit what i wanted in a machine - both tricking, and the ability to go on long, hard rides.

to be 100% honest, as of right now i have absolutely no interest in taking my bike to the track. maybe that will change one day, maybe not. but of course there will be those people who might say that at i ride a track bike because i want to be "in the club", or think im somehow "fake" because my track bike might never see a track, they can suck it. no posing here. just a big dude lookin to lose weight, get some exercise and have some fun.

welcome to the world of hipsters!

I haven't figured it out either but then again I'm socially backwards.

hey- your buddy icon makes me think you are a 'hipster', are you? I can't define this term, but i'm going to apply it broadly based on superficial judgements.

I definitely owe it to trendiness that I heard about fixed, and I'm definitely glad I stopped being so uptight and decided to give it a shot. There's no real "culture" here per se, but every now and again when I go get coffee I'll see a few conversions and a Langster parked outside the coffee shop. Oddly enough, they've asked me about my Planet Bike strap on fenders on a bike with aerobars and custom wheels, so I gather these kids have their wits about them. I think it's probably also a symptom of a bike-friendly town.

By the way, fixed-gear senators would be AWESOME.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/SQHo5t2IouI/AAAAAAAADcw/vq4xlj73mY4/s1600/mccainskidnz0.jpg

I definitly do too, but I mean how else would you have tried it? And you and I giving some credit to trendiness is no reason for people to be snobby if we genuinly enjoy it. But hey, even if someone genuinly does NOT enjoy it, thats why you try something out. It doesnt really matter.

It really sucks. Hipsters are everywhere though... You just have to stay above it and do what you enjoy.

+1. im pretty sure this is all there is to it. the feeling that they are the cool kids and the style makers, but then they get pissy when theyre style catches on. however, i can relate to an extent. when you actually do something because you like it, and have to deal with other people who do its because its cool and the new, in thing, it can be really frustrating. especially to watch some rich kids roll around with all the bling you wish you could afford, but cant, because your mommy and daddy dont pay for stuff anymore. at least, if you are truly into it and on top of your game, you will still smoke that pansy with the hed3 on his color coordinated NJS sparkling bridgestone frame. **** him. hahhaa

for me, personally, i got a road bike in a swap, fell in love with it. it finally dawned on me that bikes arent JUST for people with DUI's or broke *****es without a car. then i found out about fixed and trick track via the streetwear, street art, urban culture.

foot down comps especially remind me of the days when i was kid watching the xgames when they would have the flatland freestyle bmx competitions. it was like these dudes were dancing with their bikes. it was amazing to see, but it kinda fell off the map (at least fell out of my realm of awareness). when i watch foot downs and people doing 720 big spins, etc etc etc it ignites a flame inside me that says, "get on your bike, ride it, you can learn this stuff if you just try hard and often enough."

i grew up playing ice hockey (in south florida, if you can believe that) when everyone else was outside in the heat riding skate boards and surfing and wakeboarding, i was chillin hard inside the frozen tundra of my local rink four days a week, sometimes more. i played travel, high school and in college too. having been buried in one sport, i completely missed out on "extreme" sports. i missed the sense of challenge, and subsequent accomplishment that comes from playing a sport, but i have found it in trick track and fixed riding in general. biking is for the most part a low cost hobby, and i dont need 10 other people to coordinate with. i just get on my bike and go, when i want to, where i want to. besides, id rather be in private when im busting my ass repeatedly trying to learn new tricks! lmao

people ask me all the time, "if you want to do tricks, why not bmx?" ill tell you why. im 6' and kinda sorta fat. have you seen how low those seats are on bmx bikes? you basically have to stand the entire time you ride. its completely impractical and uncomfortable. if you want to actually use your bike to get around, bmx makes no sense. track bikes just fit what i wanted in a machine - both tricking, and the ability to go on long, hard rides.

to be 100% honest, as of right now i have absolutely no interest in taking my bike to the track. maybe that will change one day, maybe not. but of course there will be those people who might say that at i ride a track bike because i want to be "in the club", or think im somehow "fake" because my track bike might never see a track, they can suck it. no posing here. just a big dude lookin to lose weight, get some exercise and have some fun.


I do feel this way about vinyl records. I think it's awesome that every store now stocks them because it will be around for a bit longer, but it is now used as a fashion statement and that is just annoying. I truely enjoy listenign to my vinyls. I'm 22 and have been using them since I was 16. I think that vinyl format is truely beautiful. It was a fun challenge to find the music you wanted to add to your collection. Now... where's the fun if it's available everywehre?

+1. im pretty sure this is all there is to it. the feeling that they are the cool kids and the style makers, but then they get pissy when theyre style catches on. however, i can relate to an extent. when you actually do something because you like it, and have to deal with other people who do its because its cool and the new, in thing, it can be really frustrating. especially to watch some rich kids roll around with all the bling you wish you could afford, but cant, because your mommy and daddy dont pay for stuff anymore. at least, if you are truly into it and on top of your game, you will still smoke that pansy with the hed3 on his color coordinated NJS sparkling bridgestone frame. **** him. hahhaa

for me, personally, i got a road bike in a swap, fell in love with it. it finally dawned on me that bikes arent JUST for people with DUI's or broke *****es without a car. then i found out about fixed and trick track via the streetwear, street art, urban culture.

foot down comps especially remind me of the days when i was kid watching the xgames when they would have the flatland freestyle bmx competitions. it was like these dudes were dancing with their bikes. it was amazing to see, but it kinda fell off the map (at least fell out of my realm of awareness). when i watch foot downs and people doing 720 big spins, etc etc etc it ignites a flame inside me that says, "get on your bike, ride it, you can learn this stuff if you just try hard and often enough."

i grew up playing ice hockey (in south florida, if you can believe that) when everyone else was outside in the heat riding skate boards and surfing and wakeboarding, i was chillin hard inside the frozen tundra of my local rink four days a week, sometimes more. i played travel, high school and in college too. having been buried in one sport, i completely missed out on "extreme" sports. i missed the sense of challenge, and subsequent accomplishment that comes from playing a sport, but i have found it in trick track and fixed riding in general. biking is for the most part a low cost hobby, and i dont need 10 other people to coordinate with. i just get on my bike and go, when i want to, where i want to. besides, id rather be in private when im busting my ass repeatedly trying to learn new tricks! lmao

people ask me all the time, "if you want to do tricks, why not bmx?" ill tell you why. im 6' and kinda sorta fat. have you seen how low those seats are on bmx bikes? you basically have to stand the entire time you ride. its completely impractical and uncomfortable. if you want to actually use your bike to get around, bmx makes no sense. track bikes just fit what i wanted in a machine - both tricking, and the ability to go on long, hard rides.

to be 100% honest, as of right now i have absolutely no interest in taking my bike to the track. maybe that will change one day, maybe not. but of course there will be those people who might say that at i ride a track bike because i want to be "in the club", or think im somehow "fake" because my track bike might never see a track, they can suck it. no posing here. just a big dude lookin to lose weight, get some exercise and have some fun.

Totally agree. What you said here...

however, i can relate to an extent. when you actually do something because you like it, and have to deal with other people who do its because its cool and the new, in thing, it can be really frustrating. especially to watch some rich kids roll around with all the bling you wish you could afford, but cant, because your mommy and daddy dont pay for stuff anymore. at least, if you are truly into it and on top of your game, you will still smoke that pansy with the hed3 on his color coordinated NJS sparkling bridgestone frame. **** him. hahhaa

Haha yeah I guess this I can understand. When we play shows there are always kids showing off the rarest of rare records (seriously, up to hundreds of dollars worth) and dont know anything about the LP they just spent thier money on. People think its really lame when rich kids like that show up, not knowing anything about it but generally just want in because its rebellious. I guess I get that. I personally just remembered I wouldnt see that kid in a couple years when it's not trendy anymore, that gave me some solace.



+just a big dude lookin to lose weight, get some exercise and have some fun Me too man. I got some short stubby legs and a big booty going on. Im not diggin it. Have you found yourself losing any weight by riding fixed gear? Im sweating way more..good sign.

The pursuit of this "culture" is only the concern of insecure children.

I do feel this way about vinyl records. I think it's awesome that every store now stocks them because it will be around for a bit longer, but it is now used as a fashion statement and that is just annoying. I truely enjoy listenign to my vinyls. I'm 22 and have been using them since I was 16. I think that vinyl format is truely beautiful. It was a fun challenge to find the music you wanted to add to your collection. Now... where's the fun if it's available everywehre?

I know exactlly what you mean about the vinyl, I just mentioned that in my previous post. A lot of underground rare punk and metal bands have been putting their old LP's out on newer labels, that being said, the records are available everywhere. But thankfully, people who dug them in the 80s and whatever have the originals. Still, seeing people being able to buy the expensive originals on ebay but never listen to the record is irritating. I just wanna shout give it to me!:roflmao2:

But with bicycle snobbery, I dont understand

read half the posts on here, those are the people your bike guy is referring to

only half?

I know exactlly what you mean about the vinyl, I just mentioned that in my previous post. A lot of underground rare punk and metal bands have been putting their old LP's out on newer labels, that being said, the records are available everywhere. But thankfully, people who dug them in the 80s and whatever have the originals. Still, seeing people being able to buy the expensive originals on ebay but never listen to the record is irritating. I just wanna shout give it to me!:roflmao2:

But with bicycle snobbery, I dont understand

i have been losing weight for sure. i dont really exercise much otherwise, so it makes a big difference going from nothing to something, whatever the something is. lifting weights is so mind numbing to me, i want to throw them through a window after 5 minutes. thankfully i found a mens league to play in nearby and i will be playing at the start of next season.

in terms of what youre saying about vinyl, there are many parallels you will see like this across subcultures. the closest thing i can compare to is sneaker collecting. over the past few years, nike has taken into account the incredible demand for sneakers that were released anywhere from the early to mid eighties to the late nineties. as such, they have been re-releasing many of them.

for example, in celebration of the 23rd edition of the jordan sneaker line, nike has been releasing all the previous models from the last 23 designs. people go nuts over this ****, and the sneaker collecting obsession has blown up over recent years.

so you have the same god damn shoe, almost to the t, one released in 87 one released in 08, and one is worth 600 and the other is worth 200 because of rarity, and the fact that one is the "original" and one is the "re-release" blah blah, fine i get that, its like buying an original work of art versus a print or poster i guess. but what kills me is the people will the ones from 87 think the people with the ones from 08 are poseurs cuz they havent been collecting sneakers for 20+ years. gimme a break. some of these kids collecting now werent alive when the original sneaker was released.

its all the same BS everywhere you go.

like anything else, you just be yourself and do what you love and **** the haters. **** em!

by the way, if any of you are unfamiliar with the sneaker collecting obession, take a gander at www.flightclubny.com its a consignment sneaker store, meaning the shop doesnt actually own anything it sells, its just a broker for deals between buyers and sellers, taking a nice cut off the top. some of the nikes in there run as much as $5000! GTFO. but, in their defense, some of that stuff truly is art. game recognize game.

I only have to listen to people snobberizing about me on my bike as I'm leaving them in my dust. Once they get fast enough to talk **** to me, then I'll care. Until then I'll just continue enjoying riding my bike.

Snobbery comes from the desire to feel good about yourself. Some feel that to do that, they have to put others down. Riding fixed gives an opportunity, because those of us who can ride fixed have a skill that others don't have.

This isn't everyone's motivation, for sure, but it explains a few people.

I rode 20 miles yesterday on my fixie. I think that was the longest I ever rode on it. I was apprehensive, but it went just fine. Yes, it definitely is more of a workout than riding a freewheel. I won't use this bike as my primary bike, but it is fun.

just a big dude lookin to lose weight, get some exercise and have some fun.

Thats pretty much what got me riding. I started out ss, and moved to fg after a friend talked me into trying it. I feel like a shmuck sometimes though, because every other goofball on campus started riding fixed about the same time.

Snobbery comes from the desire to feel good about yourself. Some feel that to do that, they have to put others down. Riding fixed gives an opportunity, because those of us who can ride fixed have a skill that others don't have.

This isn't everyone's motivation, for sure, but it explains a few people.

I rode 20 miles yesterday on my fixie. I think that was the longest I ever rode on it. I was apprehensive, but it went just fine. Yes, it definitely is more of a workout than riding a freewheel. I won't use this bike as my primary bike, but it is fun.

Im sure its some peoples motivation, it makes sense. Congrats on the riding 20 miles! I think id be dead halfway. I ride about 10 miles a day to school but midway through that Im in class and resting up, and thats when I had a 10 speed. I rode my IRO yesterday to school and it was pretty hard (like I said, I got some junk in my trunk), but...I got here in MUCH less time. Its usually about 25 mins (traffic, stops, obstacles, etc) but with the fixed gear its cut my time down to 15 mins. Stoked!

male social circles-- especially ones based around physical activity-- are cliquey. always have been.
urban cycling is no different. the newest new jack will get snubbed or mocked until everyone finds out he's got a 35mph sprint in traffic. if you don't have prowess, then you have to pay your "dues" within the social structure.
that's just how it goes.
in highschool, you saw it with jocks. every group has it, it's nothing new.
females aren't nearly as common in circles like these, so they're usually quite surprised when they encounter it, as OP is.
it's been around for tens of thousands of years.

kids whose parents are willing to give them $300 for an Aerospoke, $700 for the Bare Knuckle and $x for a Deep V w/ phil wood are obviously better, and if you have a question they cant answer it because if its not a chris king headset then its not worth looking at (unless its njs of course cuz their next bike is gonna be NJS) its just ppl thinking their better than you cuz they have the parts, same as when i was a kid and i wouldnt play pokemon w/ kids who didnt have all the holographics...ppl who are snobbish to you dont bother, i got into the fixed gear thing because of the hype, now im one of the only kids i know who commutes 99% by bike (some times RT sometimes i borrow my little sisters car ;]) and also rides my road bike x amout of miles a week, theres more to bikes than fixed gears and theres more to fixed gears than composite wheels

on top of that, alot of the ppl who may be 'snobbish' may be the ones who have been into cycling for years, and think that you're only in it for the fashion accessory, so i can understand the whole "your not serious so stfu" aspect, until you become serious and actually have the bike due to interest in the sport/form of excercise/mode of transportation

there's a culture?

**** I am old

I'm seeing a big drop in the overall "fixed scene" in my town.

I dunno about a drop in fixed riders, but I'm certainly seeing quite a few hipster-types on old mopeds in Portland. "Hey wait a second, biking is hard!"

kids whose parents are willing to give them $300 for an Aerospoke, $700 for the Bare Knuckle and $x for a Deep V w/ phil wood are obviously better, and if you have a question they cant answer it because if its not a chris king headset then its not worth looking at (unless its njs of course cuz their next bike is gonna be NJS) its just ppl thinking their better than you cuz they have the parts, same as when i was a kid and i wouldnt play pokemon w/ kids who didnt have all the holographics...ppl who are snobbish to you dont bother, i got into the fixed gear thing because of the hype, now im one of the only kids i know who commutes 99% by bike (some times RT sometimes i borrow my little sisters car ;]) and also rides my road bike x amout of miles a week, theres more to bikes than fixed gears and theres more to fixed gears than composite wheels

on top of that, alot of the ppl who may be 'snobbish' may be the ones who have been into cycling for years, and think that you're only in it for the fashion accessory, so i can understand the whole "your not serious so stfu" aspect, until you become serious and actually have the bike due to interest in the sport/form of excercise/mode of transportation

grammar, you should use the proper variety.

(if only grammar was NJS stamped...)

male social circles-- especially ones based around physical activity-- are cliquey. always have been.
urban cycling is no different. the newest new jack will get snubbed or mocked until everyone finds out he's got a 35mph sprint in traffic. if you don't have prowess, then you have to pay your "dues" within the social structure.
that's just how it goes.
in highschool, you saw it with jocks. every group has it, it's nothing new.
females aren't nearly as common in circles like these, so they're usually quite surprised when they encounter it, as OP is.
it's been around for tens of thousands of years.


This is pretty much true! Thats good insight on it...

I am new to riding. I don't have a fixed but ride my vintage italian roadie. I love the thing to death but also want a fixed gear because of the hype. I will customize it to my liking (call me a hipster) but I really truely love the art in customizing your own bike. Don't get me wrong. I rode 24 miles today in about an hour and 45 minutes but really think this fixed gear bike will give me a more fun and exciting ride. I drive stick because it gives me more pleasure and enjoyment over automatic. I have heard and from my understanding can see the similarities between the two.

I don't have a single penny to afford the parts i'm looking at the current moment but know how i want to build my bike. I won't ride it to show off. I will ride it to ride it. Those who are snobby will call me a poser because i got into their "subculture." I have never felt so good in my life with all this working out from my road bike. It relieves so much stress and I feel so much stronger!

Here is my bike:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=520727

(if only grammar was NJS stamped...)

You = my hero.

radiocontrolhea, fantastic bike. What a place to start.

I am new to riding. I don't have a fixed but ride my vintage italian roadie. I love the thing to death but also want a fixed gear because of the hype. I will customize it to my liking (call me a hipster) but I really truely love the art in customizing your own bike. Don't get me wrong. I rode 24 miles today in about an hour and 45 minutes but really think this fixed gear bike will give me a more fun and exciting ride. I drive stick because it gives me more pleasure and enjoyment over automatic. I have heard and from my understanding can see the similarities between the two.

I don't have a single penny to afford the parts i'm looking at the current moment but know how i want to build my bike. I won't ride it to show off. I will ride it to ride it. Those who are snobby will call me a poser because i got into their "subculture." I have never felt so good in my life with all this working out from my road bike. It relieves so much stress and I feel so much stronger!

Here is my bike:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=520727

Beautiful bike! I love how people customize thier bikes, I dont know why or know how that makes you a hipster but..whatever, I dont think it does. Its a fun aspect of having a fixed gear that you cant have with a geared bike.

Like others on here have said, there's snobbery everywhere.

Music, sports, film, even in academics.

Just ignore it, be yourself, and enjoy whatever it is you do.

As far as snobbery in cycling goes, you haven't met many roadies have you?

radiocontrolhea, fantastic bike. What a place to start.


Beautiful bike! I love how people customize thier bikes, I dont know why or know how that makes you a hipster but..whatever, I dont think it does. Its a fun aspect of having a fixed gear that you cant have with a geared bike.

Thanks you guys!

I started riding track 5 years ago in Montreal. I bought a Fuji which I had to special order because nobody sold track bike back then. I rode for myself and enjoyed the simplicity. I encountered a few oddities like the guy who told me I was not a true track rider because I ran a front brake. I used to go from the bottom of the city to the upper town on a daily basis. I appreciated the safety of a front brake and could not care less.

I met a few fashion victims who had a very loose chain, I explained to them it was dangerous and they thanked me. I always found cyclist to be a fun crowd to hang around and I include all cyclist.

I now live in Japan where track bike are the ultimate fashion object. For some mysterious reason, I never see anybody ride, the bike are always parked in front of fashion boutiques. I now ride a very expensive Kiyo frame that was spray painted black by his previous owner. The bike really looks like **** but I still enjoy riding track just as much as I did in Montreal. I get odd looks by the few track riders I meet on the street. They are riding color matched bikes with matching messenger bags. I just smile and leave them in my shadow.

I started riding track 5 years ago in Montreal. I bought a Fuji which I had to special order because nobody sold track bike back then. I rode for myself and enjoyed the simplicity. I encountered a few oddities like the guy who told me I was not a true track rider because I ran a front brake. I used to go from the bottom of the city to the upper town on a daily basis. I appreciated the safety of a front brake and could not care less.

I met a few fashion victims who had a very loose chain, I explained to them it was dangerous and they thanked me. I always found cyclist to be a fun crowd to hang around and I include all cyclist.

I now live in Japan where track bike are the ultimate fashion object. For some mysterious reason, I never see anybody ride, the bike are always parked in front of fashion boutiques. I now ride a very expensive Kiyo frame that was spray painted black by his previous owner. The bike really looks like **** but I still enjoy riding track just as much as I did in Montreal. I get odd looks by the few track riders I meet on the street. They are riding color matched bikes with matching messenger bags. I just smile and leave them in my shadow.

Thats interesting I thought in Japan people were really into riding fixed gears? like religiously

Track bike is a religion of some form here. I've been to Keirin race and it's the closest to an official ceremony it will get. Keirin might be the purest expression of track bike riding since the bike are pretty plain and simple. Dura-Ace everything, Araya wheels and the rest is Nitto with a dash of Kashimax for the saddle. It's funny, but the people who attend those races don't care the less about the bikes, it's a multi billion yen betting game. The racers care about the bike and they are great.

I have seen a couple of bike messengers in Tokyo who seem to be serious about track riding, but from what I could see, it's a big fashion thing. There is a magazine about track bike, track bike are covered in all major bike publications including some that are partly fashion magazine. There is a track rider look which I clearly don't fit it. I am a rider, I could care less for the hip hop type wear. I will ride wearing basic black shorts and a tshirt.



Thats interesting I thought in Japan people were really into riding fixed gears? like religiously

Track bike is a religion of some form here. I've been to Keirin race and it's the closest to an official ceremony it will get. Keirin might be the purest expression of track bike riding since the bike are pretty plain and simple. Dura-Ace everything, Araya wheels and the rest is Nitto with a dash of Kashimax for the saddle. It's funny, but the people who attend those races don't care the less about the bikes, it's a multi billion yen betting game. The racers care about the bike and they are great.

I have seen a couple of bike messengers in Tokyo who seem to be serious about track riding, but from what I could see, it's a big fashion thing. There is a magazine about track bike, track bike are covered in all major bike publications including some that are partly fashion magazine. There is a track rider look which I clearly don't fit it. I am a rider, I could care less for the hip hop type wear. I will ride wearing basic black shorts and a tshirt.

kinda like kids with modded cars and neon lights?