Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Gentlemen...it's beer o'clock

Okay, so I'm sitting here banging my head against the screen. These compact little flashy flashing handlebar mounted lights ( yeah, the ones I don't use ) are driving me mad. Three weeks ago my clieint gave me the go ahead to design the little fookers, and so far I have about 3 pages of sketches and a half finished presentation. How hard can it be to make the thing swivel in two directions, house 4 AAA batteries and 7 LEDS, and not look like some overly complex piece of badly moulded poo from China?

How hard? Damn hard. So far, my favourite idea looks disturbingly like an iPod. There I go again - "transferring". By the time it hit's 3pm, my stomach is telling me ain't nothing vaguely creative gunna happen until I feed the beastie, so I hit the kitchen. Have you ever had a house, cupboard, fridge, absolutely chockers with food, yet still have nothing to eat? Well, that was me today. It was either cheese on toast, ( having to defrost the bread ) or eggs on muffins, which we'd probably have for the traditional 'breakfast in bed Saturday' thing anyway. So I was thinking, why not get the f*ck out of the damn office. "Hungry" and "Get the f out off the office'can only mean one thing -

It's Felafel time, baby.

My singlespeed was looking like an anxious puppy sitting there in the hall. It knew it was Felafel time, I needed no further convincing, so I tucked the leg of my cords into the sock ( mmm...glamour ) and I was off.

You know, it's not a bad day for the fourth day of Winter. My hands were only marginally blue as I scooted down the hill and accross the park, doing my best to avoid the pensioners and their stupid little idiot rat dogs that have this magic homing ability when it comes to wheels. It's the same homing ability their sh1t has when they find a nice grassy spot to hide the stuff, so instinctually I stick to the worn out grassy area where I know I can bunnyhop a 'log' or two if one jumps out at me.

As I approach the Felafel joint, I notice there's a large beer truck blocking off the main road. Every shop owner and their dog is at the window checking it out. This road seems to attract mishaps. Last week another semi trailer tried going under the railway bridge, all the while 'forgetting' the bridge has 3.8M of clearance whereas their truck is 4.2M high. Obviously the ability to read was not part of the job description. Anyway, I just ignore the show and open the door to the Felafel place and glide in.

"One Felafel thanks mate" I say to the friendly Turkish man behind the counter. "No worries" he replys, "You want garlic sauce?". "Absolutely" I reply, "And some of that wicked chili sauce too". As he throws the Felafel balls in the fryer, I have a look out the window at the truck. It's revving it's engine but it ain't movin'. I keep thinking to myself, maybe it has too much beer on board and the guy needs me to help him 'unload' a few cases, ya know? Hey, it's possible...and it sure would go well with this Felafel, I convice myself. As I get closer to pressing my nose against the window, I noticed this freaky thing has happened. He's got one of those trucks with 4 rear wheels right, but in the position he's got himself in - lord knows how - the wheels at the very back are on the Tram tracks, but the wheels in frontof those aren't even touching the ground, because the Tram tracks are a little raised. He revs his engine again, the wheels spin aimlessly. A smirk comes to my face. "Check out his back wheels, they're spinnin'" I say to the Felafel man. We both have a chuckle. "Maybe he needs a hand offloading some of that beer?" he says. This guy is a freakin mind reader.

After a minute of "Vrooom.....vroooomm.......fff***cccckkkkk", I get distracted by this flyer I see on the counter. I swear, sometimes living in this part of the city has a surreal quality about it. First, you have a beer truck sideways down the busiest street for miles, then you have to get your head around this ( see attached scan of flier ). Sometimes I think sitting in front of a computer for a living sucks your sense of wonder from you, or you get this bizarre case of de ja vu or something where you forget that the strange occurances that you view on the screen actually do occur in real life.

Personally, I blame all those people that constantly tell me that the 'Internet isn't real'. Anyway, goal accomplished for me today. It's 5pm, no more drawing stupid bike lights for me today. Gentlemen....it's beer o'clock......

I've been thinking of new ways to make bike lights lately too. One thing I thought of was putting the batteries in a holder in the rear triangle above the wheel and running the wires internally.

I also found a company online that sold LEDs in strip form for carnivals/theaters/whatever. They had a whole bunch of options - width, how far apart, what the impedence/brightness of the LEDs was, color... Seemed like it could be cool to wrap a bike up with - frame protection and blinkies! They had a cartoon of a guy riding a bike with them, so they probably have ones that could run on batteries.

I can post the link when I get off work if anyone cares.

Maybe I could make some bolt on seatstays out of tubular Lexan that have in built carnival-like, multicoloured LEDS!

Praise Allah!!

Any takers? ;)

Sounds like lyrics from "the Streets."
"Gosh but your fit, and don't you just know it"

You could always use a Homerism, "Listen brain, help me through this so I can get back to killing you with beer."

why not get the **** out of the damn office. "Hungry" and "Get the f out off the office'can only mean one thing -

It's the same homing ability their sh1t has when they find a nice grassy spot to hide the stuff,

After a minute of "Vrooom.....vroooomm.......fffuuucccckkkkk",

"Swearing...is poor communication that shows a lack of imagination and a limited vocabulary."

Kim Asch, Washington Times


Thylacine, I don't think they can do anything about your lack of imagination and limited vocabulary, but these people may be able to help with the manifestation of these deficits :rolleyes: :

www.cusscontrol.com/swearing.html

(see above post)
why? Why even post this (unless it is an attempt at humor)?

Thylamus - I enjoyed the content, the image and the delivery. Keep up the foul, stunted work.

[B]...Kim Asch, Washington Times...

I believe the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, leader of the Unification Church - the "Moonies" owns that paper.
I wouldn't hold any of thier reporters in any kind of esteem. :rolleyes:

"Fifteen cents, any dirty word you want."

'](see above post)
why? Why even post this (unless it is an attempt at humor)?

That was my first thought when I read his post too! I didn't even bother to take the time then, but will now, to point out the irony of his enjoyment of Mideastern food while at the same time ridiculing the religious underpinnings of the culture that produces that food.

Those who mistake vulgarity for beauty can recognize neither.

That was my first thought when I read his post too! I didn't even bother to take the time then, but will now, to point out the irony of his enjoyment of Mideastern food while at the same time ridiculing the religious underpinnings of the culture that produces that food.

Those who mistake vulgarity for beauty can recognize neither.
umm...I was referring to your post, not the initial thread starter

']umm...I was referring to your post, not the initial thread starter

No kidding. :rolleyes:

maybe it's all part of the troll plague we seem to be having recently, if it's serious then maybe people should just take it easier, go for a ride, sit back, have a beer. Swearing is hardly the worst thing in our world, if you have so much time to devote to telling someone that you think they should curb their behaviour, I would suggest you use it to change the far greater evils in this world. If you want a list of things worse than swearing I'm happy to provide one.

I've got some light design ideas for ya....available for the price of a new frame... :D

Long Live The Umlaut!!!!

Now maybe you should sit back and have a beer, and ponder the similarity between the froth on the beer and the activity occuring in your frontal lobe.

Nice line, I'll remember this for use in the pub tonight.

Sometimes people's attitudes are stifling. Out of that whole post (which I enjoyed BTW) they only concentrate on one F*#@ing word (pun intended). I think I sit in the "get over it" camp (with a beer and a smore).

Cheers

Don d.:

Is this your first time in this forum? It seems that way since we haven't heard from you before. Although it may be against the forum rules to use that kind of language it is pretty common around here. I suggest that you let it go because your moral crusade is equivalent to stopping an avalanche with a snowshovel. I'm not trying to attack you here I'm just telling you how it is.

here: http://www.erenkrantz.com/Humor/SevenDirtyWords.shtml

When I am reading through a post and come upon an F-bomb written by someone who can't figure out any better word choice and can't remember the agreement he signed to participate in this group, I will say something. That is the why.I think he only pops into this forum when he feels the need to show the Moderators what an asset he is to the Forum. I chalk it up to trolling under a white flag. I am sure the moderators' apples have been polished Don D...


Now maybe you should sit back and have a beer, and ponder the similarity between the froth on the beer and the activity occuring in your frontal lobe.
And insulting another member...which I believe is frowned upon also according to "group rules"..you might want to throw softer stones from your glass house Don D. Unless this is some backwater compliment or you give some wag the dog response.

I like a certain freedom in my forums and this one has it, IMHO. That doesn't mean Don isn't free to make his point, which he did well. I think T's post was easily offensive to some due to the combination of slanders and vulgarity. Did it offend me? Nope. But I wouldn't defend that post either.

']I think he only pops into this forum when he feels the need to show the Moderators what an asset he is to the Forum. I chalk it up to trolling under a white flag. I am sure the moderators' apples have been polished Don D...


And insulting another member...which I believe is frowned upon also according to "group rules"..you might want to throw softer stones from your glass house Don D. Unless this is some backwater compliment or you give some wag the dog response.



165-You know I've been participating and reading the fixed forum since I started participating here at Bike Forums. I have been riding a fix for over 25 yrs and used to contribute regularly to this forum. If jinx would have bothered to check that, he would know. Strangely, I can't ever remember reading a post by jinx, but that may have more to do with the content of his posts. :p

With regards to the moderators, I have never polished any of their apples, as I'm sure they will be quick to affirm. Just ask Lotek and Koffee. :)

And with regards to insults, I merely encouraged a little reflective thinking. ;)

Thanks to those who read my posts and responded objectively instead of emotively.

I agree there is a rule against bad words. I agree that it is bent just a weeee little bit on rare occasions in this forum. But isn't it possible to crusade against a more pervasive threat to our well being, perhaps crusade against Janet Jackson's breast or something? Or perhaps try to teach the kids in the BMX forum how to spell. Most of us are older and already jaded dregs of society. I wholeheartedly accept that. You can still steer the kids in the BMX forum away from such behavior as using a bad word. That is of course, if you can tear the 50 cent CD's from their thuggy little hands. :p

I agree there is a rule against bad words. I agree that it is bent just a weeee little bit on rare occasions in this forum. But isn't it possible to crusade against a more pervasive threat to our well being, perhaps crusade against Janet Jackson's breast or something? Or perhaps try to teach the kids in the BMX forum how to spell. Most of us are older and already jaded dregs of society. I wholeheartedly accept that. You can still steer the kids in the BMX forum away from such behavior as using a bad word. That is of course, if you can tear the 50 cent CD's from their thuggy little hands. :p

I'm really not crusading. I just posted an opinion.

Actually he's on a big boat risking his life defending your freedom.

I'm really not crusading. I just posted an opinion.

The second expletive reflecting the environment, rather than being gratuitous and not to be any more of a d*** than I normally am, but I think
Thylacine can say f if you can say A$$ http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=54051
:p

And I wouldn't pay $400 for a prayer time either...

I've got to stop working from home. Look at all the fun I missed.

This forum needed a little morality policing. Glad to see somebody has stepped up to the plate.

Dandy Don D., now that we've all gotten our Sunday school lesson, will you be going?

truly is'nt beer o'clock the world around about now?

I've got to stop working from home. Look at all the fun I missed.

This forum needed a little morality policing. Glad to see somebody has stepped up to the plate.

Dandy Don D., now that we've all gotten our Sunday school lesson, will you be going?



It was good for me too.

And no. :)

Is that automatic Quran timekeeper $400 Austrailian? Amazing value for all its exciting benefits.

Thylacine can say f if you can say A$$
iel zingo!

Is that automatic Quran timekeeper $400 Austrailian? Amazing value for all its exciting benefits.
which puts it at $5.38 US
I think I'll retire in AUSTRALIA.

"The new Cheese Tits" Ha, it gets me every time.

What were we talking about...?

What were we talking about...?

Absolutely nothing from what I can see. The thread has obviously drifted from it's original topic considerably, and degenerated into a series of unnecessary childish insults. Thread closed.

Thread re-opened with the insults removed. Let's all take a chill pill this time, shall we?

Thanks Chris, much obliged.

Anyway, I must comment on the scan of the flyer I did. I posted it along with my story because a) It's part of the story and b) It's nice to know the Islamic world isn't free from gizmos and rampant consumerism. What's next? Automatic prayer rug unrollers? Holywater by Evian? It certainly is an interesting curiosity, that's why I posed it. Now, if I posed a pic of my 'Jesus the Action Hero' figurine, would that make me anti-christian? I doubt it. *laugh*

As for the swearing, my appologies if it damaged anyones fragile sensibilities or ardent desire to follow rules without question. With the amount of messengers, mechanics, Chicagoites, and, well, fixie riders on this forum, ( as opposed to TRACK riders ) I didn't think anyone would care. Obviously my distaste for any tubing manufactured prior to 1990, my thinking an electronic prayer timekeeper in the shape of a mosque as 'funny', and my penchant for foul language makes me unpalatable for some. I recomend if these people see a post from me, they excercise their democratic right not to read the damn thing.

Anyway, next time, I promise to put an umlaut over the 'u', or ask my mate who runs the Kebab shop what's Turkish for the word '****'. I'm sure he'd tell me, he's a cool dude, and makes wicked felafels.

Anyway, thanks Chris for unlocking this thread and giving me my right of reply. You're a top bloke.

Thanks Chris, much obliged.


As for the swearing, my appologies if it damaged anyones fragile sensibilities or ardent desire to follow rules without question. With the amount of messengers, mechanics, Chicagoites, and, well, fixie riders on this forum, ( as opposed to TRACK riders ) I didn't think anyone would care. Obviously my distaste for any tubing manufactured prior to 1990, my thinking an electronic prayer timekeeper in the shape of a mosque as 'funny', and my penchant for foul language makes me unpalatable for some. I recomend if these people see a post from me, they excercise their democratic right not to read the damn thing.

Anyway, next time, I promise to put an umlaut over the 'u', or ask my mate who runs the Kebab shop what's Turkish for the word '****'. I'm sure he'd tell me, he's a cool dude, and makes wicked felafels.

Anyway, thanks Chris for unlocking this thread and giving me my right of reply. You're a top bloke.

Please save me from the politically correct, born again junkies. Jesus is dead and he ain't coming back. Neither is Mohammed. Neither is Charles Darwin. Get over it and move to a space where you can be free of adherence to any dogma: Including this one.

fixedgearhead

part of the story and b) It's nice to know the Islamic world isn't free from gizmos and rampant consumerism. What's next? Automatic prayer rug unrollers? Holywater by Evian? It certainly is an interesting curiosity, that's why I posed it.

From what I've seen and read the whole ritual of going to Mecca is nothing but consumerism, commercialism and down rite capitolism. It's pretty funny really.

Please save me from the politically correct, born again junkies.... Get over it and move to a space where you can be free of adherence to any dogma: Including this one.

fixedgearhead

Some choose this forum because it has rules that are designed to prevent the behavior in question, thereby restricting freedom. I guess you could start your own forum that doesn't have any standards. Then you could enjoy all the childish vulgarities and defamations you choose. Have fun!

blah blah blah...everyone - shut it!
get back to bikes

Some choose this forum because it has rules that are designed to prevent the behavior in question, thereby restricting freedom. I guess you could start your own forum that doesn't have any standards. Then you could enjoy all the childish vulgarities and defamations you choose. Have fun!

Now Donny, do you think you crossed the line when you posted the below message a while back?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=50102

Chill, baby, chill :)


"For those interested in Thylacine's knowledge or lack thereof about design, read here:http://www.bikeforums,net/showthrea...0930#post391855

I think the parameters that dictate selection of steel tubing are well spelled out in the comments at both the sites I posted in my original post above. Anyone who wants to learn can read them.

By the way, anyone who wants can go to www.bikelist.org and read Thylacine's flames on the Framebuilders list by typing Thylacine into the archive search engine. Enjoy. Seems the best framebuilders in the world don't have much credibility with him either.

Enjoy the dancing monkey."

f*ck bikes, arguing over swearing is where it's at. Dipsh*t.
:roflmao:
I love mondays and flats

Childish vulgarities and defamations! Yeah!

the thing i don't understand is, if words like ****, ****, and ****** are all censored anyway, why can't we use them? are asterices offensive to people?

by the way, "***" is not censored, which i find highly offensive.

Wow I got moderated! Tee hee!

Don, I saw your response one day but couldn't get a reply in before the connection timed out.

Let's see, I've been a member longer, posted in this section forum more, and.. in general done a lot of things than you. Should I really go back in my cave or should you come out and do Plato justice?

Now Donny, do you think you crossed the line when you posted the below message a while back?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=50102

Chill, baby, chill :)


"For those interested in Thylacine's knowledge or lack thereof about design, read here:http://www.bikeforums,net/showthrea...0930#post391855

I think the parameters that dictate selection of steel tubing are well spelled out in the comments at both the sites I posted in my original post above. Anyone who wants to learn can read them.

By the way, anyone who wants can go to www.bikelist.org and read Thylacine's flames on the Framebuilders list by typing Thylacine into the archive search engine. Enjoy. Seems the best framebuilders in the world don't have much credibility with him either.

Enjoy the dancing monkey."

How does this cross the line? It's just basic objective information that allows everyone to make informed decisions for themselves.

If I was going to buy a frame from someone, I would first like to know if that person has a mastery of basic design principles. Thylacine displays his "knowledge or lack thereof" in the above quoted posts. As I don't object to my posts being quoted since I am happy to take responsibility for the things I say and do, why is it "crossing the line" to hold others to that standard?

The use of the words "dancing monkey" is a quote from Thylacine, but then you would know that if you read the posts in the thread instead of picking something out of context. So if that is what you're referring to, check with him.

P.S. Thanks for posting it again. I think it will get more reads from this thread than it did from the other. :)

Wow I got moderated! Tee hee!

Don, I saw your response one day but couldn't get a reply in before the connection timed out.

Let's see, I've been a member longer, posted in this section forum more, and.. in general done a lot of things than you. Should I really go back in my cave or should you come out and do Plato justice? Shadows on the wall are not reality there buddy boy.

Somehow I think Plato wasn't referring to some parochial sense of senority on an internet forum, William.

You might want to check for context. Plato's use of the cave was an allegory to explain cognition of and application of morals, beauty, and judgement, the true forms or ideals that are present in all of us in varying degrees. I don't remember him resorting to vulgarisms or shock to make points. I suspect he would have seen the use of said as in the dark.

Of course, he had an active imagination and educated vocabulary. ;)

I clicked this button in my profile and Don D went away. That rules.

']I clicked this button in my profile and Don D went away. That rules.

I feel less encumbered already. :)

Somehow I think Plato wasn't referring to some parochial sense of senority on an internet forum, William.

You might want to check for context. Plato's use of the cave was an allegory to explain cognition of and application of morals, beauty, and judgement, the true forms or ideals that are present in all of us in varying degrees. I don't remember him resorting to vulgarisms or shock to make points. I suspect he would have seen the use of said as in the dark.

Of course, he had an active imagination and educated vocabulary. ;)


Somehow I knew you'd say that. See, you look to the exact here. So to the exact that you're nonplus when someone attempts to explain different. You're the kind of guy who will yell and scream if you push on the "push door" and it doesn't open. If someone said "you have got to pull it" you'd look at the sign, and say "the sign says push". You'd cry to management if you could find one on that side of the door. Which is probably why you pm'd the moderators to complain about what happened here.

The SS/FG forum has been, and will continue to be, and edgy place. Most of us are not of the exact same ideals as other forums. Not bad, not good, just different. We communicate differently. You can be judgmental and high and mighty as much as your tighty whities will allow, but the truth is, we are not like the other people on the whole of BF. Joe has pretty much given that as a statement. Read along on this forum, and you'll see that. Read back, and you'll see the history of it.

I'm not going to call you a Johnny come lately, but really, I think you haven't spent enough time in this forum to A) see that it's the norm and b) that you're just not used to it. Given time, perhaps you'd understand our method of communication. Not that it's acceptable to your standards, or ok by your morals, but to our morals. You could even begin to enjoy participating here, in a context of pure relational communication, rather than adversarial as you do now.

If the foul language you so much despise, was so unwelcome, why did Mayo's book sell more than 80 copies? Why were his stories such a hit amongst us? If foul language is so un social, why do people continue to post here? Perhaps your ideals are not ours, and ours are not yours. Remember, different as we are, we all ride, and we all share that one thing in common that bonds us. As different as we are, we all share that one thing, and in a world that is so ready to divide and subdivide culture, religion, socioeconomic groups, why would you not want to try to cross those divides and bond with fellow man for something that can be a bridge of understanding?

I wish I understood why you've arrived here, and begun a tirade on what is a pretty tightly knit group that is really pretty welcoming to all. I'd like to know what your real complaint is, or is it that you're just bored and looking for a scuffle.

The forum is Joe's, and he has appointed those select people to moderate it that have the same or near same ideals that he has. Until you complained, there wasn't much of a problem. Perhaps you don't fit it. If you don't, which is possible and fine, then leave, don't attempt to change everyone else. Your good isn't really everyone's good. And vice versa.

And remember, according to Hayme: All that matters is that you love the bike you ride.

This was my peaceful attempt at discussing this with you. If you think about things in the not so literal sense, you'd see how the allegory applies. Plato left it open so that it could be applied to many things. Remember, reality is up to interpretation. As is the use of "foul" language.

Have a good day.

I gotta admit, I've never heard Plato deconstructed quite like that. :rolleyes:

My reading of many of the posts and signatures by members of this "tightly knit group" leads me to conclude that members of this group have formed an identity around, not just a type of bike, but a lifestyle that they consider somehow unique and special. Well that's fine, children have been doing that since forever, but y'all seem rather sensitive to any criticism of aspects of that lifestyle that you know are bound to offend others.

As I stated earlier, I've been riding fixed ~25 years. How old were you when I bought my first track bike, William?, since you're so concerned with "seniority". I purchased my first track bike from a former pro six day racer, and my best friend in cycling's father was a rather famous pro six day racer in post WWII US. I've worked for some time with a pro six day mechanic and I've ridden numerous centuries fixed, commuted fixed, and trained fixed forever. Yet I've never had the need to build an identity around the bike or associate vulgarity with some kind of lifestyle built around it. And this has nothing to do with religion as some have so laughingly assumed. It has to do with basic decency and self respect.

Anyway, gotta go.



Have a good day.

OK. :)