Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - impress me.

ok.

so the whole freestyle fixed gear trick thing has been going on for a few years. there are countless videos online, several full-length dvds, blogs, messageboards, trick-specific components, and all the accompanying fashion and posing that comes with any youth trend.

as someone that grew up skating, I can spot a decent trick. And I know the difference between something that is hard to do and something that people actually want to watch - I can play a mean game of jenga when I'm stoned and build up a tower of blocks as high as the ceiling, but who cares? I'm not about to start a blog and a youtube channel documenting my jenga skillz and set up a website that sells jenga-gloves with a colorway designed by shepard fairey. likewise, I like to pop a wheelie and ride backwards as much as the next guy, but I'm not about to pretend it's anything more than just having fun.

I have yet to be impressed by anything done on a fixed gear bike within the realm of tricks. BMX and trials, on the other hand, are both often utterly amazing.

Fixed-gear freestyle, thus far and in my opinion, is a total self-congratulatory snoozefest. People feel the need to document their "sessions" all over the internet as if something cool was happening. Perhaps I am wrong in my belief that this sport has no future and no potential...

so, show me what's impressive. change my opinion. let's see a video of something that can match skateboarding, bmx, or trials. maybe I've been watching the wrong videos.

Not what you're looking for, but one ****ing rad trials video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o

yeah that guy is sick. see, that's what im talking about.

I have no videos to add because I agree with you. Also, "self-congratulatory snoozefest" is a great phrase.

i agree as completely.

so does bikesnobnyc

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/04/palpitation-whos-using-what-how.html

Dude are you kidding? Check this **** out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c2_HyxKD20

...make sure you watch to the end for that sick dismount.

That **** was sick. FG4EVA

ok.

so the whole freestyle fixed gear trick thing has been going on for a few years. there are countless videos online, several full-length dvds, blogs, messageboards, trick-specific components, and all the accompanying fashion and posing that comes with any youth trend.

as someone that grew up skating, I can spot a decent trick. And I know the difference between something that is hard to do and something that people actually want to watch - I can play a mean game of jenga when I'm stoned and build up a tower of blocks as high as the ceiling, but who cares? I'm not about to start a blog and a youtube channel documenting my jenga skillz and set up a website that sells jenga-gloves with a colorway designed by shepard fairey. likewise, I like to pop a wheelie and ride backwards as much as the next guy, but I'm not about to pretend it's anything more than just having fun.

I have yet to be impressed by anything done on a fixed gear bike within the realm of tricks. BMX and trials, on the other hand, are both often utterly amazing.

Fixed-gear freestyle, thus far and in my opinion, is a total self-congratulatory snoozefest. People feel the need to document their "sessions" all over the internet as if something cool was happening. Perhaps I am wrong in my belief that this sport has no future and no potential...

so, show me what's impressive. change my opinion. let's see a video of something that can match skateboarding, bmx, or trials. maybe I've been watching the wrong videos.

As a lifelong BMX flatlander, I really don't have a problem with fixed gear riders trying tricks, but I just don't see the point. Fixed gear bikes, unless set up like artistic bikes, are HORRIBLE for trick riding - and even the artistic bikes are real difficult (and limited) to ride. The geometry is horrible and the welds/construction is not meant to take trick abuse. BUY A BMX BIKE. You would like it much more and you would be able to do a lot more.

I especially don't understand n00bies getting into fixed gears for trick riding alone. If you want to learn flatland, there are better choices out there.

BMX'ers are baffled and we spend a lot of time *facepalm* with all the crap FG riders and companies are doing to try and make these bikes trick worthy. Potts mod stems, headtube extenders, pegs, etc. - it's all very ridiculous when the BMX industry has tried and true technologies and geometry set-ups to make trick riding more efficient. Believe me, in the 80's and 90's we hurt ourselves immensely weeding out the crap.

As far as the tricks go... we were doing these same tricks when we were 12! Trackstands, ground tailwhips, wheelies, riding backwards, etc. were/are very basic, basic, basic BMX tricks for us kids BITD. However, get a group of FG riders and somebody does an endo or a wheelie, the whole crowd is, like, "WHOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAA!!!" :lol:

Everytime we hold a flatland session, FG riders seem to gather and do tricks near us - but never talk to us. Almost like they're trying to battle us (???), but we are just confused why anybody would want to trick ride a FG and not trade that in for a BMX bike. Sometimes we just mimick their tricks and get a giggle. Or we'll do a FG style trick and link it to an advanced flatland BMX trick for fun.

Like I said, it's whatever floats your rocket... but seriously, buy a BMX bike with flatland geometry, visit www.global-flat.com (http://www.global-flat.com) and get real trick riding. Doing tricks on a FG is like trying to ride a floor dolly like a skateboard. I guess you can do it, but you won't get very far. In that example, I would suggest you buy a skateboard.

At least they are riding bikes.

At least they are riding bikes.

Yeah, if you can call that riding.

Yeah, if you can call that riding.

I do.

they should at least be able to keep up with this guy on a road bike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWOVRHVZFjk&feature=related
(crappy video, decent bike skillzzzzzzzz)

I agree. FG tricks are LAME. I enjoy trackstanding and riding backwards, but i would never weelie for fear for snapping my CF fork and I would never buy a 650c wheel in order to barspin. And I would never ever dream of filming myself,expecting others to wanna watch it.

P.S.- It's hard to do a lot of ^^those^^ tricks when you don't have a brake! haha

I'm not too impressed by the fixed tricks either, but check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU4b_3GvE4I&feature=fvst#t=1m56s

^ maybe not those tricks, but BMX (and now even some trials riders) are playing the brakeless game. they still have a freewheel, but still...

p.s. brakeless trials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsDpLTwAMvc

p.p.s. for some sweet bar spinzzzzzzzzzz check out this euro chick @ 1:59
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiE1Qm7HSd8

once a week:
someone posts asking "why do all you fixie kids do tricks? im so mad!"
someone posts a video of a bmx, or mountain bike, or something that is not fixed gear and goes "yeah you need to be on this lvl" (which usually is an impressive video, btw)
a bmx'er comes over and *****es about fixie kids, and for some reason wants them all to ride bmx?
everyone agrees and the anti 650c club joins in
but the tricks and videos never stop
its like being opposed to interracial marriage
get over it

after seeing a guy break his back trying to do a 720 double tail whip back flip over a 30' gap in a pro BMX comp, it's gonna be pretty hard for someone riding a track frame to "impress me"

I support bicycle enjoyment, so far as no one is harmed, go out there and have a great time. Does it really matter who thinks fixed tricks are less impressive than BMX tricks?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiE1Qm7HSd8&feature=channel_page

if you can bear to sit through the dancing . . . stuff, at the beginning. . . THESE are decent fixed gear tricks I don't think you could pull off with a bmx bike (though I could be wrong)

obviously a little more in tune with the circus style performing (which I'm sorta kinda into)

Last night I had a dream that I could do a trackstand, and two girls were so impressed they came up to me and made out with me a bit.

I'm pretty sure FG tricking is just to make everyone look at your bike.

roller tricks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yFv5Kbi4NY

FG tricks are LAME...

Yeah, fg's aren't nearly as good as bmx or trials bikes for tricks, but at least we don't look ridiculous trying to pedal our bikes down the street. Not really trying to burrrrrn or anything- just, fg's are practical for everyday use AND can do tricks.

yeah, fg's aren't nearly as good as bmx or trials bikes for tricks, but at least we don't look ridiculous trying to pedal our bikes down the street. Not really trying to burrrrrn or anything- just, fg's are practical for everyday use and can do tricks.


i'm pretty sure fg tricking is just to make everyone look at your bike.

http://www.fixiefiend.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/2769403374_005614f695.jpg

Why the hell is the FG community so ****ing prissy about this ****? People like riding fixed gear bikes, and a lot of people have a background with skating or BMX. Starts out doing some basic tricks, then they want to see what they can do with it. It's a different set of factors; it's uncharted territory trying to do a lot of these tricks on what amounts to a track bike. That's where I see the beauty and challenge in fixed trick riding. If you don't like it, ignore it. Go do something else. I find it interesting and I like seeing what people are working on. Don't piss on the parade because you're cranky.

well its hardly uncharted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwMGkqa6Sw

but i guess it was called bike dancing back then? i love the cheering-- "cmon cmon yah yah"

In practical terms, it doesn't transfer over. Dudes on the streets aren't running straight forks, 1:1 ratios, etc. And the artistic cycling folks aren't jumping steps, riding half-pipes, doing chain grinds, etc either.

Let's just get down to the basics. The problem is that everyone is so caught up in their own beliefs on what something is all about, we tend to forget that difference in taste has helped evolve the sport. It applies to everything. Football was completely revolutionized when the forward pass began to catch popularity, straying away from the "run everything" mentality.

Personally, I believe, that tricks are stupid and deserve to be on a BMX. However, I'm not going to knock anyone for doing their thing. It comes down to people on the forums are intolerant of change or difference. If anyone does something different from the "normal crowd", oh God, it's blasphemy. People are on their bikes, having fun. Maybe that's an insult to those that NEED their bike, as they don't have an alternate source of transportation, but seriously, it's just respecting one another as riders. It doesn't matter how you ride your bike, just as long as you're riding one. Right?

well its hardly uncharted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwMGkqa6Sw

but i guess it was called bike dancing back then? i love the cheering-- "cmon cmon yah yah"

2:00 = hella barspinzzz

I'm not too opposed to fixie trix. What kills me are the skid sessions that people do. Like, how lame are you to do the exact same leg-over skid that everyone else has ever done in their first week of having their fixed gear. Skidz=lamez.

I'm not too opposed to fixie trix. What kills me are the skid sessions that people do. Like, how lame are you to do the exact same leg-over skid that everyone else has ever done in their first week of having their fixed gear. Skidz=lamez.
I've never done a leg-over skid.

Then again, I'm not lame. Maybe that was your point.

lolfixietrix

http://www.fixiefiend.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/2769403374_005614f695.jpg
Hot.

As I've stated before: Until you fixie trick guys can AT LEAST do all of the FG tricks that were done in Quicksilver 25 years ago, I will not be remotely impressed.

By the way, there was some FG video that premiered about 2 months ago. Supposedly it was a big deal. I slept through the whole thing till the last guy, Andre Reyes from Singapore. The guy KILLED IT. (Remember the scene where the rider stopped mid-wheelie and his buddy spun him around like a top?) Most people don't know that he was an expert class BMX flatlander over 10 years ago. He's a personal friend.

Also:

http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_movies_actors/actors_films_images/jeff_goldblum.jpg
They were so caught up in whether they could, that they never stopped to think if they should.

As I've stated before: Until you fixie trick guys can AT LEAST do all of the FG tricks that were done in Quicksilver 25 years ago, I will not be remotely impressed.

By the way, those tricks were performed by BMXers Martin Aparijo & Woody Itson, hahaha. BMX FTW.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091814/fullcredits#cast

hey guys whats up, am i too late to get in on the circle jerk?

...still no quality videos of fixed-gear tricks, only discussion of the same old "hey let people do what they want on their bikes" arguments.

...still no quality videos of fixed-gear tricks, only discussion of the same old "hey let people do what they want on their bikes" arguments.

You didn't like the art-bike shows? I thought those were fairly impressive, and certainly fixed-gear.

what the hell is an art-bike show?

^^this guy right here not even watching the videos posted in the thread that he started by asking ppl to show him videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaDP56T-HlE

UH OBVIOUSLY STATEMENNTTT TIIIMMME:

Tricksy-wicksys are secondary to whipidywhipwhipery. BMX bikes can not do what Fixed Gear/Track/Road bikes can do in das city, in traffic, at mach 10. What is your definition of a trick? I don't consider it a trick to do that as such, but really...why can't it be considered...it's impressive to look at, obviously difficult to do, etc. etc.

So, viva la speeeed.

PS: I <3 BMX bikes.

what the hell is an art-bike show?


^^this guy right here not even watching the videos posted in the thread that he started by ppl to show him videos

Haha wow yeah, love it. I don't like FG for tricks either, but the fact that you started a thread asking for videos, didn't watch the videos posted, and then said "still no good videos posted" is kinda ridiculous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiE1Qm7HSd8
Lots of boring handstands-on-bikes stuff, but fast forward to about 2:00 or so.

Backwards facing, seat mounted no hands barspinning 720-degree wheelies?
Not impressive at all, even a little bit?

yeah, I watched that one.

bicycle ballet =/= fixed gear freestyle (unless you run a 1x1 ratio and bicycle ballet geometry on the street). and how many people do you see doing those kinds of tricks / routines, anyway? If the best you guys have is russian or european bicycle ballet which has nothing to with the subject of this thread other than a fixed-gear drive train and marginally similar tricks, then that's kinda sad. I've seen dudes doing flatland with a fixed-drive train, but I'm not about to include them into this thread. different sport, different scene.

next.

(and let's stick with fixed gear freestyle...not ballet).

Pretty off topic, and definitely not a trick video, but more videos of guys actually riding would be great, when I first started getting into riding fixed gear I saw this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buC48XpWlF4&feature=channel_page and watched it god knows how many times.

P.S. Whatever happened to Lucas Brunelle?

yeah, I watched that one.

bicycle ballet =/= fixed gear freestyle (unless you run a 1x1 ratio and bicycle ballet geometry on the street). and how many people do you see doing those kinds of tricks / routines, anyway? If the best you guys have is russian or european bicycle ballet which has nothing to with the subject of this thread other than a fixed-gear drive train and marginally similar tricks, then that's kinda sad. I've seen dudes doing flatland with a fixed-drive train, but I'm not about to include them into this thread. different sport, different scene.

next.

(and let's stick with fixed gear freestyle...not ballet).

So pretty much you've decided ahead of time that whatever impressive fixed gear tricks get posted - such as the art bike stuff I mentioned - you'll just deem to be "not FG freestyle", and dismiss it because otherwise it'd prove you wrong.

Cool.

Have fun with that.




There are plenty of other inconsistencies in your position to point out, but there's not much point when you're being so transparently disingenuous.

Haha wow yeah, love it. I don't like FG for tricks either, but the fact that you started a thread asking for videos, didn't watch the videos posted, and then said "still no good videos posted" is kinda ridiculous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiE1Qm7HSd8
Lots of boring handstands-on-bikes stuff, but fast forward to about 2:00 or so.

Backwards facing, seat mounted no hands barspinning 720-degree wheelies?
Not impressive at all, even a little bit?

Ha...Still all 20+ year old BMX tricks.

I'm impressed. But, no one on this scene (save BMX flatlanders) has the skill or determination to learn those tricks.

Sorry, but it's true.

I've seen what the FG "trendsetters" are doing and it certainly isn't what she's doing.

To put this all into perspective, here was BMX 20+ years ago (before some of you were born): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2r9fnFYYkY

Now how does your "barspin - wheelie" compare to any of that? Seriously. Those guys weren't pro. They were just dudes in the neighborhood. Yeah, one or two later became pro. But, most were just dorkin' around (hence the name).

How the h*ll can you compare a "big" FG wallride to anything in that video?

Here's some 90's Paul Osicka to p1ss you guys off some more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBr2bu4dOV0&feature=related

What does it take to be this good? 10,000 hours.