Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Let's forget fad and fashion for a moment

I've never been a bike messenger nor have I played one on the Internet. I'm a SS/FG devotee, but I really don't understand why anyone who makes their living riding a bike in city traffic all day would want to do it on a brakeless fixed gear. If I were doing this daily, I would probably use a fixed gear too, but with both front and rear brakes. I would gear the bike on the low end. This would give max control of the bike (if you are skidding you ain't stopping), and not put so much wear and tear on your knees. I'm coming at this as a geezer who has been riding a bike for 61 years. I was off the bike from '92-'98 with palellar tendonitis. That weren't no fun, boys.

Back when I started biking, there was no such thing as a downhill. You kids have it easy.

...and I've never been a bike messenger.

Gears and brakes are for old people?

I like to think if I were a messenger it would be on a rigid, geared mountain bike with slicks.

If I were a messenger, I would ride a fixie... unicycle.
With spoke cards.
And jet propulsion.
On a road made of candy and chocolate.

Is that so hard to understand?

no wonder most people think fixed gear riders are idiots.

Wut, brakes and gears?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj1-218EnvY

I don't get why people want to be messengers, they are a bunch of losers!

well done on achieving being able to get a document from A-B, whilst making pittance and going home to their crappy apartments to get drunk on cheap beer because they can't afford to do anything because they spend all the cash they do get on njs and boutique messenger bags and clothes.

Real messengers (the one's not in it for the lifestyle) are just a bunch of people with no qualifications, who can take the subway somewhere or ride a moped or something.

I've never been a bike messenger nor have I played one on the Internet. I'm a SS/FG devotee, but I really don't understand why anyone who makes their living riding a bike in city traffic all day would want to do it on a brakeless fixed gear. If I were doing this daily, I would probably use a fixed gear too, but with both front and rear brakes. I would gear the bike on the low end. This would give max control of the bike (if you are skidding you ain't stopping), and not put so much wear and tear on your knees. I'm coming at this as a geezer who has been riding a bike for 61 years. I was off the bike from '92-'98 with palellar tendonitis. That weren't no fun, boys.

A lot of the courriers in Toronto I've seen use brakes. Not all of them are on fixed gear bikes either.


I don't get why people want to be messengers, they are a bunch of losers!

well done on achieving being able to get a document from A-B, whilst making pittance and going home to their crappy apartments to get drunk on cheap beer because they can't afford to do anything because they spend all the cash they do get on njs and boutique messenger bags and clothes.

Real messengers (the one's not in it for the lifestyle) are just a bunch of people with no qualifications, who can take the subway somewhere or ride a moped or something.

Wow, read bikesnobnyc to get all your opinions and never actually meet a bike messenger much? Or is it some kind of deep seated resentment because you've got this complex about you thinking they're cooler than you?

99% of the courriers I've rode with are cool people who are passionate about bikes. You're just a dick.

Hey man, sorry, but earning no money is not a career. You ain't gonna go pro, there are no sweet advertising deals to sign. I am not saying the people aren't cool, just that in my opinion. It's a bunch of losers who become messengers. There is also a difference between, having a messenger job for a short while because you are at uni or something, but being a messenger, you aren't going to to go anywhere in the world.

At least with skateboarding you have a chance of getting signed, doing competitions and making big money (as with many other sports).

Do you understand what I am saying?

I knew expressing my opinions would get me in trouble again!

Hey man, sorry, but earning no money is not a career. You ain't gonna go pro, there are no sweet advertising deals to sign. I am not saying the people aren't cool, just that in my opinion. It's a bunch of losers who become messengers. There is also a difference between, having a messenger job for a short while because you are at uni or something, but being a messenger, you aren't going to to go anywhere in the world.

At least with skateboarding you have a chance of getting signed, doing competitions and making big money (as with many other sports).

Do you understand what I am saying?

I knew expressing my opinions would get me in trouble again!

Determining someone's merit or worth (calling them a "loser") based on their financial prospects is a hollow and pointless existence IMO. I would guess that makes artists, social workers, writers, musicians, professional cyclists and the like "losers" as well, and the 45 year old accountant who hates his job, takes medications for his blood pressure, his obesity, his stress and a bit of xanax just tot ake the edge off being alive is a "winner".

I think your priorities suck. Anyone who can say without reservations that they get a lot of satisfaction from their life rather than having to say "... but it's stable" or "... but it pays the bills" is better off than some consumer drone working a "respectable" job that they hate.

accountant?? no way, but an investment banker? yes. there is also a difference between doing work for altruistic reasons, musicians also want to make it big, and have goals and creativity and passion. In what way is that similar to riding your expensive bike around town taking documents places? But when you get a family, have children to feed and clothe and fund, making money becomes top priority. You gotta pay them bills.

It reminds me of family guy when Peter said his relative was a philospher, with the wife holding a baby saying, just get a job, with his reply "BUT, Why????"

I get what the_don is saying. It's not like someone's obit will list them as "retired bike messenger". But it's fine if you never want to own your own place, maybe raise some kids, and retire.

As I see it, the don is saying that respectability flows from wealth.
And that responsible people breed.
A lot of people think this.

But can we get back on topic? Old people don't understand the youth of today.
Oh. I finally got the joke. The don is mimicking the OP to be funny.
Well done. Much more subtle than my earlier absurdism.

accountant?? no way, but an investment banker? yes. there is also a difference between doing work for altruistic reasons, musicians also want to make it big, and have goals and creativity and passion. In what way is that similar to riding your expensive bike around town taking documents places? But when you get a family, have children to feed and clothe and fund, making money becomes top priority. You gotta pay them bills.

It reminds me of family guy when Peter said his relative was a philospher, with the wife holding a baby saying, just get a job, with his reply "BUT, Why????"

An investment banker? I think that's about as low on the spectrum of horrible jobs I can think of (short of sweat shop labor) so our priorities are clearly different. I'm talking about that for me (and a lot of other people) the promise of what you will be compensated for your job is more or less meaningless weighed against how much you will enjoy working that job. Better to enjoy the majority of your waking life than work a crappy job to pay for your speedboat that will grant you 30 hours of enjoyment per year out of the thousands of hours working a job that sucks.

As for altruism or utility to society, an investment banker produces no product or useful services and brings no benefit to anyone other than other investment bankers. The day of finance being used to promote the production of goods and services has been replaced mostly by finance as it's own insulated world of money backed by no real assets for at least a decade. From a societal utility point of view, they're worthless.

The bikes I see ridden by messengers in downtown Toronto are all over the place. It seems to come down to a few critical points: 1) what can you afford? b) what can you afford to lose? c) is it comfortable? There are lots and lots of guys that make it around on old hybrids and rigid mountain bikes. Almost none ride high end bikes, and that makes sense. Why would you wear on a nice bike for a job that can't really pay for the resulting maintenance?

money = worth.

capitalist pig!

Most messengers I know don't ride brakeless fixed gears for work.


Real messengers (the one's not in it for the lifestyle) are just a bunch of people with no qualifications, who can take the subway somewhere or ride a moped or something.

Don't be a jerk. I know plenty of people who do it because they like it. Yeah, it can be frustrating, and it's not the best job in the world, but you're making some really raw blanket statements about people based on the line of work that they're doing, and then you're turning around and hiding behind "oh golly, people don't like when I express my opinion!"

Back when I started biking, there was no such thing as a downhill. You kids have it easy.

On the other hand, there weren't any uphills either because the earth was still flat.

Pedex might disagree w/ not doing so well as a messenger.

Determining someone's merit or worth (calling them a "loser") based on their financial prospects is a hollow and pointless existence IMO. I would guess that makes artists, social workers, writers, musicians, professional cyclists and the like "losers" as well, and the 45 year old accountant who hates his job, takes medications for his blood pressure, his obesity, his stress and a bit of xanax just tot ake the edge off being alive is a "winner".

I think your priorities suck. Anyone who can say without reservations that they get a lot of satisfaction from their life rather than having to say "... but it's stable" or "... but it pays the bills" is better off than some consumer drone working a "respectable" job that they hate.

+1
Excellent post.

money = worth.

capitalist pig!

this....
minus the negativity. lol.

I'm not making any judgments about messengers themselves, but I will say this: being a messenger is one bad gig. It is an underpaid, risky, physically taxing, and thankless job.

I'm not making any judgments about messengers themselves, but I will say this: being a messenger is one bad gig. It is an underpaid, risky, physically taxing, and thankless job.

...and your experience with being a messenger is? I didnt realize they had messengers in texas.

From what I understand, the percentage of messengers that ride brakeless track bikes is actually pretty small. It's just that they're the most hipster-y so people started doing that. Most messengers ride way more practical bikes, but practical != cool.

Also, the_don is totally being a dick.

...and your experience with being a messenger is? I didnt realize they had messengers in texas.

i don't have any experience as a messenger, but I talk to the guys who do runs for us (when they're not working, of course haha). They don't get paid much, and they take a lot of risks as far as running red lights, etc.

Yes, they have messengers in Texas just like they do in every other state, except our messengers ride horses and deliver guns and ammunition to cowboys and rangers.

my experience with being a courier in boston and nyc is quite different than being a courier in texas then. I wouldnt want the job in texas -- not enough tags to make a sustainable living, probably no syndicates or emergency funds, and a city planning that is not in favor of cycling (from what I've seen in Austin and Houston). So, your friends experiences will be vastly different than ours.

I wouldnt want to run a record shop in the middle of the Gobi desert, but it might be quite excellent in Williamsburg or the Mission or Wicker Park.

What I find odd, however, is the messenger fetish by those who have absolutely nothing to do with couriers...and who live in the suburbs or kansas or wherever. That's like NASCAR fans emulating and praising taxi drivers. Bizarre.

ya the guys here def. make less than those in NYC I'm sure. From what I can tell, the courier companies consist of like 95% car and 5% bike. The bike guys basically ride around our small downtown area all day picking up and dropping off legal papers.

they also spend about 1/2 their time sitting at Little City coffee shop, so I'd venture a guess that they aren't getting that many runs...

Most of the messengers I see actually ride geared bikes, maybe to postion themselves away from the fixed gear fad, proabably because it's just more practical. As far as the human worth worth of people who choose messenger not as a transitional job but as career, I see the merits and the philosophy behind it. But the people I've met who choose this path have also stopped growing as a human being, they've been stuck on being a perpetual 21-23 for years even though they're in their late 20's - early 30's and have no wish to change. That's fine and all, but it's gotta get old after a while. They feel like those people that are a couple of years out of highschool but still going to all the parties cause they never figured out how to grow up.

Of the couriers I know it's a pretty 50/50 split. BUT it's Toronto with a high fixie population.
Back when I messed in Montreal in the 80's it was nice road bikes and MTBs that ruled the roads.

Most messengers develop a preference after a while, and generally have a least one backup bike.
The job's never been about the money, there are as many reasons for wanting to do that job as there are messengers.

Most of the messengers I see actually ride geared bikes, maybe to postion themselves away from the fixed gear fad, proabably because it's just more practical. As far as the human worth worth of people who choose messenger not as a transitional job but as career, I see the merits and the philosophy behind it. But the people I've met who choose this path have also stopped growing as a human being, they've been stuck on being a perpetual 21-23 for years even though they're in their late 20's - early 30's and have no wish to change. That's fine and all, but it's gotta get old after a while. They feel like those people that are a couple of years out of highschool but still going to all the parties cause they never figured out how to grow up.

Some people might get the impression that they lack any real aspirations. It's not like there are any advancement opportunities. Burnout seems imminent.

That's exactly my point. For some reason this job (job in the way chris rock describes it) is glorified. But it is low money and provides no future.

I have no problem with people doing it because they need a summer job, or it's an easy job to get to make some cash for a bit, and make friends who are into bikes and all. But once you have kids, your priorities change. You need a lot more money, healthcare coverage, pay for kids clothes, food etc. I know a lot of poor people have kids, but if you can barely afford to pay your own way in life, is that responsible?

I won't have kids until I feel I am financially sound. I 'could' afford it now, like some of my friends who accidentally got pregnant and have had one, but they stuggle to get by, even though their salary isn't bad. Everyone is welcome to what they want to do, but if you are happy earning pittance because you love your underpaid go nowhere, with no family healthcoverage job then fine. But that doesn't seem very responsible to me. I want to be able to provide for my family and make sure we don't have to worry about it.

I don't want to be rich, but I don't want to have so little money I can't do anything.

Also, investment bankers like their jobs, I have many friends in many careers, lawyers who work till 2am everyday, office workers who work late, kindergarten teachers who love working with kids, nurses, etc. Some people love their jobs, some hate them, but those that hate them have plans, have good experience and skills and are in a good position to transition into a new field.

That is why I said a messenger job is a 'loser' job (in the sense of wanting to make your career out of it). If it's something you want to do to make a bit of cash instead of convenience store or fast food shop then that's great. Just don't expect to be doing it in 10 years time when you have 2 mouths to feed.

There is such a thing as doing a job because you enjoy it, not because you have to do it (meaning you live outside your means and you have a killer dept to repay or you think you have to have the best of the best to prove something.)
Why the hell would someone want to join the military? You don’t get paid well you get treated like dirt at the beginning until you make rank and you could get sent to war and die! So why would you?
Why would someone want to be a police officer and never be appreciated for what they do and get looked down on pretty much every move they make and could get their a$$ handed to them or get shot at any time?

Yes both examples are me. Why military, because I needed a drastic change in my life and why police, because some of us do make a difference and plus I get to ride a bike and get paid for it.

That's exactly my point. For some reason this job (job in the way chris rock describes it) is glorified. But it is low money and provides no future.

I have no problem with people doing it because they need a summer job, or it's an easy job to get to make some cash for a bit, and make friends who are into bikes and all. But once you have kids, your priorities change. You need a lot more money, healthcare coverage, pay for kids clothes, food etc. I know a lot of poor people have kids, but if you can barely afford to pay your own way in life, is that responsible?

I won't have kids until I feel I am financially sound. I 'could' afford it now, like some of my friends who accidentally got pregnant and have had one, but they stuggle to get by, even though their salary isn't bad. Everyone is welcome to what they want to do, but if you are happy earning pittance because you love your underpaid go nowhere, with no family healthcoverage job then fine. But that doesn't seem very responsible to me. I want to be able to provide for my family and make sure we don't have to worry about it.

I don't want to be rich, but I don't want to have so little money I can't do anything.

Also, investment bankers like their jobs, I have many friends in many careers, lawyers who work till 2am everyday, office workers who work late, kindergarten teachers who love working with kids, nurses, etc. Some people love their jobs, some hate them, but those that hate them have plans, have good experience and skills and are in a good position to transition into a new field.

That is why I said a messenger job is a 'loser' job (in the sense of wanting to make your career out of it). If it's something you want to do to make a bit of cash instead of convenience store or fast food shop then that's great. Just don't expect to be doing it in 10 years time when you have 2 mouths to feed.

Has anyone said that being a messenger is a great career choice forever and ever and that we should all do it until we keel over from old age? Who are you arguing with?

why police, because some of us do make a difference and plus I get to ride a bike and get paid for it.

I would be a motorcycle cop in a heartbeat.

Hey man, sorry, but earning no money is not a career. You ain't gonna go pro, there are no sweet advertising deals to sign. I am not saying the people aren't cool, just that in my opinion. It's a bunch of losers who become messengers. There is also a difference between, having a messenger job for a short while because you are at uni or something, but being a messenger, you aren't going to to go anywhere in the world.

No, messengers are burnt-out stockbrokers that couldn't handle the pressure of Wall Street. Right, Kevin Bacon?

I would be a motorcycle cop in a heartbeat.

I'd be a bike cop just so I could ride a cyclocross bike and blow my coworker's minds that there is a bike that is both fast and offroadable, unlike the moronic front suspension mountain bikes all our local cops use (exclusively on asphalt no less).

I'd be a bike cop just so I could ride a cyclocross bike and blow my coworker's minds that there is a bike that is both fast and offroadable, unlike the moronic front suspension mountain bikes all our local cops use (exclusively on asphalt no less).

That's just what they're spec'd with. Heck, they ride front suspension inside the airport at Boulder.

The freedom being a messenger represents ...
Being able to compete (now) around the world ...
To get paid(somewhat) to ride all day, sometimes in extremely challenging conditions ...

To develop your handling skills to be able to slice heavy traffic like a hot ginshu through butter .to become BIKEZILLA!.and destroy investment bankers' egos by sleeping with their secretaries , priceless

The freedom being a messenger represents ...
Being able to compete (now) around the world ...
To get paid(somewhat) to ride all day, sometimes in extremely challenging conditions ...

To develop your handling skills to be able to slice heavy traffic like a hot ginshu through butter .to become BIKEZILLA!.and destroy investment bankers' egos by sleeping with their secretaries , priceless

The reality is that you get low pay, the odds are good that you'll be injured, and there is no insurance or any other sort of benefits package. When I delivered pizzas in college, at least I got a good dinner every night.

I got more than a quarter million base miles at the start of my passion for cycling. I got to ride with a pro, met many more. I made alot more than they make now, psst the fax hadn't been marketed yet. 6 years never injured, least not for biking, in fact it was my physio for skateboarding injuries. Now nobody's getting benefits either... ok I kid. Still, it was a hell of a fun job. Those that can rip still can make a descent buck, but they are they ones that RIP and don't hang out talking so you'll most likely never see them. If I get layedoff I might hit the road again for a couple weeks just to clear my head after all these years desk jockeyin'.

"I'm coming at this as a geezer who has been riding a bike for 61 years."

Well, there you go - you're old and therefore clueless. Not to mention you're apparently no longer able to use online services such as youtube, which would let you see what all the excitement is about. Or maybe you just feel the part of a troll today. ;-) I know I do.

You've been riding for 61 years? Whoa. I'm 61. I picked up a single-geared bike last March, about 40 years too late. Yeah, I have brakes. I also taught myself to slow down and stop without brakes, which makes me feel 25 again! But since I don't like purchasing new tires every few weeks, I use the brakes most of the time.

On a more serious note:

"I was off the bike from '92-'98 with palellar tendonitis. That weren't no fun, boys."

That is a very, very long time to suffer from what is commonly known as "jumper's knee." Luckily, I've suffered no ill effects from acting like I'm 25 again.

The reality is that you get low pay, the odds are good that you'll be injured, and there is no insurance or any other sort of benefits package. When I delivered pizzas in college, at least I got a good dinner every night.

you should ask pedex, he has his own messenger business and evidently does very well.

Some people might get the impression that they lack any real aspirations. It's not like there are any advancement opportunities. Burnout seems imminent.

I don't know if you're being sarastic or not, but yeah, that is the impression I get sometimes. Whatever your aspirations maybe in life, i would hope they encompass more than just being a bike messenger. Become a pro, open up a bike shop, something. Even if you fail, it's better than just being something you could have been when you were teenager.

You've been riding for 61 years? Whoa. I'm 61. I picked up a single-geared bike last March, about 40 years too late. Yeah, I have brakes. I also taught myself to slow down and stop without brakes, which makes me feel 25 again!

Mine makes me feel twenty again. :)

I'm not making any judgments about messengers themselves, but I will say this: being a messenger is one bad gig. It is an underpaid, risky, physically taxing, and thankless job.

Lol not when they have tons of fanboys like yourself stroking them.

And you could say the same things about being a real bike racer too, except that bike racers don't deserve any thanks.

Lol not when they have tons of fanboys like yourself stroking them.

And you could say the same things about being a real bike racer too, except that bike racers don't deserve any thanks.

fail

I've been thanked many a time for my quick service. Especially the lawyer I delivered documents to while the trail was going on, or the financial company I spent 45 minutes looking for the responsible party so I could give them 35 million $ in cheque form from another financial institution. Clients are often very grateful, but thanks not why most people wold do it, to be thanked. If you need a bunch external reinforcement to be willing to do a good job, you might be in the wrong job. I loved riding in the crappy conditions, everyone else would punk off and I'd clean up. $$$$

Isn't being paid to race bikes thanks enough? It would have been to me back when I was young enough to do it.

fail

Explain yourself.

Do you stroke messangers too? It seems to me that messengers get plenty of support, atleast around these parts.

I think you're the one stroking.