Fixie popularity waning?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 310
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Fixie popularity waning?
now before you jump down my throat, ive noticed less bikes submitted on fgg this year and less people in the ssfg forum in general. my hometown isnt really fixed gear central so i was wondering if you have noticed less people riding them around than in years past?
#2
moshmoshmosh
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 47
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
bro its only one day into 2010, give it time!
#5
A guy who rides bikes
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Mid-Missouri
Posts: 440
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All fads eventually die.
A few hardcore fixed riders will continue on because they actually prefer to ride fixed. The rest of the frat boys and hipsters will eventually sell their silly-colored bikes, get real jobs, put on weight, and forget they ever had a bike.
A few hardcore fixed riders will continue on because they actually prefer to ride fixed. The rest of the frat boys and hipsters will eventually sell their silly-colored bikes, get real jobs, put on weight, and forget they ever had a bike.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Athens, Ohio
Posts: 1,568
Bikes: Fuji Track, Half built 70s Azuki
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i've seen high school kids in the suburb or dayton, ohio that my parents live in riding fixed gears.
once something hits suburban dayton, it's dead.
once something hits suburban dayton, it's dead.
#7
JuNKie! bike junkie!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,559
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
because people get sick of the jerks on here and split
__________________
www.cranks505.com
www.cranks505.com
#8
Flying Under the Radar
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Northeast PA
Posts: 4,116
Bikes: 10' SuperiorLite SL Club | 06' Giant FCR3 | 2010 GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Fixies server their purpose. Track bikes, City Commuters, and Messenger bikes. Riding a fixie in a normally non hilly city makes a lot of sense as there are far fewer parts to worry about, repair, maintain, and have stolen. Plus people really do like having crazy ass colored bikes. Perhaps Lawrence Fishburn's bike in quicksilver was flashier than we all once thought?
#9
Comanche Racing
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas
Posts: 2,820
Bikes: Presto NJS build, Specialized Allez Pro w/ full Dura Ace and Ksyrium SLs, 1990something Specialized Sirrus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
FGs are more popular now than they have ever been. I see more and more of them every month that goes by. What has decreased is their coolness. I don't think they are considered cool anymore, so eventually they will probably lose some of their popularity. But at the moment, I would say there are more FG bikes on the road than ever before. I am seeing them go for really cheap on CL, though. Just the other day there was a stock Pista on CL for $150 obo.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 658
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't think the popularity is waning, but I think that bikesdirect and other makers have put enough fixed gear bikes on the market to meet the demand, so anybody with a can of spray paint and a 15mm wrench can't just throw a wheelset on an old 10 speed and sell it for $400+ any more.
Plus, it's winter.
I have a feeling that once spring returns, it'll kick off again.
Plus, it's winter.
I have a feeling that once spring returns, it'll kick off again.
#13
Antarctica awaits
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Tucson, Zona
Posts: 1,965
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I don't think the popularity is waning, but I think that bikesdirect and other makers have put enough fixed gear bikes on the market to meet the demand, so anybody with a can of spray paint and a 15mm wrench can't just throw a wheelset on an old 10 speed and sell it for $400+ any more.
Plus, it's winter.
I have a feeling that once spring returns, it'll kick off again.
Plus, it's winter.
I have a feeling that once spring returns, it'll kick off again.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,615
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
mountain bikes were a once a fad. Countless full suspension bikes existed exclusively on paved rec trails. Today a casual rider is more likely to buy a hybrid. Same will happen here. It will never die.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 322
Bikes: 2000 LeMond Buenos Aires / 1996 LeMond Alpe d'Huez / 2009 Scott Scale 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well said!
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,605
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I track sales very closely to try and be ahead of trends and when they might turn down.
Our sales in SS/FG have been growing every month for the last 5 years. 2009 saw a steady increase. Our percentage of bikes sold that were SS/FG was higher in the last 3 months of 2009 than same perod in 2008.
my feeling is: if a SS/FG can be a reasonable price that it will sell as a ultility bike for many, a training bike for some, a winter bike for some, a sport bike or primary bike for many and just a fun spare bike for lots of people.
in Florida you might be surprised how many houses with 2 people living there have 4, 5, or 6 SS cruisers in the garage {same idea, a simple bike that anyone can enjoy}
bikes are fun and if the price is right; why not have several? a SS/FG I think should be one of the bikes in everyones collection
Our sales in SS/FG have been growing every month for the last 5 years. 2009 saw a steady increase. Our percentage of bikes sold that were SS/FG was higher in the last 3 months of 2009 than same perod in 2008.
my feeling is: if a SS/FG can be a reasonable price that it will sell as a ultility bike for many, a training bike for some, a winter bike for some, a sport bike or primary bike for many and just a fun spare bike for lots of people.
in Florida you might be surprised how many houses with 2 people living there have 4, 5, or 6 SS cruisers in the garage {same idea, a simple bike that anyone can enjoy}
bikes are fun and if the price is right; why not have several? a SS/FG I think should be one of the bikes in everyones collection
__________________
https://www.bikesdirect.com
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." – Mahatma Gandhi
https://www.bikesdirect.com
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." – Mahatma Gandhi
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,615
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
not really. Fixed gear is more like a sub-genre than a fad. One disadvantage is that it is difficult to market advances in technology when you only have one gear. Of course it will be a passing phase for some. It will likely reach a saturation point like everything- where sales flatten. Plenty of riders own multiple bikes of various types.
#21
Veteran Racer
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Posts: 11,757
Bikes: 32 frames + 80 wheels
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1331 Post(s)
Liked 762 Times
in
431 Posts
Bicycling itself is a fad, at least in the USA, and the "fixie" fad is just a subset. I see new people coming to the track, getting all excited and buying an expensive "serious" track bike, entering a few races, getting their butts kicked by experienced riders on less expensive bikes, selling their bike at a loss and getting into something else. Same goes for road, MTB, triathlons etc. Very few people use bicycles for their original purpose: transportation.
I was riding FG on the road, usually cheap road bike conversions, for winter training to get my leg spin back long before the words "fixie", "hipster" and "tarck" were coined. For me it's a life commitment for health reasons and I expect to do it until I drop.
My current "fixie" and SS:
I was riding FG on the road, usually cheap road bike conversions, for winter training to get my leg spin back long before the words "fixie", "hipster" and "tarck" were coined. For me it's a life commitment for health reasons and I expect to do it until I drop.
My current "fixie" and SS:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 913
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This place feels like most have left...
Feels like a ghost town here....guessing the "new and improved" change to the forum has a lot to do with it. Personally, the change sucks.
Fixie/sspeed scene out here in California continues to grow. I have a nice Bianchi road bike gathering dust because of my inexpensive SS...fun and simple...and did I mention stronger legs? Happy New Year everyone...ride safe.
Fixie/sspeed scene out here in California continues to grow. I have a nice Bianchi road bike gathering dust because of my inexpensive SS...fun and simple...and did I mention stronger legs? Happy New Year everyone...ride safe.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 913
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I track sales very closely to try and be ahead of trends and when they might turn down.
Our sales in SS/FG have been growing every month for the last 5 years. 2009 saw a steady increase. Our percentage of bikes sold that were SS/FG was higher in the last 3 months of 2009 than same perod in 2008.
my feeling is: if a SS/FG can be a reasonable price that it will sell as a ultility bike for many, a training bike for some, a winter bike for some, a sport bike or primary bike for many and just a fun spare bike for lots of people.
in Florida you might be surprised how many houses with 2 people living there have 4, 5, or 6 SS cruisers in the garage {same idea, a simple bike that anyone can enjoy}
bikes are fun and if the price is right; why not have several? a SS/FG I think should be one of the bikes in everyones collection
Our sales in SS/FG have been growing every month for the last 5 years. 2009 saw a steady increase. Our percentage of bikes sold that were SS/FG was higher in the last 3 months of 2009 than same perod in 2008.
my feeling is: if a SS/FG can be a reasonable price that it will sell as a ultility bike for many, a training bike for some, a winter bike for some, a sport bike or primary bike for many and just a fun spare bike for lots of people.
in Florida you might be surprised how many houses with 2 people living there have 4, 5, or 6 SS cruisers in the garage {same idea, a simple bike that anyone can enjoy}
bikes are fun and if the price is right; why not have several? a SS/FG I think should be one of the bikes in everyones collection
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Between the mountains and the lake.
Posts: 16,681
Bikes: 8 bikes - one for each day of the week!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
That's not necessarily a bad thing. If you go read the "history lesson" thread, you'll learn why there is less traffic here. While the info in the thread is woefully one-sided and self-serving for a lot of uninformed people, the net result is that this site is a lot more civil having lost certain members. Other sites have popped up that have less ads, and the general population there is a lot nicer. Releasing vB4 didn't help this site at all.
#25
snob
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Vienna
Posts: 1,178
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
That's not necessarily a bad thing. If you go read the "history lesson" thread, you'll learn why there is less traffic here. While the info in the thread is woefully one-sided and self-serving for a lot of uninformed people, the net result is that this site is a lot more civil having lost certain members. Other sites have popped up that have less ads, and the general population there is a lot nicer. Releasing vB4 didn't help this site at all.