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Is the fixed gear scene dead?

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Is the fixed gear scene dead?

Old 04-13-11, 12:26 AM
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Is the fixed gear scene dead?

I got into the whole fixie thing pretty early on, rode like hell for awhile and loved it. Unfortunately, It didn't seem to take much time before it turned into a bastardization of itself and more of a fashion statement than anything. More and more fixie riders started popping up with their skinny jeans and colored deep v's. Pretty soon "fixie" was synonymous with "hipster". Now, I'm certainly no purist and could generally care less about what people do with their bikes, but eventually something I really loved for its simplicity was now almost like a watch for pair of sunglasses.

I bought myself a nice road bike with gears and a freewheel, then a mountain bike, then another one, and never really looked back. Even the scene in San Francisco (home of mash, macaframa, and the like) seems to have shifted from the trendy fixed gear to the more practical multi-geared road bike.

So, that begs the question: is the fixed gear bicycle really just a slowly dying fad?
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Old 04-13-11, 12:31 AM
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I bought my Schwinn Madison for the simplicity, durability, maintenance, and value. I don't really care if they are popular or not. Or if any "scene" is dying. I'm no hipster.
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Old 04-13-11, 12:34 AM
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i'm a huge hipster and i love my deathbike regardless of how dead this scene is.

it's been dead for a while, btw.
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Old 04-13-11, 12:37 AM
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There is a scene ?

Guess I have been too busy riding my bikes to notice or care.
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Old 04-13-11, 12:40 AM
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Come out to Fremont for the alleycat may 7th and see just how dead it is.
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Old 04-13-11, 12:41 AM
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I think it certainly has been dead for a good amount of time, but I don't know if I was ever affected and if it's even relevant. It seems like if you enjoy riding the bike that you ride, you're going to keep riding it. In San Francisco there will always be a fixed gear scene.
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Old 04-13-11, 12:42 AM
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I'm thinking many of the people that got into fixies because they were/are cool actually fell in love with cycling and started to explore other ways of doing it. I know all kinds of these people that now go on self supported bike tours, bought mountain bikes, or started racing. I don't see fixies fading away here yet
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Old 04-13-11, 12:48 AM
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What's a scene?
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Old 04-13-11, 12:48 AM
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I was riding everything before I built my first fixed gear and it has always been just another way to enjoy cycling... it has been nice to see some of the guys who cut their teeth on fixed gear bikes start to appreciate other forms of cycling.

Because of health issues I spend more time riding my geared bikes but it is still nice to get out on one of the 3 fixed gear bikes I own and be able to enjoy the ride.
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Old 04-13-11, 12:58 AM
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Don't beg the question. Someone around here might get their panties in a twist and try to correct you.

Also, only hipsters care about whether their "scene" is cool or not. Just go ride your bike.
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Old 04-13-11, 12:59 AM
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The polka scene is alive and well.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:05 AM
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scene is dead i guess. a few of my friends still do a wednesday night ride, but no new faces have shown up in the past year. though i guess on the rare occasion someone new came out they probably got dropped.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:06 AM
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Originally Posted by rustybrown
The polka scene is alive and well.
thank god.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:08 AM
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Originally Posted by striknein
don't beg the question. Someone around here might get their panties in a twist and try to correct you.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted by dansjustchillin
Come out to Fremont for the alleycat may 7th and see just how dead it is.
ever ride hellyer? good fun.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:21 AM
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Originally Posted by roastbeef
ever ride hellyer? good fun.
Not yet it's on my list of things to get around to. You'll usually find me riding aimlessly around Fremont/Newark area. Seriously though, we're having an alleycat May 7th and the proceeds are being donated to aid japan in their current situation. Click HERE for flyer.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Ultraspontane
I'm no hipster.
hipster
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Old 04-13-11, 01:31 AM
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definitely isn't dying in davis. in fact, i've noticed a huge increase in single speeds/fixed gears in the past year. for a city claiming to be the bike capital of the world, it's certainly slow to catch on.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:36 AM
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Originally Posted by YaBoiHeSoFresh
definitely isn't dying in davis. in fact, i've noticed a huge increase in single speeds/fixed gears in the past year. for a city claiming to be the bike capital of the world, it's certainly slow to catch on.
Likewise at san diego.. heck Emi from mash and leader is here LOL

There's an entire gang of guys on leaders here. And a whole bunch of cheapo chinabuilds.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:42 AM
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I'm very embarrassed I'm so late to this thread.

Yes, it's dead, move along.

P.S. Please send me your old parts on the way out.
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Old 04-13-11, 01:50 AM
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For some people fixed gear is their introduction to cycling since childhood, and some of them are just simply moving on to other disciplines of cycling like road, mountain, BMX, CX etc etc...I don't see it as a fad as people will always ride fixed gears.

It's all good, they're on a bike, right?
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Old 04-13-11, 02:14 AM
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years and years ago I got into fixed gears for their simplicity the feel of them and just for the love of bikes I have been in love with cycling since I was a kid.
when fixed gears took off and everyone and their mom had one at first I was miffed as they didn't seem to know how to ride however it made me happy to see other people on bikes
since then the bike polo league in my home town has taken off some have ditched fixed gear for coaster brakes or single speeds others still ride fixed gears as well as dabbling in other sorts of bikes.
I personally love single speed bikes I have several different types to include mountain bikes folding bikes town bikes, I think I have about 8 bikes in my garage right now not including my 2 fixed gears and my new track bike I am building
the bottom line is love bikes ride bikes stop caring about everyone else and the bs of a scene and just enjoy
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Old 04-13-11, 02:43 AM
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Originally Posted by YaBoiHeSoFresh
for a city claiming to be the bike capital of the world, it's certainly slow to catch on.
wait since when is Davis bike capital of the world?
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Old 04-13-11, 02:54 AM
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Originally Posted by dansjustchillin
Not yet it's on my list of things to get around to. You'll usually find me riding aimlessly around Fremont/Newark area. Seriously though, we're having an alleycat May 7th and the proceeds are being donated to aid japan in their current situation. Click HERE for flyer.
good **** man, i might make it out. liking the area cycles sponsorship. they're right in my neck of the woods, solid shop. almost wish they catered to more than just ss/fg.

Last edited by roastbeef; 04-13-11 at 02:58 AM.
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Old 04-13-11, 02:55 AM
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seems the consensus is that the whole fg thing was most definitely a fad, but the cycling purists pedal on. solid.

Originally Posted by bleedingapple
wait since when is Davis bike capital of the world?
don't worry portland, we haven't forgotten about you.
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