Originally Posted by
misskaz
That's not what avant garde means. Avant garde means new, experimental, and innovative. You can't just make up the definition to fit what you want it to be, especially when you mean the exact opposite ("proven" vs. "experimental")! Perhaps that's where much of the confusion in this thread is occurring.
Avant Garde cyclists make unique choices in bicycles, which result in acquiring bicycles that fit the criteria of being innovative, refreshing, and superior in quality when compared to most others. Sure, those highly sought after features that we all enjoy as cyclists must be present. For they have been "proven" throughout the years. However, it's the time and effort employed that makes certain cyclists, members of the vanguard in the selection of the royal single speed. A vanguard that stresses the significance of comfort (fit), ease of acceleration, durability, longevity of service, and aesthetics.
We don't just do the commonplaced thing by buying on impulse at a big box store. We develop a criteria for the bike in which we're looking, and we relentlessly pursue it. We are Avant garde, and so are our bicycles!
75% of all bicycles purchased last year, were purchased at big box store bicycle outlets. We're not cut from that cloth! We are the vanguard, in pursuit of the consummation of our dreams in the form of decent bicycles that suit are needs. Only this time, it's in the form of single speeds.