sweatpants

Hi. I'm brand new to the forums, and also new to road bikes. I've ridden mtb's and now brakeless flatland bmx for about 8 years now. I can't go anywhere on the flatland bike as it's not designed for traveling. I'm a minimalist at heart, and don't have any friends/aquaintences who ride road bikes. I've recently taken the plunge and double-clicked my way into a brand new custom fixed gear track bike. The appeal for me in this sub-genre is the simplicity and basic lack of upkeep they would seem to have. Frankly, I'm no good with the complexities of full brakes, shifters, and derailers. In my field of riding, having no breaks is the norm.

Recently I've been tooling around on the internet finding more about the "culture" of fixed gear; for lack of a better word, and it seems like fixed gear riders are seen as being obnoxious, snooty jack@sses. Since I don't personally know any, I can't say if this is true, but I gotta say, as a newby I'm a little concerned people will take one look at my ride and automatically think of me as a shallow trend follower. Is this something I should keep in mind around more traditional riders? Do you have any kind suggestions or guidelines for me to reduce animosity around other riders?

In the area I live in there is a long standing race circuit. Riders come every week and race around my neighborhood. I'd really like to go out there on the bike and check them out, but I'm a little leary of going into a pack of wolves. Maybe I'm overthinking this. idk. I'm such a non-trendy, non hip guy, I'm not really ready to be viewed as such.
cheers

roadfix

Just go out there in spandex and you won't be viewed as such. You'll be just another roadie who happens to be on a fixed gear.
But seriously, who cares what others might think. Just enjoy your new ride! Fixed gear riding can be addictive.

sweatpants

Thanks! I love all bikes, and the racers will probably pick up on that. Spandex is fail on me tho. I can't pull off that look.