kludge

this is my rant about the whole fixed gear culture and how it's getting sort of nuts. firstly, i love bikes of all shapes and sizes. i think its really great that a lot more people are getting on bikes because of interest in riding a fixed gear bike. HOWEVER im starting to see a wierd elitist twist thats starting to happen and im not sure if i even want to be a part of it all anymore. I see lot of young people pour tons of money into their full on NJS certified whip that wont even come within 10 miles of a velodrome. It's as if the track bike has become the new ultimate fashion statement. It all makes me cringe deep inside when i talk to someone thats really about it all and totally wants a set of phil wood hubs, or nitto drop stems and they dont even know the reasoning behind using either of those products. Ive even run into people who have given me so much sh *i -t for even thinking about building something up based on an iro or surly frame....because those company's arent italian or japanese(wtf....).

bikes are good, bikes are great, but the one great thing about riding fixed is that its a culture where one of the main points is that one should build up thier ride according to what works for them. Im pretty sure track geometry doesnt work for everyone. Maybe its because of where i live that i cant not see a dozen track bikes in a day but ive come to appreciate a unique converted fix more than some njs cert'd bling bling status symbol.

in the end i dont think its healthy how inflated things will become. i just hope to be around to collect a few goodies once the cool kids move on to the next thing.

the homealien

I'm with you here, but I'm laying my faith in the other side of the culture, the side that rides proudly on old converted steel with scavenged parts. I'm young and new to fixed, but old to economy and simplicity, and these other kids with their storebought status symbols are getting on my nerves. But what are you going to do? It's a fad. It'll pass. Cheap parts for the rest of us.

zip22

you registered to post that?

why does it irk you so much? if they have the money let them blow it. if they are making bad choices, let them do it. its not like their taking anything from you... maybe you think they're taking your thunder?

B17

He's in your mirror.

the homealien

Sure, call it elitist, but it does irk me to see people wasting money on fashion. I wish those that have two grand to spend on a pretty track bike that they will never race would spend it on ten bikes for their friends and family. Or save it and help send their kids to school. Or something...

kludge

actually, i knew someone would say it. i actually, registered a while back but never got in the mood to post much of anything, i just like to read and lurk.



b17.....how am i the elitist?

zip22

https://www.google.com/search?q=define%3Aelitist

you think only track racers should own track equipment, setting them apart and giving them special privilege.

skelly

Less talk, more riding.

Terror_in_pink

B-O-R-I-N-G

baxtefer

hey! it's been a while since the last good hispter bashing thread..

(munches popcorn)

the homealien

Let's make it a sticky, eh?

Placid Casual

R-e-a-c-h-i-n-g....

Sammyboy

I think it's tired reading about what everybody hates. I remember seeing a thread on fixedgeargallery, two threads in fact, "Right", and "Wrong", where everybody had their say on what was acceptable and what wasn't. Tired. Buy a bike, like it, ride it, enjoy it. And let everyone else do the same.

I have an old lugged steel frame that I'm building fixed from scavenged parts. I like old school track stuff, but it's not a track frame. I can't afford whatever messenger bag you have to have to be cool in NY. Who cares? I'll like my bike, when it's finished, and the only way I could hope to compete is by liking mine more than you like yours.....

MKRG

Popcorn??? Wouldn't wasabi peas or something be more hip considering the forthcoming content? Popcorn...sheesh, time to think out of the box.

I got a white studded belt at Goodwill the other day.

B17

Maybe "elitist" isn't the proper term, but you used it to describe people who happen to like track bikes today and may not like them so much tomorrow. And because they either don't know enough about their original intended purpose, or don't use them for that purpose, you think they shouldn't own one.

You even followed up with:

A part of what? Seriously.

It's not a password to a clubhouse. It's a bike. They own one, you own one. But you're the one who's here telling us why they don't need theirs. I'd wager that few people who own any kind of bike actually need it. But you feel strongly enough about this that you're willing to give up whatever it is you think you're "a part of" because the people you describe own the same sort of bike that you do.

legalize_it

hey lets all go out and get some velocity deep-v's while we're at it

rithem

agreed.

one comment please.

Kludge I think the next time you see one of these undeserving "track bike" riders on the street you should challenge them to a race through traffic and see if they can smoke your fast reckless ass. okay.

zelah

i know a local lady who's (as far as i know) got a full njs whip, she never gave me **** about mine not being though

pitboss

so leave then.
I am not going to ask you to hang around.


You know, this is when the gun went off and blew a hole in your foot. You rant about people building what they want (Italian/Japanese/etc), and then this comes up. Because you cannot afford all the nice parts? Because you cannot afford a nice frame? Weak. Whatever. So now I need to accept soemthing I find an aberration because you are all butt-hurt about people wanting to build up nice bikes? Get over it. Really. Or get a job that allows you to build a nicer bike. Sounds like someone is having an identity crisis.

People will build and ride what works for them and that is a good thing. But I do not have to like their bikes. I like mine, that is why I have them. Stay where you are - the world needs someone to appreciate the cleverness and fine unique fixed gears of which you speak. I cannot. And that must make me an *******, but I can live with that. I am not elite, just honest.

Your title and content are borderline disparate - you hate track stuff, but will wait around until no one wants it anymore? I have a feeling you won't be first to pick up the pieces. Go wait in line.

schloe mo

i remember when i got a job at this really hip place, and i was nervous. so to make myself seem ultra cool, i rambled about all the things i hate. made me feel really important at the time. now, i look back and cringe.

monkey

"You wanna get nuts! C'mon, let's get nuts!" My favorite line from Batman. Who would've thought that Mr.Mom would've made such a kick*ss Bruce Wayne?

shants

i like bikes.

jmgorman

Excellent idea! No one can bash a hipster until one has raced and beat a hipster. And even then, what's the fun? You've already shown you are faster - and that is all that matters.

EnLaCalle

Wait until you enter the "real world" (I'm assuming you're at U of I) my young friend. The amount of waste you'll encounter in pretty much any professional endeavor is not only sickening, but criminal. You can buy a ceramic mug to drink your office coffee from to avoid the styrofoam which the maws of your caffeine-hungry co-workers are buried in... but it's only the head of a pin in an ocean of infinity.

Robbykills

I don't mind kids riding really fancy expensive bikes. But I think it's total bull**** when they talk down on a decent, working bike because it isn't as fancy. If I had the extra money to buy a $2000 track bike I probably would, but until then a conversion that some people probably would talk **** on suits me fine.