Just got back from Chicago
 

I spend the day in the city, and i saw sooo many nice fixed gear or single speeds. I always knew there would be a lot more up there but i didnt think this many. It seems to have become a more popular thing especially where i was at for the day.

I just wanted to get out of the car and look at them all.

xxx

Good times. Are you from Olney, Il Dr. Talk? I grew up near there....

why were you in your car!!!! Get out and ride around!


But, yeah the singlespeed thing has EXPLODED here, they are everywhere. And while it started with the messengers, spread to the hipsters, now it seems like now everyone is riding them for all walks. Its actually pretty cool as you see a lot of neat bikes.

i live about 45 minuntes away on the indiana side, so i already talk funny. i wish i had my bike with me yesterday, it was so nice outside. im thinking about going back up later this summer to ride around

chifg.com for some more condensed chicago info

i have to apply to be a member?

yes

...if you have to ask...they don't want you...

I was just in Chicago as well and I second that I saw more ss and fixed bikes than geared jobbies it was weird. I think there is 20 or 30 fixed bikes in Abq, NM

what part of chicago were you in? i was in Wrigleyville but when i go back ill be in the loop

downtown and I wanna say, wicker park area but not sure if thats what its called seemed a little like hipster central but was cool had some yummy pizza there , NYC style

I was out there last week, saw a bunch nice bikes out in the street but nothing like what you see in SF or NY on the regular. Indoors at Yojimbos however, damnnnn that is one nice bike shop....

true true those colnago track frames are soooooo nice

I'm heading there for the first time this weekend, and am pumped.

And to make this bike related- my brother lives there, and I'm thinking about building up SS/fixed cruisers for he and the lady as a wedding present.

Agreed, there is a lot of fixed riders in chicago (i'll be another adding +1 to the crowd soon enough). But there is also a suprisingly large group riding singlespeed with only the front brake, too. I noticed they congregate around wicker park.

Chicago is possibly the flattest major American city, certainly
that I've been in. Single speed/fixed gear makes tons of sense
there. In fact, having gears basically doesn't.

theritor, where in central illinois are you coming from?

Anywho, gears make sense in some of the suburbs and when facing that great wind. On the whole though, one gear is definitely the way to go.

Bloomington, I'll be out out here come august. Are you familiar with the area Don?

yeah, the place is flat as it could ever be, the only hills, pretty much, are caused by bridges. I've been in Chicago enough now to know my way around.

we drove up last weekend for a batman casting call thing, and spent the day there. i didn't see too many fixed gears but i saw hundreds of polish people. maybe a parade or something. the city was gorgeous though, and the chicago diner is amazing.

There is some absolutely amazing bikes rolling around Chicago. Their bikes are so nice, I always feel like one of those crazy bums rolling around on a rusty mountain bike that is all ****ed up and stolen, And I have a pretty nice bike! Lets attack them! ...kidding

I'm from the NW suburbs, though for the last 4 years I've been at UIUC. I'm moving to Chicago for a full time job though, so I'm trying to get the lay of the land.

its pretty sweet how flat chicago is.