This

I don't have a problem with it. Words are words, and if you want to put more of a meaning behind it than there is really necessary, go ahead. Let the naive be naive- just be happy with the fact that they're fascinated by track bikes even though they don't know the proper nomenclature. For example- you can't expect a person to know all the parts and proper terminology for a car engine when they've never worked with one.

What I honestly don't get is why you all hate the term fixie so much. It's slang. If you are planning to reply with something like "slang is stupid and unnecessary", let me ask you a question: have you ever used the word "laser"? Then you're a hypocrite. If you didn't know, that's slang/abbreviation for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation". Bam.

let me answer your questions: no, i have never abbreviated light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.

Bam

Why are people so enamoured with 'fixies' anyway? Maybe I just don't see the attraction because I'm 20lbs overweight, 20 years too old, live in a hilly area and enjoy coasting too much to give it up.

That's not exactly the same. There are certain acronyms that have entered into daily use as words, because they are so widely used (Scuba, Nascar, Taser) and people know what exactly it is when they say it. Words such as fixie are more showing ignorance (Now, im not saying that its a bad thing, everybody has to start somewhere), as a few posts have shown. This is more analogous to people calling wheels as "rims".
As much as I dislike the term, its something that I'll just have to live with, since in terms of general biking, fixed gears make up a very small percentage. As with all these niche activities, there's going to be a lot of shoddy information thrown around.

I guess I'm the only one who thinks that there's no real problem with changing the word fixed to fixie.

They can change the word fixie to awesome kitty for all I care; matter of fact, that'd be a much better name.

I live in a town where there is really only one other local fixed gear rider besides myself. No one really understand what a "fixed gear" bike is.

Well, for starters, these are my handlebars:

Fixed gear bikes have been referred to as "fixies" since the turn of last century. You should probably get used to/over it.

Personally i prefer "fixed gear" but i've talked to plenty of experienced riders(former pro/semi pro) at the lbs who refer to their fixed training bikes as "fixie",so it's really not just a novice/hipster/media thing.

There are some good and some not so good points in here...

Either way, I call my bike a fixie when talking to anyone who knows what that is. Shortly after I explain that it's a cyclocross and I ride it as such, coming back from about 90% of my rides with some form of dirt or dust from 'exploring' new routes. I actual like letting people get the preconception of my fixie and then realizing it's a rather drab, TWO BRAKES, clipless pedaled, cyclocrosser with a rider often in lycra/jersey ALWAYS wearing a helmet, gloves, and adequate eye protection. But then when I need to get somewhere I dress eerily like the picture above with a shirt, pants, and a lock! Just because I look like other people you've chosen not to like, doesn't mean I share a personality with any of them.

edit* I've also got TWO Chrome bags... One of them used to say $0.00 9/10 per gallon on it until that one took off...

A woman that knows what a fixie is that is not wearing a scarf and ironic sunglasses would get my attention.

Pretty much grandpa.

People actually do this? MY HEAD ASPLODE.

Acronym =/= slang. Bam.
I also don't care if people say fixie.

I do believe that "fixie" is a slang term representing a fixed gear bicycle, whereas saying "fixed gear bicycle" is a slang term for awesome. And since "slanging"* "fixed gear bicycle" to "fixie" is more efficient to say, it is awesome to do so as well. Therefore the word "fixie" is awesome in its own right, but doubly so since it is the awesomizing of another awesome term, "fixed gear" and is therefore awesomely awesome, or "awawesomely".


*Slanging is slang for slang.

Live long enough and someone will offend you, either intentionally or inadvertantly ? It's the intentional ones I don't tolerate. (Now, that I got that chip off my shoulder, back to toe clips ? )

holy **** this thread.

lollin hard

I refuse to be a part of this.

Wait...but you jus...wait..WHAT?!?!

Give yourself a nice pat on the shoulder, man. You should be really proud of yourself.

this.

All is revealed.