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If FG went mainstream . . .

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

If FG went mainstream . . .

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Old 01-20-05 | 11:48 AM
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If FG went mainstream . . .

Would you still be into it? I know many of us are drawn to FG because it is decidedly NOT mainstream. If one day every other bike on the road was fixed, would you be any less likely to ride one? Is it even possible that FG could go mainstream? (Define "mainstream" however you wish.)
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:50 AM
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umm...well, considering that i have a little over two grand invested in my track bikes, i probably wouldn't give it up just because everyone and their mother decided to ride track too....oh, wait....
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:50 AM
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:50 AM
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Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.

I thought that it already did. A good portion of the bikes I see every day are either fixed or SS...
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:52 AM
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Screw the eletist small-crowd mentality. I don't care if overnight 90% of the human population decides to ride fixies. I will always ride fixed because it fits me. I like it. That's all the reason I need and I see no reason why I would stop.
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:52 AM
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I ride fixed because it is inexpensive and easy to maintain and is vastly superior to any other form of cycling, not really because it is "not mainstream". If you ask me fixed is already pretty mainstream around Boston but I'm still ridin'.
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by dpayne
I know many of us are drawn to FG because it is decidedly NOT mainstream.
I feel sad for those people...
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:53 AM
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What do you mean "if". Every one and their mother is already riding fixes here. Works out great for me. More parts to go around! More people having fun! If a fix is what it takes to get people to stop driving then I'm all for it.
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:53 AM
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while i enjoy the novelty of the fixie sometimes, i doubt i would give it up. i still ride mountain and everyone and their dog has a mountain bike.
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Old 01-20-05 | 11:54 AM
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I'd rejoice in my ability to walk in to any store and pick up track parts.
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Old 01-20-05 | 12:03 PM
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i would definately still ride fixed. i've been riding fixed gear bikes for a couple of years and i'll probably never ride a geared bike again, just can't see myself doing it. i don't know how it is in other parts of the country, but here in atlanta, its definately making inroads into "mainstream" bike culture. i was talking about this to a guy that works at one of the larger bike shops here. two years ago you couldn't hardly get track or fixed components at this shop, now they have a whole area devoted to track, or fixed bikes (bianchi, khs, lemond, specialized). he was telling me folks come in there that ride department store bikes want to know about fixed gear bikes and all. its kinda interesting when you think about it.
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Old 01-20-05 | 12:06 PM
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already happened here too. now we have trackstar. it's great.
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Old 01-20-05 | 12:21 PM
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if it became popular i would throw my bikes in the garbage...

...and buy a segway scooter
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Old 01-20-05 | 12:43 PM
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I wouldn't give it up, but I would ride backwards exclusively just to be different.
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Old 01-20-05 | 12:47 PM
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I like it for it's quiet, smooth simplicity, and it's all weather durability, not its bad-ass street cred or because it's looked down upon by the mainstream.
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Old 01-20-05 | 12:51 PM
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Bikes: Spooky Metal Head ,Kona Stinky Primo,SE Flovel flyer,Bianchi Cross,Waterford Track,Fuji Track

WTF! you either RIDE or you don't such a question is not relevant if you do.
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Old 01-20-05 | 01:19 PM
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When you can get cogs at Wally-World it's mainstream
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Old 01-20-05 | 01:41 PM
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i think that it's perfectly normal (in this "society") for someone to feel a little resentment/disappointment/confusion if something (i.e., riding fixed) is appropriated by a community to which this person does not identify. if this person does in fact, for example, identify first as "a biker" and second as "a fixed rider" then i don't think that person would feel bad about riding fixed becoming more "mainstream." however, for a person who identifies as a "fixed rider" first, and in some way identifies her/himself in constrast to people who ride bikes that are not fixed, i think, perhaps unconsciously, that they would not be completely enthusiastic about the appropriation of riding fixed by those people.

we all create identities that are in some way a resistance to something.
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Old 01-20-05 | 01:49 PM
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Look what getting big did for BMX...

Way more parts, better parts, more places to ride, better videos, better magazines.

More people = more money in the industry...and the enthusiasts reap the benefits.
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Old 01-20-05 | 01:51 PM
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next thing you know everyone will be wearing trucker hats with slogans refering to stash pockets and pie.
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Old 01-20-05 | 01:51 PM
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I'd keep riding but I'd get some tattoos to diferentiate myself from the crowd..

Oh.. wait..
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Old 01-20-05 | 02:01 PM
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man in florida it hasn't caught on at all..there are a few cities where there are small groups but it isn't a signifigant amount. florida in general is pretty lame for biking because everything is so spread out and the public transportation sucks so everyone just asumes that cars are the only logical option. however, i wish that fixies would get mainstream because my days would be much better if i saw everyone skidding all over the place!
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Old 01-20-05 | 03:16 PM
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stop thinking.....just ride!
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Old 01-20-05 | 03:42 PM
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Old 01-20-05 | 03:56 PM
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Bikes: Singlespeed 70's Road, Singlespeed Trek Mtn, Trek 6800 Mtn.

I've seen maybe 6 in the last year in Sacramento... too popular for my blood! I'm switching to "gearless"! (¿wtf?)
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