Whoa, guys, I took off for a couple of hours to run some errands, and
all those 'fashion' and 'fixie' emails piled up.
I confess, to a fondness for internally geared hubs, especially extra-
quiet Shimano Alfines. Does anyone besides me love the clickety click
of well oiled pawls?
I agree that the loop of chain around the derailleur seems excessive
and ugly... but sometimes... gears are necessary!
I appreciate that it takes a certain skill to maintain track stands at
stoplights... but compare that to the pleasure of placing a pawl
spring just right with a pair of tweezers!
Que is mas macho?
Is is a public vs. private thing.. ie track stand at an intersection,
vs. the machitude of knowing how to set that tiny spring into its
place at the workbench?
I prefer the option of having different gears available... even though
Amsterdam is hella flat, sometimes the wind can be f-in' strong.
How about riding geared hubs, all you fixie people in San Francisco?
Is there any shame in that? How are your knees feeling?
As far as the 'people in the know' argument, it seems to me, that the
more people try to differentiate themselves from the 'herd' ( people
with derailleured bikes) by riding fixies, the more they conform to
the stereotype of being a 'fixie-riding-person.
Ein Reich, ein Fuhrer, ein Speed!
It's a paradox! I propose that everyone who wants to differentiate
his/herself make their bikes truly individual by decorating them, and
people should choose their gears according to whether the place they
ride is hilly or not.
And, I'd like to give a nod of respect to the discreet machisma of
knowing how to maintain one's own geared hubs.
sincerely,
Wendy Monroe
On 11 Sep 2009, at 00:56, joshua muir wrote:
Okay Okay- generally fashion icons are born and blow-up due to a
confluence of factors.a. There is indeed something to riding a fixed gear: it can be
challenging and satisfying to master. It can be fun simple light
etc etc. . . super fun actually.b. It is macho: the "challenge" refered to above. get rid of the
front brake and it can be dangerous (you're then relying on the
fixed assembly not coming unfixed and your ability to slow and stop
with only your drive train and only the rear wheel)c. it is highly romanticized: the image of gritty, hardcore
messengers flying thru SF and NY traffic up and down hills with just
one gear and "no brakes" has obviously captured the imagination of
many a young cyclist (myself included)d. It "requires" special equipment- you can build a fixie out of
an old road bike and freewheel hub "If you know what you're doing"
or you can invest in specific track equipment. This places the
fixed gear in a special class of cycling- People "in the know".
such differentiation seems to always inflate the ego and elevate the
class.So, It makes sense that folks are captivated by it, and it makes
sense that people are trying to capitalize on it. I think that for
the most part, we are all ready to hate on Urban outfitters on
multiple levels, but it's just cause their taking something we like
and finding the cheapest, catchiest, and most soulless way to mass
market it and make a buck all the while hoping someone will think
they're way cool for doing it.josh
On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 3:34 PM, winter.snowy.rose@gmail.com wrote: Better for winter.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
-----Original Message----- From: Nathan Pierce natnc17@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:33:48 To: The Think Tankthethinktank@bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Please Explain Fixie Fixation!
It's simple... and quiet!
--- On Thu, 9/10/09, Boson Au instructions@gmail.com wrote:
From: Boson Au instructions@gmail.com Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Please Explain Fixie Fixation! To: "The Think Tank" thethinktank@bikecollectives.org Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 12:06 PM there's defintely a romanticism of riding with fixed cogs. It is a more mechanically simpler design and therefore, conjures up the connotations of 'purity' that is really fashionable.
On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 2:39 PM, Wendy Monroe <wendy.monroe@usermail.com
wrote:
This reminds me to ask something I've been wondering for awhile: why is riding with a fixed cog relatively fashionable, compared to riding with
a. a one-speed coaster brake hub, or
b. an internally-geared rear hub?
Please educate me!
Wendy Monroe
( 'no official name for project yet', Amsterdam)
On 10 Sep 2009, at 19:04, N.O.Bike Project wrote:
Hey y'all,
This isn't vital or on topic, unless you dig deep and start thinking about the commodification of bike culture, and the way that capitalism always seems to persevere. Just thought y'all would like to see what's cool these days.
I don't know why, but this just made me puke a little.
Enjoy.
http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/
Victor
Plan B
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
-----Inline Attachment Follows-----
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o... _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
-- Joshua Muir muirjoshua@gmail.com
Frances Cycles -- www.francescycles.com Handbuilt cycling framesets Touring, Track, Road,Cross, and Cycletrucks for hauling any distance (831) 469-3369
The Bicycle Church Collective Community Self-Service Cycle Repair 3pm to 7pm everyday except Sunday 703 Pacific Ave (enter on Spruce St) Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 425-2453 _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...