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 Tank<thethinktank@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
>
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>
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>
>
>
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>
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>
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--
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
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Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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