I don't mind fixies. I've tried them and don't really care for them
(I like coasting - wheeee.....).
I'm definitely a fan of hub gears. I have a bunch of bikes with
Sturmey 3-speeds - a Raleigh Twenty folder, a Raleigh Superbe (both
with their original hubs), one of those replica cruisers with modern
SA hub (these new ones do not have the dreaded freewheeling zone
between 2nd and 3rd), and an elderly CCM tandem that went from a one
speed to three with one of these new SA hubs. I also have a 1950's
Dynothree hub (SA 3 speed with Dynohub generator built in) waiting to
be laced into a rim for the right bike.
I have a Sachs 3x7 on my big cargo trike, and a 7-speed Shimano Nexus
on my winter bike. I also have two single-speed back-pedal-brake
bikes; one a CCM from 1937 and the other a Sunshine made shortly
after WW2. I even have a at least two derailer geared bikes, though
one of them is a customer-built chopper with 5-foot fork. :)
Back to fixies. I can't recall if I've posted this here before, but
last year I had this exchange with a customer:
Him: I'd like to buy a fixed gear bike. Or maybe build one up. My
friends say they are really cool.
Me: we don't sell those, but we should have all the stuff you'd need
to build one, aside from the track hub. But whatever you do, please
make sure you have at least one brake on the bike, and two is
better. No matter what your friends might say.
Him: Well of course! You mean that people ride them without brakes?
How do they stop?
Me: Umm, do you know what a fixed gear bike is, and how it works?
Him: No.
Me: (after resisting the urge to say "you farckin' clueless
trendoid!") I would suggest that you try out one of your friends'
bikes first, just to make sure you like this type of bike.
That, my friends, was the final sign of consumerism meeting clueless
hipsterdom. Or something. That said, if folks are riding bikes (and
riding them safely with regard to other road users) it's always a
good thing.
Did you know that back in the Old Days a budding young "Schwinn-
approved" mechanic, as part of passing his final training, had to be
able to take apart a Sturmey 3-speed hub and put it back together
without using the manual?
Mark Rehder - General Manager re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op http://re-cycles.ca
On 10-Sep-09, at 7:32 PM, Wendy Monroe wrote:
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
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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