It seems to be a sad fact that every “underground” fashion scene will inevitably be taken over by pretentious wannabes. The most recent victim of this trend is that of the once-edgy bike messengers. Actual bike messengers are now faced with the decision to either just suck it up and be confused with mobs of posers, or simply change careers. Especially as the culture surrounding the ‘fixie’ has become more and more reminiscent of the cheeseball rollerblade (or ‘extreme inline skating’) scene that emerged in the 1990s.
Since the whole Fixed Gear trend has finally been maxed out on douche, we thought it fitting to call this fad out for what it is. The following are 13 reasons why this fad should just call it quits.
Their Deity Is This Guy
Does he look particularly happy? This guy’s an actual bike messenger in San Francisco, and he’s also the end-all be-all fashion icon for the Fixie “movement.” He wears layers of lightweight clothing because he’s an actual cyclist, who does this for a living. He has to wear tight-fitting pants because he’s on a bike all day long, and his shoes match the same pragmatic theme. He wears an actual courier’s bag, specifically made with bike messengers in mind.
They’re Immature
Fixie-enthusiasts are like small children who crave nothing more than attention. They roam the city, funemployed and bored, looking to get noticed on their circuit between one hipster-friendly coffee house and the next. They usually began riding bikes because they were too broke to drive a car, then they got lucky with the Green frenzy. Conveniently, their pedestrian lifestyle became a badge of honor, and they capitalized on it.
They Compete for the Darwin Awards
If they actually ride their fixed-gear bikes (a rare occurrence), they’re usually showing off and getting into trouble in city traffic. They’ve got a feeling of entitlement on the roadways since they’re cyclists and they routinely swerve out in front of cars. When a car darts out in front of them, they usually don’t have the skill it takes to stop their bike on time since they have no brakes.
They’ve Pissed Off an Entire Country
The Germans are so fed of with Fixie-riders that they’ve banned fixed-gear bikes in Berlin. We’re talking about a country that has brothels specializing in taking care of virgins here. On top of that, they love David Hasselhoff too, so you’d think they’re pretty easy going folks. Fixie-riders were just too much for them. For the German-speakers out there, we think the image below (disdainfully) details why.
This Is Serious to Them
SourceFive years ago, this bike would have been hilarious. Now, it’s a beacon of pretentious hipster fad-following. Just like the bar-room hipster wearing $500 worth of designer clothes to look like a bum, these guys only use the most expensive components they can afford when building their bikes out of beat-up old frames. It’s all about appearances to them, not necessity. Funky looking bikes used to be cool, now they’re just loud.
This Is “Manly”
This guy and his purple shirt (with matching rims) looks ridiculous, but to Fixie-riders he’s a regular Joe. This is a good example of what happens when recreational sports-cyclists get caught up in the fixed-gear craze. Their bright colors and bike shorts don’t get thrown away, they just become the foundation for a extra-weird hipster wardrobe that we all have to endure.
They’re Always Walking
Spend enough time on a city street and you’ll see a Fixie-rider walking his bike down it. Since there is no free-wheeling on a fixed-gear bike, the rider needs to keep pedaling the whole time in order to keep moving. Most Fixie-riders are undernourished and sleep-deprived, so actually riding the bike would just be too much for them to handle for long periods of time (i.e. anything over 15 minutes).
A Hipster is a Hipster
Whether he’s cruising a Smart Car, a Vespa or a fixed-gear bike, a hipster is still just another hipster. He’s just like any other hipster that rolled off the assembly line, with a PBR in one hand and his favorite M. Ward album in the other. Don’t be fooled by his new eco-friendly mode of transportation, it’s just the popular thing to do right now.
The Worst Kind of Posers
Real bike messengers work hard, and some get seriously injured or even killed in accidents. It’s a risky job, and often a thankless one, with their main clients being the snobby suits in high-rise buildings who want their parcels ASAP. Posers running around acting like the real deal damage any respect these guys have earned, and that’s pretty damn lame.
An Excuse for Skinny Pants and Messenger Bags
It must feel like a fashion-dream come true for hipsters everywhere – a pragmatic excuse to justify their skinny jeans and faux-messenger bags. This probably played a role in their taking to the Fixi-rider fad so readily, considering most hipsters aren’t that prone to physical exercise. The problem is, now the rest of us have to put up with even more guys wearing skinny jeans and faux-messenger bags.
They’re Only In it For the Fixie-Girls
This one’s a no-brainer. With girls like that riding around the city, it’s tempting to say “who can blame them,” but you’ve got to resist the urge. Anyone who’s ever driven through a bike-heavy city has taken at least a moment to admire the ladies in full cyclist regalia, traversing the motor-ways on their very high seats. It’s really no wonder why so many young men are hopping on the Fixie bandwagon, and because of the cycling community’s shared love of all things bike, these women actually go for them.
They Make People Hate Cyclists
Bikes are a good thing; they cut down on traffic, pollution, obesity, and make densely populated cities better places to live in by making them more tolerable. Among all the industrialized nations of the world, America, especially, has trouble letting go of cars and taking bikes seriously. Fixie-riders are damaging the hard-won progress in that movement through sheer annoyance. When other cyclists can’t stand them, you know there’s a problem.
Go All Out Or Go Home
Fixie-riders like to act as though they’re unique, crazy, creative and funky. The real fact is that they half-ass just about everything they do. If they really wanted to stand out, they’d man up and follow this guy’s example (picture above). He kept his gears and added a tiny dog (and a twelver of Coors Light) to his ridiculous ride. What have Fixie-riders done that every other Fixie-rider hasn’t already done? In the end, we’ll just have to count on the fad cycle, and hope that the obnoxious trend of fixed-gear bikes collapses under its own weight (of uncontrollable egotism).
Comments
dope
July 13th, 2009 - 9:27:29 PM
hilarious i would like that bumper sticker as well
Johnny Hollywood
July 13th, 2009 - 9:30:28 PM
Thank You! I am bicyclist and when people find out they ask about my fixie experience even if they have never ridden one. fixie fad is all it is and i hope it ends soon.
imahipsteromg
July 13th, 2009 - 9:39:39 PM
I find it awesome that you can generalize what a whole group of people is like based on what the drivetrain of their bike is. A small portion of fixed gear bike riders act like the fore-mentioned hipsters.
andrew
July 13th, 2009 - 9:48:53 PM
As a long time bicycle rider and current fixed gear rider living in Hawaii, I guess I can't comment on the 'fixie' scene in the rest of the nation. There are a few douchey characters out there, but most of us really enjoy just getting out and riding. Hawaii is a beautiful place to be on a bike, and we try to make the most of it. Last week we went on a 45 mile ride around the southern part of Oahu. Do we qualify as real bike riders now?
GayJesus
July 13th, 2009 - 9:49:15 PM
No one has explained to me the advantage of these bikes. What's the appeal? Especially in hilly San Francisco?
imahipsteromg2
July 13th, 2009 - 9:52:38 PM
No asshole. The above is the rule, not the exception. Go fuck yourself and the tight fucking jeans you wear, as well as the shitty pedophile glasses and nasty greasy hair you're sporting.
a person
July 13th, 2009 - 9:53:29 PM
fixies is about the bike, not the person riding one. this post sounds like a personal problem... get off the computer and face real life - or post about 'hipsters' instead. ps: i dont ride a fixie.
Phil
July 13th, 2009 - 10:02:31 PM
Dear writer. You're heavily bias to fashion and trends. typical. People like you ONLY notice a cyclist when he swerves in front of you. You're always critical and negative. Eat my shit. I ride a fixed. It's fun. I ride it alot. I don't walk with it. I ride it. I loved bikes as a child, and I still do.
Rob B.
July 13th, 2009 - 10:06:44 PM
Being a cyclist within the Portland, OR area - you see fixie's all too often. I really don't have much good to say about the riders, I don't have much bad either. I just know that their etiquette on paved trails is the worst I've ever experienced. The comment about them walking their bike is spot on, while being on city streets - I usually see them just walking their bikes. It's like a pocket pet replacement.
George Bush
July 13th, 2009 - 10:08:37 PM
1. Find a demographic 2. Compare your lifestyle to theirs 3. Act "mature" 4. Hate.
OpIsAFaggot
July 13th, 2009 - 10:15:23 PM
The writer of this article needs to post a picture of himself. How can you knock riding bikes when people could make the same statements about the author. Writers are starving, suicidal, coffee shop lurking hipsters. Amirite?
Anon
July 13th, 2009 - 10:15:31 PM
I don't like hipsters any more than the next guy, but don't drag M. Ward into this mess.
MZana
July 13th, 2009 - 10:16:23 PM
I wholeheartedly agree, though I myself ride a fixed gear bicycle. I ride a fixed gear not for the style, the compliments or the girls, but for pleasure. I prefer having to push myself up a hill rather than have a gear do the work for me. I like the feel of the bike never coasting, always pushing my feet along with it whether or not I feel like pedaling. I've been riding a fixed gear for years, and NEVER walk it. Sorry, I prefer to walk. Pret
neondistraction
July 13th, 2009 - 10:19:37 PM
That last bike, while ridiculous, isn't a fixed gear bike. You can see the multiple gears on the back wheel, as well as the gear shifter on the handlebars.
OpIsStillAFaggot
July 13th, 2009 - 10:20:40 PM
So here is a picture of the author. http://static.manolith.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/yosef-140.jpg Looks like youre trying to fit into some trend as well. Is that a pirate coat? When did that trend start?
just a biker
July 13th, 2009 - 10:25:21 PM
i ride a single speed (not fixed) in philadelphia. There is certainly a big scene of bike riders here and a good number of them on fixies. Honestly. I don't see anything wrong with it. I like the tricked out colorful bikes, might as well cut down any people who wear distinctive clothes or drive cars that they take care of. Sorry not everyone wears jeans and a t-shirt and drives a beige station wagon buddy. I love biking and the community surrounding it, to make such broad generalizations is simply another attempt to desperately define yourself as hipper than though. Really, who is being more of a douche bag, the kid wearing bright colors or the guy writing a long article scoffing about the kids digs?
Sarah
July 13th, 2009 - 10:50:03 PM
As much as I appreciate your wit and excellent observational humour skills, your blanket statements about fixed gears seem a little bit ignorant to me. What you are describing, for the most part, is what many cyclists call 'tarck' - track bikes (or track bike wannabes) for use on the street. Tarck is, as you have so aptly noted, an integral part of a huge fashion explosion; for anecdotal evidence of the size of this trend, check out the newly-opened Urban Outfitter's 'bike store', where the only options you can customize on your bike is the colour of it's components. I'm not a huge fan of the tarck movement, a sentiment many cyclists share, but anything that gets more people riding bikes is a plus to me. I just hope the next trend is brakes, or fixed cyclists actually learning how to skid stop before racing through traffic. There is nothing wrong with brakeless fixies if you know how to stop effectively, and there is a lot to be said for a single-speed drivetrain and ease of maintenance, but I do agree that many tarck kiddies make life unpleasant for both motorists and cyclists. Then again, you don't really notice the tarck kids riding in the bike lanes, following the rules of traffic, being courteous vehicles, not cutting you off and generally being good cyclists, do you? Your notion of people who bike not being able to afford cars is especially foolish, and even downright ignorant. I make a decent living of around $95k a year, and I haven't owned a car at any point in my life. I get my groceries, commute to work, ride recreationally, do cross-country tours and occasionally race, all on my bicycle. Probably 2/3rds of this is done on my fixed gear. I couldn't imagine being trapped in a steel cage for my commute, or when I ride from Toronto to Mexico in the summers, or when I'm cruising around town to bars - it just doesn't make sense to me to lock myself in a steel and glass box when I have options that are fun (which fixies most certainly are) and healthy. Your comment about Germany banning fixed gears is outright faceitious: they banned bikes with no brakes. This includes brakeless single speed BMX bikes, brakeless fixed gears and any other brakeless form of bike. Owning a fixed gear bike does not force you to leave it brakeless, the majority of tarck bikes are drilled for front and rear brakes. In the future, it would be lovely to see less personal bias and misleading information from your articles, but given the self-righteous attitude of most bloggers (see what I did there?) I sincerely doubt this will happen.
Jonathan
July 13th, 2009 - 11:12:46 PM
come on ppl. the writer is clearly a fixed rider who's taking the piss. that's what the internet is for.
fowler
July 13th, 2009 - 11:37:56 PM
like, i don't know why anyone couldn't see that sooner... this shit was kinda funny.
JohnnyCakes
July 14th, 2009 - 6:36:31 AM
I had no idea that this had reached such a monolithic level of trendiness. I have an old Myata 5 speed with fenders. Am I being too trendy by riding it?
Jason
July 14th, 2009 - 6:48:16 AM
http://www.manolith.com/2009/07/13/fixies-fad/ I can pick a hundred thing about this article that SUCK.
So the rest of us who ride bikes don't need "pragmatic" clothing? This statement makes no sense. The author nitpicks this fixed gear "look" later in the article but here seems to be praising this messenger for his pragmatism? So he can't even make up his mind. Furthermore, why would clothes like this be pragmatic for a messenger but not for everyone else who also rides a bike? Lightweight clothing? Obviously nice for riding ... tight fitting pants? Obviously every cyclist would prefer NOT to get their pants leg caught in their drivetrain ... and what the article says is an "actual courier's bag" (!!!) is really just a Chrome Bag ... and who DOESN'T have one of these? I barely want to comment on the ignorance of this ... most people who own bikes ALSO own cars. And half the time, the fixed gear "poseurs" (as the article seems to talk about) are the ones who ... OWN CARS. But regardless of that, the author cannot envision any possible reason to ride a bike over a car, so anyone who does, MUST not be able to afford a car. I mean, that is the ONLY reason to not have a car, right? If fixed gear riders are such a HUGE PROBLEM, again, as the article suggests, then how is them riding their bikes a "rare occurrence"? Furthermore, he calls the riders reckless, yet posts a picture of a cyclist who is WEARING A HELMET ... yes, he is skidding, but how is skidding at ALL dangerous? He isn't even in traffic? The author seems to praise messengers for their profession and pragmatism, yet fails to realize it is likely those messengers who are cutting him off in traffic. Other cyclists do too, certainly, but you can't pick and choose who to hate because they both ride the same way. He cites and article that says fixed gear bikes are "clearly more dangerous" than other bikes. Wait, that's 100% incorrect. Not only has Berlin NOT banned fixed gears (just brakeless bikes in general), fixed gears AREN'T EVEN DANGEROUS. Oi. While I agree that some bikes are very garish and ugly, who cares? It's not like this is anything new. People have been wearing ugly clothes, driving ugly cars, and decorating ugly homes forever. And the author talks about building up old, beat up frames with nice components. First of all, I don't see this happening. People ride old, beat up frames to be sure, and sure, maybe they'll put some Deep Vs on them, but half of that is for want of a durable wheelset. And the picture the author posts is of a FAIRLY NICE aluminum track frame, a far cry from a beater bike. 1) The guy isn't wearing bike shorts. 2) I doubt he wears purple shirts every day to match his bike. And I doubt he changes his wheelset every day to match his shirt. 3) He is also wearing THE SAME BAG the author of the article seems to praise, but only when a messenger is wearing it. This is just complete fabrication. Why would you walk a bike when you ca ride it and get some place 5 times faster? It's even worse in Atlanta, where walking basically SUCKS ASS. No one walks. Not even people who don't have bikes. The author talks about having to continuously spin on a fixed gear bike ... as though it is a difficult thing to do. Yeah, kinda sucks not to be able to rest on a downhill, but wait ... it's really not prohibitively difficult. And it's not really continuous work either ... half the time it is coasting with your legs moving. Of course, the author doesn't really know what that is like, or else he wouldn't have (attempted to) make that point. Funny, in the picture he posts, there's that CHROME BAG again. Because only hipsters ride FG bikes, right? Because everyone who rides a FG got into bikes because of FG. There's no possible way they could have started on a road bike, or a mountain bike, right? Right. This point makes little sense to me. I am pretty sure if a messenger cut the author off in traffic, he wouldn't be like "YEAH! Sticking it to the snobby suits!", he would curse at them, and then curse the fixed gears they ride. Up til this point in the article, all the pictures he posted had riders with real messenger bags (if you consider Chrome Bags real messenger bags). The same bag the rider in the first post was wearing. Why is the author so ridiculously offended by skinny jeans and "faux messenger bags" (which aren't faux at all)? The author is totally off the mark here. Like most athletic things, cycling is male-dominated. There are females, sure. But you don't do something athletic to meet women. It's just bad strategy. Sports are a big sausage party. That's not a sexist thing to say. Yes. There are women who do sports. And they are awesome. But they are in the minority. But anyhow, meeting women must be the only reason to ride fixed gears. I mean, it's not possible that a cyclist might be gay. And obviously women who ride fixed gears must be doing it to meet women also? The author uses such flawed (not to mention, sexist) logic, it is kind of disgusting. How are they damaging this movement? He just says they are without providing any supporting evidence. If the supporting evidence was supposed to be the previous points earlier in the article, I think I pretty clearly explained why they are completely invalid. Half of the "other cyclists" the author refers to probably ride FG bikes when they are training, anyhow. Okay, that picture was definitely on BSNYC as being a total jackass bike, and here this guy is praising him? This bike is more tarck than 99% of tarck bikes I see, and it has a derailleur. Is the author of this article actually praising the rider of this bike? REALLY? Now I can't take anything he says seriously. In the original article this picture came from, I believe the author discussed the fact that 1) the bike can't be locked up, 2) it has a Spinergy on the front, 3) it isn't locked up and it it's an expensive bike, 3) it has a basket on it (... on an aero frame?) with beer and a dog. But bright colors and skinny jeans are really the obnoxious thing, right???Phil
July 14th, 2009 - 8:05:59 AM
Oh, by the way. Judging someone based on their appearance is fundamentally the same as racism, and is morally wrong. Sorry. You lose. Better luck next time.
TheWriterIsADouche
July 14th, 2009 - 10:54:37 AM
^^^
Youallsuck
July 14th, 2009 - 11:35:03 AM
hipsters calling hipsters calling hipsters calling hipsters. hipsters claiming not to be hipsters claiming not to be hipsters claiming not to be hipsters. hipsters ruin everything fun, but the worse criminal is the pouty sunufabitcs who try to poopoo that fun...waa waa, I like bikes first, bikes are my job... waa waa. they co-opted my music/fashion/beer/entertainment eat a dick
Anonymous
July 14th, 2009 - 12:22:40 PM
Highly erroneous and generalized article. Opinion denied.
Stevil
July 14th, 2009 - 3:02:23 PM
That photo beneath the Darwin Awards header.. You know the one? That's Rob. He is, as he nearly always has been, a messenger in Dublin. That specific shot was taken at the 2006 NAX, as he won the skid comp. Good article, but curious why you would choose that image in particular as a visual for that point.
oksrsly
July 14th, 2009 - 3:28:59 PM
author is a jealous asshole probably racist too i ride a fixed gear, and i get laid all the time from super hot girls as a direct result. but i guess its true what they say; those who can't capitalize, criticize. fuckface
Byron
July 14th, 2009 - 3:45:01 PM
The real reason is that in 5 years of riding their knees are going to be hurting like hell.
john
July 14th, 2009 - 5:23:12 PM
actually for many people, fixed gear bike help to rehabilitate their knees. my girlfriend and i ride a century last weekend on our fixed gears... some people that ride them do it for the love of cycling... i got up at 6 this morning just to ride mine... all by myself... in full cycling kit. this is just an over-generalization of a small niche group. ho hum.
rich fix
July 15th, 2009 - 2:35:52 AM
hey man, it's all fun and games!
Josh A
July 15th, 2009 - 4:31:50 AM
Its a really good article, it's got some of you so MAD you write blog post comments. OMG an article that makes gnerailzed statements!! It hurts my feelings!!! You're a racist cause...... you hate fixies??????? I don't think thats how it works. Funny stuff, keep it up.
Marcus Twain
July 15th, 2009 - 8:35:43 AM
Can the troll who wrote this please post their picture?
jonny
July 15th, 2009 - 10:50:04 AM
wow, write about something that matters
U-seff, shut the fu ck up
July 15th, 2009 - 12:39:16 PM
Deadline crept around a little faster than normal, huh? The only thing worse than a poser fixie rider is a hipster poser columnist still writing about how played out this fad is. This column is sooooooooooo 12 months ago....... you just got serv'd.
Relax people....
July 15th, 2009 - 1:03:51 PM
... he was a communications major. You Sef: Its cool "brah," chill. Seattle's still heroin chic. i guess. nice scarf, is that burberry or ralph lauren? just askin
Raggaemuffin
July 15th, 2009 - 2:04:11 PM
I have asked several fixie riders why they ride the bikes they do and why one should consider following their example. The responses are vague and unconvincing. The most common one is, "you just have to experience it to know". I have asked what the advantages to fixie riding are, and the most common answer is, "It's a little more difficult, and you sometimes have to walk your bike up hills." Oh, cool, I'll try that. I am happy to stick with my 24 speed bike, it's a good workout, and I can freewheel on the downhills. It's faster, more fun, safer, and it's actually worth what I paid for it. I can't believe fixies are more expensive, which is actual proof that they are a fashion accessory. Only problem with the fixie fad ending though, is that another one will take its place.
dougmc
July 15th, 2009 - 5:37:01 PM
You know, Berlin hasn't banned fixed gear bikes any more than Texas has -- both places just require that bikes have brakes, like many other places.
Kenny
July 15th, 2009 - 9:45:13 PM
Yosef you have overgeneralized and thereby committed a dangerous error in journalism. It's obvious that you know nothing about fixed gear bikes or the people who ride them. Your article gives you the image as being the type of writer who "like a small child, craves nothing more than attention" I could counter every single point you have made using simple logic, but I know that you can too, so I don't want to waste our time. If you hold yourself to a higher standard, someone might actually take your writing seriously one day
Doob
July 15th, 2009 - 11:37:45 PM
This guy looks like a F*CKING F*GGET. Haha. I'm not even hating, just being objective. http://www.yosefsolomon.com/blog/about/
Marrz
July 16th, 2009 - 12:45:15 AM
I used to ride a fixie, I still ride almost daily on a more conventional road bike, I still belong to a forum for Chicago based fixed gear riders, as a general rule I think that in many ways the article does reflect the demographic of fixie riders but so what? the only legit argument in that whole article is that some piss of drivers, In my car (yes I can afford and have one, I prefer a bicycle when I can) I get cut off more by a cab then a bicycle, and when it's a bicycle I know 1 he's the only one in real danger and 2 he'll be out of my way soon. other then that... cry me a river, build me a bridge, and get over it the otherwise all your saying is 'go away because i think your weird'
travis
July 16th, 2009 - 12:58:08 PM
i've read a few poorly written and ill-researched amateur blog entries on the topic of fixie this, and stupid that. just do me a favor and go browse the cycling guru Sheldon Brown's website and you might actually learn something. i'm not holding my breath though. (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html) remember, it's much easier to sit behind your computer and call it like you see it instead of actually asking a fixed gear rider why they ride. if you actually had a pair and said any of this to an "undernourished" and "sleep-deprived" cyclist's face, you would surely get your dumb ass kicked. so Yosef Solomon, congrats on being the very "elitist" you criticize. you are no different from us in the end. get off your high horse in Santa Monica and realize that.
ncecchi
July 16th, 2009 - 1:13:22 PM
I ride a track bike at the veledrome. Do you even know what a veledrome is? I also commute daily on a fixed gear. Here's 13 reasons why: 1. It is more efficient, about 5% more than a geared bike due to friction from the deraileur and cross-gearing. 2. I don't have to think about or have the option of changing gears so my legs get a more dynamic workout by putting out more wattage in sprints, and spinning faster down hills. (as if there were any where i live) You would know what that meant if you had ever actually ridden a bicycle. 3. Less is more. My bike is nice, clean, and light. a frame, two wheels, crankset, bars, and a brake. Pretty simple. 4. Durability (see above) They are much much more reliable and durable in urban environments and with heavy use. Not every one of us has a follow car to swap bikes every time something gets fucked up. 5. Bolt-on track wheels can't get stolen. especially if you are smart and round off all your nuts so you have to use vice-grips to get parts off. 6. Fixed with a front brake is legal and safe. 7. No coasting? good. keep those legs moving and lactic acid will be less likely to build up, and you will get some ripped fucking quads. 8. I'm faster across town (NOLA- Uptown to French Quarter) than either cars or public transportation. 9. you can bunny hop and jump curbs (try that on your 267 speed road bike) 10. It'll get your ass in shape, and you'll get laid way more. 11. Riding fixed i would say is safer because than a freewheel bike or a car because you are constantly scanning for threats ahead of and around you. an experienced fixed rider is probably the most aware person on the road. 12. I built my bike myself (don't see many people on 24 speeds they built themselves) and it cost less (way less actually) than the Urban Outfitters model, and I have true track quality components. I have an old 80's frame. It's about 1lb heavier than the nicest carbon frames you can get today. Hmmm. 13. Fixies are fast, fun, and safe, and they can be used for anything from BMX to road racing, time trials, track racing, commuting, tricks in parking lots, or whatever the fuck you want to do with them. It is a versatile, dependable, and healthy mode of transportation. As an aside, since i already covered your 13 points of douche-baggery, alot of the "fixed" bikes you see are actually english-style 3 speeds, single speed freewheel bikes, both of which are becoming really popular again. you don't even know what an english 3 speed is. i'd rather not have a picture of this asshole's ugly face, I want a picture of his bike.
Gavin
July 16th, 2009 - 7:48:09 PM
Stop the hate. Riding bikes is fun. More people on bikes is good. And you know what? Fixies can be fun & safe. "Fixie" does not equal "no brake". I live in a flat city and the fixie is a perfect, low maintenance ride. Stop sippin' haterade and go for a ride.
msilver
July 17th, 2009 - 12:17:17 AM
"Hey you random new hip blog author, I read your article about subject X and I take offense and want to leave long boring comments that someone else will stay up and read instead of just closing the window and going to bed. I failed to see that you might be making fun of a stereotype or trying to be funny, and took your article as a journalist's report on subject X so I would like to enumerate the many ways in which I feel that I am right about the subject and you are wrong. Let me name them now..." lol cyclists.
jeff
July 17th, 2009 - 6:21:27 AM
hi, I made a little update about that San Francisco Bike Messenger association belt buckle, and a photo of a real SF bike messenger http://www.bluoz.com/blog/index.php?/archives/675-one-less-fixie.html
Kenny
July 17th, 2009 - 5:11:59 PM
Oh shit. Another post from another kid that beaten up at school !! Nice reply Jason if I had the time I'd have posted something similar.
Afoo
July 17th, 2009 - 5:58:50 PM
I learned how to ride bikes on a fixie. It was called a big wheel.
fighlite
July 18th, 2009 - 12:30:43 AM
i always thought that a hipster was something else. i really wish it still could have been the few of us recovering from grunge with coffee and art-rock instead of this thing that's going on. maybe if they had invented a new word for it like "emo" then it would have disappeared quicker. s.
john
July 18th, 2009 - 12:51:47 AM
In our store,you can find the most feat and individuation clothinges and accouterments.Paying the little of 30%-50%,you will get all kinds of name brands dresses,such as EdHardy,Affliction,Adidas,Armani,CK,Polo,Gucci,Chanel and so on. Constituency is the god,welcome to enjoy the trusty,convenient and swift service here http://www.fitmyfit.com/list.asp?id=3171
Tom
July 18th, 2009 - 11:27:35 AM
itt: butthurt fixies
Joe
July 19th, 2009 - 8:15:54 AM
Haters are sooo freaking funny.
KIKI
July 19th, 2009 - 6:24:01 PM
IM AN OLD BIKE MESSENGER I LOVE MY FIXIE! WHO CARES ABOUT THE "FAD". (ITS NOT A FAD) EVERYONE SAID THE SAME THING ABOUT BMX, SKATEBOARDS AND RAP MUSIC. YOUR ARTICLE ISN'T GOING TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME AND IF IT DOES LAST (ONLINE ) EVERYONE IN THE FUTURE WILL READ IT AND LAUGH. TRACK BIKES ARE HERE FOR GOOD, SORRY SUCKA! I BET YOU OWN ONE OR YOU WANT TO OWN ONE OR YOU SOLD YOURS CUZ YOU BROKE YOUR LEG, LMFAO!
snoopy
July 19th, 2009 - 7:06:02 PM
lmao..this looked too good to be true..its a filter to find all the assholes who ARE hipsters and do not wanna say they are just enjoy the fuckin humor from a messengers point of view..with all this glam spam hate crap...now you hipster assholes are seeing why messengers dislike you lets have a little fun and poke fun and roadies next :]
Joe
July 27th, 2009 - 11:03:15 PM
In a few years time we'll look back and laugh at the hipsters who dress themselves and their bikes in bright and neon colors. It'll be like looking at cyclists in the 80's in their neon color spandex, which can be summarized with 1 word: GAY.
jay
August 11th, 2009 - 12:37:26 PM
so funny...but hoardes of people getting in on a 'fad' shouldn't make real cyclists question their lifestyle or way of living. There are kooks in every aspect of life...if you really love something, you do it for the enjoyment...you don't stop it because its suddenly 'not cool' or blown up. People need to stop taking themselves so seriously.
BradyDale
August 13th, 2009 - 2:27:06 PM
I've been riding my fixie every day for four years and I love it. I ride it 3 miles to and from work every day and when I feel like screwing around I take it for 30 or forty. Some of us just like simple bikes and we like the control that not having a free wheel gives. You know who you remind me of? The douchebags who were vegetarians for 15 minutes in 1995 when no one else was doing it and then as soon as 4 of your friends were also veg you stopped because you just had to be oh-so different. God, step off. What's so offensive about a freaking choice of bike? The German thing blows my mind. It makes about as much sense as this post. It's just a freaking bike.
????
September 21st, 2009 - 1:36:10 PM
how about get of the internet and get outside and ride a fixie... bet you've never riden one
fixed bandits
September 30th, 2009 - 6:43:24 AM
I have two bikes in my garage, my Ridley geared bike, which i still ride and my fixie. I have to get my Ridley serviced every 3 months and I have had my fixie over 12 months and never had a problem. They are good bikes for fitness and easily maintained. Would you rather the people that ride them wear the full lycra body suits such as the Sunday morning riders, who pedal 40km or so just to have a coffee and have to walk around on their heels to stop the toe clips getting damaged. Seriously dude, Get a life!
debaser_
October 4th, 2009 - 1:38:11 AM
Let's ask the author how he gets around. If we wanted to generalize on who drives cars.... i think if you live in north america you know what the baby boomers are so most of our population is over 40, 50 or 60 even. Now lets generalize on their style sweaters and slacks maybe? what do your parents or grand parents wear? i dont think it's fair to hate on fixies judging by some annoying hipsters who exsist in every circle bike riders or not. also have you ever ridin' a fixie? it's a lot of fun, gives you better control and if you arent 50, have high cholestorel, knee problems and a bad back, coasting really isn't all that important. try for a week get the hang of it then come back and hassle fixed gear bike riders. are you a car guy? do you have any friends who liek cars? do they buy teh most expensive well made parts they can afford? this post is totally unfounded
kid rule
October 8th, 2009 - 9:07:31 PM
who ever rode this obviously is just some dumb redneck who has never rode a fixed gear
Hoodrattstuff666
October 11th, 2009 - 10:57:17 PM
your a douche bag ass foo stop hating and get a real job
Bike Rider
October 12th, 2009 - 8:13:08 PM
It's about simplicity, of the bike and the ride, dumb-asses. There's nothing cool a bout a douche-bag in tight shorts on a 21-speed that needs constant adjustment and fiddling, either. Same douche, different bike.
19 J
October 14th, 2009 - 4:32:53 PM
many valid points and generalization for humour, interesting article im a courier and ride a brakeless fixie in work, i definately dont walk my bike Accidents are caused by people being insufficiently aware of their surroundings, their own limitations or skills, the limitations of their bike and most annoyingly random chance. If someone checks around them before moving anywhere on the road then it doesnt matter if they ride a mountain bike, unicycle, penny farthing or fixie they shouldnt be in or cause an accident. Unless theyve pissed lady luck off. I have a loud red and yellow colour scheme, but i got the skills to back up the brash statements my bike is making Fixies arent a fad or a fad that needs to fade, being brainless is the fad that needs to go. USE your senses, skills and judgement.
19 J
October 14th, 2009 - 4:38:30 PM
oh yeah German thing is not true, the european courier championship ECMC's were in Berlin this year, there was rumours that you might need to put a front brake on to keep the pigs happy but everything was grand. If the article were true half the couriers in europe would have lost their bikes over there
Raeza
October 15th, 2009 - 12:15:40 PM
Thoroughly enjoyable, though I didn't realize that the article was only targeted toward half the population until the section entitled "They're Only In It For The Fixie-Girls." Oh, so we're only talking about boys, here. I didn't realize. Makes me wonder... so what are the "Fixie-girls" in it for?
chewie
October 15th, 2009 - 12:47:45 PM
surely could have done a better job taking the piss. this article is about as half assed and inspired as a lemming on a fixie
jake j.
October 17th, 2009 - 9:56:10 PM
You obviously just learned about "fixies" and have no idea about the culture behind fixed gear bikes other than that you got left out of another trend, which has probably been happening all your life but now you have teh internets to go troll around and talk a bunch of schmack on. Even if your blog is supposed to be ironic and funny, you just come off as a clueless d00sh and a troll.
ozzy
October 18th, 2009 - 11:07:01 AM
Learn how to write fool. why is this even published? oh yeah, it isn't really, this is the internet where anyone can just write anything. Take a class in journalism and next time do some real research you ass!!!
jake moore
October 18th, 2009 - 11:41:44 AM
what the fuck have u ever riden a fixie its fun and none of it is even close to what you said
stavi
October 22nd, 2009 - 6:05:43 AM
I found this article because the whole fixie sensation got me curious. I live in Portland so I see a lot of fixed gear riders. I have asked a couple of my friends who are into the biking scene and I get two answers from them. One, they are hipsters who are trying to look like bike messengers. Two, what ever floats your boat, they are out riding a bike. The one thing that make me laugh about this is the part about "they are always walking". This so true in Portland. They are always walking their bikes everywhere. What is the point of walking your bike? Its made to be ridden not walked. And yes I used to ride till my bike was stolen.
SIB
October 28th, 2009 - 12:28:14 PM
wow, look at all the angry hipsters. when you all are threatened, the angst in you is *fierce*! and one of you talked about the author's viewpoint being the same as "racism"? shit, you guys have some charmed lives. good post, snoopy.
What
October 28th, 2009 - 1:19:17 PM
This thread sucks and none of you know fuck all about bikes. Stop posting on the internet forever.
What
October 28th, 2009 - 1:22:31 PM
Also, peoplem posting serious replies on a website called "Manolith" you should all literally kill yourselves or get cancer
steve
November 2nd, 2009 - 4:43:44 PM
some like to call me a "hipster" so to say, even though i do not identify myself with that title. most likely because i wear the tight pants and shop at urban outfitters. but i also ride. i do not have a fixie. i have a rare garelli that i have done some work on because it has quite a few years on it. quite a few indeed. But if i am to be truly classified as a "hipster", i find things like this offensive. it is not the hipsters who are to blame. or at least not fully. not every hipster rides a fixie and tries to be a bike messenger. most just like the fun of riding bikes with friends or hopping in on a critical mass. its not all about the fad of fixies. we like bikes and we enjoy riding them. maybe its not for exercise or even transportation, but there is nothing like the joy of getting on your bike and letting the wind flow through your hair. so, instead of jumping to conclusions and thinking that every guy with a fixie is just some pabst-drinking, 510-cutoff-wearing, authentic-vans-rocking poser who listens to nothing but sigur ros maybe ask the guy why he has a fixie. most of us genuine hipsters think those poser-douche hipsters can go to hell. you want to be a fucking hipster then stop acting like a jackass and prove that we listen to good music, ride nice bikes and know how to fucking have fun. p.s. don't mock us when you go out of your way to accomplish nothing.
thomas
November 5th, 2009 - 6:05:11 AM
i'm impressed with the ability of people to actually get offended by this article.
suckadick
November 7th, 2009 - 1:35:28 AM
Did I actually just read this comment? "Oh, by the way. Judging someone based on their appearance is fundamentally the same as racism, and is morally wrong. Sorry. You lose. Better luck next time." Yeah, it's like, totally EXACTLY the same thing. Being harassed for choosing to look like a fucking retard is like, not even in the same universe as being firehosed for being black. You stupid fucking asshole.
Jen
November 22nd, 2009 - 10:55:24 AM
The exclusion: What do people like me do? I love riding my bike. Not to cruise and be seen and look around but to have fun with and exercise all while i am lowering my carbon footprint. free of any judgement or criticism. Xmas time is coming up and I went to check out new bikes. (ive ridden a mountain bike my whole like i got when i was 15? but its too heavy and im ready to move on.) The guy showed me some fixed gear bikes and I rode it around the parking lot and had a blast. I didn't think it was so practical but then now they make the free hub I believe so i can switch it to a single speed track that i can coast with when I actually want to ride. (my technical terms are most likely wrong. I know this but you know what i'm trying to say) SO now i automatically look like a wanna be hipster bc I want a fixed gear option on my bike to have fun. im 23. over high school groups and wannabes but i totally get what you are saying. are there any exceptions here? my 3 options were all 2010: jamis beatnik, bianchis via brera and via condotti. i'd like some insight from the experts here. not the wanna be hipsters that might hate bc they are jealous I can afford an attractive great bike. thank you
gio
November 24th, 2009 - 9:44:07 PM
I agree with this tho I have a fixie I dnt ride it do to the fact people are trying to steal my shit everyone thinks its cool to do all the shit I used to be called gay for in 5th grade seriously my daily atire scince 4th was skinky jeans a white shirt (that actually fits me) and a messenger bag they would call me gay because I had a "purse" and "nut huggers" now iÞ seems the same people that ridiculed me is the same people that do this I decided to not ride my bike and just take a bus...
Brent
December 4th, 2009 - 9:56:55 PM
Riding my fixed gear around Chicago is one of the most calming things I can do. It's amazing how much I love to ride my bike. It's scratched and dinged up, with a wheel set that needs to be changed due to harsh Chicago winters and potholes. In other words, my bike does not look trendy or fashionable. It's not the fixie that you are after. You are after the person. Those kinds of people who aren't comfortable in their own bodies and need to find acceptance anyway they can. That's what a poser is. Trying to be like you but they can't because they get it wrong. It's not about the looks, it's about the freedom. Try riding any bike in a Chicago blizzard, and just cruise and wave to the other bikers out there with you. It's beautiful, if you don't mind a "little" snow. If you don't like fixies, don't ride a fixie. Easy as that. Don't need to make a big deal out of it. and Gio, if it makes you happy, do it. Don't stop for the sake of other people.
Lawrence
December 13th, 2009 - 2:48:19 PM
Is it problem some people like me dont want to lug a 20 lb bike up the stairs to their apartment everyday with books and stuff?
JP
December 15th, 2009 - 9:25:41 PM
I hate you. Have a good day.
john
December 26th, 2009 - 12:22:08 PM
who ever made this is a fagget and has no life. fixies is just another way of expressing yourself its a fun activity. people do stupid ass stunts in the X games and so why cant people do it in the public. fucking retard
fck you
December 27th, 2009 - 7:26:17 PM
your a fckn poser.hell no i wont stop riding.get tha fck off tha computer and stop being fuck face.fuck all you. like bumper sticker "dope" ?well go fuck your self. one MORE fxie(:
fck you
December 27th, 2009 - 7:26:38 PM
your a fckn poser.hell no i wont stop riding.get tha fck off tha computer and stop being fuck face.fuck all you. like that bumper sticker "dope" ?well go fuck your self. one MORE fxie(:
fck you
December 27th, 2009 - 7:30:13 PM
i think your a fag.i hope you go to heaven and see people with fixies there,cunt.
bike rider
January 2nd, 2010 - 10:30:40 PM
i ride a fixed gear and think its an awesome bike and i ride 1 because ive road gears and hate it so i chose to convert so whats the problem with fixed gears there great
ron stabbs
January 3rd, 2010 - 1:43:49 PM
I ride a fixie everyday, for way longer than 15 minutes at 7,000 feet above sea level, and I absolutely. love. haters.
lots of bikes
January 5th, 2010 - 5:18:04 PM
I road race, mountain bike race, and do tri's but I still like riding my fixie and beach cruiser, get off the computer and go ride what ever bike you like, it sure beats surfing the net.
Fixies Style Will Never die
January 14th, 2010 - 6:37:01 PM
FUCK you, go get some excersize on a fixes. I hope the style never dies!
Fixie-Friend
January 18th, 2010 - 11:37:44 AM
whoever wrote this article must be locked up in a steel vault cause it's not just about the fixie girls or anything, it's a style that many many many people love, i don't know why you hate fixies so much, probably cause you're too poor to get one and ride one and see how amazing it is, what a fuckin hater lmao
Thomas Sullivan
January 20th, 2010 - 3:14:23 AM
You sir are a nincompoop, I mean really calling the kettle black, source You taking the time to do this thing Is it that bad that some people ride bikes, just hate the obnoxious one's source Got a g-ride and and a.... b-ride?....Oh The police are cracking down not the government, its only on fixed gears with no brake Source http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090630-20291.html You=Epic fail Hipster+2 exp
Soja Louis M
January 21st, 2010 - 12:07:24 PM
Ok so in your article you are bad mothing anyone who rides a fixie for the most part except for bike messengers. Well i have news for you I am a bicycle enthusiast and i belong to a Mountain bike club, a road bike club, and Th e lEague of American Bicyclists. I ride bikes and all kinds and I just have a general love for bikes that is why i have 18 and counting and tons of money dumped into the things I love most. I put over $1100 into a 1982 Schwinn world to rebuilt it just the way I wanted it. I also just built a Fixie and I am going to ride it as well as my others. Now the reason i built a fixie is because 1) I don't have one and 2) I respect bicycle messengers and I wanted to see what it is like to ride a fixe every day. You sir are a bias person who thinks that all peole are the same when clearly they are not, and I sincerly believe that you grow up an find a new opinion and vocie it to a crowd who cares. Aslo i feel very offended with the article of yours and you should be ashamed of yours because your are the child. Thank you for your time.
K3nny
January 22nd, 2010 - 8:33:50 PM
I remember when skateboards were a fad. That was suppose to have gone away to....
valkyrie
January 30th, 2010 - 4:52:46 AM
I wear skinny jeans because I honestly look better in them than in baggy, torn up jeans with half-shown boxer. I ride fixed because it is just fun. I enjoy it more than driving my civic. Its like riding an untamed horse and I get excitement out of it. A slight movement in your legs can alter the speed of the bike and when you master it, it feels great. I dont ride my fixed to show off, I ride it to have fun. And you who generalize all fixie rider as hipster would hate me for having a simple joy on my bike? Im not allowed to have fun with fixed gear, is that what you are telling me? You sir, are a hater.
A cyclist, who also rides a 'fixie'
January 30th, 2010 - 11:00:01 PM
I love cycling. I cycle over 200 miles per week on my GEARED bikes. I love my fixed gear bike. I ride it when going to see friends etc. I drive my car if I can't be assed to cycle. Wow I have a car? My fixed gear cost me less than £150 to source. My geared bikes total just over £5k. Why do you sterotype? You will never be a good management consultant (what the author does apparently) if you stereotype. It will never allow you to think out side the box. I love how ignorant the OP is.
cody
January 31st, 2010 - 9:06:56 PM
Fixie's.............can't stop laughing!
Monster
February 3rd, 2010 - 8:20:36 PM
i ride a fixie, the only reason i got one i beacuse i tryed out my friends and i fell in love with it. but im not hipster i dont dress like one or have a messenger bag. the only time i walk my bike is when im with someone who dosent have one and i do believe some of those things are true. like the girl thing. i would know im a girl :]
LOL
February 6th, 2010 - 4:40:19 PM
Look at the guy who wrote this garbage he looks like a idiot. Bro i bet you are mad because you cant even ride a fixie or do shit with a bicycle.And if you were a real man you wouldn't be crying like a little bitch on the internet. LOL fucking looser
jabberwocky
February 7th, 2010 - 7:16:32 AM
By the time I scrolled all the way down here, I was less pissed off at the 'writer' than I originally was. Sarah said it all best..you either understand it, or you don't. And it's always easy for those who don't understand or participate to take their positions on the grassy knoll and snipe away. If you ride, you don't need to justify yourself to anyone. If you don't ride...get off your ass and start.