FIXED EXPRESSION
THE STORY OF A BEAUTIFUL REVOLUTION
They are stunning things. Elegant in their simplicity, purity and
detail. They are lighter, faster and cheaper to maintain than normal
road bikes. But it goes much deeper than that. Fixed Gear cycling is a
way of life.
It has climbed the ladder of recognition in a slow but certain manner. Couriers in London, New York and San Francisco saw the speed of the velodrome track-racers and transferred it to the streets back in the mid 90’s. Now, the discipline and its exponents are truly in the category of Cult.
And discipline is the word. It is reckoned to take about 3 weeks to learn how to ride a Fixie. That might not sound like a long time but on the mean streets of rush-hour London the stakes are pretty high. Stop pedalling and you’ll be over the handle bars and into the back of the 344 bus before you can say Chris Boardman.
So what is it that makes Fixies so appealing? I’ve mentioned the functional benefits and the sporting pedigree, but it could be argued there are just as many pitfalls - the lack of safety, how tough it is to get going at the traffic lights, that there is no chance to coast - ever. Forget all that. In the eyes of a Fixie rider they aren’t pitfalls they are elements to be mastered. There is a macho factor for sure (look mum, no brakes!), as well as a hugely creative aspect in personalising the bikes, a camaraderie with other riders, and the good old values that come from being devoted to a healthy hobby.
Veteran exponent, Paul Makepeace, sums it up: “With a freewheel, every time you coast there's a whole-body effort as you fire up both the physical and mental apparatus needed to regain speed. With a fixed gear instead there's a whole lifestyle of continual movement.”
For me, I think it's the collision of worlds that provides the draw. Sport, design, art, speed, the simple need to get from A to B - they all come together with amazing effect.
Check out the Wilson Brothers doing the design/art bit:
detail. They are lighter, faster and cheaper to maintain than normal
road bikes. But it goes much deeper than that. Fixed Gear cycling is a
way of life.
It has climbed the ladder of recognition in a slow but certain manner. Couriers in London, New York and San Francisco saw the speed of the velodrome track-racers and transferred it to the streets back in the mid 90’s. Now, the discipline and its exponents are truly in the category of Cult.
And discipline is the word. It is reckoned to take about 3 weeks to learn how to ride a Fixie. That might not sound like a long time but on the mean streets of rush-hour London the stakes are pretty high. Stop pedalling and you’ll be over the handle bars and into the back of the 344 bus before you can say Chris Boardman.
So what is it that makes Fixies so appealing? I’ve mentioned the functional benefits and the sporting pedigree, but it could be argued there are just as many pitfalls - the lack of safety, how tough it is to get going at the traffic lights, that there is no chance to coast - ever. Forget all that. In the eyes of a Fixie rider they aren’t pitfalls they are elements to be mastered. There is a macho factor for sure (look mum, no brakes!), as well as a hugely creative aspect in personalising the bikes, a camaraderie with other riders, and the good old values that come from being devoted to a healthy hobby.
Veteran exponent, Paul Makepeace, sums it up: “With a freewheel, every time you coast there's a whole-body effort as you fire up both the physical and mental apparatus needed to regain speed. With a fixed gear instead there's a whole lifestyle of continual movement.”
For me, I think it's the collision of worlds that provides the draw. Sport, design, art, speed, the simple need to get from A to B - they all come together with amazing effect.
Check out the Wilson Brothers doing the design/art bit:
good post. I found out about this fixie cult a couple of weeks ago. It fascinates me...