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General Thoughts On Fixies...

2»

Comments

  • #52
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    Gavin wrote: »
    You are randomly informing people of rules and lack of chain tension !?

    Seriously not cool. If they don't know the score then don't talk to them. A disdainful look over your shoulder is all that's required.;)


  • #53
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,317 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    On giving random advice to other cyclists...
    Nearly every day I pass two particular cyclists. One has her saddle far too high and the other guy pushes far too big a gear and goes nowhere fast. Should I be imparting gems of wisdom or should I keep my nose where it is?


  • #54
    Gavin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,676 ✭✭✭Gavin


    Raam wrote: »
    On giving random advice to other cyclists...
    Nearly every day I pass two particular cyclists. One has her saddle far too high and the other guy pushes far too big a gear and goes nowhere fast. Should I be imparting gems of wisdom or should I keep my nose where it is?

    Bear in mind that you pass them every day and once you 'break the seal' so to speak, it's broken. You'll feel awkward passing them from then on.


  • #55
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,317 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    Gavin wrote: »
    Bear in mind that you pass them every day and once you 'break the seal' so to speak, it's broken. You'll feel awkward passing them from then on.

    You mean if I talk to them once I'll have to stop for a chat everyday after this? Bummer, I'll never get to work in the mornings now.


  • #56
    abcdggs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,831 ✭✭✭abcdggs


    Gavin wrote: »
    Bear in mind that you pass them every day and once you 'break the seal' so to speak, it's broken. You'll feel awkward passing them from then on.
    +1 you wouldnt want to have to talk to them every time you go past. what if some one saw you talking to those of us who are cycling uninformed... i couldnt bear to think of the shame...


  • #57
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,317 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    abcdggs wrote: »
    +1 you wouldnt want to have to talk to them every time you go past. what if some one saw you talking to those of us who are cycling uninformed... i couldnt bear to think of the shame...

    Tis on the coastal cycle track so there's no danger of being caught by them.
    Maybe I could borrow a beater bike and blend in when I give my sermon.


  • #58
    abcdggs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,831 ✭✭✭abcdggs


    i'd be going full tactical gear for this kind of op. fake glasses with the nose and moustache connected. you can't be too careful...


  • #59
    Húrin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,045 ✭✭✭Húrin


    niceonetom wrote: »
    Ah, but you've never actually tried one, have you? So, it would be fair to say that you don't actually know what you're talking about. It's all hypthetical isn't it? Your dislike? How many people in cars have a similarly dismissive opinion of, um, ooh i dunno, cycling perhaps?

    Well I've ridden my friend's one around the square in my college. Perhaps I should go for a more extended ride before enacting judgement.


  • #60
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,317 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    I don't understand when some people are anti-dérailleur or anti-fixed-gear. I love 'em both. Each has it's own use. Fixed gear bikes are like chocolate cake. Pure and damn enjoyable. A geared bike is like that same chocolate cake with some cream and raspberry coulis. The cream and coulis can sometimes distract from the tasty cake and are not needed, but man oh man, some days they make that cake go down a whole lot sweeter.

    I also love banoffee. It's really easy to make, and even easier to eat. There's always a huge temptation to eat the toffee straight out of the tin. You have to resist that because without the toffee, it's just bananas with cream and digestive biscuits.

    I'm hungry now.

    Anyway, bikes and cakes... the same thing.


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  • #61
    tommmy1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 420 ✭✭tommmy1979


    niceonetom wrote: »
    Ah, but you've never actually tried one, have you? So, it would be fair to say that you don't actually know what you're talking about. It's all hypthetical isn't it? Your dislike? How many people in cars have a similarly dismissive opinion of, um, ooh i dunno, cycling perhaps?

    Maybe he hasn't tried one but i have and i think fixies are rubbish too..

    Fixies = fashion statement

    T


  • #62
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    tommmy1979 wrote: »
    Maybe he hasn't tried one but i have and i think fixies are rubbish too..

    Fixies = fashion statement
    Also much lower maintenance in the winter and goes better when covered in muck... Helps develop a smooth pedalling technique and a wide cadence range which transfers directly to cycling a geared bike... Forces you to power up hills. Better traction control on slippery surfaces (ice/snow) too. Perfect chainline in every gear on the bike :) And a lot of fun.

    I can assure you I am very far away from fashion statement with my fixies (I have at least taken the rack of the Bowery since I got the Tricross):

    th_bowery_commuter_04.jpg th_tricross_snow.jpg


  • #63
    Pjordanoz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16 ✭Pjordanoz


    But surely the point being missed is most things are fashion statements. Why not? If you could have a nice looking shiney bike or a crappy rusty peice of crap, which one would you have? I need to wear shoes, but I'd at least try to wear fashionable ones, same goes for a bike surely?


  • #64
    Vélo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭Vélo


    bowery_commuter_04.jpg

    What's the story with the 2 balloons, I can only presume you're smuggling drugs into the country. It must have been hell crapping them out:eek:


  • #65
    niceonetom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,833 ✭✭✭niceonetom


    I love banoffee, and I don't love chocolate cake*.

    Chocolate cake = fashion statement.






    *I'd like to emphasise here that I do actually enjoy chocolate cake, I'm simply attempting to illustrate the idiocy of using one's own personal preference to tar all those who have a different personal preference with the same brush. Any and all offers of chocolate cake (or indeed banoffee) will be gratefully accepted.


  • #66
    Vélo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭Vélo


    The jury's out with me when it comes to Fixed or Freewheel*

    I only once put it on fixed on my commute and on the way home got a puncture. When I fixed the puncture I put it back on freewheel by accident and have been too lazy to change it. I didn't notice much of a difference apart from having to concentrate more and I did cycle in a bit quicker that day. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my commute is a flat 20km spin.

    I suppose I'll have to turn the wheel around and give it another go.


    *Freewheel being the proper description...according to me anyway.


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  • #67
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,317 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    niceonetom wrote: »
    I'd like to emphasise here that I do actually enjoy chocolate cake, I'm simply attempting to illustrate the idiocy of using one's own personal preference to tar all those who have a different personal preference with the same brush. Any and all offers of chocolate cake (or indeed banoffee) will be gratefully accepted.

    I once attempted to make a chocolate mousse cake. I followed the recepie, but it ended up looking like fresh cow-pat. It tasted great though. If an analogy is to be drawn, and I feel one should be, I would liken it to a fixie/roadie which has been dressed down to avoid the attention of thieves. In fact, it kept LDB away from it so I was able to eat the whole thing myself.


  • #68
    Vélo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭Vélo


    Raam wrote: »
    I once attempted to make a chocolate mousse cake. I followed the recepie, but it ended up looking like fresh cow-pat. It tasted great though. If an analogy is to be drawn, and I feel one should be, I would liken it to a fixie/roadie which has been dressed down to avoid the attention of thieves. In fact, it kept LDB away from it so I was able to eat the whole thing myself.


    You'd better watch out you don't put on too much weight before the ww200!


  • #69
    Halfrauds
    Closed Accounts Posts: 179 ✭✭Halfrauds


    ah now you have to admit there are alot more freds on Singlespeed and fixie than, people who have a genuine like for them.

    nothing wrong with wanting to be fashionable if it makes you happy:) but i think ALOT of the riders are style over fuction.

    I can see theives targeting them, when things become popular they get robbed:mad:

    each to there own but i think when i said fashion statement its abit of a loose term.

    maybe "most people on singlespeed are posers"


    from the ground up how much does it cost to build a proper one??, horizontal dropouts, decent wheels, chainset.?? i must say id love to build one for the craic so i can cycle one for more than 5mins and see what the big deal is. If i dont like it there seems to be a decent market to shift it on either complete or in parts.

    to the lads who posted pics of their bikes, with regards to calling it a fashion statement, im more pointing towards the lads on SS with their adonised frames in really bright colours, cards stuck into the spokes, cycling around in fashionable, but the most unsuitable cycling clothing ive ever seen. You lot are more of the minority genuine bunch!


  • #70
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    Halfrauds wrote: »
    ah now you have to admit there are alot more freds on Singlespeed and fixie than, people who have a genuine like for them.

    Does the definition of a fred actually change by the day and person or am I way behind the times?

    What do you mean by a genuine like for them? As in appreciating their aesthetic? Or can a genuine likeness only be founded on strictly functional reasons.


  • #71
    Halfrauds
    Closed Accounts Posts: 179 ✭✭Halfrauds


    Sean_K wrote: »
    Does the definition of a fred actually change by the day and person or am I way behind the times?

    What do you mean by a genuine like for them? As in appreciating their aesthetic? Or can a genuine likeness only be founded on strictly functional reasons.

    no you can like it for whatever reason, if it makes you horny happy days:p but IMO a genuine likeness is for the function.

    well to be a fred is a poser who has all the gear but not the knowledge.:pac:

    dunno your defintion, maybe hes your postman:p


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  • #72
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    Well to me this sums it up pretty well: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_(bicycling)


  • #73
    Vitamin C
    Registered Users Posts: 98 ✭✭Vitamin C


    tommmy1979 wrote: »
    Maybe he hasn't tried one but i have and i think fixies are rubbish too..

    Fixies = fashion statement

    T

    I think you can tell by the bike itself if it's a fashion statement or not. Things like the spongey thing on the top bar etc. To say that all fixie riders are doing so as a statement is retarded.


  • #74
    Pjordanoz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16 ✭Pjordanoz


    The spongey thing on the top bar also stops it getting scratched when you lock the bike up 100 times per day. Also stops you mashing your knee on cable routings assuming you're not riding a track bike. Not always a fashion statement, but yea I reckon they look good too. Best of both worlds


  • #75
    Chips Lovell
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    Pjordanoz wrote: »
    Also stops you mashing your knee on cable routings assuming you're not riding a track bike.

    Because that's always happening to people.


  • #76
    Pjordanoz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16 ✭Pjordanoz


    Spend 10 hours a day 5 days a week with your bike getting on and off, weaving through traffic and you'd be surprised how often it can happen.


  • #77
    Chips Lovell
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    Pjordanoz wrote: »
    Spend 10 hours a day 5 days a week with your bike getting on and off, weaving through traffic and you'd be surprised how often it can happen.

    I would be.


  • #78
    flickerx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭flickerx


    tommmy1979 wrote: »
    Fixies = fashion statement

    (Yawn) change the record.

    OK at the moment lots of fashionistas are into them, so what? Its still a bicycle, fixies existed long before the fashion brigade adopted them, and they'll be around long after the morons move onto something else, when they realise that an oily chain wrecks their jean legs turn-ups, and the back wheels sprays a line of mud up the back of their €250 urban outfitters cardigan.


  • #79
    Vitamin C
    Registered Users Posts: 98 ✭✭Vitamin C


    Pjordanoz wrote: »
    The spongey thing on the top bar also stops it getting scratched when you lock the bike up 100 times per day. Also stops you mashing your knee on cable routings assuming you're not riding a track bike. Not always a fashion statement, but yea I reckon they look good too. Best of both worlds

    Let it get scratched. Scratch the f*ck out of it...it adds character. This proves my point, especially considering all the fashionista folk who have said spongy thing are generally riding retro looking conversions anyway.


  • #80
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    Vitamin C wrote: »
    Let it get scratched. Scratch the f*ck out of it...it adds character. This proves my point, especially considering all the fashionista folk who have said spongy thing are generally riding retro looking conversions anyway.

    Scratched paint leads to rust on a steel frame. Rust is bike cancer.


  • #81
    TinyExplosions
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,860 ✭✭✭TinyExplosions


    Vitamin C wrote: »
    Let it get scratched. Scratch the f*ck out of it...it adds character. This proves my point, especially considering all the fashionista folk who have said spongy thing are generally riding retro looking conversions anyway.

    **** that, I don't want my sexy Mercian covered in scratches or rust -there's a difference between a retro looking conversion, and an actual old frame


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  • #82
    rottenhat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,352 ✭✭✭rottenhat


    I've ridden steel frames in all weather conditions for many, many years now and I have never had a problem with rust. Just bring it inside at night and you'll be grand.


  • #83
    Vitamin C
    Registered Users Posts: 98 ✭✭Vitamin C


    TinyExplosions wrote: »
    **** that, I don't want my sexy Mercian covered in scratches or rust -there's a difference between a retro looking conversion, and an actual old frame

    Are you a Mercian fan? Did you have one built for yourself? My girlfriend recently picked up an almost completely original '79 Lady Mercian for €80 in an old bike shop in Rathfarnham, it's a beauty. She's been trying to find a bit out about it but kind of gave up. The Mercian site doesn't say muh about the ladies' stuff. She's starting to get sick of I think because it's not fitted to her.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055358726&highlight=Mercian

    Any thoughts?


  • #84
    TinyExplosions
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,860 ✭✭✭TinyExplosions


    Vitamin C wrote: »
    Are you a Mercian fan? Did you have one built for yourself? My girlfriend recently picked up an almost completely original '79 Lady Mercian for €80 in an old bike shop in Rathfarnham, it's a beauty. She's been trying to find a bit out about it but kind of gave up. The Mercian site doesn't say muh about the ladies' stuff. She's starting to get sick of I think because it's not fitted to her.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055358726&highlight=Mercian

    Any thoughts?

    I most definately am a Mercian fan! Got a second hand one, but it's in immaculate condition.

    The thread answers most of the questions, it looks like a Miss Mercia, but if you email them with the serial number they should be able to give you more info


  • #85
    Vitamin C
    Registered Users Posts: 98 ✭✭Vitamin C


    TinyExplosions wrote: »
    I most definately am a Mercian fan! Got a second hand one, but it's in immaculate condition.

    The thread answers most of the questions, it looks like a Miss Mercia, but if you email them with the serial number they should be able to give you more info

    Really? That's either really good luck or a lot of patience/tenacity with searching! They are things of beauty. I'd love to be able to afford a fitted one. Some day....

    I'll get her on the case with the serial. Cheers Tiny Explosions


  • #86
    TinyExplosions
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,860 ✭✭✭TinyExplosions


    Vitamin C wrote: »
    Really? That's either really good luck or a lot of patience/tenacity with searching! They are things of beauty. I'd love to be able to afford a fitted one. Some day....

    I'll get her on the case with the serial. Cheers Tiny Explosions

    Pure, 100% unadulterated luck. A very happy accident -got to love the internets (and itsfixed!)


  • #87
    Vitamin C
    Registered Users Posts: 98 ✭✭Vitamin C


    TinyExplosions wrote: »
    Pure, 100% unadulterated luck. A very happy accident -got to love the internets (and itsfixed!)

    That's savage...all the return with none of the work. Really gotta love the internets! And fixed to boot... I'm not jealous or anything. Honest.


  • #88
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    Aquinas73 wrote: »
    What's the story with the 2 balloons, I can only presume you're smuggling drugs into the country. It must have been hell crapping them out:eek:
    The baloons are Lance Balls, little bags available from Decathlon. Handy if you want to go shopping.


  • #89
    jlang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭jlang


    blorg wrote: »
    The baloons are Lance Balls, little bags available from Decathlon. Handy if you want to go shopping.
    because they use them as currency over there?


  • #90
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    The little balls expand into big bags.


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  • #91
    tommmy1979
    Closed Accounts Posts: 420 ✭✭tommmy1979


    flickerx wrote: »
    (Yawn) change the record.

    OK at the moment lots of fashionistas are into them, so what? Its still a bicycle, fixies existed long before the fashion brigade adopted them, and they'll be around long after the morons move onto something else, when they realise that an oily chain wrecks their jean legs turn-ups, and the back wheels sprays a line of mud up the back of their €250 urban outfitters cardigan.

    I'm sure there are some genuine fixie enthusiasts out there but i just get the impression that a lot of the people who ride them are screaming "look at me!! i'm such a purist i don't even have a freewheel or brakes..."


  • #92
    cL0h
    Registered Users Posts: 250 ✭✭cL0h


    Vitamin C wrote: »

    I notice they're becoming a lot more popular of late too...is there any reason for this?

    Great article on "hipsters" might answer part of your question.
    http://www.adbusters.org/magazine/79/hipster.html


  • #93
    flickerx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭flickerx


    cL0h wrote: »
    Great article on "hipsters" might answer part of your question.
    http://www.adbusters.org/magazine/79/hipster.html

    That article is the stupidest thing Adbusters have ever printed (and thats saying a lot). For years they bitched and moaned about people driving and not cycling, and how people were scum because they didnt buy ethical products. Then when people actually do it (in the case of this article, fixed gear bikes and american apparel products [clothing is manufactured in Los Angeles where workers are paid fair enough wages for a menial job]) they heap scorn on them anyway.


  • #94
    ROK ON
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭ROK ON


    Just back from a few days work in London. I never understood the fixie thing I have to say. But having seen them in London I sort of get it. Never in my life saw so many bikes.

    At commuting time around the city, there were almost as many bikes as cars. Fixies/SS everywhere, a lot of which were very stylish. Almost like a gigantic catwalk, except for middle aged bankers and brokers on bikes.

    But almost everyone has similar style - brooks saddle, brown leather handlebar tape and the upturned (cutoff) bar ends (are these bullhorns - they look like the horns of a bull). It just seems that it is largely a fashion thing, to be on a fixie that is.

    Interesting I did not notice one bike that DID NOT have a light. Very different to Dublin in that respect. Also, whereby the lycra clad commuting cyclist is in the minority in Dublin, I would say that lycra is highly prevalent in London.

    Fixies - just a fashion fad:)


  • #95
    cL0h
    Registered Users Posts: 250 ✭✭cL0h


    flickerx wrote: »
    That article is the stupidest thing Adbusters have ever printed (and thats saying a lot). For years they bitched and moaned about people driving and not cycling, and how people were scum because they didnt buy ethical products. Then when people actually do it (in the case of this article, fixed gear bikes and american apparel products [clothing is manufactured in Los Angeles where workers are paid fair enough wages for a menial job]) they heap scorn on them anyway.

    They are not ragging on bicycles, just fixed gear ones.

    (As for clothing choice though it's off topic I hope American Apparel stay abreast of the latest skinny jeans, keffiyah (PLO scarf) fashions because as soon as they don't its back to sweat shop threads for most fashionistas.
    As long as they accessorize well with their transport choice of course.


  • #96
    flickerx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭flickerx


    cL0h wrote: »
    They are not ragging on bicycles, just fixed gear ones.

    Yeah, and as a magazine thats constantly calling for less dependency on oil, what logic does that make? Everyone, please ride bicycles - except fixed gear bikes? Thats just incredibly stupid.

    That magazine ceased to be relevant years ago anyway. There's only so many times you can print articles about how messed up the world before it becomes insanely boring and repetitive.


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  • #97
    NeilMcEoigheann
    Closed Accounts Posts: 461 ✭✭NeilMcEoigheann


    did it not occur to anyone that some people just enjoy riding fixies?


  • #98
    _sparkie_
    Registered Users Posts: 715 ✭✭✭_sparkie_


    NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »
    did it not occur to anyone that some people just enjoy riding fixies?

    dont be silly.


  • #99
    crown of storms
    Closed Accounts Posts: 46 ✭crown of storms


    NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »
    did it not occur to anyone that some people just enjoy riding fixies?
    +1


  • #100
    Vélo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭Vélo


    I must say I'm really enjoying my Fixie. I don't get the "one with the bike" feeling or anything else for that matter, I just think it's good craic and really like cycling it. I only changed from freewheel recently but I've no plans to change back.


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