Today is, again, once a year, time to sit back and think for a moment why is it that you're riding that fixie bike of yours? Who to thank (or who to blame) for this lovely thing?
Is it because Hypebeast told you that Kanye West rides a fixie? Or because you saw some cool kid riding a nice stripped down yet colorful bike to your favorite coffee shop or dive bar and you had to get one too? Maybe so, but I sure hope not.
Because the real reason we are riding bikes with a fixed cog on the rear wheel is that some dudes way back when in NYC started riding track bikes on the streets when they were working as bike messengers. Simple as that.
You may try to deny this and argue about lot of different things here, like the Tour de France hundred years ago, track cycling, roadie winter training, Sheldon Brown and blah blah but that's just bullshit anyway. And if you keep on insisting, you know there's always some gnarly dude there who's a real strong rider and used to 'mess back in the 90s who will soon kick your weak ass unless you shut up.
So let's pay respect to where the respect is due.
it's not about messengers it's about fixed gear! if fixed gear belongs to anyone it sure belongs to the track riders. i hate this attitude of some messengers claiming that fixed gear "belongs to them", bullshit!
ReplyDeleteyo anon, fixed gear bikes don't "belong" to anyone but to the person owning the bike in question. duh.
ReplyDeleteBut just acknowledge the fact the if some of those messenger guys didn't pick up old track bikes and started riding them in the city, you and me most likely wouldn't be riding fixed gear bikes today, ok?
Yeah? What about the goddamn bag your wearing, homie???
ReplyDeleteAll track riders look good riding fixies on the street, too. (!!!)
Messengers started riding fixed on the STREET, and making it look good enough to copy.
That 'Yeah?' was at 'Anonymous', too...
ReplyDeleteCheers, mate!
ReplyDeleteI guess you're the guy I was referring to in the end of my post. ;)
Anonymous didnt get the point. Hey dudes, i'm reproducing the article (translated to portuguese, with credits, of course) on my blog, is it ok? http://fixacwb.wordpress.com
ReplyDeletethanks messengers if it wasnt for you we all be riding in buses n trains and the bicycle wouldnt have been invented.Not everyone lives in the city where they constantly exposed to messengers,some of us live in the country and dont want our geared bikes screwed by the elements,hence a fixed gear/SS.
ReplyDeletePlease go ahead, Gunnar.
ReplyDeleteJohn, so you don't get my point here either?
Or are you actually saying that people like you (involuntarily, I'd guess?) created the whole current FG/SS trend, in order not to get your bikes' gears are all muddy, dusty and rusty, living somewhere out there in the sticks?
guys, why not share the credits - there's enough for all. Hipsters should get their portion as well, ey? Just being an ass. Peace
ReplyDeleteAnd since most messenger in nyc rides on supermarket klunkers, supermarket klunkers are most definetly the best bikes out there..
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I fell in love when I saw pedal, but get over it.
"And if you keep on insisting, you know there's always some gnarly dude there who's a real strong rider and used to 'mess back in the 90s who will soon kick your weak ass unless you shut up."
ReplyDeleteDamn dude, chill the fuck out.
Anonymous: Dude, only one needing to chill the fuck out here is u mate. You hateing any attitude makes u the one whos has issues with something. If Blog keeper wants to show respect towards who ever he thinks has or had positive influence towards bikeing is that something taken away from u??
ReplyDeleteRoots of fixed gear on streets partly lies on messengerhood more or less. What made u so dissapointed that u need "hate" anything in it???
And to John. So you invented singlespeed and fixed all by your self? Maeby so, not my piece of cake to argue about it. And if you did, all respect. But what then?? You want a fucking trophy?? Maeby you are OG, but then again, what then. Enjoy it and ride your bike. Being so into is sooooo last season.
ReplyDeleteBeing hipster means being more real than people aroung you, and that is what makes it so weak.
you guys make me laugh.
ReplyDelete