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London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
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@tallsam
I don't ride fixed. Used to. Didn't like it.
Coasting is the best part of cycling (IMO). I know I'm not gonna win many friends here saying this but just being honest.
Been riding bikes since I was physically able:
little kiddie bikes
Raliegh Striker (mini grifter)
Raleigh Styler (Basically a Mag Burner but yellow)
Sid Standard Superbe 531 tubed Racer
MS Racing MTB (company later stopped making bikes under their own name and made bikes under the alpinestars name - alpinestars being the motorcycling clothing brand. Was one of the first alu MTB's - still got it and it works fine)
A long long time riding these two bikes.
Gave Superbe back to my dad when he was worried about me breaking it as I was becoming fascinated with trying to be a stunt biker
Raleigh Record Ace - converted to single speed then to 6 gears.
Raleigh framed (?) fixed wheel later converted to single speed freewheel
Paragon fixed - only a loan really from my dad, had to give it back when I got so scared about scratching it I stopped riding it all together (its very nice)
Plus a few more BMX's along the way as an adult (some Dyno thing, Schwinn Hydramatic, converted 80's night burner, Redline John Purse sig cruiser)
and a cast of loads more randoms that I've had and broken quickly, sold quickly, given away etc...
The remaining bikes (I still have around half of them) are in England. But I'm in Australia. Whilst here I've accumulated:
Melbourne bikes MTB
Gemini racer (nothing special, Exage grade stuff)
and a "Dutch bike" which cost me $10 and is amazing. I probably ride this one more than the others.
Being as I don't ride fixed and don't live in London you may wonder why I come here (infrequently). I just like bikes and talking about them. I find the whole fixed craze quite funny. It's like the Skateboarding craze about 10 years ago but for ppl a bit more grown up. I think its great though. More bums on bike seats is a very good thing imo.
I may build myself up a fixed wheel when I get back to England. I have a dream single speed commuter build in mind so may as well make it flip flop. But honestly I just don't like riding fixed.
BTW I've always had access to fixed and other bikes (my dad is a collector) so its not like I've not had the exposure.