Is the increasing popularity of fixed gear bikes sustainable?

So a lot of my mates who ride bikes never really saw the point of fixed gears - some even took the piss about the lack of gears, brakes etc... I don't know if it was me going on about it for so long but many of them have grown to appreciate the whole concept and for different reasons (e.g. uniqueness of yor own build, simplicity etc...). Now, two mates are thinking of making the switch but the biggest scpetic has, totally out of the blue, got himself a condor pista. This brought home the growing popularity of the bikes but its obvious that fixed gear/single speed riding is not for everyone and differente people have different needs from the bikes. I was just wondering if newbies to fixed gear riding will stick at it? I'm not totally convinced my mate will - i'm still shocked he got one.

i think a fair few people try it get scared or just can't be arsed to get with the program with riding fixed as it's different to what they are used to, so they change back to ss/gears fairly quickly.
i think fixed will rise in popularity over the next 2 years then plateau out for another 2 then decline down to just above where it is now.unless there is a radical rethink of the transport policy in this country cycling in general will not reach government targets until policy changes motorists, town planners and big corporations attitude towards the bicycle. it's this attitude that stops cycling entering the mainstream and not just being the transport choice of weirdos.
i think i have strayed off topic there but it's sort of relevant.

I went straight to SS then fixed 3 months later when I got back into cycling this spring so for me SS/fixed is really all i'm used to. Therefore "going back" to gears and a freewheel would actually mean buying a new bike, so the likelihood is that i will remain fixed for the forseeable future. I guess it is different for people who've ridden bikes for years and years making the switch though.

We were all newbies at one point and we still ride. I don't really think about it any more, couldn't really imagine riding any other sort of bike in town

my main worry is the brakeless backlash. It's gonna happen when people actually realise what is going on on their streets and we're going to be labeled murderers...

I hope the fuss all dies down soon and track parts become affordable again. I'm cheap like that.

Each response here has consistently used less and less words! Some will stick with fixed, some not.

Fuck sustainability, I will just ride my bike, what the others do is no concern of mine.

MA3K|³| Fuck sustainability, I will just ride my bike, what the others do is no concern of mine.

Worthy of a highfive. This comment just makes sense.

le car my main worry is the brakeless backlash. It's gonna happen when people actually realise what is going on on their streets and we're going to be labeled murderers...

i agree

Thanks to the lovely bike to work scheme I got a nice cheap Touche this summer, having used various geared bikes for the last 10 years or so. SS'd for a while & went fixed a month ago. I've realised there's no need for gears in town, so won't be going back, though will still use gears off-road. Horses for courses etc.

I think the increased awareness will mean a continued increase in popularity, but I think it will plateau soon & some folk will drop out - as people do when it starts raining.

turpe I hope the fuss all dies down soon and track parts become affordable again. I'm cheap like that.

If it goes either way it'll get cheaper I think. If it gets more popular there'll be more competition from more companies so the prices will be brought down.

MrSmith i think a fair few people try it get scared or just can't be arsed to get with the program with riding fixed as it's different to what they are used to, so they change back to ss/gears fairly quickly.
i think fixed will rise in popularity over the next 2 years then plateau out for another 2 then decline down to just above where it is now.unless there is a radical rethink of the transport policy in this country cycling in general will not reach government targets until policy changes motorists, town planners and big corporations attitude towards the bicycle. it's this attitude that stops cycling entering the mainstream and not just being the transport choice of weirdos.
i think i have strayed off topic there but it's sort of relevant.

it's peaked already! i don't see the fashionistas sticking with it for more than another year.

don't really care about the fashionistas though, fixed wheel bikes will always be around...

As with all things, there are those that have always, there will be those who do for a while and than move on to another "in thing", and there are those who will be converted.

I can't imagine anyone would defect back to gears, but I may be wrong ( it does happen).

Toodle pip

le car my main worry is the brakeless backlash. It's gonna happen when people actually realise what is going on on their streets and we're going to be labeled murderers...

I agree with that, still think peoples are nuts driving brakeless but that's probably just me showin' up my crap skillz... Hasn't the whole pisto scene in Tokyo seen the backlash already? I hear there've been a lot of accidents getting a lot of media exposure out there...
Re: Original point... Who cares?

No it's all going down. It's time to get out. We have already seen the rise of the shopper. Old bike going for £200 over the summer. The idea is so much better than fixed wheel. Usually three speeds, two basket so you don't end up with a sweaty back and can carry a ghetto blaster easily, nice and compact, for easy storage in small flats. I am buying shoppers now to cash in on the boom and selling all my fixed gear stuff. I suggest you all do the same now while you still can get some money back on your parts.

By next summer it will all be about shoppers I guarantee. I have contacts in mainland Europe where the trend is one season behind, I will be able to get you the best prices for your track / fixed wheel bikes abroad in the rising market. It is no longer worth selling part locally, let me take the headache out of selling your parts / bikes abroad.

teenslain [quote]le car my main worry is the brakeless backlash. It's gonna happen when people actually realise what is going on on their streets and we're going to be labeled murderers...

I agree with that, still think peoples are nuts driving brakeless but that's probably just me showin' up my crap skillz... Hasn't the whole pisto scene in Tokyo seen the backlash already? I hear there've been a lot of accidents getting a lot of media exposure out there...
Re: Original point... Who cares?[/quote]

Agreed teenslain. Without a front brake I would have been under a car last night.
Maybe those who do it cos they see it as fashion aren't going to be out on dark/cold/wet days.

Hey Tommy, would one of these fit on a shopper?..

teenslain [quote]le car my main worry is the brakeless backlash. It's gonna happen when people actually realise what is going on on their streets and we're going to be labeled murderers...

I agree with that, still think peoples are nuts driving brakeless but that's probably just me showin' up my crap skillz... Hasn't the whole pisto scene in Tokyo seen the backlash already? I hear there've been a lot of accidents getting a lot of media exposure out there...
Re: Original point... Who cares?[/quote]

The moral panic about bikes seems to me to be abating a bit, doesn't it? Maybe cos there's less of us on the road now its coooooold. Brrrr. I hope to Dog the Standard don't start a brakegate panic.

TheBrick(Tommy) No it's all going down. It's time to get out. We have already seen the rise of the shopper. Old bike going for £200 over the summer. The idea is so much better than fixed wheel. Usually three speeds, two basket so you don't end up with a sweaty back and can carry a ghetto blaster easily, nice and compact, for easy storage in small flats. I am buying shoppers now to cash in on the boom and selling all my fixed gear stuff. I suggest you all do the same now while you still can get some money back on your parts.

By next summer it will all be about shoppers I guarantee. I have contacts in mainland Europe where the trend is one season behind, I will be able to get you the best prices for your track / fixed wheel bikes abroad in the rising market. It is no longer worth selling part locally, let me take the headache out of selling your parts / bikes abroad.

I buy all your fix-gear/pisto... 5 dorra...

I'm actually thinking about knocking up a fixed Brompton... Powdercoated front Arrospok, Deep-V rear... It'd amuse me no end...

TheBrick(Tommy) No it's all going down. It's time to get out. We have already seen the rise of the shopper. Old bike going for £200 over the summer. The idea is so much better than fixed wheel. Usually three speeds, two basket so you don't end up with a sweaty back and can carry a ghetto blaster easily, nice and compact, for easy storage in small flats. I am buying shoppers now to cash in on the boom and selling all my fixed gear stuff. I suggest you all do the same now while you still can get some money back on your parts.

By next summer it will all be about shoppers I guarantee. I have contacts in mainland Europe where the trend is one season behind, I will be able to get you the best prices for your track / fixed wheel bikes abroad in the rising market. It is no longer worth selling part locally, let me take the headache out of selling your parts / bikes abroad.

If the window in Velorution is anything to go by, the dutch shopper is the way forward.

you better believe baby !

Hammo [quote]TheBrick(Tommy)

If the window in Velorution is anything to go by, the dutch shopper is the way forward.

Already trying to source a sweet 3-speed hub for my old conversion, and those sexy square-angle Nitto bars are ready and waiting. Something for those days when I'm dressed too smart to sweat like a rapist, with a pannier or basket for goodies/shopping.

Think it'll be sweet.

Almost OT, but not really:
since the Sturmey Archer 3-speeds are all internally geared with only one external sprocket, does the wheel need to be dished or is it essentially like a SS? Whadya reckon?

If the lock nut to flange difference is is the same on each side = no dish.
If not = dished

TheBrick(Tommy)

If the window in Velorution is anything to go by, the dutch shopper is the way forward.

Indeed it is... if you happen to be a faux-cyclist-fashionista.

Although, I guess that one more girl on a bike is one less girl driving a car - even if she's riding for what some might call 'the wrong reasons'.

TheBrick(Tommy) If the lock nut to flange difference is is the same on each side = no dish.
If not = dished

Thanks squire. I got that though. What I meant was, does anyone know if it will need dishing.
If I had one I could see... 'sall.

Cheers though.