Fixed-Gear Article in the Observer 9th March

see???

Nope. I've erased my memory of the forum using the power of the sun, Ra.

So it would seem...

lol, sunra

What's your next move? Pimp your ride, or use the power of your mind to effect changes in time and motion...

tallsam [quote]Momentum The popularity of fixed gears in the UK (and everything that goes with it) is lagging a couple of years behind the US. Judging by what has been going on in the US, I'd expect to see a lot more of this sort of shit for a while as more and more people get involved.

How do you mean exactly? Do you mean more ppl (as in a higher percentage of the population) are riding fixed wheels?
Do you have any proof of this? Its not that I don't believe you, just wondering how true it is (I don't doubt it is true btw).

[/quote]

I don't want to come across as a dick or some kinda OG poser, but over the last four years that I've been riding fixed gear I've seen a big change here in London. When I started here it was mainly messengers and a few bike geeks of various kinds riding fixed in London. I'd read all the arguments about hipsters and posengers on US forums but it didn't relate. Over the same period there have been an increasing number of articles about fixed gears in US papers which are all pretty similar (they're cool, they're brakeless, how to match one in with your catalogue bought lifestyle etc) and all get the same, outraged reaction from people who ride.

The popularity of fixed gears here has increased steadily and it is starting to get to the levels it was in the US a couple of years ago (there was a really noticeable increae in the number of people riding fixed wheels last summer). So I expect that there will be another big increase in people riding fixed this summer and a lot more inaccurate articles about it as various trendspotters/lifestyle magazines pick up on it.

I'm gonna buy one of these and be ahead of the next trend

I don't think anyone is disagreeing with the rise of fixed wheels in popularity over the last few years (in London and worldwide). I was more interested in how this compares with the US scene and what you were basing your comment *"The popularity of fixed gears in the UK (and everything that goes with it) is lagging a couple of years behind the US."* on.

I mean can you tie it down to examples of anything specific?

I don't actually know much about the US scene myself apart from what I read and talk to ppl about online and when I've been to NY. So I'm really just wondering, not arguing.

As a brit now living in SF, I can say with some conviction that this town is swarming with fixed-gear bikes. It's not an exaggeration, the world, his wife and their 2.4 kids are riding Pistas and the now-ubiquitous Mercier Kilo TT.

As I left London last June, things were just starting to really take off in the track bike scene and I was still stunned at the sheer amount of bikes I saw on the streets when I got here. The last two alleycats I've raced were within a month of each other and both had fields of 80+ riders. It's just insane.

hippy [quote]BringMeMyFix What? You changed the saddle? Suck my customized balls.

Yep hahaha :P

Oh, and it now has a Powertap. Anyone wanna buy some near-new Ksyrium ES wheels?[/quote]

how much for the wheels?

Spoke cards anyone?

harsh.

good.

This was too funny of a read. Thank you all.

Über dredge