It seems like fixed gear is starting to become too proliferated for the grassroots folks who started building it into the fad/trend/lifestyle that it is today. I've been hearing a little mumbling here and there that fixed is becoming too popular. I think it's more that the folks who were doing this long ago, are the type of people who really have a love for all that is biking and kinda like being a little different than the occasional bike rider. Those folks are very connected to the biking world, love Surly, but hate Trek, etc... I admit, sometimes I feel like I try to get there but am never going to be able to be that connected, even though I love to try.
You're probably saying, ok, great, what's the point. First, blogs are just that, like Cory said on his awhile back, they're just for mindless babble sometimes. But second, it's really a reflection on "what kind of biker am I?" After my two long rides this weekend I was as confused as ever. I take a fixie road ride, then a cross bike gravel ride. Last weekend it was fairly technical mountain biking and a fully geared road ride.
As I rolled home last night from the rec, I really fell back into these questions. For some reason, the fixie was able to answer some questions. The way the wind was behind me at my riding speed making for very little wind noise. The chainline was dead straight. The chain itself had a good coat of wax. The cloth cinelli felt great, grippy and soft. And with the weekend road ride, I had some smooth 700x28s on. The silence was just great. It made me realize that I was trying to be as many types of bikers I can be. The fixie components are on every other bike out there. There are more on other bikes, but every one has at least as many/much as a fixed gear.
This was pretty much the answer, as weird and philosophical this is: If I can enjoy every pedal stroke of a fixed gear, I can enjoy at least those components on every other bike I ride. It's because of this that I have to try every style out there. And I try to keep doing almost all of the styles that I can. If 3 speed coaster brakes is the new thing, I'll probably try it. 96er, 27.5, sure those too. But to not ride a fixie anymore just because it's "too popular" nah, I don't think so. I'm fixed on fixed gears, and whatever other styles come along:)
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Good to hear. I'm afraid that folks who say "it's getting too popular" are missing the point. I stopped trying to be cool when I left high school and have since learned to embrace my inner dip-shit or dork or whatever. Just ride what you like and have fun. Who give's a shit if it's cool or not?
I started riding fixie to get in shape for Trans-Iowa, simplicity for riding through the winter and all that. Also for working the back of the legs for climbing mountains and hiking, decending steeps while carrying weight can be a bitch.
Yeah, cool/different isn't really a big deal. I just like how something so simple can help you understand the very complex "why do I ride bikes?", or "what kind of biker am I?".
It's funny you mention getting in shape using a fixie. On my ride with Paul I was mentioning how I really don't ever train for anything. I just go out and hope I don't die:) It's interesting to think about how everyone treats biking.
Post a Comment