Picture 11

Just had the pleasure of redeeming the NYTimes in my own mind after ranting about them the other day. They did it with a great piece about fixie bikes and urban bike culture. I can tell you this, riding a track bike is really one of the most beautiful things. The machine is so elegant, so simple. It’s almost an art. And the great thing is that fixies were around a lot longer than modern geared bikes.

Truth be told, I no longer ride a fixed-gear bike. I got my front wheel caught in a trolley track and did a front header into traffic a couple years ago. Scared the bejesus outa me. I ain’t got health insurance, after all. Luckily I wasn’t hurt, but I really like the idea of brakes (so does my mama). I sold that bike to my buddy Jay who promptly got plowed by a car and smashed up his face. He still rides it, though. For better or worse!

Now, my bike is only one step removed from fixie. Brakes and a freewheel hub. I might go back, though. It’s so tempting after watching an amazing video – truly sublime – about fixie riding in San Francisco like this [via BoingBoing]:

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  • hilz
    those boys in the video were simply out-of-control nuts. gorgeous, yes, but crazy. and beautiful. i've got gears, but i still FEEL like those kids looked when i ride my bike. yay, bikes!

    everyone's riding a fixie out here in SF. so much so that some cheeky street stencils have popped up all over the mission that say:
    "your fixie makes you look fat."



    be careful, marky. sheesh.


    (i'm old, ok, so what.)
  • I can't WAIT to try the high wheel! Yes!

    <img src="http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/vaults/images/resources/mn011439_w500.jpg">
  • You should try my highwheel--it's a fixed gear. Reverse wheelies will get your attention, for certain.
  • Mr. Buy-those-keirin-racing-straps-just-in-case, eh? Those musta been the days. Ha!

    No, A, I can't imagine you riding one. We still need to get you a comfy cruiser for the summertime!
  • A
    cool video though.
  • A
    Can you imagine me riding one of those around Mark? How scared would you be to ride bikes around the city with me then, eh? heh heh. scary.
  • that video rules. it makes me think of once scene in quicksilver when everybody rides some kind of circus-style fixed.

    i love the new look of your site, too, bro.

    and i still ride my fixed, but not like i used to. riding backwards down the stairs is harder than it looks. all those dudes were way into riser bars for some reason, too.


    -as for the phenomena, i don't know. i used to think that it was better to have some busted "track bike" instead of a decent road bike, then i was mr. buy those keirin racing straps just in case, and now i'm older, have health insurance, and hardly ever do one-handed skids downhill in traffic.
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