Fixies are officially dead

[zmudshark]

Forbes is writing about them

http://blogs.forbes.com/larryolmsted/2011/07/07/ride-a-single-speed-bike-for-fun-and-fitness-not-image/?partner=yahootix

[fiamme red]

Forbes is writing about them

http://blogs.forbes.com/larryolmsted/2011/07/07/ride-a-single-speed-bike-for-fun-and-fitness-not-image/?partner=yahootixI expected to see the word "Zen," and yes, it's there: "Without sounding too Zen-like, there is something appealing about the simplicity."

[pavel]

ctrl-f hipster, brakes, zen: found.

[zmudshark]

The article does not disappoint.

[avalonracing]

We don't want fixies dead... Just the dicksters who own them as fashion statements.

[19wisconsin64]

....well, at least my bike and i will! i'm gonna get some brie cheese, some wine, some grapes, and enjoy..... cheers from happy land of people who ride fixies!!!

[keevon]

Track bikes are “fixies” meaning they have a fixed gear and as long as the back wheel is turning so are the pedals... These bikes also have coaster brakes, which frankly are better suited for 5-year olds, except when going downhill at 40MPH. And thanks to tradition even those never meant for tracks, including most hipster/messenger models, are set up this way. Simply do not go this route.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gYXpLLcO2P4/ScHWATLS6mI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/-TzlwuMPyvQ/orange-kitten-cat-says-what-lolcats-lol-epiclosers.jpg

[ultraman6970]

The guy is pretty lost in his paper. some stuff is really in congruent. :)

Funny to read tho.

[fiamme red]

The same author wrote an article about getting a custom bike:

http://blogs.forbes.com/larryolmsted/2011/06/23/why-you-need-a-custom-road-bike-2/

[keevon]

"...I went to the website Single Speed Outlaw, printed their detailed instructions, and handed them to my mechanic. You should too. You will thank me!

I'm sure his mechanic thanked him too! :crap:

[ultraman6970]

Please anybody write to the editor to get this guy banned forever to talk about cycling!!

[Louis]

Please anybody write to the editor to get this guy banned forever to talk about cycling!!

Maybe he can get a job for the "News of the World."

[e-RICHIE]

Maybe he can get a job for the "News of the World."
louis gets it atmo.

ps

arrange disorder

:cool: :cool: :)
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :p
;) ;) :o

[ultraman6970]

larry@larryolmsted.com


Asked the guy to stop writing about cycling and flip the stem :D


http://www.larryolmsted.com/Portals/4/LOBikePigSign475.jpg

[CaptStash]

I can't stand it! The article about "bespoke" bikes is a bit much. He goes on and on about among other things, how titanium is "better" than steel (huh?) and how his ti frame is lighter even than any stock frame (2.6 lbs according to teh Seven website - again, huh?). HEck even my Felt Scandium frame is lighter than that. And I'm pretty sure that a Corvid comes in well under that.

Sorry. I had to vent. I'm going to Home Depot now.

No I'm not! My Ti frame (not a Seven lol) just arrived back from Bilenky with new couplers. Woo Hoo!

Stash....

[rustychisel]

This means nothing to me (oh Vienna)

[ultraman6970]

Classic line!

[avalonracing]

This means nothing to me (oh Vienna)

It's not everyday that someone quotes Ultravox. Except in my house.

[Dekonick]

Maybe he can get a job for the "News of the World."

Awesome!

[Kontact]

We don't want fixies dead... Just the dicksters who own them as fashion statements.
That's a pretty cool fashion statement, especially compared to a $10K Cervelo frameset. Oh, right, roadies aren't about fashion.


So are fixies as dead as bell bottoms?

[that guy]

THE HORROR

http://blogs-images.forbes.com/larryolmsted/files/2011/07/SingleSpeed.jpg

[rustychisel]

That's a pretty cool fashion statement, especially compared to a $10K Cervelo frameset. Oh, right, roadies aren't about fashion.


So are fixies as dead as bell bottoms?


The can only be one answer to that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCWAGpChSRI

[sbparker31]

I bike shop owner friend of mine just built up a Pegoretti single speed for a client. Granted, it's not fixed. The frame was a Marcelo that was ordered with horizontal dropouts. Alas, I do not have a picture. . .

[William]

The can only be one answer to that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCWAGpChSRI


You could have used the official video. :rolleyes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WmhMKWt8DI


;) ;) :)
William

[William]

...Or the Paul Hogan version.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX6MtWRGW3M&feature=related







W.

[JeffS]

Asked the guy to stop writing about cycling and flip the stem :D


http://www.larryolmsted.com/Portals/4/LOBikePigSign475.jpg


Sorry, did you mean to post this on BF?

[ultraman6970]

I should?

[keevon]

THE HORROR

http://blogs-images.forbes.com/larryolmsted/files/2011/07/SingleSpeed.jpg
That bike would've cost $4000 new, but he got everything on eBay for $900!!!!
The wheelset alone is worth at least that much!!!!!1111!!!1

[torquer]

So are fixies as dead as bell bottoms?
Don't scoff at bell bottoms. Denim bibs are making a comeback, too.
http://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Carrera-jeans-bib-short-
http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/07/07/when-words-fail-nalini-reintrouduce-carrera-denim-cycling-kits/

[rugbysecondrow]

I read the article, not sure what is wrong with it. Pretty much makes sense to me.

[oldpotatoe]

....well, at least my bike and i will! i'm gonna get some brie cheese, some wine, some grapes, and enjoy..... cheers from happy land of people who ride fixies!!!

that ain't a fixie...drop bars and brakes=not a fixie.

gotta have no brakes, cards saying silly things in the spokes and straight handlebars about 6 inches end to end...ya know, for goin' thru traffic delivering that newly signed treaty...

[fiamme red]

ya know, for goin' thru traffic delivering that newly signed treaty... :D

[BobC]

This means nothing to me (oh Vienna)

But do you "Lament" the article?

[Ozz]

I read the article and don't think he ever used the term "fixie"....he kept saying "single speed" bike.

I wonder if he knows there is a difference?

[Fixed]

kook
cheers imho

[Aaron O]

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/deathtothefixies.png

[rugbysecondrow]

I read the article and don't think he ever used the term "fixie"....he kept saying "single speed" bike.

I wonder if he knows there is a difference?

Isnt a fixed gear also a single speed as it only has one speed?

Folks, this is much ado about nothing. Stop bitching and name calling and just be glad there is a proponent out there who is getting published in a magazine like Forbes. Picky, picky, picky.

[flydhest]

He did use the term "fixed gear" and "fixie."

"For these historical reasons, most single speeds on the market are terrible choices for the road rider. Track bikes are “fixies” meaning they have a fixed gear and as long as the back wheel is turning so are the pedals."

It seems clear that if anyone is talking about bicycles in any meaningful way, there is a clear distinction between a "fixed gear" or "fixie" and a "single speed." The fact that fixed gears have only one gear does not make them "single speed" given the common usage.

That said, the guy does say that a fixed gear has "foot activated braking like your childhood bike" . . . . really? Only if your childhood bike was a Big Wheel or tricycle, which, of course, are not bikes.

What seems most atrocious, however, and this is petty, which means that I agree with those who suggest that getting worked up over this is a bit of a stretch, is that he apparently doesn't know the difference between "then" and "than." Really, in a written document that ostensibly has an editor?

A writer who does that clearly can't be taken seriously.

[e-RICHIE]

What seems most atrocious, however, and this is petty, which means that I agree with those who suggest that getting worked up over this is a bit of a stretch, is that he apparently doesn't know the difference between "then" and "than." Really, in a written document that ostensibly has an editor?

A writer who does that clearly can't be taken seriously.

follow up in some of the comments sections to see some real (lack of) editing atmo.
i have come to the conclusion that blogging is not writing, and blogging for a publication is not the equal to writing for it.

ps

arrange disorder

:) :) :)
:) :) :)
:) :rolleyes: ;)

[flydhest]

follow up in some of the comments sections to see some real (lack of) editing atmo.
i have come to the conclusion that blogging is not writing, and blogging for a publication is not the equal to writing for it.

ps

arrange disorder

:) :) :)
:) :) :)
:) :rolleyes: ;)

bada-bing.

[poguemahone]

I'm shocked that it cost this guy a thousand bucks to build a "light" single speed. Perhaps it's because he writes for Forbes, and everything has to cost a lot to be worth anything there, I dunno. But I've put together many fixies for less than 200$, and some for less than fifty.

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab285/1967PeugeotPX10/72and17PX10s.jpg

Current project, should be done w/i the week:

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab285/1967PeugeotPX10/Serotta%20Track%20bike/ttown001.jpg

It didn't cost anywhere near a thousand either...

[fiamme red]

Bike Snob has an amusing analysis of the two articles by the Forbes writer.

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2011/07/stuck-in-customs-bespoke-rationale.html

Speaking of materials, Seven Cycles needed to use an oversized seat tube to suit his climbing style:

"Then there is the performance issue. I like to climb, a lot, long grueling climbs and I like to stand and grind. So when I got my custom bike, I told Seven Cycles this and they built in an oversized seat tube to add rigidity for my standing pedal stroke, an efficiency increase. Even if a stock bike fit me perfectly, no stock bike can change the diameter of the tubes and flex of the frame to suit my whims, but Seven can."

In other words, Seven will build a bike around your poor climbing technique. Somehow a big guy with massive power like Thor Hushovd can finish in the top 10 for the entire first week of the Tour de France on a plastic Cervelo, yet this guy can't find a bike rigid enough to withstand his mighty climbing style. If he's "standing and grinding" all the time, my guess is he doesn't need a Seven; what he he needs is a triple...

[e-RICHIE]

Bike Snob has an amusing analysis of the two articles by the Forbes writer.

he's a blogger not a writer atmo.

ps

arrange disorder

:o :o :o
:D :D :D
:p :p :p

[Germany_chris]

he's a blogger not a writer atmo.

ps

arrange disorder

:o :o :o
:D :D :D
:p :p :p

He does have a published book, so that makes him a writer in my book ;)

[zap]

He does have a published book, so that makes him a writer in my book ;)

some blokes just like to be cute...........or different.

This is stupid-I don't like fixed or single speed bicycles and think most cyclers should stay away from them because, well, it's not working.

[Germany_chris]

some blokes just like to be cute...........or different.

This is stupid-I don't like fixed or single speed bicycles and think most cyclers should stay away from them because, well, it's not working.

So if he still maintains a blog for himself and Bicycling magazine, but writes a book he's still nothing more than a blogger..using that logic you are nothing more than your first job...so god and Richard Sachs are untouchable in the forum..you guys are going to love me to no end. :p

[e-RICHIE]

So if he still maintains a blog for himself and Bicycling magazine, but writes a book he's noting more than a blogger..using that logic you are nothing more than your first job...so god and Richard Sachs are untouchable in the forum..you guys are going to love me to no end. :p


i don't know what you're referring to but my post above was about the forbes piece not bsnyc atmo.

ps

arrange disorder

:p :p :p
;) ;) ;)
:D :D :D

[Germany_chris]

*edit* I mis-read I hope..but you are still untouchable in this forum :beer:

Can you re post where the threads that got locked because of my god comment are..I'd like to save them for posterity or at least facebook..

[e-RICHIE]

*edit* I mis-read I hope..but you are still untouchable in this forum :beer:

Can you re post where the threads that got locked because of my god comment are..I'd like to save them for posterity or at least facebook..

yeah i have to remember which mod's passwords work with which logins.
i'll fix it after happy hour atmo.

ps

arrange disorder

:cool: :cool: :cool:
:cool: :cool: :cool:
:cool: :cool: :D

[zap]

So if he still maintains a blog for himself and Bicycling magazine, but writes a book he's still nothing more than a blogger..using that logic you are nothing more than your first job...so god and Richard Sachs are untouchable in the forum..you guys are going to love me to no end. :p

something got lost in translation........

As far as I'm concerned, a writer is a writer blog, rag or book......good, bad, ugly.

......now, Richard is touchable (we might be talking mm's here)............god, let's compare notes after we passed on.

[rugbysecondrow]

something got lost in translation........

As far as I'm concerned, a writer is a writer blog, rag or book......good, bad, ugly.

......now, Richard is touchable (we might be talking mm's here)............god, let's compare notes after we passed on.


+1

[Bodid]

I always wanted one but where I live there's nothing but hills. I get a good enough work out without one. Maybe if I was living in Belgium...

[Mattbotak]

I always wanted one but where I live there's nothing but hills. I get a good enough work out without one. Maybe if I was living in Belgium...

+1

My knees ache when I think of riding a fixie around in my area.