Fixed Gear Cycling
From Mod Mania
Fixed Gear cycling Fixed Gear is a single speed bicycle that does not allow the user to coast or ‘stop pedaling’, the rear sprockets are directly connected to the rear wheel, meaning that if you pedal forwards the bike moves forwards and if you pedal back then the bicycle moves back. That’s why it is called ‘fixed’ gear.
Fixed gear bicycles were originally used in track cycling, where in the velodrome, cyclists preferred to use a single geared bike that was lightweight and more reliable than gears. Fixed gear was also deemed safer, for instance if a person was to coast it would be dangerous as it meant they would slow down and cyclists would have to move around that person, having a fixed gear means that everyone stays at a consistent pace and will not suddenly decelerate, reducing crashes.
After existing exclusively in the velodrome, fixed gear bicycles became part of a cyclists training regime, especially after the winter months when cyclists would need to get back into shape, fixed gear allows the rider to develop their pedaling style and suppleness by forcing them to ride high cadences.
After existing in both track and road cyclists training plans, it soon found its way through to urban life, the benefits of a single speed bike superseded those of a geared bicycle. There were many aspects that made it better. It was simple to maintain and clean, with only a few parts it only needed a little wiping down and oiling to keep it going. It was a cheaper alternative, costing less to purchase and run. It provided the sense of true freedom, there was no need to shift gears, or to focus on brakes and the bicycle would respond directly to your body, the psychological simplicity and freedom obtained form a fixed gear was beyond a geared bike.
With all these benefits the sudden boom of fixed gear bicycles in the cities became huge; they became associated with bicycle messengers, almost promoting bicycle messengers to a mythical status within the cycling community. Messengers, cycling without breaks and helmets, weaving in and out of traffic and doing tricks all while delivering large parcels on their back because it was more convenient and faster than using a car, all cyclists took an interest in them and wanted to imitate them.
Soon the focus started to drift from the function to the form of the bicycle. Many people associate their bicycles as a part for their identity it represented who they were or what they believe in, they begun to individualise their bicycles. The ways in which people would differentiate themselves could be as simple as a peace symbol sticker or as extravagant as a total paint-job. People would go to great lengths to design or create a bicycle that was individual or different, often putting a lot of thought into the looks, rather than weight, aiming to create a bicycle that was aesthetically amazing.
Fixed gear soon developed to become a very prominent sub culture in cycling, many people drawn to the idea and concept of individualisation, creating a sense of self, reflected through their bicycle and their means of customisation. But as fixed gear begun to become more popular, it started to lose its touch with its heritage and culture. It became a fad, owning a fixed gear bicycle was not for cycling, but rather to fulfill the image of being cool.
The image soon became about being a hipster, fitting within an accepted social norm, or in some cases fitting into a counter culture just to be the cool kids on the block, wearing tight jeans, having aero spoke wheels and cool clothing with no true understanding of the reasons for cycling apart from showing off. Generally other cyclists were quite fond of fixed gear cycling, but after these hipsters had become prominent there was much disagreement with their style , for example, there is a topic within a popular forum that shows how much they dislike hipsters, the topic is 2 years old, has 418 pages, 12 thousand posts and close to a million views. The purpose of this topic is to make fun of hipsters. Fixed gear cycling is almost parallel to many other trends that appeared throughout the world, especially for young teenagers. Teens needed something to identify with, and it seems that fixed gear cycling was one of the many options, such as skinny jeans and skater looks.
This rift between the cycling communities causes much interest. There are those who have extremely polarised views, of either hating or loving fixed gears. Hardcore cyclists dislike the hipsters, believing that they don’t cycle for the love of cycling and the Hipsters all think that wearing Lycra and using gears and breaks isn’t appropriate. This polarisation often causes confusion for those stuck in between this fad, a cyclist, wanting to be a proper cyclist and yet still impress his friends and people around him would have trouble deciding which persona to choose, which style they would want to belong too. But even though the ‘hipsters’ were separated from the hardcore cyclists, the community continuously grows larger all the time, there are many forums and websites showcasing hipster clothing, bicycles and people. There are even weekly/monthly meetings and racers, where they would race or do tricks, some even playing bicycle polo.
Although the Hipsters are often hated for their style of riding, to the world they have become accepted, acknowledging the new norm, though they may sometimes ride for looks, most will always ride for the love of pure riding. It seems that these hardcore, old school cyclists will eventually give in to the overwhelming popularity of these hipster cyclists, similar to other cycling sports which were such a minority but bloomed significantly, such as, BMX, Trials and mountain biking. Eventually the trend should settle down, as all trends have done so, and in this event, when kids do not ride to be cool, the cyclists will eventually accept the idea and image of a fixed gear bicycle on the inner city streets.
Refrences
http://sfgfc.wordpress.com/ “22/08/09”
http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/index.php “19/08/09”
http://www.bikeforums.net/ “24/08/09”
