Heard this story on NPR this morning on fixed-gear bikes. Nothing most of you don't already know, but interesting enough that they even cover this as a story. Cool.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7217570

Cool to see a story where the write doesn't bash the concept as a super trendy fad that will die when the riders do. Although, the messenger in the story did complain of others who ride fixed gear with messenger bags, who aren't messengers (FAMS). ... I wonder what track riders call messengers? FATS?

Cool to see a story where the write doesn't bash the concept as a super trendy fad that will die when the riders do. Although, the messenger in the story did complain of others who ride fixed gear with messenger bags, who aren't messengers (FAMS). ... I wonder what track riders call messengers? FATS?

Yeah, that guy was a little on the "exclusive-club-minded" side of the handlebars. Cliques aren't just for middle-school girls anymore—and haven't been for awhile. Then again, look at any local road club, crit etc. and that attitude is as common as is the lycra ("FRED" etc).

Elite schmelite. Get over it. It's no differnent that some high school kid proclaiming they were listening to [YOU FAVORITE BAND NAME HERE] before everyone else and everyone after them is some kind of poser. I feel sorry for those types, defending something so not worth the energy.

Personally, I hope every non-fixed gear cyclist who heard that gets interested and goes out and buys or builds a fixie. The more the merrier, I say.

Personally, I hope every non-fixed gear cyclist who heard that gets interested and goes out and buys or builds a fixie. The more the merrier, I say.


Right on. I've never seen more people on bikes these days, it seems, and about 20% of the riders in this college town are on fixies. If this "trend" gets kids out of their cars and onto bicycles, I don't care how "mainstream" it gets!

That sounds dangerously pragmatic. Where're your ideals, man?

Of course, I'm joking. Your ideals are in the right place, on the bike and not the style.

and even if it DOES turn out to be a fashion statement for some there will be many cheap low mileage fixies available when they are no longer trendy...
BTW, NPR did a similar story a year or two ago...

I sure hope 3renshos get cheap soon. But I doubt it.

The real irony in the NPR story is that these (few) self-righteous messengers ignore the usefulness of their bikes and bags and write them off as a fashion statement. Track bikes are awesome for a million reasons as are messenger bages.

The real irony in the NPR story is that these (few) self-righteous messengers ignore the usefulness of their bikes and bags and write them off as a fashion statement. Track bikes are awesome for a million reasons as are messenger bages.

Well said. It's best not to define one's self by the items you buy or the toys you play with; as evidenced by the cyclist quoted in this story, that lesson seems to have been missed by some. I've never understood the concept of exclusivity (the "FAMS" bit). How does my enjoyment of fixed gear bikes, take away from anybody else's enjoyment of them. Good grief. :rolleyes:

I wonder, would the quoted messenger turn his nose up at some fake-a$$ health insurance? Hmm...

Everybody I know that listens to NPR is old like me.

There are only a few messengers in Hartford and over the years I've gotten to know some of them. They all show me a sense of community that makes a bike commuter closer to one of them than a driver.

Right on. I've never seen more people on bikes these days, it seems, and about 20% of the riders in this college town are on fixies. If this "trend" gets kids out of their cars and onto bicycles, I don't care how "mainstream" it gets!

i agree with the more the merrier sentiment. one small bit of irony that makes me chuckle, though...elitest messengers writing off other fixie riders as fashion imitators. i wonder if we asked them about the "non-fahion inspired usefulness" of super deep track drops. i see quite a few people only ride the tops with their hands slammed up against the stem....not the "best" riding postion in tight quarters...

let's just be happy more people are on bikes. besides, for whatever the reason someone tries a fixie, they usually end up in the same place: loving the simplicity. mission accomplished.

"non-fahion inspired usefulness" of super deep track drops. i see quite a few people only ride the tops with their hands slammed up against the stem
I guess I'm just a poser (or is it posuer). I find true track bars a total pain for road riding--I just use road bars. Oops, did I say poser, I meant FAM, or FRED or, whatever.

Track bikes are awesome for a million reasons as are messenger bages.
I use a messenger bag as a more macho-version of a diaper bag for my kid. Does that make me a "FAD"*?

(*Fake-Ass Dad)

I use a messenger bag as a more macho-version of a diaper bag for my kid. Does that make me a "FAD"*?

(*Fake-Ass Dad)
It's a good thing that messenger hasn't seen me. I ride my fixie with a yoga mat bag on my back. And sometimes I have my junk stuffed into a Camelbak!

I use a messenger bag as a more macho-version of a diaper bag for my kid. Does that make me a "FAD"*?

(*Fake-Ass Dad)

Nice!!! Can I join your little FAD click? (or is it clique?)

I thought about using my messenger bag as a diaper bag just haven't done it yet. It's just hanging in the garage anyway. It was a B-day gift from the little lady. I commuted with that thing for two years and hated it, but needed to pass the minimum time before I got the "why aren't you using my present" interrogation.

Now to redeem myself!!!

f the messenger culture. a bunch of jacktards IMO. go ride your bike and keep your pie hole shut. natural selection will take care of them and their no brakes in due time.

super deep track bars are good for riding on the track. no one rides them that low on the road. road bars and bullhorns are perfectly acceptable and functional on the road.

i have a Diaper Dude in super sweet camo. it rocks your momma's face off.
http://diaperdude.com/images/102.jpg

I wonder what track riders call messengers?

Idiots :) Jokes, the only messengers who are the brunt of a racers jokes are the ones who own more NJS parts than a keirin racer. "NJS means Im better than you"