Australian Fixie Riders!

is it just perth, or is fixie riding all over australia a scene thing, and nothing more? i have been cycling for a few years, and have known about fixed gear cycling for years. i have only just decided to invest in one for myself, and although i know my bike looks very 'hipster'-ish, i have invested in quality parts that i trust and will be using the bike for fitness and commuting.

today i took my frame, wheels, etc. to my local bike shop, to which i frequent and have been for a couple of years. but instead of usually leaving, feeling satisfied that the mech's will do a good job, i was rudely attended to by the mech after he saw the track frame and left with a sour taste in my mouth, feeling uneasy about the exchange.

why is there a resentment towards fixed gear cyclists from the cycling go-to guys in perth? i believe it is the scene thing. but why has it turned into a disliked scene in our country? why are teenagers riding these fixies just to look cool? when i first researched the concept of cycling a fixed gear in an urban setting, the first thing that came to mind was how it would feel. after riding one, and discovering the fluidness of it all, i knew i would invest in one sometime down the track. but now that i have put the time and money into it, i am having second thaughts to my own reasoning for wanting a fixie. yes i have colour coded my fixie, and yes i wouldnt mind if people took notice of it, but i will ride it, and it will be a means of transport for me in the years to come. should i care what others think, or am i becoming 'that guy'?

i didnt mean for that to turn into an article, but i thought i needed to explain myself, i would like to hear other peoples thoughts on the topic :)

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Permalink Reply by alan wells on January 10, 2010 at 5:26pm
Last year I went into a bike shop here in Phoenix AZ and asked the owner if he thought a fixed gear was a good idea, his reply was "It's a good idea if you're on meth". I just bought one last week, maybe now I'll have to start a meth addiction. I have no desire to be part of "the scene"(too old for that anyway), I got a fixed gear for the simplicity of the bike and for training purposes.
Permalink Reply by yogi on January 10, 2010 at 7:33pm
no matter what you ride... fixed or geared, mtb or road... if it looks nice .. the bike mechanic will want it.. thus diss your bike as in Australian a dissing means he is actually in love with your bike... after all you should know. If your mate stabs you in the back in Australia.. it means they like you.

Riding fixed gear turns you into a better rider .. but you need to ride it. Those hipster kids you meantion are for real. They stop being hipsters when they can actually ride that bike. that is probably when their pants go from slim fit to slightly more room for riding and might wear a helmet too

Just yesterday i was going in the same direction as 5 kids on fixies (they might have been hipsters) we all stop at the light, they all try to trackstand.. they fail, .. I say hello. one guy looks at me and grunts and looks away. I say... YEAH THATS HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS... . So where are you friendly guys going, 3 of them start to smile and chat... they say Bondi.. cool I say..the lights change they all sprint away on their bikes. they all have toe clips and no helmets and tight jeans.. I am wearing thongs (flip-flops)... so i cant pull or push hard. I look at their gears as they leave me in their dust.

About 1 minute later i catch my cadence and pass them up a hill.. I am quickly approaching the rear wheel of the front guy who is struggling up the hill. he is standing , his undies are way above the waist of his pants. .. I approach and yell at him SIT.

he keeps standing and pushing... I grab the back of his shirt and push and pull him up the hill...

I was trying to help... (i normally ride with guys who can in fact ride fixed gear bikes well)

now they hate me cause I beat them up that hill... I waited at the top for about 5 minutes with camera ready.. ohh they where so unhappy...

I like riding fixed, I ride a few bikes... i enjoy them all
Permalink Reply by Vikstar on May 4, 2010 at 1:39am
Being a perth based fixie rider and a part time bike shop mechanic at TBE nedlands for a number of years now i do have to agree with u to some extent that yes, we do breed a number of "hipster-ish" fixie enthusiasts who like nothing more than riding brand new top of the line frames decked out with chris king components and Aerospokes, riding from cafe to cafe purely to be seen....on the flip side i do believe perth is developing a really strong fixie sub-culture full of riders who are in it purely for the love of riding these beautiful machines, improving their skills and perfecting amazing tricks. sure there r a heap of younger crew getting into it purely based on the 'coolness' aspect and the chance to impress their friends with the latest fad (if they only knew the history of fixed gear riding they would know that this 'fad' has been around for decades) and u will find that once the stigma wears off, they disappear from the scene as quickly as they appeared....however, much like other alternative/extreme sports, there are that small number that persevere and once they immerse themselves into it a little more they develop a respect and aspire to be like those who are in it purely for the riding, the camaraderie and the freedom....whatever else comes along with it is a bonus but that always remains secondary. Some of the most creative and beautiful people i have met are fixie riders and they express themselves in their bikes and the way they ride.

There are going to be ego driven cowboys in every sport and coming from road cycling roots i know that perth is notorious for road riding posers, dudes that spend $15k - $20k + on top of the line road bikes only to ride them 20km every sunday to cafes where they can boast and show off to fellow roadies. i guarantee though that deep down they have the utmost respect for those that are in the sport for the real reasons.

its a shame to hear about ur experience with your local bike shop mechanic as usually we r pretty laid back dudes and appreciate and respect bicycling in all of its forms. if you want to reassure urself that there are still guys in perth that are in it for the right reasons u should b taking ur bike to the dudes at Rusty Chain, a small garage just outside of perth city that specialise in servicing and detailing and build the most amazing custom fixies and singles.
Permalink Reply by yogi on May 4, 2010 at 4:35am
I see plenty of bikes worth 10 grand road bikes being ridden around the park, I see plenty of other guys on cheap bike who can ride kicking their asses.

it happens on all levels...Road, MTB, and even in fixed

As long as you enjoy to ride, it wont matter what it is worth. So what if some rich dude owns a bike worth what you earn in a few months. if he enjoys it. GET OVER IT, perhaps he can by the next round of coffee.

ignore the attitude... fixies will be over soon, the next wave will be those GEARS things... who knows . You might enjoy to ride that TOO!!

There is definitely and "ego" to being a hipster too, I get ignored by them all the time when I say HI when I ride past em on my crappy looking bike.
Permalink Reply by Vikstar on May 4, 2010 at 9:14am
I definitely agree with u yogi there is quite a bit of ego and the biggest appears to be yours....i love your stories about racing past teenagers on fixies demeaning and harassing them whilst they try and enjoy a weekend ride and passing everyone around the park on your crappy looking bike...im surprised u havent been signed by a professional team yet....modesty and humbleness are rare qualities these days and ur comments definitely reinforce that notion.....once again u jump to conclusions far too quickly my friend....just to clarify, i actually have two tertiary degrees including a PHD and a professional career with a large global company. Whilst $10k may amount to your annual salary after tax, lets just say im on a little more than that for a few months. I pursue my love for all things bicycling through riding every day whether it b road, mtb, fixed or bmx in addition to working as a mechanic one day a week every saturday (which i have been doing most of my life and will continue to do out of passion). your foresight also amazes me, fixed gear riding has been around since the 1960's and whilst it continues to grow in popularity worldwide u claim it will be over soon, interesting....I sincerely hope u can swallow the ego and take ur own advice. Forget trying to race everyone, making smart ass comments to others on bikes, harassing and taking photos of them and just enjoy your riding...

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