fixed gear bicycles dying off?

[dante]

I noticed a lot less activity at the fixed gear gallery.  Also some brands have been dropping their fixed gear versions.

[kenmai9]

Hipsters will only bring it back.

[The_Beast]

Hipsters will only bring it back.

They already have....

[dante]

This style bike still has merits - especially with some of us who are lazy at maintenance.

[demik]

as much as i hate hipsters.

my respect to fixed riders.

that **** is a work out.

also, brands havent been dropping fixed gear version.

they're called track bikes, and just about every major brand has a track bike.

[tp4tissue]

what about bmx, arn't those fix gears?

[alaricljs]

it's different.  Basically no.

[tp4tissue]

Read into it..

I understand if this was part of the race requirement for bike racing.. and the training part..

But the hipster part... it's like they invented the ergodox, and you're still typing on staggared qwerty model-m because you hope that other people will think you're kewl...  EVEN though you didn't even touch a model m as a child, so it's not nostalgia..

[metafour]

The trouble I found with fixed gear riding is worrying about pedal smack when cornering. I've since switched over to single speed instead as it's much easier to corner. Now I understand this is less of an issue on a actual velodrome but I'm not riding any right now.

[iri]

they're called track bikes, and just about every major brand has a track bike.

still track bikes market is a very narrow stripe.

[sth]

what about bmx, arn't those fix gears?

nope... that sounds like a pain in the butt! they are single speed like fixed gears but they have some sort of ratcheting freewheel-type mechanism. most bmx bikes use cassette hubs in the back, which means that the driver and pawls fit into and engage the hub, rather than having a freewheel screwed on. i think there are still some racers who run freewheels but most people have switched to cassette. the other possibility with BMX, especially for flatland, is freecoaster hubs which allow the wheel to spin backwards without engaging the cranks.

[jalaj]

The trouble I found with fixed gear riding is worrying about pedal smack when cornering. I've since switched over to single speed instead as it's much easier to corner. Now I understand this is less of an issue on a actual velodrome but I'm not riding any right now.

Shorter cranks can help avoid pedal stryking. I changed mine from 170mm to 165mm, it helped.
Or use small clipless pedals. I have a combo of both, but the cranks did the trick first.

[Rayne]

I didnt know there were so many people here that are into bikes! I actually work in a bike shop.

[Leslieann]

I noticed a lot less activity at the fixed gear gallery.

Probably because they weren't ever meant for normal street use.

A freewheel system is a lot more practical in the real world (and a lot easier on your knees).

[jalaj]

Fixies are fine primarily for flat areas. Areas that are hilly make it less practical, unless youre up for a hell of a ride.

[demik]

Fixies are fine primarily for flat areas. Areas that are hilly make it less practical, unless youre up for a hell of a ride.

speaking of..

http://www.reddit.com/r/FixedGearBicycle/comments/1hflkf/the_mountain_is_your_friend/

http://www.strava.com/activities/63614102?ref=1MT1yaWRlX3NoYXJlOzI9dHdpdHRlcjs0PTM3MTA5NA%253D%253D

almost 4k feet of climbing fixed.

hell of a ride i'd say

[ApocalypseMaow]

I used to get my work on a track bike! It helps a lot with BMX Racing!

[badcop]

i had a brakeless fixed gear when i lived near NYC.

but i sold it when i moved into the mountains.   

[Leslieann]

I'll stick to my hardtail 29'er.