alecvibe

why do they make an effort to try and be "different". They have huge earlobes, sleeve tats, rediculous piercings and wear clothing that looks like its been patched through 10 generations and has never seen a washing machine.

then they ride around like they're "cool"...

are you guys for real?

worker4youth

Not all of us are like that...

roadfixed often poses with a full kit and his fixie

alecvibe

I know George doesnt and the last time I saw you was 2 years ago on that AMGEN ride and you didnt have a fixed gear.

beside the point, i dont think we need a Tom Lykis disclaimer. I know not everyone is LIKE that, but most are. I have a fixed gear too and obviously i dont do that but when i see others it just sickens me.

why do ppl want to look like they're homeless??

are they obama supporters trying to covertly beg for change??

curiouskid55

It is the following generations job to be diffrerent from all previous generations, which suprisingly often results in their all being the same. If they are not significantly different they are not trying hard enough and are letting us all down. Road cyclists conversely are all trying to be exactly the same. If you are a road cyclist and are not the same you are not trying hard enough and are letting us all down.

chimivee

Self expression / conformism exists in everything everywhere. They are riding bikes and having fun.

tinrobot

Here's an article on youth subcultures:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_culture

Fascinating.

roadfix

Oleg, is that you?

cjbruin

Watch out Dude! Before you know it, someone's going to challenge you to a race.

Check this out, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpwSHhtKvxc I think it will answer all of your questions. I need to warn you though...if you think it's funny, it means you're a homophobe.

Rick@OCRR

Yes alecvibe,

You're right, of course, that there are fixed gear riders who dress like that, have tats and are pierced, wear tattered clothes, etc. I was on a fixie/single speed ride (5fix2 Upper Whittier, Mon. evenings) about a month ago and I was not only oldest one there (at least twice the age of the other riders!), but I was the only one in wearing lycra cycling shorts (and jersey) and one of only two with a helmet.

Regardless, all the riders were great (I want to call them "kids" but they were, mostly, over 20) to ride with, no problems, and very diverse ethnically. Everyone got on well, lots of spirited riding, and no problem(s) at all.

So, my advice is: Don't worry about it! They dress like they do because they want to. They want tatoos and everything else (they don't seem to like brakes on their bicycles!), but that doesn't bother me a bit.

They're riding, they're good people, so I say "No worries!"

Rick / OCRR who just switched from single speed to fixed gear yesterday!

WhiteCarbonDude

shh.. you get him bained

UmneyDurak

Better question is why do you care? Just ride your bike they way you want, and they'll ride the way they want. In the end we are all riding our bikes.

1955

Oh well, I'm a homophobe.

1st time I've ever seen southpark.

alecvibe

they degrade and insult the whole messenger position, i almost dont want to become one because i wont be accepted as I dress in a nice dress shirt and slacks.

Also they should be glad because later when their earlobes need plastic surgery to get a decent office job they'll wish they didnt extend them like that

alecvibe

my point is why try to go out there and look like you're homeless when you arent??

tippy2

for real, I've not seen groups of homeless guys hanging around with gauged lobes and messenger bags. maybe you have an issue with the homeless and not the fixies.

alicestrong

Take a bath, Hippie!!

GP

You have to ride further than 8 miles to be a messenger.

cjbruin

Nice!

chimivee

Because it's fashionable among their peers. It's been going on for a long time in all sorts of subcultures.

SUBYDELIGHT

Yeah i saw this "phenomenon" last week in the parking lot of the culver city in-n-out. A bunch of emo looking young guys were riding fixed gears in the parking lot at midnight. They were going through the water that the sprinklers left. They came in their cars and road in the big empty parking lot. I am sure that they were having fun, but i found it weird that they didnt actually go anywhere, you know. I kind of see where it has become a trend rather than something practical or for recreation, but whatev.

roadfix

I don't know if this means anything but I enjoy posing at Starbucks with my fixed gear than with any other bike.

alecvibe

no you dont

Oleanshoebox

I am a homeless man with sleeve tats and I am thoroughly offended.


Mods?

photonick

I tried to be understanding about it i had alot of friends who got into it but from what i've experienced esp recently these are kids with no previous cycling experience or interest and i've seen alot of them cause property and physical damage. I saw a kid on a fixie fly into a BMW and just split, they can't typically hold a line and most of the time they don't even put down real miles. Thats not to make a generalization though because i know kids with fixies that can whoop my ass on their bikes...but they're few and far between. Don't worry the trend will die soon.

Terror_in_pink

the relationship with the bike is different.