TNL Bicycles Volume I: Wild And Wacky Action Bike

[Calliander]

That's awesome.

I may also pick up one of those razor scooter things, though.

[Kidnemo]

Everybody around here is riding these minimalist one speed bikes that are the size of touring bikes (not BMX). I don't "get it", anybody care to explain? Is it just a trendy thing for cruising around town?

Single speeds are pretty slick.

Much quieter than a normal 'geared up ride, plus much easier to maintain.

Lot's of people also get off on the whole "it's a more pure ride... man" vibe.

And it's also the trendy thing to be seen riding on your single speed to the local coffee shop before you set down on the terrace and surf the net on your shiny new mac book.

As for what I ride, no pics at the moment, but I have a couple year old matte black Specialized Rockhopper and a 12 year old GT bmx bike that I love.

I haven't ridden at all this year though.

[PaCrappa]

That whole fixed gear scene is strictly for bi-curious gays. Only. No brakes and you have to keep pedaling no matter what. So how does one get around a corner fast? Sorry not even possible. What a dumb fad.

[Nomi]

Min'e a mountain bike, but I only ever ride it on the one gear. My rear brakes also don't work, and I suspect the front wheel is on wrong, I hear a faint rubbing noise. It doesn't have a quick release and I had to take the wheel off to move it a few times, and I'm not very handy with mechanical sort of things, might've put it on wrong. Still rides fine, though.

[Kidnemo]

That whole fixed gear scene is strictly for bi-curious gays. Only. No brakes and you have to keep pedaling no matter what. So how does one get around a corner fast? Sorry not even possible. What a dumb fad.

Free wheel single speeds with a hand break aren't too shabby IMO.

[PaCrappa]

Oh nothing wrong with that. I'm talking specifically about the whole fixed gear thing. Perhaps it isn't as popular where you are but around here there's a lot of dummies into it.

[FirstBlood]

Yeah, fixed gears are a gigantic fad among the hip art-school crowd nowadays.

You see them everywhere, with neon pink frames/wheels and their stupid messenger bags. Worthless trash with terrible attitudes.

[Tones]

That whole fixed gear scene is strictly for bi-curious gays. Only. No brakes and you have to keep pedaling no matter what. So how does one get around a corner fast? Sorry not even possible. What a dumb fad.

I wouldn't really chock it up as that. It's not like spinners or something; it's a mechanical "fad" that at least does something. It's a completely different riding sensation than regular free-wheel bicycles, though. While many people choose to forego brakes, it's not like you're going to roll to your doom; you can slow down by resisting the forward motion of the pedals or simply skid your rear tire. A lot of people keep brakes "just in case."

Why the single speed trend? It results in a much more mechanically simple machine, and as someone else said, is a lot quieter. For people obsessed with weight, it's an easy way to make the bike a bit more trim. Personally, I would get a Bianchi San Jose if I wanted a new bike and didn't want $600.

[PaCrappa]

It's a completely different riding sensation than regular free-wheel bicycles, though.

I hear that sensation of being forced to crawl around a corner so that the inside pedal doesn't hit the ground causing the rider to faceplant is absolutely breathtaking. What a grand new concept in transportation.

[Tones]

I don't have a fixed gear bike, so I wouldn't know. Honestly, I don't give a shit about them; I guess I can understand the appeal, but it's just not my bag. Pa, it sounds like you're just cranky that you're too old to be a part of the trend. YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPERS!!