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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
Over the last few years, several fads have developed - the fixie/
singlespeed - mostly found in city/urban areas; the "country bike, an all-arounder style bike for both on and off roading; or the 650B/584mm wheel size. What has been the biggest success? In San Francisco, and probably other major urban areas, it appears to be the fixie/singlespeed. You see those types of bikes everywhere. Especially, among the younger generation. Tons of kids riding "messenger style" with their chrome/acme/timbuk2 "messenger" bags on track bikes with or without brakes. They fly through stop sign and cut between cars. They're looking for danger and appear to be lovin' it! Don't see too many country bikes other than people commuting with old touring or cyclocross bikes. But front racks/baskets seem to be a big deal with this crowd. 650B, seems like the least successful but its hard to tell how many people are riding that wheel size. I've seen a few Kogswell, but that's about it. What's been your experience? |
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#2
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
In article
, bfd wrote: Over the last few years, several fads have developed - the fixie/ singlespeed - mostly found in city/urban areas; the "country bike, an all-arounder style bike for both on and off roading; or the 650B/584mm wheel size. What has been the biggest success? In San Francisco, and probably other major urban areas, it appears to be the fixie/singlespeed. You see those types of bikes everywhere. Especially, among the younger generation. Tons of kids riding "messenger style" with their chrome/acme/timbuk2 "messenger" bags on track bikes with or without brakes. They fly through stop sign and cut between cars. They're looking for danger and appear to be lovin' it! Don't see too many country bikes other than people commuting with old touring or cyclocross bikes. But front racks/baskets seem to be a big deal with this crowd. 650B, seems like the least successful but its hard to tell how many people are riding that wheel size. I've seen a few Kogswell, but that's about it. What's been your experience? The fixed gear/single speed thing has been far and away the biggest of these three fads in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. But still nowhere near the size of the mountain bike fad, replete with knobbies, all over the roads and trails here. I see lots of "country bikes" but most of the riders have no idea. They just think of them as their bike. Most bikes built prior to about 1985 could reasonably fall into this category... There's a few dozen 650B bikes I know of around here, and my LBS has build at least 100 sets of 650B wheels for locals and e-mail order. Of the three I'd say this is the least populous of these fads. |
#3
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
BFD asks:
What's been your experience? I built a SS/FG w/650B's 3 years ago. Utilized the Hercules standard dual drive hub and frame. I really liked how those 650B's felt on the local crappy roads. Bike was a rocket. I couldn't ride it easy. I'm to old to "just" crash any more so I sold it for "preventative" health reasons! Put it up for sale locally with no luck. Listed it on Ann Arbor Craigslist and sold it the same day. I've had success converting older Schwinns to SS's and selling them to MSU students. But I've never sold a SS or FG to anyone over 30 years old. Anyway, this will turn into a 650B flame war thread but damit, I like'em! Best Regards - Mike Baldwin |
#4
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
bfd wrote:
650B, seems like the least successful but its hard to tell how many people are riding that wheel size. I've seen a few Kogswell, but that's about it. What's been your experience? Do you have some sort of investment in 650B? Here's why I ask: http://tinyurl.com/4yezwg http://tinyurl.com/465vdq http://tinyurl.com/4efgdn http://tinyurl.com/3n2epz -- Dave dvt at psu dot edu |
#5
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
On Oct 14, 4:14*pm, bfd wrote:
Over the last few years, several fads have developed - the fixie/ singlespeed - mostly found in city/urban areas; the "country bike, an all-arounder style bike for both on and off roading; or the 650B/584mm wheel size. What has been the biggest success? The racing bike with no room for tires larger than 25mm and no braze- ons for fenders or racks is incredibly popular around here, ridden mainly by people who do not race. However, practical bikes are making a comeback, the neighborhood racks are laden with all sorts of beasts these days--and this is the buckle of the bible belt. This neighborhood, however, is an aberration. Fixies are not ubiquitous around here. There are a few hipsters that ride them a few blocks to the bar, and I've seen a couple over by the colleges. Mainly it's more serious riders on them--a lot of bike shop guys, and racers training--fancy that! Hopefully D. from the LBS and I on our sensible fixies will set a more decent tone than in the hepper cities. The biggest success story, is indeed the mtb. Ugh. But--fitted with slicks, it makes an inelegant but practical city trooper! I'd just like standard three speeds to become more commonly available! You know, at Xmarts and stuff--for $250 or so. I know ya can get stuff on line, but I mean in store. People should be able to go to Target and get an elegant shopping bike and a basket for under $500. You know--a normal bike like the rest of the world rides. |
#6
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
landotter wrote:
On Oct 14, 4:14 pm, bfd wrote: Over the last few years, several fads have developed - the fixie/ singlespeed - mostly found in city/urban areas; the "country bike, an all-arounder style bike for both on and off roading; or the 650B/584mm wheel size. What has been the biggest success? Easily the fixie, which was totally consumer drive unlike country bikes and 650B, IMO. The racing bike with no room for tires larger than 25mm and no braze- ons for fenders or racks is incredibly popular around here, ridden mainly by people who do not race. However, practical bikes are making a comeback, the neighborhood racks are laden with all sorts of beasts these days--and this is the buckle of the bible belt. Oh come on! We all know that's Birmingham, AL. \\paul -- Paul M. Hobson ..:change the f to ph to reply:. |
#7
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
On Oct 14, 3:14*pm, bfd wrote:
Over the last few years, several fads have developed - the fixie/ singlespeed - mostly found in city/urban areas; the "country bike, an all-arounder style bike for both on and off roading; or the 650B/584mm wheel size. What has been the biggest success? In San Francisco, and probably other major urban areas, it appears to be the fixie/singlespeed. You see those types of bikes everywhere. Especially, among the younger generation. Tons of kids riding "messenger style" with their chrome/acme/timbuk2 "messenger" bags on track bikes with or without brakes. They fly through stop sign and cut between cars. They're looking for danger and appear to be lovin' it! Don't see too many country bikes other than people commuting with old touring or cyclocross bikes. *But front racks/baskets seem to be a big deal with this crowd. 650B, seems like the least successful but its hard to tell how many people are riding that wheel size. I've seen a few Kogswell, but that's about it. What's been your experience? Tons of fixies here in the 'republic'. Cheap, easy to fix, weather generally pretty civil even in the winter. Seems like the new skateboard. |
#8
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
On Oct 14, 9:55*pm, "Paul M. Hobson" wrote:
landotter wrote: On Oct 14, 4:14 pm, bfd wrote: Over the last few years, several fads have developed - the fixie/ singlespeed - mostly found in city/urban areas; the "country bike, an all-arounder style bike for both on and off roading; or the 650B/584mm wheel size. What has been the biggest success? Easily the fixie, which was totally consumer drive unlike country bikes and 650B, IMO. The racing bike with no room for tires larger than 25mm and no braze- ons for fenders or racks is incredibly popular around here, ridden mainly by people who do not race. However, practical bikes are making a comeback, the neighborhood racks are laden with all sorts of beasts these days--and this is the buckle of the bible belt. Oh come on! *We all know that's Birmingham, AL. Tell the Bumminhammians that we's got the bulgeless Billy Graham statue! http://tinyurl.com/4nj2lg Check out that rugged cross, mofos!!! |
#9
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
On 10/15/2008 6:30 AM landotter wrote:
Tell the Bumminhammians that we's got the bulgeless Billy Graham statue! Why, he...he gots no wiener! I swan, Nashville simply /must/ be the envy of everyone in the South! It is a miracle. -- Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" |
#10
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Successful fads - fixie/singlespeed? country bikes? or 650B?
On Oct 14, 5:52*pm, Dave wrote:
bfd wrote: 650B, seems like the least successful but its hard to tell how many people are riding that wheel size. I've seen a few Kogswell, but that's about it. What's been your experience? Do you have some sort of investment in 650B? No. 650B does have some merits - making older "racing" style bikes more useful by allowing the use of fatter tires. At first glance, it seemed to be a good idea. However, if the response from this group and the ibob list is any indication, it is not a "good investment." Further, most shops look at 650B/584mm wheels as "yet another wheel size" and appear to be reluctant to invest money into things like rims and tires for it. Of course, 650B parts can easily be obtained "mail order," and for those many who like that size is usually the way to go. Similarly, "country bikes" or all-arounders are also not big. If people are interested in a bike for *all-roads,* they usually build up an older touring or cross style bike. In contrast, fixies/singlespeed bikes are all the latest rage, especially in large, mostly flat urban areas like NY and LA. In the SF Bay Area, I know of several shops that have "invested" in parts, wheels and track frames for these types of bikes and seem to be doing quite well. |
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