Thank God somebody finally had the vision and courage to create a movie documenting the fixed-gear culture. It would be tragic for the movement to remain unrecognized considering the timeless cultural gifts they've contributed to society.
Riding a fixie is like playing a Höfner "Beatle" bass. Both products have been rendered obsolete a long time ago, but some people like them because of the image they have and the unique experience that brings riding/playing them.
I really enjoyed this. Thank you for making this. I recently converted my single-speed into a fixie and this was an interesting dive into that subculture.
The documentary was actually only ment to be 5 minutes long since it was for a class so I agree it needs a complete one. Some people chose to use it as a way of fashion which ruins the reputation for others but many use it as a way to combate the ego of extreme road rides.
I'm a 58 year old "serious cyclist" (in the words of Kyle Jackson @ 5:28) and I don't look down on fixie riders. I belong to a road bike club and I would guess about half my club mates have fixed gear bikes or used to (some former track riders). We have at least one fixed gear rider on our Saturday rides and we've had like a dozen or so join us for our weekday training loop. Everybody has fun and everybody respects the bike - no matter if it's fixed or geared. "2 wheels good; 4 wheels bad!"
"Because of it's uniqueness and originally small following, fixed gears have attracted members of vast numbers of other subcultures in music and arts" AKA HIPSTERS
+Masra Clamoungou So everyone who belongs to a subculture is a hipster? If that is really the broad definition then in and of itself there is nothing wrong with hipster. I would even say being a hipster is a good thing, at least based on your description.
To the guy at 7:00 talking about how bmx riders make fun of fixie riders, yet road bikers don't: it's because of an age thing. Younger people tend to ride bmx bikes. And young people make fun of EVERYTHING. That's why the people are confused in this documentary when they say "I don't really know why people make fun of this...". When you're in your 30s you'll understand.
"I ride a bike because it's fun, not cause I'm a hipster" hahahahahhahahahhaaha suuuuuuuuuure bro. Sweet knit hat and sweater in Arizona. Gets super cold I hear.
Been riding trails and full sus most of my life but when I came upon a free fixie it completely changed my view on cycling and was a better rider overall for it
I think what they were getting at holds some truth. Some "cyclists" look at fixed gear bikes and disregard the rider as a hipster or not a true enthusiast. I think this is a silly stereotype, if I get on my bike every day and ride it as hard as you ride yours, if not harder and we both love bikes, then we are both cyclists. I don't even understand where the divide began, a bikes a bikes a bike. I don't clown people on Walmart mountain bikes because guess what, they obviously enjoy biking enough to get out of the house and do it and that I respect. So shout out to the guys in the park that put on their whole bike outfit and mount a 4 thousand dollar bike, I'm gonna keep waving when I pass you. #FixieGoon
@kstephens87 I didn't make a documentary to call to attention that people call fixed gear riders hipster. Just because one interviewee continuously complained about it does not mean that it was a documentary specifically about that. Not putting his responses about being called a hipster in the documentary would have made the documentary bias. Not really sure how it would have been a "hipster thing to do" as you say.
I like my flip flop hub, but I almost never use the single speed side. It's pretty funny how I never thought I'd ride fixed gear and now I almost never touch a freewheeled bike.
i have been riding bikes soon after i started walking ,they are fun and a necessity ;half of the people from the poor countries are using them,half of China is on bicycles, but it is a little strange how westerners are viewing this as a 'subculture',smth exotic,a trend or even a lifestyle.
When I bike... Its Fun!!! Its low cost everything(maintenance) At times you go faster then a car, The fuel and the engine is you and the food you eat, they have gear to ride in any weather, keeps you great shape, how you take of your bike lasts awhile and great for the earth.
Ive been into bikes since childhood, rode mountain bikes, bmx, worked in shops for years, and been a messenger for about a year now. All this time i used to hate fixed gear bikes because to my mechanic mind, they were not supposed to exist. Last january, going through another rim sidewall, results of brake friction, I decided to make the big switch. Im now riding even harder and faster, 40hours a week, brakeless. If you have skills and love challenges, go for it! All the rest, be quiet.
I laughed when dude said Vans.. I sort of dress like that. Uni glo blue jeans (not skinny but fitted) Vans, think fitted hoodie, back pack & my bike. It's not a fixie, single gear redline Urbis & I push a connondale trail 6 29er as well. I'm just a casual rider & the roads here in NYC are so screwed that I couldn't imagine having to navigate the people, traffic, pot holes & having to negotiate the breaking of a fixie too.
I ride single speed, because I'm new to these types of bikes. I've only ever rode bmx previously in my life, so it's a bitof an adjustment. I also broke my ankle a few months ago, and still don't have the strength to stop the bike with the pedals because of the ankle. But theres no one to hate on me, because I've never seen anyone ride a track style bike in my area.
I'm not a native english speaker, so my spelling isn't perfect but thanks for correcting me. I just used the V Brake as an example, they are cheap and easy to put on a bike.
Gas'n'Oil the geometry is built that way not for comfort, but for dynamics/speed, all fixed gear frames are technically track frames converted to ride street
Here in Tempe, the "fixed gear" subculture is known as the "bicycle purist" culture. They tend to be VERY arrogant around this place.They think that if you have more than one gear, you are not helping the world. I know that isn't how it is everywhere else. Personally, I wouldn't brag about spending THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS for a single gear bicycle in this town.
I like freewheel a bit more cause sometimes you get into the situations where you have to immediately stop, and i think id just prefer not to skid and slowly mess up my tires but to rather just use the breaks.
This. I see a lot of "serious cyclists" that I only pass once or twice a week. I'm on a fixed 4-5 days per week commuting to work. It's not about a trend for most riders. There are 0 fixed gear riders that I'm aware of in my city. Who cares if someone is hopping on a bandwagon though? If people are getting out of their cars, and getting outside and exercising, be happy for them.
I ride fixed gear for the fun of it, its a much easier ride. You don't stop pedaling to coast so you keep your momentum when biking. Sure there are those kids who ride fixies for the trend, but the majority of us ride it for the ride not cause it's trendy.
@4:31 totally agree, the whole point of a fixed is to build your own bike. It is a expression of ones self and personal style. Those who buy a pre made fixed gtfo!
who cares if they're trendy, damn. If you love riding fixed, you will be one of the ones who are real about it and stick with it anyways. I mean it's fucking fun as hell, my hour ride to and from work is the best part of my day, if that's why you ride, because it's fun, then you are doing it for the right reasons. people will always find reasons to hate whatever you do, who gives two fucks about them anyways
I personally find its alright to ride bikes like these if you had many years of cycling experience. But there are many wannabes jumping the bandwagon thats making it dangerous,
They talk about reason why other cyclists look down of fixed riders, but I only have 2 reasons why I look down an them ,applies to ANY cyclist, but fixed riders are the repeat offenders. 1. No helmet 2. Disobeying traffic laws. I ride my bike a lot, and when I see a fixed rider run red lights without a helmet, it grinds my gears. Of course there are individuals who don't do these things, and I would have no reason to look down on them.
Non-conformity my left bollock! It's a fashion statement... one of the purest forms of 'conformity' there is. Urban Outfitters sell fixies now, for goodness sake. In fact if you want to be a rebel, get a derailleur and cassette... and a brake.
i think, the thing is, that hipsters, per definition, are people who try real hard to seem genuinely cool. but they do it just for the sake of seeming cool. and because that's quite uncool, no real hipster would ever admit to be a hipster. it's just uncool to act cool just for the sake of seeming cool. and it's not genuine at all, but superficial and stupid.
Yea, it so easy with only 1 speed. So easy to ride hill or start ride. Its also very easy when u have to all time pedaling and u cant stop and lax. And if u dont have breaks, THAT IS SO EASY! Why u should have break? Rly. Its so easy to stop when u dont have it.
Subculture? Meh. I converted one of my bikes to fixed gear because I wanted to see what fixies were about. Yeah, it's fun, low maintenance, practical for my commute and has helped teach me the value of spinning rather than mashing. Still, I feel "subculture" is a bit of a stretch. Riding without brakes is usually a bad idea. I kept my front brakes because I don't want to kill my knees stopping, and I don't want to ride into the back of a cement truck at 20 mph.
bro ride fix for a couple of weeks, then go back on a freewheel, and youll be disgusted how fucking sticky it is, youll feel it slow you and you will drown in dementia.
Why do people get so mad that someone else may ride a certain type of bike for the sake of fashion? Everybody needs to chill out and let people do what they enjoy or think is cool. Getting mad at people for riding fixed gear bikes because you think a different type of bike is more practical is like if i got mad at you for wearing loafers because I think tennis shoes are more practical.
you guys made a documentary about how it is a shame people call you hipsters just because you ride fixies? what a hipster thing to do. i'll bet you secretly like being called hipsters.
I like how people are making fun of fixed gear riders for dressing similar, Let's go to the skate park and find how little skate boarders wear skate shoes, tight pants and beanies,,,, oh wait that's most of them
Thank God somebody finally had the vision and courage to create a movie documenting the fixed-gear culture. It would be tragic for the movement to remain unrecognized considering the timeless cultural gifts they've contributed to society.
Riding a fixie is like playing a Höfner "Beatle" bass. Both products have been rendered obsolete a long time ago, but some people like them because of the image they have and the unique experience that brings riding/playing them.
well said my friend
Fixie culture deserves a complete documentary. This was a good begining!
I'm glad so many people are riding whether fixed or not.
The guy with the beanie and glasses who talks about hipsters has a bike you can get at Urban Outfitters. Thanks for supporting your LBS.
to the dude with the beanie and glasses, - You are a hipster
I'm glad someone said it.
my goal is to get the gauge of my ear large enough to fit a fixed gear in it.
Nice book report, Junior.
Fixies are fun and serve a purpose. Hipsters serve no purpose.
I really enjoyed this. Thank you for making this.
I recently converted my single-speed into a fixie and this was an interesting dive into that subculture.
So you bought a flip flop?
The documentary was actually only ment to be 5 minutes long since it was for a class so I agree it needs a complete one.
Some people chose to use it as a way of fashion which ruins the reputation for others but many use it as a way to combate the ego of extreme road rides.
I'm a 58 year old "serious cyclist" (in the words of Kyle Jackson @ 5:28) and I don't look down on fixie riders. I belong to a road bike club and I would guess about half my club mates have fixed gear bikes or used to (some former track riders). We have at least one fixed gear rider on our Saturday rides and we've had like a dozen or so join us for our weekday training loop. Everybody has fun and everybody respects the bike - no matter if it's fixed or geared. "2 wheels good; 4 wheels bad!"
"Because of it's uniqueness and originally small following, fixed gears have attracted members of vast numbers of other subcultures in music and arts" AKA HIPSTERS
+Masra Clamoungou So everyone who belongs to a subculture is a hipster? If that is really the broad definition then in and of itself there is nothing wrong with hipster. I would even say being a hipster is a good thing, at least based on your description.
To the guy at 7:00 talking about how bmx riders make fun of fixie riders, yet road bikers don't: it's because of an age thing. Younger people tend to ride bmx bikes. And young people make fun of EVERYTHING. That's why the people are confused in this documentary when they say "I don't really know why people make fun of this...". When you're in your 30s you'll understand.
"I ride a bike because it's fun, not cause I'm a hipster" hahahahahhahahahhaaha suuuuuuuuuure bro. Sweet knit hat and sweater in Arizona. Gets super cold I hear.
Been riding trails and full sus most of my life but when I came upon a free fixie it completely changed my view on cycling and was a better rider overall for it
I think what they were getting at holds some truth. Some "cyclists" look at fixed gear bikes and disregard the rider as a hipster or not a true enthusiast. I think this is a silly stereotype, if I get on my bike every day and ride it as hard as you ride yours, if not harder and we both love bikes, then we are both cyclists. I don't even understand where the divide began, a bikes a bikes a bike. I don't clown people on Walmart mountain bikes because guess what, they obviously enjoy biking enough to get out of the house and do it and that I respect. So shout out to the guys in the park that put on their whole bike outfit and mount a 4 thousand dollar bike, I'm gonna keep waving when I pass you. #FixieGoon
I love how at 6:26 he excepts defeat... 'i have no idea why actually'
nice video mate!
@kstephens87 I didn't make a documentary to call to attention that people call fixed gear riders hipster. Just because one interviewee continuously complained about it does not mean that it was a documentary specifically about that. Not putting his responses about being called a hipster in the documentary would have made the documentary bias. Not really sure how it would have been a "hipster thing to do" as you say.
I like my flip flop hub, but I almost never use the single speed side. It's pretty funny how I never thought I'd ride fixed gear and now I almost never touch a freewheeled bike.
i have been riding bikes soon after i started walking ,they are fun and a necessity ;half of the people from the poor countries are using them,half of China is on bicycles, but it is a little strange how westerners are viewing this as a 'subculture',smth exotic,a trend or even a lifestyle.
When I bike... Its Fun!!! Its low cost everything(maintenance) At times you go faster then a car, The fuel and the engine is you and the food you eat, they have gear to ride in any weather, keeps you great shape, how you take of your bike lasts awhile and great for the earth.
Ive been into bikes since childhood, rode mountain bikes, bmx, worked in shops for years, and been a messenger for about a year now. All this time i used to hate fixed gear bikes because to my mechanic mind, they were not supposed to exist.
Last january, going through another rim sidewall, results of brake friction, I decided to make the big switch. Im now riding even harder and faster, 40hours a week, brakeless.
If you have skills and love challenges, go for it! All the rest, be quiet.
It's not the ride, it's the rider.
because of this video i call my self a track cyclist
xxsilentdead unless you ride in a velodrome you’re not a track cyclist.
yes i would like to know as well. good for my sleep playlist
Props to the guy in the Foundation shirt
I laughed when dude said Vans.. I sort of dress like that. Uni glo blue jeans (not skinny but fitted) Vans, think fitted hoodie, back pack & my bike. It's not a fixie, single gear redline Urbis & I push a connondale trail 6 29er as well. I'm just a casual rider & the roads here in NYC are so screwed that I couldn't imagine having to navigate the people, traffic, pot holes & having to negotiate the breaking of a fixie too.
I ride single speed, because I'm new to these types of bikes. I've only ever rode bmx previously in my life, so it's a bitof an adjustment. I also broke my ankle a few months ago, and still don't have the strength to stop the bike with the pedals because of the ankle. But theres no one to hate on me, because I've never seen anyone ride a track style bike in my area.
I'm not a native english speaker, so my spelling isn't perfect but thanks for correcting me. I just used the V Brake as an example, they are cheap and easy to put on a bike.
Why do all fixie frames have a flat top tupe, while road bikes tend to have a slanted top tube?
Andrew Nelson its just an aesthetic thing is fixie riders like the flat top tube
Gas'n'Oil the geometry is built that way not for comfort, but for dynamics/speed, all fixed gear frames are technically track frames converted to ride street
Here in Tempe, the "fixed gear" subculture is known as the "bicycle purist" culture. They tend to be VERY arrogant around this place.They think that if you have more than one gear, you are not helping the world. I know that isn't how it is everywhere else. Personally, I wouldn't brag about spending THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS for a single gear bicycle in this town.
I like freewheel a bit more cause sometimes you get into the situations where you have to immediately stop, and i think id just prefer not to skid and slowly mess up my tires but to rather just use the breaks.
WALTER JUNIOR IS THAT YOU?
This. I see a lot of "serious cyclists" that I only pass once or twice a week. I'm on a fixed 4-5 days per week commuting to work. It's not about a trend for most riders. There are 0 fixed gear riders that I'm aware of in my city. Who cares if someone is hopping on a bandwagon though? If people are getting out of their cars, and getting outside and exercising, be happy for them.
I ride fixed gear for the fun of it, its a much easier ride. You don't stop pedaling to coast so you keep your momentum when biking.
Sure there are those kids who ride fixies for the trend, but the majority of us ride it for the ride not cause it's trendy.
It actually says Boone, North Carolina at the beginning...
was anyone else getting weird audio?
the teacher actually knows what hes talking about..... the kids...... just following the crowd. they will quit within the next year or two im sure
@4:31 totally agree, the whole point of a fixed is to build your own bike. It is a expression of ones self and personal style. Those who buy a pre made fixed gtfo!
I look like a chav, But Im still building one of these Machines from my dads old road bike woop woop! can't wait! :D
can i still be a hipster though?
i always wanted to
who cares if they're trendy, damn. If you love riding fixed, you will be one of the ones who are real about it and stick with it anyways. I mean it's fucking fun as hell, my hour ride to and from work is the best part of my day, if that's why you ride, because it's fun, then you are doing it for the right reasons. people will always find reasons to hate whatever you do, who gives two fucks about them anyways
lived in boone once..... nice town to ride a bike :)
cool vid man
"when the (w)rear (r)wheel...uh... turns"
Never heard of the DIY scene
i've barely freak out seeing him riding right side, i keep watching british and asian vids..
Good point...and when you think that most people ride for exercise being less efficient is kinda good. Burn more calories per mile.
clearly you havent tryed both or you would say otherwise..
fuck i just bought a fixie , i didnt even know it was a 'hipster' thing
great words from the wise
Correction: ...showing no signs of slowing down, especially because riders ride with short ass shorts 0:06
I'm thinking about leaving....
I personally find its alright to ride bikes like these if you had many years of cycling experience. But there are many wannabes jumping the bandwagon thats making it dangerous,
American Football!!
I ride bikes for the speed but don't wanna waste too much money on Road bikes
i dont even understand why you are watching this if you hate fixed gear bikes...
They talk about reason why other cyclists look down of fixed riders, but I only have 2 reasons why I look down an them ,applies to ANY cyclist, but fixed riders are the repeat offenders.
1. No helmet
2. Disobeying traffic laws.
I ride my bike a lot, and when I see a fixed rider run red lights without a helmet, it grinds my gears.
Of course there are individuals who don't do these things, and I would have no reason to look down on them.
just stop the hate and ride your fucking BIKE!!
Non-conformity my left bollock! It's a fashion statement... one of the purest forms of 'conformity' there is. Urban Outfitters sell fixies now, for goodness sake. In fact if you want to be a rebel, get a derailleur and cassette... and a brake.
Front brakes make sense no brakes makes none
very cool
Hate the hype, not the machine
So what track do they ride on? And why the fuck do they buy an aerospoke?
bicycles are bicycles...i don't care what you ride..just ride!
Somebody please tell me the song at 1:45?!?!?!?!
Fixies and American Football. +1000
Now that you know what a fixie is, be responsible and use a bicycle with proper brakes in traffic.
for real though what is that beat at 1:45. Help me uco1200bicycle!
What's that song at 2.00?
thanks ur not a hipster if u ride a gear bike
i think, the thing is, that hipsters, per definition, are people who try real hard to seem genuinely cool. but they do it just for the sake of seeming cool. and because that's quite uncool, no real hipster would ever admit to be a hipster. it's just uncool to act cool just for the sake of seeming cool. and it's not genuine at all, but superficial and stupid.
Yea, it so easy with only 1 speed. So easy to ride hill or start ride. Its also very easy when u have to all time pedaling and u cant stop and lax. And if u dont have breaks, THAT IS SO EASY! Why u should have break? Rly. Its so easy to stop when u dont have it.
i wonder if these kids still ride lol
They're called brakes, note the spelling. And no road or track machine takes Vs.
I don't really get it. Seems like it takes a lot of the mechanical advantage out of riding a bike.
your view on things orrrrrr your IDEOLOGY???? lol crazy dude
what brand of bike does the guy have at 1:50?
Also an All City
4:50 Put some Tri-Flow on that chain or something. Jesus...
These broshephs do not no a single thing bout bikes.
Subculture? Meh. I converted one of my bikes to fixed gear because I wanted to see what fixies were about. Yeah, it's fun, low maintenance, practical for my commute and has helped teach me the value of spinning rather than mashing. Still, I feel "subculture" is a bit of a stretch. Riding without brakes is usually a bad idea. I kept my front brakes because I don't want to kill my knees stopping, and I don't want to ride into the back of a cement truck at 20 mph.
i am building the most obnoxious fixie ever, its name will be the hater devasta8r.
Oh, Boone. You try so hard.
bro ride fix for a couple of weeks, then go back on a freewheel, and youll be disgusted how fucking sticky it is, youll feel it slow you and you will drown in dementia.
Why do people get so mad that someone else may ride a certain type of bike for the sake of fashion? Everybody needs to chill out and let people do what they enjoy or think is cool.
Getting mad at people for riding fixed gear bikes because you think a different type of bike is more practical is like if i got mad at you for wearing loafers because I think tennis shoes are more practical.
Okay take your track bike out in wintery mix. Freezing rain. Those belong in a velodrome not the chopped ass streets.
2 wheels good, 4 wheels bad
That's what I said, and then I tried it. :)
i ride it bc i love riding bikes!
3:34 tight skinny,bunny not really on head right,and comb forward thick rimmed glasses... if it looks like a hipster . iit most be a hipster.
whats the first track used called ?
the summer ends - American football
you guys made a documentary about how it is a shame people call you hipsters just because you ride fixies? what a hipster thing to do. i'll bet you secretly like being called hipsters.
why I bike* sorry
i have flip flop, i prefer single gear.
Couldnt agree more
whats the frame in the beginning of the vid?
All City
I got into fixies 'cause I like how easy they are, but I mean the term "hipster" seems to be following me everywhere. Wtf.
hipsters...
I like how people are making fun of fixed gear riders for dressing similar, Let's go to the skate park and find how little skate boarders wear skate shoes, tight pants and beanies,,,, oh wait that's most of them