Fixed... freestyle?  RSS Feed

#1 2012-02-28 9:31am

iamtim
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Fixed... freestyle?

Ok, I've ridden fixed and I've ridden BMX.  I should be really into this, but it's just making me cringe.

http://www.plussizebmx.com/blog/2012/2/ … rload.html

There are a couple of spots which look to be rife with hipster BS; I watched the vids with the sound off.  So if there is, try to look past that and at the tricks they're doing (although I find it HILARIOUS when the fixed-gear causes them to bite it because their legs accidentally lock their wheel) and the bike setups. 

Whadda ya think?


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#2 2012-02-28 9:37am

unfit4society
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Whadda I think?... Hmmm well they are riding bikes & having fun & I'm all for that!

That being said I personally find those bikes & the riding to look clumsy as hell, each trick almost looks like a near wreck that is narrowly avoided.

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#3 2012-02-28 9:39am

85mongoose
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Educate me on those, as I've never seen one before. Are the bikes in the videos ones that you must keep pedaling?


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#4 2012-02-28 9:41am

00_Duck
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

I like some of the tricks and footage but the fixed part is not my style. They look like they are having fun on bikes just like we did back in the day. At least they are riding stout looking bikes unlike some of the fixed roadies I've seen trying to freestyle on their bikes.

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#5 2012-02-28 9:48am

iamtim
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

85mongoose wrote:

Are the bikes in the videos ones that you must keep pedaling?

Yup.  The rear cog is fixed to the hub; there's no freewheel or cassette.  If the wheel is moving forward, the cranks are moving forward.  If the wheel is moving backwards, the cranks are moving backwards.  No coasting allowed.


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#6 2012-02-28 9:50am

bloghogs
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Loose the 13:D


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#7 2012-02-28 9:52am

iamtim
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

unfit4society wrote:

they are riding bikes & having fun & I'm all for that!

Oh, yeah, it's totally cool that they're riding and they're, ya know, exploring uncharted territory and all that, but... it just seems like fixed-gear is entirely inefficient for freestyling.

00_Duck wrote:

At least they are riding stout looking bikes unlike some of the fixed roadies I've seen trying to freestyle on their bikes.

That's the truth.  I've seen guys on fixed roadies fold forks and bend frames like they're kleenex.


I don't ride a BMX bike to look cool to others, I do it because it's fun and never do I think "Boy I sure am cool on my BMX bike."
- Capt. Nemo

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#8 2012-02-28 9:52am

iamtim
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

bloghogs wrote:

Loose the 13:D

HAHAHAHA!  Yeah, I figured I wanted to spread this out on both sites.  big_smile


I don't ride a BMX bike to look cool to others, I do it because it's fun and never do I think "Boy I sure am cool on my BMX bike."
- Capt. Nemo

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#9 2012-02-28 9:59am

sonikk71
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Since you asked what I think...I think fixies make no sense and riding freestyle on a fixie (except maybe oldschool Pat Romano style flatland) is plain stupid. It makes no sense. However they are doing their own thing and that is what freestyle is all about so...


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#10 2012-02-28 10:04am

spbmx
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

unfit4society wrote:

Whadda I think?... Hmmm well they are riding bikes & having fun & I'm all for that!

That being said I personally find those bikes & the riding to look clumsy as hell, each trick almost looks like a near wreck that is narrowly avoided.

I couldn't have said it better myself.  I could never see myself doing FGFS, although I have thought about buying a fixed gear bike for getting to and from work.  I think I'll just stick with BMX and mountain bikes.


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#11 2012-02-28 10:06am

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

unfit4society wrote:

Whadda I think?... Hmmm well they are riding bikes & having fun & I'm all for that!

That being said I personally find those bikes & the riding to look clumsy as hell, each trick almost looks like a near wreck that is narrowly avoided.

Exactly, Looks like hes having fun,  and that's what its allabout.

But honestly in that video - he's not using ANY aspect of that being a fixed-gear to his advantage. The awkward bulky geometry of the bike doesn't look like it flows with his body movements at all. It looks like he's a really good rider - but the bike is fighting him the whole time.  He'd probably be able to shred the streets much better on a BMX bike... even a cruiser-sized BMX bike.  I can appreciate a clean well designed fixed gear bike.  And I'm all for adaptation and transition - but Fixed gear bikes with big fat tires, straight forks and bmx bars, just looks like clunky Mountain bikes with one gear.  Kind of defeats all of the purpose of the bike either way you lean.

Somebody buy that guy a Sunday Model-C and call it a day.


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#12 2012-02-28 10:18am

iamtim
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

chromey wrote:

It looks like he's a really good rider - but the bike is fighting him the whole time.

Second video, dude on a neon green bike?  Yeah, I agree.  It looks like the bike is a bit too big for him, too.


I don't ride a BMX bike to look cool to others, I do it because it's fun and never do I think "Boy I sure am cool on my BMX bike."
- Capt. Nemo

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#13 2012-02-28 11:17am

snooze
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

yeah they look like they're having fun but they also look desperate for a BMX but think Fixed is way cooler. The more people with this mentality that ride fixed and stay away from BMX the better in my opinion


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#14 2012-02-28 12:24pm

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

To me, the odd/interesting part is how some bmx'ers went to road bikes and others went to MTB. Then both bikes evolved and converged. 

Many bmx'ers are unaware of mtb street 24 and 26. 
Danny MacCaskill coming from the trials side, mixing with Bmx style street.

Then 24park bikes like the NS Capital:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkQlPT-k … ata_player


20", 22", 24", and 26" !

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#15 2012-02-28 12:42pm

cmc
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Check out this thread. Especially how Volume has marketed FGFS...

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/f61/br … ap-228953/


20", 22", 24", and 26" !

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#16 2012-02-28 12:48pm

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

cmc wrote:

Then 24park bikes like the NS Capital:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkQlPT-k … ata_player

Wow, that's a hot lookin' bike in that video.


I don't ride a BMX bike to look cool to others, I do it because it's fun and never do I think "Boy I sure am cool on my BMX bike."
- Capt. Nemo

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#17 2012-02-28 2:48pm

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Yeah, I get having fun on a bike, but why not get the right bike?

I mean I can pound a nail with a screw driver, but a hammer makes it much easier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJmdb1Oe … e=youtu.be


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#18 2012-02-28 6:30pm

iamtim
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Ok, that road bike video is kinda cool.  smile


I don't ride a BMX bike to look cool to others, I do it because it's fun and never do I think "Boy I sure am cool on my BMX bike."
- Capt. Nemo

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#19 2012-02-28 6:42pm

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

I've seen quite a few trixie kids coming from Columbus and I just can't get behind them, most of the tricks are stuff a kid can do on a BMX within a few months, and there's really no ability to go much farther... I'd honestly rather watch scooters than these.


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#20 2012-02-28 7:28pm

iamtim
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Hey, some of those scooter kids pull off some impressive shit.  I'm trying to teach my GF's daredevil daughter to do a 50/50 on her Razor.  big_smile


I don't ride a BMX bike to look cool to others, I do it because it's fun and never do I think "Boy I sure am cool on my BMX bike."
- Capt. Nemo

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#21 2012-02-28 7:41pm

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

sonikk71 wrote:

Since you asked what I think...I think fixies make no sense

Fixies make A LOT of sense.   Depending what you want them for- I ride road, mtn, fixed, BMX, etc. and while I don't ride freestyle on my fixie (or on my freestlye bikes cuz I suck tongue ) I also don't ride long rides on my BMX or take my roadie into the woods.

I always find it amazing how people (not trying to single you out sonikk)  think anything different done by someone else is wrong.  If people were afraid to push the envelope we wouldn't have mountain bikes right now either since the first Klunkers were old balloon tire bikes stripped and ridden down fire roads.

We have a local guy who rides fixed all over the skate parks around here and he flows and shreds.  Yes, he's destroyed some parts- forks seem to fold a lot  LOL - but I like watching him ride because he's good and he's having fun.

My fixie is a converted roadbike and I use it to run errands on occasion and like the simplicity of riding with one gear and not having to lock it up when I park it to run into the bank because around me they're not too common and any thief wil end up on the ground the first time they try to coast  lol  A lot of road riders use fixies in the winter as training bikes to strengthen their legs and keep them spinning "circles" to improve their spin.

J

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#22 2012-02-28 7:47pm

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

a lot of road raceers use fixed gear bikes to keep up their cadience also, It makes you constantly pedal even around corners, so you try to keep the same pace.  I ride mine all over town.  It is a totally diffrent expierence of riding.  You have to pay attention and think out of the box while stoping and hills.  Its fun!!  I ride a Milwaukee Brewsier, It has a head tube angle that allows to spin the bars and the wheel does not hit the frame, unlike a regular road bike.  The bike is real strong and you can bunny hop off curbs, and over stuff..It make riding more enjoyable!


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#23 2012-02-28 7:56pm

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

"Square peg in a circle hole" came to mind. I'm glad they're having fun doing their thing but at no point did I think I might want to join their posse.




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#24 2012-02-28 9:45pm

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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

pjbaz wrote:

sonikk71 wrote:

Since you asked what I think...I think fixies make no sense

Fixies make A LOT of sense.   Depending what you want them for- I ride road, mtn, fixed, BMX, etc. and while I don't ride freestyle on my fixie (or on my freestlye bikes cuz I suck tongue ) I also don't ride long rides on my BMX or take my roadie into the woods.

I always find it amazing how people (not trying to single you out sonikk)  think anything different done by someone else is wrong.  If people were afraid to push the envelope we wouldn't have mountain bikes right now either since the first Klunkers were old balloon tire bikes stripped and ridden down fire roads.

We have a local guy who rides fixed all over the skate parks around here and he flows and shreds.  Yes, he's destroyed some parts- forks seem to fold a lot  LOL - but I like watching him ride because he's good and he's having fun.

My fixie is a converted roadbike and I use it to run errands on occasion and like the simplicity of riding with one gear and not having to lock it up when I park it to run into the bank because around me they're not too common and any thief wil end up on the ground the first time they try to coast  lol  A lot of road riders use fixies in the winter as training bikes to strengthen their legs and keep them spinning "circles" to improve their spin.

J

So for the sake of discussion...I will reply. Not wanting to get into a pissing match but always appreciate some good debate. Please note the last part of my initial post where I said he was riding a bike and having fun which is what  freestyle is all about. Anyways back to my "it doesnt make sense" opinion and your reply that it does. I submit that any of the things you stated in your reply can be done on a bike with a freewheel without the danger of constantly getting bucked by pedal pressure. Yes there is an element of challenge to it but really so would riding with a blindfold or riding a bike with cranks that spin in reverse or bike that you pedal with your hands or...get the picture? Is it possible? Yes. Does it make sense? NO. Freestyling a bike with cranks that cant stop spinning that is built out of steel as thin as aluminum foil when there are perfectly good big tire BMX designs with decades of design and engineering behind them out of some misguided hipster fashion trend makes no sense. But again it isnt my front teeth. smile


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#25 2012-02-28 9:47pm

sonikk71
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Re: Fixed... freestyle?

Cheaterchris wrote:

a lot of road raceers use fixed gear bikes to keep up their cadience also, It makes you constantly pedal even around corners, so you try to keep the same pace.  I ride mine all over town.  It is a totally diffrent expierence of riding.  You have to pay attention and think out of the box while stoping and hills.  Its fun!!  I ride a Milwaukee Brewsier, It has a head tube angle that allows to spin the bars and the wheel does not hit the frame, unlike a regular road bike.  The bike is real strong and you can bunny hop off curbs, and over stuff..It make riding more enjoyable!

Sounds more dangerous than anything. smile


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