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Steady Fixation
STEADY FIXATION My first encounter with fixed-gear cycle culture starts in an unlikely place. It’s Saturday, boutique cycle store Bicyclette located behind Auckland’s Victoria Park Markets is having a closing-down sale, and the lines stretched out the door. Riders and would-be riders of all kinds of bikes wait for hours to pick up various pieces of expensive, complicated gear – new suspension parts, gears, aerodynamic backpacks, $100 sweatbands, and so on. The Steadyrollin fixed-gear crew has already been through the shop when I finally make it back out the door, but they’ve been shopping for the essentials: pumps, tyres and inner tubes. These guys are not averse to splashing out on parts, but heavy, unnecessary bits are out. Just the essentials, please In the simplest terms, a ‘track bike’ or ‘fixie’ is a bicycle that has a single speed from pedals to rear hub, without the aid of a freewheel – the simple widget which allows most cyclists to roll along without pedalling. Coasting on a fixie is impossible; if the wheels are turning, the pedals must turn, and any pause in pedalling equals at best a rear-wheel skid or at worst painful encounter with the road. Some fixie bikes are essentially velodrome bikes ridden on the street, whilst many others are converted ten-speeds and road bikes shorn of gears, accessories, and (often) brakes as well. Fixie riders are at pains to say that a rider who can slow the back wheel does in fact have a brake of sorts, but this doesn’t really dispel the attractive air of danger around riding without cable brakes. Heading down towards the Viaduct, it’s clear that these bikes do indeed have a roguish edge to them. Fixie riding attracts participants both from the track and road bike scene and from BMX culture as well, and the resulting style blends primary colours, white rims, carbon-fibre components and skate-culture imagery with the minimal lines of the bikes to create a look much in vogue in the States and elsewhere. And the riding, naturally, is something else – fixie riders at speed ‘flow’ through city streets, skidding to slow down when necessary and then slicing through traffic on the other side. Kids and tourists stare. One of the riders has a bell fitted, and its cheery, comical ring gets big smiles from the assembled peloton. It’s a nice touch amidst a good-naturedly hardcore group of riders. The perfect site for skids and tricks After a pause at the fixie-friendly café Bike Central to admire a freshly-painted frame and inspect newly built bikes, the riders carry on to the smooth courtyard outside the Vector Arena. It’s a perfect site for skids and tricks. Several riders ‘pop’ their front wheel and hold the bike still in a mid-air wheelie, reaching down with one hand to spin the front wheel. Mike Lawrence is keen to be the first of the Steadyrollin team to pull off a reverse wheelie – thanks to that direct drive, fixed-gear bikes can be ridden backwards – but it’s harder to maintain balance than in his regular sustained wheelies, and the attempt is aborted. He makes it up by jumping his converted road bike down a few stairs, drawing admiration and ribbing from riders amused at Mike’s treatment of his bike. “Is that thing meant to take that?” “Yeah, it’s a special Italian road bike frame made for jumping down steps. I’m sure they had more than street riding in mind.” Discovering your souplesse A little later, we pause at a Mexican restaurant downtown, where much discussion is had over components and how to improve the looks of bikes: better wheels, saddles, and paintjobs. Before long, the call goes out for a run along the waterfront to the Harbour Bridge, in a sustained headwind – followed by a much faster return sprint. This is where riders begin to develop what the French call souplesse - a smooth, fast pedalling style, crucial for effective fixie riding. Legs and cranks fly as the riders hammer back into the city, turning left through light industrial streets towards the waterfront tank farm. I’m able to chat briefly to riders as we head along, and they’re cheery and open to talk – although I’m a non-initiate, panting along on a relatively heavy, soft-edged mountain bike as I try to keep up. Blatant destruction The wharf at the mouth of the Viaduct Basin offers more smooth concrete for tricks. Ivan Mennim, who organizes several fixie events in Auckland, digs out a video camera to shoot more shots of tricks. Mike jumps his front wheel up onto discarded, oyster-studded pilings on the wharf, before carving away to pop long, easy skids on the concrete. Justin Sweeney, riding a Bianchi track bike, leans up over his front wheels in 180 degree skids, signalling with his arms, clowning around. I’m aware of how much harder it is than it looks, and of the strain upon components. Fixie riders take pride in riding good components and in pushing them to their limits. “I’m amazed at how much punishment those wheels can take”, I blurt. Justin stops, and grins. “Don’t you mean, you’re amazed at how we blatantly destroy wheels?” Fair enough. And he’s off again, all smiles. Rolling down Ponsonby Road It’s addictive stuff even if you’re just a spectator. And so, as a coda to the Saturday experience, I found myself off on the Thursday night hustle, the weekly training ride at which new riders come along, and everybody goes for broke on deserted streets. It starts the same way as the Saturday run – messing around, noting everyone’s new components and bikes, random passers-by on BMXs and road bikes dropping in for a chat. – and then the ride begins again. We roll down Ponsonby Road under the bright lights, and I’m feeling up with the pace, almost like one of the team. And then I peak, I’m just a humble CLiCK journo and I’m running out of breath, and they’re gone down a winding road, just flashing lights in the distance. It’s a relief. The style may be getting big overseas, but for now local fixie culture is still just under the radar, a few steps ahead – for now. Link (for bottom of article) - http://steadyrollin.wordpress.com - http://www.mashsf.org Alex de Freitas By Frank Liew How did you become involved with fixed-gear riding? A couple of years ago now, I ended up living back at my parents’ place on the North Shore. In the name of keeping fit I picked up a sweet commuter bike from the local Bike Barn and started cycling to catch the ferry to university each day. Before I knew it cycling had become such a central part of my life that one bike could no longer satisfy. I still have that commuter by the way - it hauls my groceries, and is the trusty bike that gets locked up in bad neighbourhoods overnight! I had seen people riding track bikes in Canada, it seemed pretty choice, so without a clue in the world about them, I got myself one. What keeps you involved with fixed-gear riding? It's just something I always seem to want to do, ride. My beautiful (and patient, and understanding) wife would agree with that statement for sure! What's more though, I love the city. The city by bicycle is infinitely different to the city by car, bus or foot. And without getting too philosophical about it, fixed-gear riding is so simple - you think less about braking and clicking through gears, and more about just interacting with, and reacting to, everything that is around you. What do you think about the fixed-gear scene in New Zealand - what it's like now and its future potential? There are only a small number of us riding fixed in Auckland, and most of us seem to know or at least recognise each other. Having said that, there are constantly new bikes appearing and I can imagine we will soon experience that same explosion in popularity that has rocked other parts of the world. All I hope is that people keep riding their bikes cause it's fun and a convenient way to get around, and that we don't end up a 'scene' where everyone drives their bikes to a prescribed location, does some hot tricks while talking about the latest anodized parts, then drives all the way home again. What's special about the bike you ride? My bike’s gone through a kind of Darwinian evolutionary process. I've gone through a couple of bikes and lots of components – expensive stuff and cheap stuff – and what you see today is the stuff that has survived. This has resulted in an equilibrium that I will occasionally disturb by purchasing a new part even though nothing is really in need of replacement. Typically what happens is that the new part will be quickly removed and added to a large cardboard box in my wardrobe, much like the fate of a Brooks saddle I saw and "just had to have" in the Bicyclette sale. What do you think is the essence of the fixed-gear culture - what holds it all together? There really is nothing that I see holding a single 'fixed-gear culture' together. Everyone comes from such diverse backgrounds and rides for such different reasons. There are certainly elements of style and fashion involved, especially amongst this new wave of crew that I suppose I am a part of. I guess just like most things in life, fixed gear is about creativity, positivity, style, community and enjoying life. At least, I think it should be! Any other thoughts about fixie riding you want to share with readers? I guess that all types of bicycle can serve a different purpose. Fundamentally they all do the same thing, but for getting about the city, or for exploring new cities for that matter, I'm not sure that I would prefer moving myself about in any other way. Justin Sweeney How did you become involved with fixed-gear riding? I had seen Jovontae Turner (a pro skateboarder that I was always a fan of) riding track bikes on a YouTube clip. Then a friend brought a documentary called 'Pedal' back from a trip to Japan. It’s about bike messengers in New York, a lot of whom ride track bikes. I was fascinated by the bikes, and the way they could ride them. I decided I had to learn how to ride these bikes, and I got my first one soon after. What keeps you involved with fixed-gear riding? I'm driven to keep riding and to continue getting better. Some days I ride and feel like I'm riding well, and then when I look back a few months later I realise how much my riding has improved, and it motivates me to keep riding and improving. And of course, it’s fun - that's the main motivation. What do you think about the fixed-gear scene in New Zealand? The fixed gear seen in New Zealand is growing. Its cool meeting new people and seeing new bikes and just riding with everyone. Everyone brings new ideas and styles of riding. I'm sure it will continue to grow. What's special about the bike you ride? I have two bikes. One is an old steel frame I restored and managed to find some nice parts for. The other bike is a new aluminium and carbon Bianchi frame. I'm always tinkering with my bikes, changing parts, wheels, colours and stuff. All bikes are cool in their own way - I just don't like seeing people riding sketchy bikes. Make sure you get someone who knows what they are doing to help build your bike! What do you think is the essence of fixed-gear culture - what holds it all together? I think riding is something different for every rider. For me, I like pushing myself to get better, faster, and become a more crafted rider. A good day on your bike with your friends is priceless. Any other thoughts about fixie riding you want to share with readers? Just go out there and ride - spend time on your bike. Push yourself but be careful on the hills and among the cars. Take the time to learn good bike skills before you get too crazy. Have fun and ride safe! Mike Lawrence How did you become involved with fixed-gear riding? A friend of mine, Justin, put a bike together couple years ago. I thought he was crazy and it was stupid idea. He showed me some videos and I rode his bike around a few times. It scared me but it was challenging and fun. Plus I liked the idea of bein' able to do fancy skids. I managed to get a bike sorted not long after and haven't looked back since. What keeps you involved with fixed-gear riding? I like the challenges, the creativity, friends and experiences. It’s why I've been drawn to bikes my whole life. The feeling you get from riding is like nothing else. On a fixed-gear you feel more involved in the bike, more connected. You have to be more aware of yourself and surroundings. What do you think about the fixed-gear scene in New Zealand - what it's like now and its future potential? I think the scene in the way we ride fixed gear is good. You have to remember fixed-gear bikes have been around forever and have been ridden in NZ for way longer than I've been alive. The style we are involved in is so young, so its potential is endless. There are people like Ivan with Steadyrollin and others who are pushing it in a really positive direction. It’s been awesome to meet new people nearly every week who are out there. Any time there are more people on bikes, it’s a good thing. What's special about the bike you ride? Nothing too special about my bike. I am riding what's called a conversion - a road frame that has been modified to run as a fixed-gear. It has done the job great so far, though it's going to be retired by the end of winter… What do you think is the essence of the fixed-gear culture - what holds it all together? I can only really speak for myself, as everybody has their own opinions and thoughts on this. I think people are drawn to the simplicity and design of the bikes, the way they ride and the connection you have with the bike and your surroundings. In that way it kind of is a mindset. The creativity and possibilities of what you can do are endless. At the end of the day, it’s people having fun on bikes. As long as people are having fun it will continue to grow. Any other thoughts about fixie riding you want to share with readers? Have fun. Ride lots. Be safe. Respect other riders and styles. Rock Vans. Enjoy life. And check out www.steadyrollin.co.nz . Word. 
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