Ken S. Naylor wrote:
>
> I have never quite understood the allure of fixed
> gear/track bikes in
> the bike messenger crowd. I understood the rational
> of using them as a
> training tool for road cyclist to teach a smooth
> pedal motion/cadence,
> but it seems that the decrease in braking ability
> (right?) and the lack
> of ability to choose a better gear for
> hills/wind/ect. would be a
> detriment.
I've always thought it's an "I'm to young & cool to die even though I'm doing something totally stupid" kinda thang.
I mean, really, racing through cranky automobile traffic on busy downtown streets with no effective braking and a crankset that'll rip your legs out of their sockets if you let it -- that's just dumb.
Fixed gear = track riding for me.
You want smooth constant cadence? Keep your hands off the derailleur shifters!
If I was 18 again, though, I might be tempted to become one of those satchel-wearing toking-smoking road warriors. Looks like FUN, whatever it pays. Imagine the babes you gets.
Emanuel Lowi
Montreal, Quebec