Re: [CR]Re: Hope from a new generation!?

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Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:05:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Nick Brunner" <brunnernick@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Hope from a new generation!?
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <8CAEE70D7836258-538-14E1@WEBMAIL-MY04.sysops.aol.com>


Although this is quickly veering off topic, I would like to address the iss ue of modern fixed gear bikes as it pertains to the list.  One of the onl y thing that keeps it on topic is that a lot of these bikes, pre-packaged a nd targeted toward a supposed urban market, are styled after older traditio nal track bikes.  However modern fixed gears and singles speeds now sold by pretty much every major manufacturer could be more closely compared to b ike boom bikes sold to a smaller niche of buyers.  The worksmanship is no n existent and they are not really meant to last.  The Bianchi Pista is a prime example--try adjusting the chain tension after one is ridden for a y ear.  Worksmanship and durability are part of what makes on-topic and KOF bikes interesting to the list.  On-topic bikes emerged from a tradition that built products to last at the expense of profit, which is what the maj ority of the new fixed gears are the opposite of.  One could also say that the modern interest in fixed gear bikes cultivates an interest in tru e on-topic and KOF designs.  It does cultivate interest, but for the most part it is neutral or non-productive.  There must be a few people obviou sly who started out interested in old track bikes based on the supposed urb an utility, who have moved on to a genuine interest in older bikes.  In r eality these cases are few and far between.  Most often the person in thi s scenario will ride around a great irreplacable bike based on the name and end up crashing or permanently mutilating it.  A lot of these people wou ld be riding around Raleigh chopper styled muscle bikes if the current fad instead. Either way the mass interest in fixed gears is not a gift to peopl e interested in preserving vintage lightweights.

Nick Brunner
Brooklyn, NY, USA


--- On Sat, 9/27/08, wesoishi@aol.com wrote:
From: wesoishi@aol.com
Subject: [CR]Re: Hope from a new generation!?
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000


Until this "fixie" thing happened, there was no "new generation". The Lance effect attracted a few 30 to 60 yr olds. The latest Bicycle Retailing had an article on demographics and it said that there are more 60+ riders than there are those under 30. That being the case, it's wonderful to see these youngsters riding bikes. Yeah, some ride without hel mets, some without brakes, some also smoke and drink beer. But they are having fu n, which is what bicycle riding is about.

Wes Oishi
SoundCycles
Los Angeles CA
USA