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

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 only thing that keeps it on topic is that a lot of these bikes, pre-packaged and targeted toward a supposed urban market, are styled after older traditional track bikes.  However modern fixed gears and singles speeds now sold by pretty much every major manufacturer could be more closely compared to bike boom bikes sold to a smaller niche of buyers.  The worksmanship is non existent and they are not really meant to last.  The Bianchi Pista is a p rime example--try adjusting the chain tension after one is ridden for a year.  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 majority 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 true 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 obviously who started out interested in old track bikes based on the supposed urban utility, who have moved on to a genuine interest in older bikes.  In reality these cases are few and far between.  Most often the person in this 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 would be riding around Raleigh chopper styled muscle bikes if it was the current fad instead. Either way the mass interest in fixed gears is not a gift to people interested in preserving vintage lightweights.

Nick Brunner

Brooklyn, NY, USA