Fixed Gear Bikes

Here’s a feature in yesterday’s New York Times on the fixed-gear/track bike phenomenon we’ve also noticed around NYC. These bikes have fixed rear cogs so that coasting is impossible. Instead of using hand brakes to stop, riders simply control their speeds by pedalling, or skidding.

It’s a good overview of the history and current culture of the fixed-gear lifestyle. And the author compares it to skateboarding and surfing, sport counter cultures that  eventually suffered from being over-popularized.

If you’re interesting in digging deeper, let us also direct you to the MashSF blog.

Read the full article here