Which fixie?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » 25 May 2007, 7:04am

Hmmm. I see where you're coming from but don't agree. I don't want to be drawn into the planned obsolescence of parts that makes many new bikes old before their time. A frame, particularly a steel one, is a frame for life. Anyway, what's wrong with a Taiwanese frame? Would it be ok if it was a Mercian?

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 25 May 2007, 8:37am

Perhaps the main point is that the framebuilders at places like Mercian are paid in £££ + UK welfare benefits. I have no real knowledge of the pay and conditions in the Far East but I tend to assume that modest prices in the UK = poor wages in Far East (+ a big slice in US).

(This applies equally, of course, to 30 speeds, fixed wheel, and most stuff in between.)

hubgearfreak · Post by **hubgearfreak** » 25 May 2007, 8:43am

Richard wrote:A frame, particularly a steel one, is a frame for life.

i quite agree, which is why, if one is claiming to be giving the consumerist society a bloody nose, one ought to be looking at freecycle for a steel frame.

Richard wrote:Anyway, what's wrong with a Taiwanese frame? Would it be ok if it was a Mercian?

nothing. they'd be perfectly adequate. spending several times more on an european made one still wouldn't be rejecting the consumerist society

if riding fixed is about that, as you claim, and not just a fad, then you need it to be demonstrably so

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 25 May 2007, 1:43pm

If there is a fashionability quotient to riding fixed, it's in the association with parsimony and anti-materialism. That's all very fine but isn't why I ride fixed. I ride a one'er because I like it.
If there is a politic to fixed, it might be the rejection of the the 7, 8, 9, 10 sprocket annual must-have group sets that litter the magazines. It would be nice to think the latest kit makes an iota of difference to your cycling but experience suggests I went much faster with a 5 speed freewheel and younger legs than my 9 sprocket Campag. Unfortunately.

thirdcrank · Post by **thirdcrank** » 25 May 2007, 3:03pm

glueman

I am sure that different people act for different reasons, but to the extent that fixed = retro, the trimmings for some people have nothing to do with the frugality to which you aspire. The word 'Rapha' springs to mind. (And before I provoke a riot, excellent kit, I am sure but nothing to do with ant-consumerism.)

Incidentally, is there any other activity where the bofs say that stuff is better now than it used to be.

Post by **Mick F** » 25 May 2007, 3:12pm

Hi Glueman,

I quote you: ""experience suggests I went much faster with a 5 speed freewheel and younger legs than my 9 sprocket Campag. Unfortunately.""

Isn't there a 'Signature" on this Forum which goes along the lines of, "The older I get, the faster I was."?

So, so true!

I toured North Wales as a 15 year old, on a gas-pipe Hercules with a 3sp SA. Wouldn't even dream of it now!

glueman · Post by **glueman** » 25 May 2007, 3:25pm

Sometimes yer fancy dinner at Le Manoir and other times a burger hits the spot. Can't subscribe to the myth of The Perfect Bicycle.