Comments on: Fixies Outlawed in Berlin

By: Andreaujr

Andreaujr — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:38:55 +0000

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By: puetrimdeo

puetrimdeo — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 08:52:02 +0000

the more accounts you have, the more money youll make. here are a few positive reasons for wanting to become an officer over time, a resume built with planning and forethought will show a consistent pattern of stability and increasing responsibility, which will make you an attractive candidate without having to exaggerate. so unemployed people can do these pet exercising jobs easily.

By: read more

read more — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 12:59:47 +0000

the new york yankees won the world series in 2009;

By: Mr. Responsibility

Mr. Responsibility — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:50:26 +0000

Practical reasons for riding a fixie in an urban setting:

• They are very, very low maintenance, which is ideal for a commuter.
• A fixie gives one a very direct feel for traction conditions of the road surface making them particularly suitable for riding in rainy or icy conditions.
• Because you are more solidly connected to the bike, you have better control of it in bumpy conditions and in difficult corners.
• Track bikes (not necessarily every fixie) don’t have quick-release wheels making them slightly more theft-resistant.

With that said, I think it’s reckless and irresponsible to ride a fixie without a front brake in an urban environment. yeah it’s your life, but if your chain snaps and you can’t stop in time and cause a wreck, that’s an unfair price for someone else to pay for the lines on your bike to look hella tight, bro.

But that’s what’s chic now, riding a fixie recklessly and irresponsibly: blowing through stop signs and red lights (it’s just too uncool to stop, and “I can’t be bothered to learn how to track stand”), and if they do stop it’s right in the middle of the crosswalk, skid-stopping and fish-tailing into other cyclists in the bike lane, riding in the wrong direction (bike salmon), etc., etc.

BUT fixie riders aren’t the only reckless and irresponsible ones on the road (that goes for other cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers): they’re just very easy to spot and deserve to be ridiculed mercilessly:

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2009/06/indignity-of-commuting-by-bicycle.html

By: Elliot

Elliot — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:36:17 +0000

Simple: Its fun and challenging. As Henry mentioned, it doesn’t have to be dangerous, no more dangerous than riding a geared bike. I think it is similar to riding any bike, it takes practice and common sense.

From the comments I’m reading you would think every day you see see out of control assholes on fixes running into children. I’ve lived in the Mission for about 6 years and haven’t seen that. I see people fall on bikes sometimes, not too often though. Personally I’m more worried about adults who have not been on a bike since they were kids and start riding…no matter what kind of bike.

By: loosecharm

loosecharm — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:55:16 +0000

There is no practical reason for riding a fixie in an urban setting. although i am sure those who do would argue that vanity IS a practicality.

By: henry

henry — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:40:01 +0000

I ride a fixie and can stop just fine. Just like any moving vehicle if you go too fast you won’t be able to stop in time.

I think if you talked to people you’d find that most who ride fixed gear are quite into bikes and depending on the situation ride the appropriate bike.

Charles. A clown suit? Grow up.

By: jimbeam

jimbeam — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:14:35 +0000

I am not defining a brake as a lever operating braking system.

A brake can be that, but it can also be a coaster brake. This is not the same as riding a fixed gear bike! There is an actual brake on the rear wheel that is operated by pedaling backwards.

You’re not being nit-picky, you just don’t know your bike brakes

By: Charles Nibbly

Charles Nibbly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:14:26 +0000

Fixies are King of Comedy in my book…

Nothing like watching someone more concerned with hipster vanity over function lock up that rear wheel in a panic break, only to have that whole gyroscopic voodoo that keeps them upright go away…

Pure comedy indeed. MIght as well wear a clown-suit while riding one.

By: Glenparker

Glenparker — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:13:26 +0000

Thanks Neil.

By: neil

neil — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:02:46 +0000

They are the kind you can *attempt* to stop by back pedaling, or slow down by pedaling against the momentum, but everyone knows that it’s so hard to start an ultra-lightweight bike from a standstill that it’s better to just roll through.

By: mcas

mcas — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:46:24 +0000

The point of legal code is it’s very technical nature– and I don’t want to be too nit-picky, but it sounds like you are (incorrectly) defining a brake as a lever-operated braking system, which would also exclude coaster brakes. That would make all children under 12 criminals by your definition.

By: Glenparker

Glenparker — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:41:38 +0000

I’m sorry but I’m out of the loop on these things called “fixies.” Do they not have brakes of any kind or are they the kind you can stop by sort of back pedaling?

By: jimbeam

jimbeam — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:16:19 +0000

Get das boot outta your ass.

By: meave

meave — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:10:12 +0000

1. Berlin is a wonderful, flat city and biking through it is so fun.
2. It’s way faster than walking when it’s October and raining.
3. “Das Boot” puns are SO OBNOXIOUS. They aren’t even really puns! “Boot” is pronounced like “boht” and it means “boat” ENOUGH ALREADY.