This dude is a perfect example as to why a butt load of kids are getting hurt crawling into the fixed gear scene. It’s fun to ride but kids are getting way ahead of themselves, gleaming their eyes and glorifying their fixed gear bike heroes, skidding downhill and doing minute-long wheelies before they learn to just ride. I’m not judging, but before involving yourself in any of that craziness, learn to ride. Learn to control the bike so the bike doesn’t control you. At least put on a front brake and wear a helmet.
I’m just saying it’s a serious thing to learn how to ride first. Like seriously learn how to ride. Get used to the awkward notion that you can’t stop pedaling. Let your muscles adjust to the resistance of slowing your bike down. Most importantly, learn to control your bike so your bike doesn’t control you. Really. I can’t stress it enough. This dude takes a nasty spill when his friends filming him urge him to skid. There’s a definite learning curve with hopping on such a minimal machine where legs, cranks and pedals all work together in crazy unison to control the bike, much like getting used to typing efficiently and accurately on an iPhone. It takes extreme cooridination and feel. Right? That was some nerdy shit. But you get my point.
A fixed gear bike is a bike that has a direct drive system. Pedal forward; you move forward. Pedal backwards; you move backwards. It’s very simple, basic and the bikes are sleek, sexy and streamline. But it’s something most people aren’t used to as most bikes allow you to coast. Skidding is a technique riders used to slow down, much like snowboarders and ice skaters skid in their tracks to slow themselves down. Enough talk. Watch Nick fail. Then watch the videos Nick is probably watching and copying before he learns to ride.
Nicks Fail from Christian Meldrum on Vimeo.
Macaframa SF Track Bike Promo from MACAFRAMA on Vimeo.