The New Fixed Gears

Ok, I’ll admit it. When I started bicycling on a regular basis, I was attracted to the fixed gear. I really enjoyed riding it and if I think I built up the best looking one, if I do say so myself.

But after time, I realized that I wasn’t happy riding just a fixed gear. I wanted to ride farther, and while many fixed gear riders do, I’m just too weak of a man to ride fixed gears that far. So I did some research and settled on the Surly Long Haul Trucker. I built it up as my rainy day bike, complete with “wheelbrows“. Over time I started to see less and less fixed gear riders. Even though Urban Outfitters and Walmart continued to try and supply every teenager with their very first fixed. I knew though, that every thing is cyclical and it wouldn’t be long before the fixed gear riders would find the next “fixed gear bike”. Then it happened.

I had heard about them, but never had seen one. While pedalin’ through Silver Lake, the hipster center of LA, I heard the buzz of the little 2-Stroke engine coming up behind me. Damn, I thought it was just a joke, but they are for real. Meet the new fixed gear.

2 of ‘em, in full hipster garb, complete with retro helmets rode past me. Not fast of course. They pulled off ahead of me and picked up their mini motos, placing them safely on the sidewalk. I’m not positive, but they appeared to be searching out some PBR. How did this happen? From eco-friendly bicyclists to 2-stroke burning motorists? It’s clearly not because it’s cool. I used to ride Vespas, and even I looked down at the guy on the moped. I mean, there’s no way that a moped will ever be as cool, or as fun, as riding a track bike through traffic with no brakes.

Oh well, who am I to judge? I ride heavy steel bikes while wearing old timey wool, ocassionally with a creepy beard. I would like to make one request though. If you are going to ride a moped, please spend the money on the Ipone oil. It smells like strawberries when it burns.