Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Why are single-speed and fixed-gear bicycles all the rage?

So many bicycle manufacturers appear to think that "I commute by bicycle" means "I commute by bicycle in a place that is flatter than most pancakes and I wear skinny jeans while doing it." Apparently it does, for many people. Most of whom appear to be stupid.

You know what things are awesome on a bicycle? Gears! Also brakes! Neither of these makes your cycling experience any less authentic, and if you're concerned about that anyway you can go get yourself a damn penny-farthing and very shortly the force of your opinion will be removed from the market. Meanwhile, those of us who commute in places with hills would like to be thrown a bone.

Say, a bike for someone between "serious racer" and "too dumb to shift gears." Preferably in blue.

1 comment:

jerricka said...

Derailleurs and brakes are expensive to properly maintain when you are putting 50 miles on your bike every week. My maintenance costs have decreased significantly since switching and I genuinely enjoy riding a fixed gear bike more than riding a 10-speed.