It stands as if it were the greyhound of the bicycle world, tall, thin and tauntingly sleek. The smooth lines of its frame’s extremities point up to a tiny seat and two, short handlebars placed low. When in motion, the thin wheels move rapidly with precision as the pedals, complete with foot locks, follow round and round in unison with the hard working chain. “The chain is your life,” says Dirk Dijkhuis, “if it breaks, you die.”
The chain of a fixed-gear bike is the only thing that holds the single-speed bicycle together, and keeps the rider safe. While they may be more dangerous than ordinary bikes, fixed-gears or ‘fixies’ allow for a tighter, more controlled ride. Due to their swiftness, downhill peddling for example requires a rider’s full attention and participation. Perhaps that’s the appeal of it.
Since 2000, the world has seen a gradual increase in the number of fixie street riders. The recent rise of Barcelona’s own bike-friendliness – it went from 10th to 8th in published polls for the most bike friendly cities in the world – has further encouraged the popularity of fixies in the city. Once solely used for road race training and track cycling in the velodrome (a steep racing track), fixie bikes have slowly made their way onto city streets thanks to bicycle messengers.
With the growing popularity, the fixie community has split into different sub-groups. There are those who use the bikes as a straightforward mode of transport and others who see the bikes as a form of artistry. On a broader level, these groups tend to reflect two distinct life philosophies: one of ‘simple living’ and the other, a more expressive, loud life, where everything is a blank canvas used for showing off a personality.
The fixie phenomenon and the different philosophies of its fans showed up at my door just a few months ago. Entering my apartment one fall day, five fixie bikes rest against the wall and a group of young men are glued to the TV in complete silence— besides the occasional wows and gasps. The guys are in a trance as they watch the fixie film MASH, released back in November 2007 by Matt Transit Productions. The video features fixie riders in San Francisco, riding through the hilly streets with force and skill, even pulling off some impressive tricks. Ranging from messenger cyclists on plain, worn-in fixies to bike lovers on neon yellow and bright pink bikes, the video shows the two worlds of the fixie community sideby- side in a truly awe-inspiring way. So impressed with the video, the boys jump on their bikes and cycle around the apartment attempting dangerous stunts in uproarious laughter, while blasting Metallica.
The impulse to hop on these bikes and try them out is contagious, but what kind of fixie should be tried out and what philosophy adopted? Messengers, cyclists who deliver for courier companies, tend to have a function-only policy when it comes to their bikes. Their modest view on fixies leaves all forms of creative pleasures behind, focusing solely on function. The simplicity of their bikes reflects their use as a basic mean of transportation, making life easier and less complicated.
Dirk Dijkhuis, an amiable Barcelona-based messenger from Holland greets me with a big smile at his bike rental shop, Cruising Barcelona. Dirk has been riding since 1997, using the bikes as nothing more than a practical way to travel around the city. “I began riding fixies [track bikes] because I was tired of my other bike breaking down, they’re much more simple and function better for messengers who are sometimes on their bikes for ten hours a day,” he tells me.
Their simple make-up allows for less mechanical work for the rider, even allowing them to build the bikes themselves. While Dirk has been a master wheelbuilder even before riding a fixie, newcomers can look to highly recommended sites like the Sheldon Brown page – written by a technical bicycle whiz – to learn how to construct bikes from second-hand parts and maintain them.
Dirk points to his own handmade fixie resting against the wall to the right of him. He glances over at it, explaining its simplicity. It’s not painted a shiny new red with matching handlebars, just a silver frame, tarnished from constant use, two wheels, handlebars and no brakes. Noticing the lack of ‘pimped out’ add-ons, I wonder if he’s noticed the increase in the ‘cool’ fixie way of life in Barcelona. He responds by saying, “Yeah, but I don’t know anything about it. I don’t think it [fixie riding] is cool or uncool, it’s what you do, it’s a job.” However, he and fellow messengers have seen what they call “possengers”, those fixie riders who throw on an empty messenger bag, sunglasses and a hat to look like the real deal.
After talking with Dirk, it’s hard not to help feeling like fixie add-ons are unnecessary. A bike is a mode of transport, it should be simple, effective and not require a lot of maintenance. It seems that each approach though, follows a larger vision, how one lives life: in a simple, black and white way, or in a bright, flashy manner. My Beautiful Parking, a local Barcelona bike rental shop and haven for building fixies carries their frames, chains and more in a rainbow of colors. At the end of the narrow entranceway, shop mechanic Camilo Diestre and Ido Fogel, one of the owners, are hard at work adding brakes to an old bike. Camilo is a young, brighteyed fixie enthusiast, who sponsors the organization, Fixa Club, which hosts events like bike polo, Alleycat races and get-togethers at Mundaka bar.
Camilo begins the fixie conversation talking excitedly about bike polo, similar to traditional polo, but using bikes instead of horses. He has two fixies, a simple, beatup one for polo and a more visually appealing, intricate bike for everyday use. Ido on the other hand, only has one fixie. “I keep my bike locked outside my apartment on the street overnight,” he explains— if it was flashy, it would get stolen in a BCN second.
This is perhaps one of the main differences between the two fixie groups. One doesn’t need to worry about leaving their plain, bare bikes – usually sans brakes – on the street. While the other contingent spends so much money and time on their bikes – creating artistic masterpieces – that it would be impossible to leave them chained up on the street.
Websites like Corpus Fixie, along with My Beautiful Parking encourage the latter, more creative fixie approach. The upstairs room of My Beautiful Parking is adorned with colored chains, studded seats, various patterned wheels and more to create fixie-art. There is even a sign reading, “To Fixie, or not to Fixie.”
At this point, the sudden need to have a fixie is undeniable. My mind races with thoughts of the parts that would make up the best looking bike around. What about a brown leather seat, silver rimmed tires…oh no wait definitely the gold-rimmed tires… when Ido interjects. “It’s really aesthetic for a lot of people,” he remarks, “but it doesn’t mean that it’s the only reason those people buy the bikes.” Not all people at least, as there are rumored to be some lurking fixie socialites around town, spending tons of money on their ‘bling-bling’ bikes, only to wheel them around with beers in hand.
However, most youngsters in Barcelona don’t have that type of money, so unless they really like bikes, they would rather spend the extra cash on other necessities. Camilo adds, “You can be really trendy or into fashion but if you don’t enjoy riding a bike you aren’t going to buy one.” After leaving, my mind changes again. There’s nothing wrong with adding a little color and creativity to your life, as long as riding is your
passion.
Now the two fixie worlds swim through my head and it’s difficult to decide which is better. Perhaps that’s just it, each has its own appeal and lure to bring riders in, forming a rapidly growing fixie community in Barcelona.
Looking around the city, it’s hard not to notice the groups of fixie riders on thin, sleek bikes, parked outside bars, doing tricks and joking, while enjoying after-work beers. These groups are usually a mix of function-only riders and expressionists, all uniting together under the power of the fixie. Their chains gleam, some plain silver and others made up of colorful links, keeping the riders safe and holding the group together. AP
Corpus Fixie:
Cruising Barcelona:
Imensajeros:
(Dirk Dijkhuis’s messenger service)
MASH:
My Beautiful Parking:
Sheldon Brown:
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