The backstreet world of fixed gear bikes

• Source: Global Times
• [00:14 September 17 2009]
• Comments

By Matthew Jukes

According to that well-known anthropologist Katie Melua, there are 9-million bicycles in Beijing. As the cars slowly take over in the modern age, bikes begin to drop off, but one group is starting a wonderfully dangerous movement. Bikes without brakes on the streets of Beijing.

This is the world of fixed gear. In Beijing, it saw its true birth in a little back alley in a hutong close to the Lama temple, where Ines Brunn set up a dedicated shop and group for those who need their biking experience to have just that bit more.

Pottering the streets in style, the group have set up a self-proclaimed "sub culture." Ines explained why these bikes are so special: "A fixed gear bike is where the back wheel and the pedals are connected in a fixed manner moving in either direction. The pedals will be moving in a perfect circular movement to get a very smooth cycling pattern." This means that only by force of the rider can the bike move or stop, braking is achieved by counter pedaling.

Fixed gear

As a former trick cyclist, Ines was not shy about her passion for fixed gear, something that many of the riders share: "If you ride on it, it's a very different feeling, you're totally connected to the bike, there's no coasting. With any kind of movement of your legs you're controlling the bike."

For Beijing couch potatoes that see the morning bike ride to the office as hard work, it might not be the thing to get. You're in constant movement and you'll need to be aware if you've got to stop in time. If you've got a long (or fast) journey though, the idea that the bike is riding you, might be just what you need.

The bike aficionado described it as: "somehow whispering to you to keep riding, keep pedaling. I find it's a very strong motivator if you want to do high speed or long distance riding."

It started as a trend among messengers in the US, UK and Japan, who needed bikes that were low maintenance and lightweight. They needed a bike that was dependable for their job and allowed them to get around at top speed. This opened a new Pandora's Box of excuses for cyclists to push themselves to the limits when it comes to two-wheeled travel.

Unsurprisingly, the police in the US have already started causing trouble about the lack of visible brakes on many of the bikes, and the presence of a front brake is considered by some to take away from the all-natural look. Thankfully the bike laws in Beijing are vague enough that no one is likely to have problems.

The lack of brakes is perfect for the track, or the Velodromes for the real fanatics. It's no brakes allowed, all out pedaling. Aside from the messengers and the sports enthusiasts, trick cyclists have also taken to the bike for the ability to ride backward and track stand (not moving but upright) which gives an edgy, cool look, guaranteed to surprise the nearby biking grandma when you pull up to traffic lights.

Although it may not be a good thing in a city renowned for bike theft, the bikes look amazing. Despite the "purity" of no cables and no hassle, the simplest handlebars and wheels can look like something from The Fast and the Furious, all dependant on the riders' taste. As you might expect they're not easy to get hold of, especially in Beijing. Although many of the parts are made in China, they get quickly shipped away, leaving the enthusiasts in Beijing to re-import them or buy foreign-made.