From their blog:
Looks like a fixed gear to me. Anyone wanna help churn the rumor mill?
Looks like a fixed gear to me. Anyone wanna help churn the rumor mill?
New Black Market project??
- Thread starter escapeartist
- Start date
That is in fact a fixie. F their L.
Haha, I can't wait to see what people have to say on here.
I'll throw my 2cents in early.
I started riding with mountain bikes, then picked up a bmx too for riding street, when I moved to Boston a few years ago, I got a Swobo Sanchez. I like it. It's never something I would give up mountain biking or bmx for, but really enjoy the fixed drivetrain for riding around town. Its infinitely more efficient than my bmx, but its still more fun than a hybrid or a road bike.
When I got my fixed gear, I had not intention of slowing down to get on and off curbs, so I learned to bunnyhop. I don't ever plan on owning a bike that I can't wheelie, so I figured those out too. I like to ride my fixed gear like I ride my mountain or BMX bike. I like to go fast, hop on and off the sidewalk, skitch cars, drift corners, all the stuff I do on my other bikes, only its much more practical for rides over a couple of miles. I've even hammered down some trails and paths around town, and its a freaking blast. The fixed drivetrain adds a whole new dimension to it.
Some of these new fixed gears are starting to intrigue me. NS, and Identiti are already making fixed gears, and now Black Market jumping in. These are all bike companies who I respect, and I think for the most part, they've proven that they know how to make quality bikes with smart geometries. So when they come out with a bike that more or less is a combination of my Swobo and my mountain bike, I'm not gonna discount it immediately.
I have absolutely no interest in doing BMX tricks on a fixed gear, thats what I have a bmx for. However, I'd love to be able to put 38c tires on a fixed gear with a fork strong enough that I don't have to worry about dropping off curbs or small stair sets, and that I could hammer through the woods on occasionally when I'm looking for something a bit different.
I'll throw my 2cents in early.
I started riding with mountain bikes, then picked up a bmx too for riding street, when I moved to Boston a few years ago, I got a Swobo Sanchez. I like it. It's never something I would give up mountain biking or bmx for, but really enjoy the fixed drivetrain for riding around town. Its infinitely more efficient than my bmx, but its still more fun than a hybrid or a road bike.
When I got my fixed gear, I had not intention of slowing down to get on and off curbs, so I learned to bunnyhop. I don't ever plan on owning a bike that I can't wheelie, so I figured those out too. I like to ride my fixed gear like I ride my mountain or BMX bike. I like to go fast, hop on and off the sidewalk, skitch cars, drift corners, all the stuff I do on my other bikes, only its much more practical for rides over a couple of miles. I've even hammered down some trails and paths around town, and its a freaking blast. The fixed drivetrain adds a whole new dimension to it.
Some of these new fixed gears are starting to intrigue me. NS, and Identiti are already making fixed gears, and now Black Market jumping in. These are all bike companies who I respect, and I think for the most part, they've proven that they know how to make quality bikes with smart geometries. So when they come out with a bike that more or less is a combination of my Swobo and my mountain bike, I'm not gonna discount it immediately.
I have absolutely no interest in doing BMX tricks on a fixed gear, thats what I have a bmx for. However, I'd love to be able to put 38c tires on a fixed gear with a fork strong enough that I don't have to worry about dropping off curbs or small stair sets, and that I could hammer through the woods on occasionally when I'm looking for something a bit different.
Here's another pic:
Carter had one of those on display at the SF Bike Expo back in the Fall. A lot of the dirt jump frame companies are making fixed gear/single speed bikes. Dobermann apparently is and if I remember correctly, so is NS.
Looks fun!
Lmao... they are starting to look more and more like dj/street bikes... maybe fixies should just ride dj/street bikes?Here's another pic:
It saddens me that carter isn't making enough money off the sick dirt jump frames he makes and has to resort to this. 
you should stop with this "resort to" talk. There are plenty of BMXers who think MTB is the lamest sport. Plenty who look at companies like Eastern, Snafu and Haro and think they sold out... er something super ignorant...
Is a fixed-gear the perfect tool for jumping down stairs? No. A safer one would probly be an eight inch DH bike... but who wants to see some mungster on a DH bike jump down stairs... Its the fact that its not designed/easy for doing retarded things that makes it cool.
Is a fixed-gear the perfect tool for jumping down stairs? No. A safer one would probly be an eight inch DH bike... but who wants to see some mungster on a DH bike jump down stairs... Its the fact that its not designed/easy for doing retarded things that makes it cool.
Seems like a fixie isn't the perfect tool for anything other than following a current trend and getting people hurt. Just look at that goofy ass fad of running narrow bars. Yeah let's take a bike with one gear, which by definition you will need to be standing up and cranking hard on, and take away all the leverage to do so. Brilliant. It's a fad and nothing more than an accessory to an emo hairdo and a messenger bag. You know it. Just because some guys decide it's the next new challenge doesn't mean squat other than they found a fixie before a unicycle.
If making things harder is the goal, go grab a motorcycle and tailwhip that beyotch. Or go ride a horse and slide some handrails.
I can see owning a dj frame company and trying something new. But he's catering to a segment that's still a little goofy. That would actually be a fun commuter bike. But it would be even better with some gears, the ability to coast and some brakes.........but oh yeah......that would be something different that actually makes sense.
Bikes of all kinds are cool. I just have a hard time thinking that a company so based in dirtjumping, from bmx to 26 would go out and start making something like this if they were selling all the hardtails they wanted. That's a guess though. I don't know Carter so maybe I'm wrong.
Horses.........handrails.........you heard it here first.
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Again, I think the appeal is that it doesn't have brakes, is a road-geo frame, and is super hard and dangerous to operate...
Versus the"ideal" tool for commuting/jumping which would be an all mountain bike with city tires or something frumped out boring salad...
Versus the"ideal" tool for commuting/jumping which would be an all mountain bike with city tires or something frumped out boring salad...
clothing company WESC had a book called 'Street horsing, a retrospective' with horses doing all kinds of bmx/skate tricks.
Back on topic as long as Carter and the Blackmarket team don't forget about their mtb frames in an effort to flog their fixed gear frames (like brooklyn machine works seem to have done) I don't see the problem
I don't get it, but my kind of fun is spinning out my 53/11 and throwing the Madone into a chicane at 50mph but what the hell do I know.
You wear a scarf when you're being dangerous?
I totally agree with everything you just said. In theory.
This is why my commuter bike is the most practical, functional, and sensible machine ever fitted with two wheels. Pictured here in full touring mode:
The trouble is that practical is a synonym for boring. Riding it in to work every day was just too predictable. Sometimes I want to show up at the office with bloody knees and holes in my pants, dammit!
So what I do now is skateboard in when I'm feeling saucy and ride the dependable-o-matic when I'm not. Sometimes I chuck the skateboard in a pannier and stop at the skatepark on the way in. It works out great.
In conclusion, there is some validity to the 'sketch for the sake of sketch' argument, but I'll take death before fixed-gear.
PS: I can ride a unicycle too. It's pretty boring.
the high seat is the part that sketches me out as far as jumping stairs.... why not just ride a low slung frame!? heh heh. but then i guess it would "look" like 26BMX or 26" MTBMX !
http://prollyisnotprobably.com/
Volume (@VolumeBikes ) just posted their newest Thrasher ad. This time they featured Seattle's Steven Jensen. He's a perfect example of how a little bit of a BMX background can do wonders for a fixed freestyle rider. Steven's also one of the dudes who just makes it look so smooth on a 700c bike. Keep ripping man! Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeves next!
Remember, you can pre-order a Thrasher through your LBS.
http://vimeo.com/10404927
http://prollyisnotprobably.com/
Volume (@VolumeBikes ) just posted their newest Thrasher ad. This time they featured Seattle's Steven Jensen. He's a perfect example of how a little bit of a BMX background can do wonders for a fixed freestyle rider. Steven's also one of the dudes who just makes it look so smooth on a 700c bike. Keep ripping man! Can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeves next!
Remember, you can pre-order a Thrasher through your LBS.
http://vimeo.com/10404927
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You guys do know about these right?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-2010-S-E-Big-Ripper-29-BMX-Bike-/320525384853?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa0cd3c95
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-2010-S-E-Big-Ripper-29-BMX-Bike-/320525384853?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa0cd3c95
You wear a scarf when you're being dangerous?
You wear girlpants and a bandana or a beanie in 80 degree weather when your being dangerous?
Personally, I wouldnt be caught dead on a fix bike, but I understand why they exist. And there are plenty of fads in BMX and MTB that I detest...
have yall seen Chris Akrigg's video?
Chris Akrigg THE MAURICE.0 on Vimeo
You wear girlpants and a bandana or a beanie in 80 degree weather when your being dangerous?
Personally, I wouldnt be caught dead on a fix bike, but I understand why they exist. And there are plenty of fads in BMX and MTB that I detest...
have yall seen Chris Akrigg's video?
Chris Akrigg THE MAURICE.0 on Vimeo
I never understood why bmxers hated on mtb street so much until I saw that. He is intentionally handicapping himself by riding the wrong bike for the job. Fixed gear freestyle is like the special olympics. I guess I could see it if you just want to shred a bit on the way to work, but don't want to slog the bmx all the way there.
At least his bars are of a reasonable width.
I can understand the 'wrong bike for the job' argument most of the time.
BUT, at the same time I am stoked when someone does something against the grain (and does it well) and proves people wrong about what was thought possible.
like a dude i used to ride street with who decided one weekend to ride his S&M Holmes from Austin to Baton Rouge Louisiana. and did it. (about 400 miles) sleeeping in fields along the way.
I think riding w/o brakes is stupid, fixed or free, but if making a quick buck on fixxies keeps rad companies like Blackmarket, Tonic, FBM, Transition, etc. in business making their other frames, I'm all for it.
Yeah, for a few nutters to do it is totally sweet. What we have here is an attempt to turn a nutty act into an industry and make it mainstream.
What would you say if companies started marketing touring bmx frames with front and rear racks?
I think companies are getting a bit too frothing-at-the mouth desperate to discover the next trend and exploit it. I saw a crazy dude urinate on passing traffic one time, how can I make some money off that?
intentionally handicapping himself
Handicapped like riding brakeless? The super long nose manuals that are popular right now would be much easier with a front brake, but wouldn't be cool. So dudes intentionally neuter their bikes to make it more difficult. It takes more skill to ride brakeless. It takes more skill to get rad on a bike not specifically designed for retarded things.
Handicapped like riding brakeless? The super long nose manuals that are popular right now would be much easier with a front brake, but wouldn't be cool. So dudes intentionally neuter their bikes to make it more difficult. It takes more skill to ride brakeless. It takes more skill to get rad on a bike not specifically designed for retarded things.
it takes more skill to make it look good anyways...
these guys DONT make it look good!
sheffield ride on Vimeo
these guys DONT make it look good!
sheffield ride on Vimeo
Yes, exactly. For everyone except the absolute pinnacle of elite bmxers, riding brakeless is utterly retarded.
So many kiddies out there having way less fun on their bikes than they could be because of that ridiculous trend.
For me, it all boils down to fun. Fun is the variable that needs to be maximized. I can see the benefits of brakeless forcing you to flow and commit more, but I can replicate that by making a conscious decision to take my fingers off the levers and not put them back on.
A nose manual in the presence of a front brake is exactly as stylish as a nose manual without a front brake, provided the rider with the brake installed doesn't use it. The rider with the brake simply has more options, and in my book more options equals more fun.
Do you think that mongoose dude rides a fixie because he has more fun on it than on a bmx? It seems unlikely to me, but not impossible, which is why I haven't yet completely dismissed him as a charlatan.
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Chris Akrigg has been riding bike trials and street for years on 26" and 24" bikes, sometimes doing trials on a brakeless single speed fully rigid machine like in this video. Mongoose have just released a fixie and it needs promoting plus chris definitely has the skills to make it fun so see no need to dismiss him as a charlatan just yet.
Dude has gnarly skill on two wheels. Respect. 'Fixed gear freestyle' is still in the same category as 'bicycle polo' -- good for a laugh, but not really a legit discipline. He would probably be really good at bicycle polo too.
these euros seem to think it's legit:
the idea for RAD's "Send Me an Angel" sequence didn't come from nowhere: (hah hah!)
as for bicycle polo . . .
Bicycle Polo is a team sport, invented in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1891 by retired cyclist, Richard J. Mecredy. The sport is similar to traditional polo, except that bicycles are used instead of horses. The hardcourt game has seen a sharp spike in interest as of 2007 and new teams are sprouting up across the world. Bicycle Polo can now be accounted for in the USA, Ireland, France, India, Germany, Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Hungary, Australia, Sweden, England, Argentina, Italy, and Canada.as for bicycle polo:
The game was invented by an Irishman, Richard J. Mecredy, in 1891. That same year the first cycle polo match was played between The Scalp and the Ohne Hast C.C.. Towards the end of the 19th century the game reached Great Britain, USA and France. The first international match was played between Ireland and England in 1901. Cycle polo was a demonstration sport at the 1908 London Olympics with Ireland winning the gold, beating Germany . . . Cycle polo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Bike_Polo_AUT-HUN.jpg" class="image"><img alt="Bike Polo AUT-HUN.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Bike_Polo_AUT-HUN.jpg/250px-Bike_Polo_AUT-HUN.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/b/b4/Bike_Polo_AUT-HUN.jpg/250px-Bike_Polo_AUT-HUN.jpg
as you say,
whenever the fixie freestyle topic rears its ugly head i think of this.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8867862777896510907#
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8867862777896510907#
I think fixies(and their whole following is retarded) but if it brings in the bills it brings in the bills, i hate to see blackmarket jump on that bandwagon, but what is better, being homeless and proud, or content with a few haters(which i am 1 of for this 1)
I think you guys should (and maybe some of you have) spend some time on a fixed gear before discounting the entire genre of bicycles.
Sure, the scene is absolutely bogus. Riding bikes should not be a fad and should stay far, far away from Urban Outfitters.
But fixed gears have been around for a lot longer than douchebagers riding through Brooklyn on crisp $3000 track race bikes and neon Nikes, and part of that may be because they can make your commute or grocery run a bit more fun.
And...
Also, as a side note, the super narrow bar fad seems to be kind of dying out. As someone who's definitely hit some side panels and rear view mirrors with his handlebars, I can see what those idiots were thinking, but I think people are smartening up now. No one is riding skinny bars on these "trick bikes."
Sure, the scene is absolutely bogus. Riding bikes should not be a fad and should stay far, far away from Urban Outfitters.
But fixed gears have been around for a lot longer than douchebagers riding through Brooklyn on crisp $3000 track race bikes and neon Nikes, and part of that may be because they can make your commute or grocery run a bit more fun.
And...
Also, as a side note, the super narrow bar fad seems to be kind of dying out. As someone who's definitely hit some side panels and rear view mirrors with his handlebars, I can see what those idiots were thinking, but I think people are smartening up now. No one is riding skinny bars on these "trick bikes."
I can't believe this thread went this long. If you dont' like fixies who cares, I don't but I can't see myself debating if a company should or shouldn't produce track frames. It aint' your bread they're burning to produce em. Some companies change direction or entertain new ventures, some of you call it selling out I call it turning a coin.
I rode bmx most of my mis-spent youth and beyond, and I've been riding a fixie for at least a dozen years now (along with lots of other bikes).
It seems that most who hate on fixies have never tried one and are really just annoyed at the brakeless and/or hipster aspects. (I generally agree that riding around a busy city without at least a front brake is pretty stupid. And chances of me being mistaken for a hipster are pretty slim!)
Anyway, doing tricks on fixies is not for me. Its seems like an awkward bout of noodling around and looks pretty silly. But people have been looking silly doing stupid crap on bikes forever, and the bike companies will hopefully always be there to sell people the stuff they think they want.
Whatever, it's all kicks on bikes. The whole "you sold out man" thing seems pretty lame when directed at a company like Carter's. I won't be buying an NSF but I hope he sells a crapload.
It seems that most who hate on fixies have never tried one and are really just annoyed at the brakeless and/or hipster aspects. (I generally agree that riding around a busy city without at least a front brake is pretty stupid. And chances of me being mistaken for a hipster are pretty slim!)
Anyway, doing tricks on fixies is not for me. Its seems like an awkward bout of noodling around and looks pretty silly. But people have been looking silly doing stupid crap on bikes forever, and the bike companies will hopefully always be there to sell people the stuff they think they want.
Whatever, it's all kicks on bikes. The whole "you sold out man" thing seems pretty lame when directed at a company like Carter's. I won't be buying an NSF but I hope he sells a crapload.
agreed. quality bikes are quality bikes, period.
I remember one year right before Christmas when I was a child, random commercials started coming on before all of my favorite TV shows advertising Razor scooters and they BLEW UP. You weren't cool if you didn't have a Razor. Those knock offs didn't cut it. And then they came out with models with wheelie bars. MOTHER F*CKING TRICKS! BOOM. After that they were sold everywhere, even my local Costco. You could get colored wheels, colored grips, etc etc. After a year or so, they died out. They became lame but still, there was an 'underground' following. Still to this day you see kids on Youtube doing backflips and scooter tricks I could never do on their Razors.
Enter the fixed gear (in mainstream form). My, our, generations newest Razor scooter, in a lesser extent.
Like all fads, fixed gears will die out in the mainstream. It is going to happen, eventually.
Enter the fixed gear (in mainstream form). My, our, generations newest Razor scooter, in a lesser extent.
Like all fads, fixed gears will die out in the mainstream. It is going to happen, eventually.