photo: brent kerr
Originally used in the 1950s for winter training sessions by racing cyclists wanting to improve their pedaling style, fixed-gear bikes have recently made the transition from the velodrome to the streets.
The main appeal is of the simplicity of the light-weight, low maintenance, direct-drive bike.
With this direct-drive system, you are able to stop without using a brake. There are competitions in the form of street races where you have to get from point A to point B without a prescribed route, so local knowledge pays off.
The rise in popularity during the last few years is often attributed to bike couriers in the states, and from there it spread quickly around the world.
Essentially it is fun to bomb hills, rip skids, drift, and just go fast.
Australia has an abundance of people riding fixies now, including couriers, scenesters and people looking for a sensual ride.
Swap meets are regularly scheduled throughout the year by supporters such as Deus Ex Machina.
This form of riding is often referenced by many popular sites based on the appreciation of aesthetics and design, such as the infamous blog, Yimmyayo.
Although relatively new and very trend based, this scene has depth and has yet to evolve completely.
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