WDET News
- Looking at the Fixed-Gear Bike Phenomena
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Apr 18, 2008Arts and Culture - Link to Audio
Ron\'s salvaged fixed-gear bike.LEAD: With gas prices around three-fifty a gallon….many city dwellers choose to ride bicycles instead. But not the bikes you may be familiar with. WDET’s Amanda le Claire has more…
SOQ
Forget ten speed…18- speed…and speeds altogether. Some bicyclists forgo the complex gear mechanisms of many new bikes for what’s known as a Fixed-gear bike. In the past few years…..they’ve become more and more popular among city riders. Ron Shelton is a Detroit Cycling enthusiast. He explains what a fixed gear is..
CUT “It’s literally your pedals are locked into the movement of your body… “
A fixed-gear bike is actually one of the oldest…and most simplistic styles of modern bikes. With new technology came elaborate gear mechanisms and just more parts . But the resurgence of fixed gear bikes among cycle enthusiasts and ….especially young…hip…urban adults even leaves Shelton a little confused…
CUT “Yeah..it’s really trendy…”
The fixed gear trend may be part of a small part of a larger movement toward reuse and sustainability. Many fixed gears are converted from discarded bikes and pared down to its’ basic structure. Jack Van Dyke…one of the founders of Cass Corridor bicycle shop The Hub…elaborates….
CUT” I think that simplicity is a huge reason…”
But to offer less of something is unusual in our society of additional features …add-ons benefits…and just more.
CUT”…That might be a indirect response to that…”
So…a fixed-gear bike is simple…simple mechanics…simple maintenance but Shelton says what he appreciates most about the bike is aesthetics.
CUT” They’re just beautiful bikes…”
One more thing before we go…spoke plucking…
CUT- Jack plucks some spokes…
For Detroit Public Radio…I’m Amanda le Claire.