20 inch Fixie Bikes, Burgeoning Trend or Evolutionary Dead End?

The new thing it seems is fixed gear, large frame bikes with 20inch BMX sized wheels.  Actually, this configuration has existed for quite some time, but was pretty much restricted to folding commuter bikes.  In many ways, this configuration makes some sense, smaller wheels are inherently lighter and stronger than large wheels and are also superior from a wind resistance and inertial perspective.  The obvious problem with BMX bikes is their diminutive size, which makes them uncomfortable for long rides. (in the opinion of this 6'4" individual).  The payoff for the small size is of course the ability to do stunts,  I gather that this setup seeks to combine (some of) the tossability of a BMX with the greater leverage and comfort of a larger frame.  Judging by the Japanese video below, it seems to work out pretty well, although with the probable downside of ride quality and steering twitchiness.  Still have yet to see one in the flesh, but Boston has a pretty vibrant single speed community, so it's likely only a matter of time.   Kindof the Yang to the 29er Ying or something.

Marin Hamilton 29er

I have always preferred 29 inch/700c wheels on bikes for the road, probably partly out of habit

and partly because I am 6'4", in any case I am really pleased with the current popularity/fad of

29 inch wheels. Bikes as a whole have gotten hugely expensive, granted the parts are top notch

and miles ahead of the old days, but still, even a decent starter bike costs a ton new. Part of the

problem is probably the complexity of modern bikes, with indexed shifting, a berjillion gear hub

and a level of precision that would have been unavailable to all but the top racing teams 15 years

ago. I don't know about you, but as a semi out of shape middle age dude, I don't use half of the

gears on my bike and probably use closer to 1/4 of them (keep in mind I am in a congested

urban environment that is not too hilly). I got my bike for about 1/3 of retail price because it

has a large frame, was a 2 year old model on clearance and the dealer was discontinuing that

manufacturer. What I am getting at is that I never would have ponied up full boat for this bike.

All of this brings me to the modern 29er, the Marin Hamilton is a single speeder, but it has a low

enough gearing that it could probably meet most of my modest needs and it's pretty cheap at

a tick over $400. The only thing it's lacking IMHO is a multi speed hub, in this case the Shimano

8 speed sealed hub. Seriously, add that modest gearing and it will easily cover all my needs.

Well, almost. The handlebars need work. Straight handlebars suck as far as I am concerned,

there are just too few hand position/riding posture options to make them comfortable. I prefer

Nitto Albatross style bars, which are remarkably similar to old skool 3 speed bars, either that or

Japanese style mustache handlebars (which I have not tried but look promising). So, add the

Albatross and the gear hub and u are in business. For those of you generationally challenged,

here is a picture of modern Albatross bars.

Rohloff Speedhub 14 speed bicycle hub

Like many folks growing up in the 70's and 80's, the last time I rode a bike with a shifting hub it

was on an English 3 speed and it was not pleasant. They were probably poorly adjusted and

in need of some service, but they shifted terribly and I never gave them a second chance or

thought. Well, as it happens, some folks have been giving it a lot of thought and the current

state of the art as nearly as I can tell is this incredible German made 14 speed hub. Though I

in general try to avoid excess complexity, a derailleur setup is not prize in the simplicity dept

either. The Rohloff has been out for at least a decade and by all accounts is extremely reliable.

The hub is completely sealed and purportedly maintenance free, which a derailleur is definitely not.

Unfortunately, all of this comes at a price of around 1,300 $ US, which in the high end bike world

is not unheard of, but for a casual user it's a bit high. You can learn more about this hub and

practically everything bike at http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/ . Harris cyclery and the late

Sheldon Brown are legendary in the local bike community and their site is a terrific resource.

The 1970's Raleigh Chopper

I Blame the Raleigh Chopper (above).  In the day the Chopper was the Bike to have.  It's hard to overstate the effects of the introduction of the Chopper on Pre-BMX kids bikes.  Soon every bike had chopper motorcycle  like styling, with banana seats, sissy bars, gearshifts, high rise handlebars and all manner of gewgahs.  Thus the Chopper led to my bike at the time, the Schwinn Stingray.  Not a bad bike at all, but nothing that couldn't be improved with a bit more chopper motorcycle like features, like, say fork extensions.  At the time there was the "right" (read safe) way to do this, and then there was the twelve year old kid way.  This basically consisted of  removing the front forks via hacksaw from a donor bicycle, removing the front wheel lugs from your bike and then jamming the donor forks onto the now denuded ends of your bikes forks, re-attaching the wheel, and Voila ! you have just added another foot to your forks !  The sensible thing would be to permanently attach the new forks by welding, but who has time for that?  You have an uber chopper to ride !  Preferably down a steep, sandy hill.  Thus Raleigh's Chopper led to me experiencing the epic fail of my new forks and subsequent wreck which permanently embedded a small stone in my elbow.