Fixie | Evolving Consumer

Fix the World

Bicycle maker Pure Fix announced this month that will donate $100 from the sale of two special edition bikes – The Uniform and The Yankee – to Charity:Water, an organization that funds water projects in developing countries. The Uniform features Pure Fix’s standard fixie frame in yellow with a black fork and black deep-section wheels. The Yankee has a matte black frame with yellow deep-section wheels. Retail prices start at $325, depending on options.

This sounds like quite the pure intention to us.

Pure Fix Cycles Official Website

Black Beauty

We’ve seen bikes from Germany’s PG brand before, and the PG BlackBraid could be the German way to say “Black Beauty.” This ride features a full braided carbon fiber bike putting a new twist on the material. It is available as either an urban-commuter “Fixie” or as the road-ready “Touring.” It is available in any color you want, as long as its black. But really with a bike like this black will do.

PG Bikes Official Website

Truly Lightweight Commuter Bike

There have been many attempts to create a lightweight commuter bike, but few have come close to Germany’s PG-Bikes BlackBraid Fixed. At just 11 pounds it is about as light as they come. This bike features a carbon fiber frame, belt drive and includes just a front brake.

One’s wallets might be a whole lot lighter to ride it however, as this bike reportedly costs around $20,000. Apparently you can put a price on less weight.

PG-Bikes Official Website

Made in America: Vuelta USA Bicycle Chainrings

Finding a bicycle frame made in America is actually pretty easy. Though most of the big names have sent production overseas, there always seems to be a new hand built frame maker popping up. The same used to hold true for component manufacturers, but it is much harder to find companies that still make their products in the U.S.A. Chris King, Paul Components and Wheels Manufacturing are just a few of the companies that remain, but there are even fewer who still make chainrings. Vuelta USA of Pacoima, California is one of probably less than five companies that still manufacture chainrings in America and may be the only one that offers such an extension selection of sizes. Continue reading Made in America: Vuelta USA Bicycle Chainrings

Interbike 2011: Mini-Velodrome To Be Installed at Sands Expo and Convention Center

Fixie riders will get to take to the track at the upcoming Interbike, as Portland Design Works will be rolling in the Circulus, a 132-foot circumference, 45-degree wooden mini-velodrome. This track will be installed in the Sands Expo and Convention Center, and is being sponsored by Paved magazine, Yakima, All-City Cycles and Portland Design Works. It will be the site for multiple events during the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas, from September 14-16.

Show attendees will get to take to the track to ride All-City Cycles and even compete in events for the first and second days of Interbike.

“Circulus will add something completely new and unique to this year’s show,” said Interbike Brand and Communications Director Rich Kelly. “We’re placing a big emphasis on urban cycling and the brands that support it and having Circulus there will be a big draw for that segment of the market. And, of course, I can’t wait to take a spin on it myself.”

(Video of Circulus after the Jump) Continue reading Interbike 2011: Mini-Velodrome To Be Installed at Sands Expo and Convention Center

Convert Your Old Road Frame Into a Single Speed With Wood (Phil Wood)

Do you have a spare bicycle frame that you would love to turn into a single speed or fixie, but the frame does not have horizontal dropouts? Do you want to avoid running a singulator chain tensioner especially in a fixed gear setup? The innovators from San Jose, California, Phil Wood & Co., have come to the rescue. Phil Wood recently announced the upcoming release of their Square Taper Phil Centric bottom bracket to solve this problem.

The Phil Cetric’s center point of the spindle on this bottom bracket pivots closer or further away for the rear dropout where the rear wheel mounts allowing the chain to be properly tensioned. There is currently not much information released about this bottom bracket yet, but from the photos it looks as if there is about 3/8″ – 5/8″ of adjustment in the chain tension. This should be enough adjustment to allow proper tensioning of a chain in almost every frame. Continue reading Convert Your Old Road Frame Into a Single Speed With Wood (Phil Wood)

Erie Colorado to Get Velodrome

VelodromeBig — An artist's rendering of the proposed Boulder Valley Velodrome, a 250-meter outdoor cycling track planned for the intersection of County Line Road and Bonnell Avenue in Erie. (Courtesy of David A. Beal & Associates )

The Erie Trustees recently approved plans for the Boulder Valley Velodrome, which could be operational in as little as a year. This would be the first velodrome built to Olympic guidelines in the United States since 2004, and it certainly could be of interest to the world’s cycling community. While single speed and fixies have become popular in recent years, the fact remains that there are woefully few places across the country to actually compete, or even to learn the ropes. Continue reading Erie Colorado to Get Velodrome

Turning Tricks with Pedro’s Trixie

The “fixie” bike trend shows no sign of letting up. The bikes are lightweight, and without complex gearing fewer things can actually go wrong, making these ideal for short jaunts around town or as an alternative to driving to work. But the downside to these fixed-gear or track bicycles is that the wheels typically don’t have a quick release. This can make changing a flat tire annoying on a causal ride and a true disaster if you’re rushing to get somewhere, like commuting to work. Accessories maker Pedro’s has stepped in with a nifty multi-function tool called the “Trixie,” and this handy-dandy pocket-sized wrench is easy to carry for commuters, messengers, and racers alike.

The Trixie has a 15mm box-end wrench to get the wheel off, plus it includes a rock ring hook, which can come in handy for resetting the chain, so your hands don’t get greasy. In addition, there are 8-, 9-, and 100mm box-end wrenches, which you’ll probably never need, but having extra features isn’t something to complain about. Also included are a bottle opener, possibly something no one should be without. Best of all the Trixie can even mount directly to the frame’s water bottle cage using two butterfly screws (included), which makes accessing the Trixie a snap. So, while changing a tire is never fun, fixing it on a fixie with this tool makes it a bit easier, and with its extra function it has the tricks that we like to have turned.