Is it an electric bike or a fixie?

 

Is the electric bike craze taking the joy out of single speed bikes? A question that will divide a nation! Single speed fixie bikes require hard work. There are no gears to assist and certainly no electric peddle assist. But with hard work comes a sense of freedom and proudness that justifies respect. 

So when dudes on the street begin adding batteries to what looks like a fixie, an entire subculture is sent to the brink of extinction. Yes, I get it, electric bikes are an incredible way to get from point A to point be, especially in our CO2 congested cities and are hell of a lot of fun to ride. You can see the e-bike grin coming a mile away before you spot the battery pack. 

However, in my humble opinion, there is nothing cool about a pedal assisted fixie. In fact, an electric bike is the polar opposite of the minimalist stripped back, hard edged simplicity and freedom we adore about single speed bikes.

Bike Perfection

Surfboard Bike Racks

There is nothing better than being able to ride to your favourite beach break with your surfboard on the side. What could be better than mixing the freedom of riding a bike with the magical spiritual wonderment of surfing.

If your lucky enough to live within biking distance of your favourite surf break, here is a quick and easy way to install a surfboard bike rack to your trusty 3 wheel friend.

You could make your own but for about $100.00 you can pick one up from your local or online surf shop. Most racks connect with a few easy bolts to the stem of your bike seat. It's as easy as that.

If your dead set on making your own rack, you can upcyle all kinds of things that will work as bike racks. A guitar stand, for example can easily be redesigned into a bike rack for a surfboard. As a bonus, they often have the nice foamy stuff that will protect your board, just as it does your guitar.

Skateboard Deck Art

Check out these awesome skateboard decks

Isle of Man Mountain Biking

Isle of Man is apparently the place to be for mountain biking. The past two years have seen a huge increase in the number professionals and biking enthusiasts flocking to the Isle.

So why the Isle of Man? The answer is drop dead gorgeous scenery and an abundance of brilliant tracks and off-road mountainous euphoria that is the dream for any mountain biking addict.

Take a look at the scenery below:

The Best Hipster in the World

This is one of the funniest hipster / fixie shots we have ever seen!! I don't know what he's on but I want some!!!

Make your own fixie bike

Ever wanted to make your own fixie?

Here's how:

1. Source your parts

By rule of thumb, on-line is the best way to source your parts unless you have a killer local fixie parts store. Using the internet, you can source parts from all over the world and get the best prices. eBay and Gumtree are wicked platforms to source new and used specialised bike components.

You'll need:

• A killer horizontal drop out Frame / fork. You can get by with a regular frame but it becomes heavily stressed by the fixed gear cog.
• A headset for the frame and fork
• A Stem threaded if the fork is threaded or un-threaded if the fork is un-threaded
• Handlebars
• Seat post 
• Seat post clamp if not present in the seat post
• A craze balls Seat
• Front wheel. - Just a regular front wheel is fine as long as it fits into your fork
• Crankset
• Bottom bracket (must fit with your crank-set)
• Some kick ass pedals
• Chain
• Track tires
• Stellar rear Wheel with a hub that is made for a fixed gear cog and a lock ring.
• Fixed gear cog
• Lock ring.

2. Buy the right components the first time

Make sure you are absolutely sure your components will fit your bike. Buying the wrong crank set from the other side of the world can be frustrating and costly.

3. Get the right tools

You'll need:

• 5 & 6mm allen wrenches and 10 & 15mm crescent wrenches
• cable cutters
• Phillips and flat head screwdrivers
• Channel locks
• A set of hex keys
• A bicycle pump
• Spray paint

4. Spray paint your components

Spray your frame before you build it. Otherwise, you'll just have to take it apart again to do the work.

5. Build your bike

This is where the fun begins. If you have all that right components and tools and they all fit, this should be the easy part. If you get stuck there are wonderful forums on the web that can help, just look it up. Good Luck!

Hope this was helpful!

Best and Weirdest Fixies for 2013