'Splain the Fixie rage to me

Hmm...last time I rode a bike like that, it had 3-wheels on it!

So, I suppose the "no brakes" is a "fixie culture" thing...it being not cool to have brakes? 

that is really sad about that girl.  

my husband bought a fixie at a yard sale on a whim = I thought "one more thing to move" but he thinks it is cool.

"I believe it is illegal in California to have no brakes on your bicycle (and I know the Governator signed a bill that requires lights and reflectors after dark)."

Though I haven't read the law, nor do I live in California, I'd have to guess that it reads not that it's illegal to have a bike like that, but rather to ride it on public roads.

I have one, though it's been a single speed for several years now. I have ridden it fixed on the road, but the only time it doesn't have two brakes is when it's used on the velodrome (and that's been a long time).

I can just imagine that the girl's parents are going to sue the guy for the unsafe bike...

I built a fixie a few months ago; see the pic below.  I converted a $15 Univega road bike that came from a yard sale.  I used almost everything from the original bike, including the cranks (cut off the chain guard and big ring).  I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy riding it so I didn't want to spend any money on it. 

Turns out, I really enjoy riding it on my recovery days (usually to work).  Simple, no computer, and I live in flat FL and have it geared to force me to spin.  I hope it will increase my usable cadence range, and maybe smooth out my pedal stroke.  If not, who cares, I still enjoy it.  

I'm selling the first one and building another one with track wheels and a flip flop hub now..

I will add that fixed-gear bikes are a really good training tool. Not only will riding one force you to address any issues you may have with your pedal stroke, It will also train your body to be able to handle "less-than-ideal" cadences without having to go clunking through your casssette looking for the right gear. You can just GO! I do have a front brake (albeit a really crappy one) on mine.

It's a sad story about the little girl who took someone elses bike and crashed it and died. I really feel for her family and for everyone involved.

I built up a fixie about a month ago and truthfully it is the most fun I have had on a bicycle in a long time.   It is a real feeling of "oneness" with bike.   You are constantly moving with the cranks and every little bit of speed and slowing is dictated by your legs.   I have brakes on mine, but i try not to use them except for on steep downhills where i will max out my cadence if I dont slow slightly.   (It gets a bit  sketchy going down a hill at 30+ mph and a cadence of 170ish)  You also dont have a bailout gear so you better be strong to get back up the hills.  

I never thought I would every get a fixed gear.   I didnt see the point (much like the OP).  Up until about 2 months ago, my old Schwinn Super Sport was going to stay a 10 spd, but I was having trouble with the derailers, so i took them off and made it a single speed.  That was fun, but i thought, Hey it wouldnt be that hard to make this a fixie, so I did it and I am glad i did.   It is so fun to ride.

To the OP, before you knock them, you should try one out.  (with brakes preferably).   If you are cautious and understand how they work, they are no more unsafe than any other bike. 

Josh

Okay then....anybody got a quick-and-easy guide to building a fixie on the cheap?

Step 1: find old 10-speed from garage sale...
Step 2: ...?

Edit: I so desperately want to be a hipster.  

PS.  Is it even hip to be a hipster? 

 Starter kit

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed/index.html

I've been riding my fixing (sans brakes) since October. See my avatar.

It has definitely been a good training tool. I think that I spin much faster than I did before.