The fix gear subject is very interesting. Fad or not, I find it entertaini ng. I love the road alternatives (althernative to standard gears and drop bars). They are fun to build and personalize (low cost or not). In 1982 I built my first frame around this concept. The bike was mean to be dual ro le; training mount first, campus bike second. I built the frame with Colum bus SP tubing, track bike geometry, oval bladed fork, water bottle bosses, brake cable guides and track drop outs. I still have it though I retired i t for being a little hash.
Recently I bought a Giant frame with basically the same, strange arrangemen t. I had to question what Giant was thinking but once in hand, I built it up with Campy Pista cranks and pista HF hubs. Added a Raceface modern stem , a carbon fiber flat bar, Campy GS brake calipers, large platofrm down hil l mtn bike pedals and a single speed freewheel. I love riding this bike, e specially when chasing my boys around the neiborhood.
All being said, I have watched the modern fix gear gang around the Marina i n San Francisco and for the most part the are very impressive with ability to due micro bunny hops to slow the bikes down in a hurry. Makes me want to build one again. They really are great training tools in early spring.
Tom Dockery
Los Altos, CA