Not long ago some younger fixie riders saw my Dawes and how I had mounted a brass bell on the lower shifter boss...their response was "Great idea" and the similar reactions...mostly the response was...that's something we can do to add but still keep it simple. We all add to our steeds to make them more individual for our needs. Taking away is just a way our making them more personal as well. I don't think many times it is being done for the coolness factor but more to slim up the frame simply to looks for what they find appealing. Then again...how many of us have done something to make of bikes feel "more at home". If you gave them a different idea, maybe they would go along. Many frames I have seen with the rear derailleur chopped have been painted or touched up to the point where it adds to a more natural look and you could barely tell it was missing. Regarding doing to a perfectly good road frame...heck, you could get all these guys roused up and debating the same about "re-painting" a perfectly good old frame and ruining the originality...or not....or is it....maybe not?!? It is all for the individual to determine what they want to do. I suppose many would flip over fenders being added or not. luggage racks being added or not and so on.
Walter Skrzypek Falls Creek, Pa http://www.fixedgearhooligans.com
was said: I have no problem with the tattoos, piercings, and whatnot; I just don't see why some people mutilate a perfectly good road frame by hacking off the derailleur hanger, braze-ons and such when they don't affect in any way the use of the frame as a fixed gear bike. -- John Thompson (john@os2.dhs.org) Appleton WI USA