Fixie was the fashion in the 1920s and 30s here in Britain. All serious riders then rode fixed wheel. Fixed wheel riding promotes smooth fast pedalling - many of the new generation are riding gears around the 70in mark - this is actually extremely good for the joints and tendons. Many of them love retro parts and look - it is a very small minority who want to saw all the bits of a classic or rare steel frame.
However many of the frames being converted are really quite common - my son Keir has converted a steel Specialized Stumpjumper - it has had all the unnecessary braze-ons removed and track dropouts fitted and is used with fluro yellow 700C wheels. It makes a great fixie which is tough as old boots - ideal for urban riding which is always hard on bikes... There's no shortage of old Stumpies... as is the case with many of the frames being converted.
Hilary Stone, Bristol, British Isles
bruno pearson wrote:
> If I may wade in on the fixie debate. My Mother and her friend Eileen toured France in 1948 on fixies.
> I'm 57 and prefer riding my fixie than the geared bikes.
>
> Bruno Pearson London UK