Fixed For A Ride

Yes, we’re still harping on the sky rocketing fuel prices and with that we present to you the craze that’s just waiting to hit Klang Valley big time; the fixed gear movement.

It all began in New York, where the traffic was so bad that it was easier to ride a bicycle to get from one block to the other. New York bike messengers found that the fixed-gear track bicycles were perfect for the surface conditions in the city. Unlike the modern bikes a fixed-gear (fixie) bike is very minimal; no gears or brakes making it incredibly lightweight. What was a necessity in past has now become a hobby for hipsters all over the world including UK, Japan, Thailand and now, Malaysia.

Spearheading the fixie movement in the Klang Valley is the KL Fixie crew that has been riding for a few months now. The crew is made up of about fifteen members - familiar faces within KL street culture like the guys at Sole What? and even DJ Blink. They ride in packs to spots in Damansara Perdana, Bangsar and Bukit Jalil to practice tricks and stunts. Tricks aside; being a fixed gear rider also means looking fly. Generally, a fixie’s outfit consists of a pair of scuff-friendly Vans, pin-rolled pants (so it doesn’t get stuck or stained by the bike chain), a messenger bag and of course, a sweet ride.

Collectively, the KL Fixie members have bought out all the track frames in KL with the exception of a few stores that sell vintage tracks frames. One of the riders even dropped RM6,000 on a vintage Italian Pinarello. Members invest a lot of time and money into custom building their bikes so it’s only natural that when they stop at the mamak, they can’t stop admiring their bikes - perfectly stacked, chains facing the outside, of course!

Find out more about Fixed Gear at the KL Fixed blog at klfixed.blogspot.com. Oh, and they’re looking for their first female to join their crew, so ladies here’s your chance to be the first lady of Fixie KL.

Text Didi Ramlan