Fixed: Global Fixed-Gear Bike Culture Paperback – 12 Oct. 2009

Fixed: Global Fixed-Gear Bike Culture : Was pleasantly surprised after looking through it. This book has a good balance of text to pictures, is both informative and interesting. It gives this style of riding a credibility and a history. So many would pigeon hole 'Fixies' as for couriers, street urchins and poser hipsters. Something the authors have steered away from. The problem with any book on a cultural phenomenon, is that it's so much easier to read the relevant blogs and dedicated web sites. Which can keep up with the ebb and flow of change. A book can only really glimpse backwards and look at a subjects... historical roots. This book does this well, and yet still keeps a pedal or two forward. Would have liked it to have been at least twice as big. It verges on being a large magazine ( ie : Rouleur ) rather than a genre defining tome. But at this Amazon price, well worth picking up. If this kind of riding holds any interest for you.

Useful images for design ideas from vintage or retro to more modern style. Cool moustaches too!

If you're into fixies you need to rea this book .

Well, I suppose that someone had to get there first, and the authors of this one seem to have got there ahead of the pack. For me personally, it is in all ways a disappointing book: it is neither a history, nor is it a detailed account of how fixed gear cycling developed, any more than it is a comprehensive view of the current social trends in the fixed wheel world. It deals only briefly with the most obvious and common use of fixed wheel: cycling on the track, the six day scene, time trials and the Hour. The pictures aren't good, plentiful, beautiful or interesting enough to make it a decent coffee table book. There are some interesting shots of designer fixed wheel machines, but that's about it pictorially. There are interviews with a bunch of fixed wheel cyclists (NY couriers, SF cyclists and someone in London, for example) that are supposed to set the social context: there are too few words for a book at this price. The words that are there aren't interesting enough. For me, the most successful chapter is on Keirin, Japanese professional track cycling, the point of which is betting. But that isn't saying much. I was really looking forward to the first modern survey of the fixie. I expect that there are or will be much better books to follow. Given the price, if you really want to read it, try to persuade your local library to stock it, get it second-hand, or borrow it from fools like me who bought it new.

A very interesting book on just one gear.

Top class images, top class work, would recommend for any fixie lover, great to see bikes from around the world

Classic coffee table book for those who follow the True Path!

Great book, not only nice photography.