Fixed gear on the way out?

I had a look at the Google Insights for Search. Put in 'cycling' and 'fixed gear' as search terms. 'Cycling' seems to peak during the Northern hemisphere summer. But for some reason interest in cycling seems to be decaying.

'Fixed gear' also peaks during NH summer and it has been steadily growing. In 2008 the interest in fixed gear exploded. However, 2010 already show a decline. What does that mean?

LockWhip V2

I have a soft spot for tools. Saw this at the Fixed Gear London's Weblog. When I read the title I thought it would be something like Pedros Vise Whip (not for 1/8" sprockets). Not the case, but a nicely designed tool. I like the industrial look.

O snap!

My TL-4 snapped, hate when this happens! Seems like a small design flaw. There is an indentation on the underside and a respective "bulge" on the other side. The sharp edges create a perfect spot for stress build-up. 

Well, I like the Park Tool tools anyway. This is just not their best one. Still better than many other plastic ones that easily flexes.

 

Some more old goodies - The Cannibal on TT

Eddy Merckx Vintage TT. By enriquevera2000.

The psychedelic sackpipe fits well to this film. I should not say anything, but his upper body jumps around a lot.

From Spinwell via Trackosaurus Rex.

Does a lion have stripes?

Apparently it does.

Eat my bike!

Found at Fuck Yeah Fixed Gear.

Miss World in high heels on bike

Another cycle chic Helkama ad. 

Two beauties, Marita and Hopeasauma (=Silver seam).  Marita Lindahl from Finland became Miss World in 1957. Might be the only bicycle ad featuring Miss World.

Good old 80's

A Helkama ad from 1989. Very cycle chic. Helkama is an old Finnish company that has been selling bikes for about 100 years. They also designed the legendary JoPo bike. The later models are not as cool as the original though. 

Erika Salumäe

There is a very interesting post on the Fixed Gear Blog about a possible Olympic gold medal frame. It would have been ridden by the Estonian Erika Salumäe. I had a look in my library and found this book about Erika Salumäe. I will have to have a look, if it the price is reasonable it would be a treasure to have.

She seems to have ridden a Cinelli in Seoul back in 1988 when she took the gold medal.

 

 

She has ridden other bikes, too. Here is the mysterious Mr. Matti Salomaa From Finland, he probably sponsored Erikas bikes. It was complicated back then when Estonia was a part of the Soviet Union, and everything was very closed off from western influence. I guess Matti Salomaa had some contacts. Obviously he did not benefit moneywise from this, a true friend of cycling! Does anyone know more about him?

Lynn Pops at Halfanese

Lynn Pops at Halfanese.  Lots of other cool art there also.

Técnicas de ciclismo en pista

Photo of the day. Seen at Corpus Fixie.

Kickbikechick

Kickbikechick by Enn Allik. Seen at Cycle Chic Estonia.

Fixed Beer Moscow

More here.

Danny MacAskill. Edinburgh to Skye.

Visually this video is great. The cycling is awesome. Super.

2011 calendar at the FiXFiXFiX

Check out the 2011 calendar at the FiXFiXFiX, with my favourite Nichole on the cover.

Boomie & Bareknuckle.

Lisa & Tomassino in white.

Gerra w/ Peugeot.

Jennifer, Kelly and Ema

A lot going on at the FiXFiXFiX.

Jennifer & Sickless fixie. Check out those nuts.

 

Havok & Kelly

Ema. Remembering the summer ...

London 2012 Olympic velodrome completed

At least the track is ready, 250 m Siberian pine. A lot of wood. More here.

Sir Chris Hoy not riding a track bike. Photo taken earlier this year before the track was built.