From researching on the Internet fixie bikers are using use the mainstream media to communicate with other fixie bikers about who they are and what they want their fixie culture to be. Fixie riders and non fixie riders are coming together to not only solve issues that concern each other about safety but also the trends that sets them apart. The issue on safety is the fact that most fixie riders choose not to have any because it takes away from the act of fixie riding. So what is fixie riding? And why is there such a fine line between those that ride with a fixie and riding geared bikes?
These writers insist that fixie biking is not about the destination or the sport but about the appeal of unifying the bike as your second skin, a fashion statement in other words. Because fixie bikes are not geared up with wires and devices, you no longer have weight and the predetermined style that comes with a mountain bike. Instead, it becomes a blank canvas by which the users have more freedom to pick and chose the colors that best suit their identity and individuality. Some have also related the activity to walking, that the bike is an extension of the leg and that the biker begins to have a different experience with his environment because of the freedom of movement.
Talking more about color, many of the bikers online like to show off their bikes by using these neon-like bright colors. It’s perfect during the daylight, but the flash identity disappears by night.
http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/fixedwheel,fixie
Fixie bikers are definitely aware of the need to find a way to illuminate at night, but the issue here and why it might not be appreciated from the fixie culture is perhaps because it was not measured around the understanding of the culture. This is not about the ones who ride a fixie and don’t mind a helmet or those lighting gadgets that sticks to the helmet or bike. This issue goes out to the hard core “hipsters” fixie bikers who follow a specific set of rules. Most of the issues with these lighting device has to do with it’s practicality. The integrated LED on figure 2 does not rotate to follow the front wheel. The wooden seat cuts circulation and the aesthetic value is not very high from these fixie bikers.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/bike-with-built-in-lights.php
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/tag/fixie/
I believe the best way to understand the feeling of riding a fixie if you haven’t is to watch this video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0AFpq6jFok&feature=player_embedded
You get to visually experience the simplicity and playfulness of the movement. The sense of speed is incredible and it is very attractive as a simple structure. This minimalist attribute makes you want to think in that same way.
Fixie culture is not just about a style but a direction towards versatility and individuality. These characteristics are being implemented in various areas. One of which is American Apparels versatility in clothing. Furniture design see’s modularity as a way to shape a changing environment.
http://www.furniturestoreblog.com/2008/index.html?page=135
http://www.dezinehq.com/2009/03/18/unique-furniture-designs/
Many artists are creating playful scenarios that stem from everyday habits. This is an example of cultural obsession with relation to long eye lashes and their appeal to a specific audience. What’s interesting about the LED Lashes is that it allows for personal creativity and gives the user a sense of individuality. THIS creative Individuality is a reflection of the user’s culture.
What we tried to express in our project prototype for the fixie rider is that same sense of playfulness, individuality, and versatility while answering to a very serious issue which is safety.
The decisions were made based on apparent features which are light, color, and attraction. While sticking to the themes fixie bikers have given themselves we found that a neon looking, sophisticated and ambient light would set it off.
Most bike vests are not very exuberant which justifies it’s function so we pulled a 360 in the fashion department and created and streamline belt that envelopes around your whole body in any way necessary and emits light when needed. For a multiple look we made it so that it’s second use would be that it acts as a simple belt or suspenders.
We found that there would be many ways to go about making this happen, one of them was to create short strips, but by doing that , it takes away from independence from the body to hold itself together. Or else, we would have to figure a way to connect them to the outfit. By having a long strip, the slim look is continuous.
There weren’t many choices on the clips, the only way was to let it hook on to it’s self by the ends. But even by doing so, depending on the shape of the person, maybe tension would be needed as an extra to have a good fit , so we created 2 strap-on to tighten the belt to the body.
The BLUE neon color was not so much a “ have to” choice but more of a selection. The idea was to have a sophisticated light source, and any EL wire would have done the trick. Of course, after testing it out on the street we noticed a few things that could have enhanced this look.
One issue that we found out was that our electronic board was not made to light that long of a wire so we lost the real power of the EL wire luminescence. This was unfortunate because while we were in Elio’s lab, it was clear just how powerful this wire can be! The other option was to buy LED lights but we didn’t want to take the risk of creating the same kind of luminescence you already see implemented as “ Bike lights”.
It would have also been interesting if we took a risk in playing with colored fabric to accentuate the light effect, rather than sticking to a safe color like sheer black to hide the appeal of the color when it is not lit.
Finally, we had to come to a decision to create a home for this prototype when it would not be used. The best look came to be a soft pouch because of the already steady and not so fragile prototype. The fabric looks and feels sexy and makes you think twice before you decide where you choose to place this product when not in use. The colors compliment the product and let’s you know what color is inside. We thought it would be essential for this pouch to have a life when it’s content is in use, so we are making it attachable to the bike or small enough to fit a pocket or your bag depending on what you choose to carry.
When you open the bag a small pamphlet is used to explain just what this product is for and how limitless it’s use is!
Over all, we are pleased to see that the objective was met and that the effect that it already has outdoors is monumental. It’s something that deserves to be seen more often. To add, we already have a buyer!
Marian, David, Mili, Keri, Vadim.
DIFLASH
Resources: http://ask.metafilter.com/89865/Whats-up-with-the-fixies
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/bike-with-built-in-lights.php
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/tag/fixie/
http://ctothejl.com/lifestyle/alien-led-lights-make-fixies-less-un-cool/
http://www.forgot.co.uk/fixies-and-lights/
http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/her3/2009/05/22/diy-deck-lighting/
http://www.wakemag.org/voices/the-fixie-debate/
fixie grafitti:
http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/fixedwheel,fixie
fixie bikes
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060708/news_lz1n8read.html
http://www.fixedgearrepublic.com/
brakeless:
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