Yep, it finally happened.

The ” Big Box ” stores are selling fixed gear bikes ! Walmart and Target are first on the scene, but I can guarantee that there will be many more soon.

So far these bikes don’t look too bad . . Especially for the price.  Seriously, check out these specs :

First we have the Schwinn bike, readily available at Target.  You can check out the store link HERE, though it might not do you any good since there are no Targets in China . . Bummer.  Though I’m sure that at the fast Chinese consumer culture rate there will be fakes floating around the streets in a matter of days !

Men’s Schwinn Courier Road Bike – Green (700c) (Available at Target)

• Bicycle Frame Height: 19″
• Bicycle Frame Material: Aluminum
• Seat Features: Adjustable Seat Height
• Wheel Height: 18″
• Rim Material: Metal Alloy
• Tire Type: 700c
• Tire Width: 1″
• Brake System: Linear
• Gear Speeds: 1
• Used For: Commuting
• Manufacturer Suggested Age: 15 Years and Up
• Includes: Kickstand
• Care and Cleaning: Wipe Clean With a Damp Cloth
• Dimensions: Height: 46.0 “; Length: 68.0 “; Width: 25.0 “
• Product Weight: 26.0 Lb.

You can pick up this bike, ready to ride, for just 260 US Dollars.  Yep, that’s about 1,770 RMB.  Chances that it’s better quality than an Airwalk bike ? Pretty high.  The only downside about this bike is that those handlebars are so huge that you can probably herd cattle with them . . But hey, for that price, I’m tempted to order one myself !

Next we have the 700C Men’s Mongoose Cachet Fixed-Speed Bike, available at Walmart.  This one might be worth looking into, since there are a few Walmarts scattered around Shanghai and the rest of China.  Though upon first glance, I’m not too sure I’d be trusting this bike to mash through traffic just yet . . Those cranks and that chain are looking pretty weak . . But here it is regardless – link to Walmart HERE.

700C Men’s Mongoose Cachet Fixed-Speed Bike

Ok, remember a few weeks ago I wrote about a fixed gear riders from Beijing flying to Japan to ride Osaka to Tokyo ? Yes ? No ? If you didn’t catch the original post, read it HERE.  I also linked that up to the official OT Tech Adidas website, which you can find HERE.

Anyways, after all was said and done the 4 Beijing fixed gear riders finally posted their photos, stories, and most importantly videos.  The outcome ? A complete waste of Adidas’ money as well as my time spent watching all 5 videos.  Think that sounds harsh ? Then keep reading.

I’m no expert, but typically if a company like Adidas offers to pay for your trip to ride your bike in a foreign country, then you better dam well be documenting it to the best of your ability.  That includes detailed photos of what you did every breathing minute, quality video footage of everything you did, and detailed journal entries – at bare minimum.  All of this, of course, would presumably include things like meeting up with local riders, meeting up with local shops and shop owners, riding in the most interesting / dangerous / thrilling places you can find, and it would most definitely would include some seriously sweet riding footage.  The big problem ? The videos these guys posted didn’t include ANY of that ! Ugh, I know – if Adidas had given YOU the money, you would have most definitely done something much, much, much better.

At this point you might think I’m an asshole, but I assure, I try my best to do nothing more than promote cycling and fixed gear in China . . But these videos are just too bad to pass by . .

Anyways, let’s start this off with a list of all the videos, for your viewing convenience :

Adidas OT Tech Video 1, HERE

Adidas OT Tech Video 2, HERE

Adidas OT Tech Video 3, HERE

Adidas OT Tech Video 4, HERE

Adidas OT Tech Video 5, HERE

Annnnnnd, critique time !

Probably one of the only things done correctly : sponsor plugs.

The first video starts off with shots of Adidas products, the 4 riders getting out of a van, and getting ready to go watch a keirin race.  I like keirin races, so points awarded to this part of the documentary.

Keirin ! Yeah !

One of the biggest problems I have with this whole ordeal is the representation and promotion of fixed gear in China.  A trip like this is obviously a great opportunity to promote the growing scene in China, and all companies associated with it.   Presumably you would think that these 4 riders would choose to ride proudly designed Chinese fixed gear bikes, but no.  Instead they are all riding European / American bikes.  I just don’t get it : you are acting as an ambassador for the Chinese fixed gear community, so ride a Chinese bike !!

No Chinese bikes for us !

Finally 3 minutes into the video there is some riding footage.  The problem is that pretty much all of it is filmed by a moving car, which doesn’t capture any of the surrounding environment ! It looks as though this could be filmed anywhere in the world.  Bummer.  It’s also generally boring to watch since all of the riding is so slow and cautious.

Sloooooooow and no scenery !

Video 2 starts off with more product plugs, and some boring footage of the riders trying to trackstand in a parking lot.  Now, I know we’re only on the second video, but the music they chose is already wearing my ears thin.  For the first video it was cool, but using it in the second video too ? (And to find out later all 5 videos?) Common – Change it up a bit !

A minute of this video was spent fooling around in Ninja costumes.  Normally, I would approve : but this was just way too boring.

The next minute of the video was spent discussing how good dinner was !

Video 3 starts off with some riding in another parking lot. Too bad, I was hoping to finally see some serious riding in the city / landscape . . But I’m still waiting !

This would entertain me if it as being done in the middle of downtown Japan traffic.

Follow me ! More boring shots ahead !

About 2 and a half minutes into the video, we are presented with what is easily the best shot from the entire video series . . Ready ?

And, BOOM ! Best shot.

Holy shit, we’re already at video 4 and there’s been a total of about 30 seconds of bike riding.  At least video 4 starts of with some cool shots from a boat !

The only problem with the scene from the boat is that it lasted about 2 minutes, and only included shots of the Adidas OT flag, as well as some slow and boring interviews from the 4 riders.  Yawn !

Mooooooore interviews !

See this mountain? They should be riding on it !

Just as you think they’re wrapping up the interviews to show more shots of riding, they hit you with this :

More dinner ! This time, with robes !

Which lasts for another painful 2 minutes . .

But finally brings us to video 5 !!! (which on first glance looks promising, since it is 8 and a half minutes long)

Nothing says expensive fixed gear riding videos like girl-fighting on a beach !

Unfortunately, video 5 also started off very poorly, with 1 minute of useless girl-slap-fighting on a beach.  From here we are flashed with more shots of the riders fixing their bikes.  Give it up for more allen key turning !

Rather than riding my bike, I’m going to continue to tune it up !

Finally they showed some riding footage, but again it was so slow and boring that it’s not even worth mentioning.

Video 5 ended off with a 5 minute interview about some Adidas products . . Totally unnecessary.  They should have filled this space with better riding footage !

Look,we’re all designers !

Anyways, it’s about time this post was wrapped up.  All in all, a very very very disappointing video from Adidas and the Beijing Fixed Gear riders.  Slow, boring, and not culturally exciting (as promised) !! Common Beijing : first you don’t participate in any other Chinese fixed gear events (Shanghai Alleycat, Guangzhou Alleycat) , then you go and produce something like this ?? You’re giving the rest of the Chinese Fixed Gear Riders a bad rep !!!  Shame on you.

Alll I can leave you with is this image, enjoy !

Polo, Polo, Polo !!!

click the flyer for full resolution

This upcoming Sunday the 21st we will be hosting another full afternoon of Bike Polo in Shanghai.

Unfortunately the court we used 2 weeks ago is no longer up for grabs . . Something about the owner not appreciating the beauty that is bikes rolling on paved surfaces swinging home-made mallets  . . O well, we’re super pumped to announce that we have a NEW polo spot : and it could just be the best one yet !

The new court is located outside of the Shanghai Concert Hall.  Yep, you know when you ride on Jinling Lu, and you see all of the skate boarders in the park ? Well, the new court is close to there . . Below is a map for your convenience :

View Shanghai Bike Polo in a larger map

To accompany the map, here are some photos of the court so that you know what to look for :

As per usual we will be supplying everything you need to play (just show up on your bike!), so show up because this is FREE !!

Show up for 14:00h – that’s when we will be starting to play.

If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail us HERE.

See you all Sunday !! It’s supposed to be sunny and beautiful, so make sure you come out and play some bike polo !!

This post was originally written by John Watson, and can be found on Prolly is not Probably HERE

When 700cmx is No Longer 700c: the 26″ vs. 700c Debate

Some people get excited, some people get carried away and some people get so damn crazy you want to perform an exorcism on them and then immediately burn their bodies for fear that they might be vulnerable to another demonic attack.

"now remember, after the demon is gone - you burn me! don't fuck this up now!"

Same goes for the business world, you have the honest ones that make affordable quality stuff for the consumer to buy because they believe in it and they want to share the joy, then you get the ones that try and squeeze as much money out as they can by slapping frills and useless gimmicks on shitty products hoping they can milk you dry and laugh all the way to the bank.  Then you have the ridiculously silly ones that make stuff no-one can use but then slap a “we care about those in want” stamp on it so that some moron with too much green in his wallet somewhere will buy it and not care about it for the rest of his meaningless life.

With that said, feast your eyes on the most expensive dumb-ass bicycle ever:

Like a 24 carat enema!

Yep, that there is the Golden Bicycle – Crystal Edition.

Ha – Crystal Edition, like the fucking golden bicycle wasn’t enough already, you have to go and make a fucking crystal edition.  That’s like American Pie 2 – Director’s Cut Blu-Ray, because the first one wasn’t shitty enough!

We ran out of shitty jokes half-way through the first movie. Here you go!

Here’s the description of that bicycle:

“- with every visible surface plated with 24 carat gold and adorned with more than 600 CRYSTALIZED – Swarovski Elements.”  The caps are their own.  ”CRYSTALIZED” cause nothing says bling like capital letters martha farkars!

See! Told you so!

It’s not even worth mentioning the €80 000 price tag that comes with this little gem – no pun intended – because it’s just not worth it.  Oh, but there I did just mention it, dammit, I just never fucking listen!

Now you ask, and yes, I do hear you ask as I have all these voices in my head so one of them must be you, how do they justify it or make it like they care for those in want?

Well, with this:

Read it and weep - if you still have tear ducts!

Yep, that’s the name of the company that make this shiny turd on the crossbar in braille – like they care about blind people!  Whahahahaha!

This comment best describes my thoughts on this:  ”WILL THEIR DOG WALK THEM OVER TO THE BIKE…(THEY CAN’T SEE)..SO THEY CAN FEEL HOW PRETTY IT IS? AND ISN’T IT CRUEL TO PUT IT ON A BIKE THAT THEY CAN’T RIDE…OR CAN THEY??? SINCE IT DOES SAY WHAT IT IS ON THERE IN BRAILLE. NOW THEY CAN RIDE IT OR ATLEAST PEE ON IT.”

Aah, I love it when people get so angry they write all in caps and can’t differentiate between they’re and there and their.  YOU GO SOLDIER, MAKE US PROUD!

Then this also brings us to the name of the company AURUMANIA.

That sounds like some Eastern European country that wish they were still part of  the Soviet Block but all you can go do there now is get your aura raped.

The national flag comes with instructions!

Insane, this bicycle is just plain dumb and it makes me sick. I imagine the only time you really see it other than on the website might be a MTV Cribs Mariah Carey edition.

"The only frame capable of holding up my frame - ooheeyooh"

Ha – she thinks she’s big boned.

Anyhew, that’s about all I have to say about this.  Yes, not so much anger as dismay, but I fear I have far too many other things infuriating me now to really be bothered.

Maybe I’ll write about that next week.

Till next time – keep it real!

Riaad

A builder from Philadelphia USA, Engin Cycles is own and operated by builder and designer : Drew Guldalian.

In 2005, Drew decided it was time to take his knowledge of bicycles to the next level and build his own bikes. He signed up for UBI to get an intro into fabricating with metal, and in 2006 started setting up shop for Engin Cycles and built 35 bikes the first year using his employees and well-established client base as beta-testers. He is now attending his sixth NAHBS and won best off-road at 2008 NAHBS in Portland, OR.

Drew is also the owner of Wissahickon Cyclery since 1995.

click on the flyer for full resolution

” Get a bicycle.  You will not regret it if you live. “  ~Mark Twain

People’s Bike is proud to announce the 1st Ghetto Fabulous Fixie Competition ! So here’s the deal . .

We want YOU to go build yourself a fixed gear bike, and use as little money as possible ! Really, the rules are that simple :

1. Build a fixed gear bike in China

2. Spend as little money as possible

3. Post your photos and documentation online ! (HERE)

Could it get any easier ? Probably not. You must post all your documentation and photos online by March 31st, and then we will judge your stories and finished products to determine a winner ! Here’s what we’ll be looking for, and how we will judge the submissions :

1. The complete price breakdown of the bike you built – keep it as cheap as you can !

2. Full documentation of where you bought all your parts, and how you put it together

3. The final quality of your fixed gear bike

4. The final appearance of your fixed gear bike

5. The stories and ideas behind your finished product

6. How ghetto fabulous is your new bike ??

See? Super simple ! The only minor details are that you must build this bike within China, and you must submit your creations by March 31st, 2010.  All submissions must be posted in our forum, HERE.  That means you’ve got to be a member on the forum to register !

Not sure where to start looking for parts ? Try checking out our Guides Section for a list of localized bike shops. This would also be a good place to start looking : Bicycle Graveyard

And finally, did we mention that there’s a sweet prize up for grabs ?? Yep, a limited edition ONEWAY Shanghai Alleycat Messenger Bag !! Check out these photos :

You’ve really got nothing to lose, so get out there and start building yourself a ghetto fabulous bike !! We look forward to seeing all of your submissions, and of course, if you have any questions just post them here on in the forum !!

The first ever edition of Time Out, Shanghai, was released  for January 2010 – A free ‘zine on what to do in your city.  ” Know more. Do more. ”

People’s Bike was featured as the feature for ‘ Around Town ‘ : The best things to do in Shanghai this month !  The article was written by John Sunyer, and we’ve re-written it here online for all of you to read.  Photos of the actual article have been added, but the resolution probably isn’t high enough for you to read them . . So go pick up a copy yourself !! Did I mention it’s free ? It’s free !! Enjoy :

Getting their fix !

Fixed-gear biking has become more than just a different way to ride a bike, as Stephen Yang’s portraits show.  Words by John Sunyer.

Two years ago, China had barely heard of fixed-gear bikes.  Today, fixed-gear biking – riding bikes which have one gear, no brakes and can ride in revers – has become a global trend which Shanghai has been happy to be part of.

Canadian Tyler Bowa, 22, started People’s Bike, Shanghai’s first fixed-gear biking club, in January 2009 to indulge his passion for long rides, tricks and even bike polo.  Given that there was nowhere to buy fixed-gear bikes in town, he had his custom-made by Speedcat, which has now sold its fixed-gear bikes to other shops around the city.  ” At first, our website only had one viewer – me.  But now it gets thousands of hits a day, ” he says.

Perhaps more interestingly, fixed-gear biking has gone beyond sport into the realm of fashion, with many riders customizing their bikes to fit their style.  ” Some people are actually more interested in the fashion than the riding, ” says Bowa.  ” All over the world, they’re becoming the skateboards of the ’90’s. ” These briliant pictures, taken last November at the ‘ Shanghai Alleycat ‘ road race, which drew hundreds of racers from across China, tell their own story.

* This post was originally written and posted by The Global Analyst, and can be viewed HERE *

This post was originally submitted to ‘ All Roads Lead to China ‘ by enoVate. enoVate is an insights and design firm based in shanghai. we publish daily insights and develop creative solutions for China’s youth market. visit enoVate’s website for more information.

The fixed gear bike movement has hit the streets of China. Just three years ago, you could count the number of fixed gear bikes here on your fingers (and maybe toes). But spend an afternoon strolling Shanghai’s French Concession, and your sure to see various youth — Chinese and Foreign — riding fixies. What’s more, this movement is not limited to the Big Two (Shanghai and Beijing). Tyler Bowa, founder of People’s Bike, states China’s biggest fixed gear scenes are actually in Shenzhen and Dalian, where 7 months ago there were no such bikes. This movement is spreading to cities nationwide: Suzhou, Nanjing, Chengdu, Wuhan, the list goes on. But why? The fixed gear industry has done little-to-nothing to popularize this product in China. Besides a handful of local companies, like airwalk (link), fixed gear brands have mostly neglected their relationship with the Chinese consumer. This, of course, will change very soon.

Crucial to the rise of fixies in China has been the internet. For one, the fixed gear scene has become increasingly well-documented. Videos and photos litter the online world. These bikes are popping up on popular websites, blogs, and video sharing websites. Chinese youth can watch popular fixie movies, such as MashSF, on youku. Secondly, the internet has provided a place for riders to organize communities. Threemin, China’s first fixed gear website has an active forum, with roughly 4,000 members for its Southern China forum alone.

Also worth mentioning is the sometimes subliminal cultural magnetism of China’s neighbors — Japan, Korea, and Taiwan — where fixed gears have an already long-established tradition. But Karl Ke, co-founder ofPeople’s Bike, notes that beyond just fixed gears, bicycle culture is experiencing a resurgence in China.

“Basically, I think people more and more fancy riding a bike, based on four key areas: 1) the government began extensive promotion of environmental protection concepts. 2) More and more Western media are promoting the concept of bike riding and healthy living. 3) More people want to escape from depression and immerse themselves in city life. Cycling is one of the most effective and easy ways to escape and control things in one’s daily life. 4) Fixed gear is simple and close to the concept of extreme sports, but has its own unparalleled noble temperament.”

For many young Chinese today, the bicycle stands for much more than just a means of transportation. It is now a fast-growing culture, that consists of a large community dispersed throughout China. This is especially the case for fixed gears. Websites like People’s Bike and Threemin keep riders all over connected, while events like Alleycat (video here) have united riders from all over for races in Beijing, Shanghai, and this weekend Guangzhou. This community will continue to grow. The second half of 2009 saw a real explosion in China’s fixed gear scene, but that was just a taste of things to come as we enter a new decade.

We expect to see brands hoping on the bandwagon in the immediate future. Brands like Puma and Thule have already associated themselves with local bike culture by sponsoring the Shanghai Alleycat. Expect more of this, but also expect the fixed gear industry to open its eyes to the China market. It’s an open playing field. Giant will be entering the fixed gear market soon with a new brand called Momentum. This is smart. Fixed gear aficionados tend to stay away from mega-brands when building their cycle. This demographic seeks a personal relationship with their bike. A Giant branded bike would ultimately fail. As Tyler Bowa states, “we don’t want to walk into a big store and pick something off the wall, that’s why small bike companies thrive throughout the world.”

For some great Shanghai fixie photos, check out Tyler Bowa’s portraits on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/peoplesbike. All photos are from Tyler Bowa and People’s Bike.