What started off as a bunch of London skaters riding their bikes soon evolved into Fixed Gear London, which is both a club for riders and a team of bike builders. Now a couple of years older and ever more crafty on two wheels, we spoke with founder Andy Ellis about FGLDN and the fixie scene in jolly ol’ London.
How’s a skater end up in London?
I came here to study and just ended up staying.
When did you get into fixed gears?
I’d spent a long time looking at the fixedgeargallery.com. I liked the simplicity of the bikes at first, but then I got fascinated by how they work and I wanted to see if I could ride one. It was three years ago when Ted and I went to the local Sunday market. I got myself an old frame and wheelset, then put the bike together when I got home. Haven’t ridden anything else since.
What was the impetus for starting the Fixed Gear London crew?
It just naturally happened; we met, rode together and discovered that we all have a lot in common. Skateboarding seems to be the main link.
What was the hardest thing to adjust to once you took the brakes off? What mistakes do you still make?
Just the thinking… I mean, at first you doubt that you can do it. I saved to get myself a Nagasawa and I’d promised my old bike to somebody else. As soon as I got my dream frame, I was like, there is no way I’m gonna drill that for a brake! So I just got on with riding it. I was a messenger at that time and the job got harder to do as soon as I got that bike. I didn’t want to crash ever, so I was concentrating like crazy. That experience made me into a super aware rider. You can only make a mistake once—after that, you better have learned your lesson. I’ve not crashed yet, if I do, I’ll know it wasn’t my fault.
Are track bikes common in London? Is there a reason they’ve become more popular, like the taxes on driving into the city center?
Common as pigeons now! Everyone and their mum’s got one. It’s good though. It could be something to do with the congestion charge. It’s not one reason, but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say it was the best machine to travel on through the city. Also it’s something different from the mainstream; that’s always a puller.
What’s the best part about riding in London?
The best part is that London is an old and intricate city. We’re always winding our way through traffic, you never know what is round the corner, you have to be aware and it keeps you on your toes! The worst part is our famous London weather.
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