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No freewheel: This image emphasizes the simplicity, and indeed appeal of the fixie bike. http://media.photobucket.com In Jakarta, a city well known for its congestion, smog filled sky and blurred horizons, an opposing sub-culture is on the incline. And in this case they are literally pedalling up hill. Yes, we’re talking about fixie-bike culture.

Fixed-gear bikes originated as the humble transportation mode of many global postal and messenger services.
Simplicity had always been the essence, to keep them lightweight, increase speed and efficiency, and also to avoid parts being stolen when deliveries were being made.
In it’s purest form, the fixie-bike has no brakes, the chain is shorter and wider than on other bikes,
and often the rear cog is bolted directly to the hub, so the pedals are always moving when the bike’s in motion. Therefore don’t count on “coasting” on a fixie, because it won’t end well.
Chasing rainbows: Some of the pre-made bikes at Citra Bike. Isabelle TolhurstNew York writer Jocko Weyland, author of The Answer Is Never: A Skateboarder’s History of the World, and cultural commentator makes the assumption that, “there are no fenders, and the rear wheels are probably bolted onto the frame to deter theft.” He goes onto say that “you slow down by reversing the pedals, or skidding, or doing a skip stop. And that’s just the beginning of the differences between your run-of-the-mill 10-speed and a track bike, or fixed-gear bike — fixie for short — as it is also known.”
The trend has inspired major cities around the world, including New York, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Berlin and Paris. A visit to the right suburbs, at the right times will leave you awed by a myriad of color, steel, seat and wheel hurtling past at often unfathomable speeds.
And while the country might be lagging behind when it comes to providing adequate infrastructure for bike riders, fixie-bike culture is very much up to speed, and just like the bike itself, appears to be void of brakes. Ganjar Galuh Mugraha (Dadat), Rangga Ilham (Rangga) and Bagus Arinta (Bagong) are members of a group who call them selves “Glowxie — since 2X10”, which makes up just one small splinter of the fixed gear community.
The trio say they fell in love with the sensation and freedom of brakeless riding, but also claim that “it’s a definitely a fashion thing.”
When the group look fondly out at their creative offspring (as each bikes is custom made from the bottom up, with some parts taken from their rusting predecessors of the 1970s and 1980s) parked neatly on the sidewalk, it reiterates just how passionate and appreciative they are of its simple form and beauty.
Glowxie take to the streets together about twice a week, cruising around areas like Kemang, Monas and Sudirman, though admit they don’t always fancy an early awakening for car-free Sundays. But even if partying occasionally gets in the way of a dawn cruise, fixed-gear riding is not a habit they’re going to break any time soon. “We’re addicted!” said Bagong.
A glance into Suropati Park on a Friday night also confirms this is no flash-in-the-pan craze.
Fixie addicts: Dadat (from left), Rangga and Bagong represent their fixie crew, Glowxie — since 2X10. They regularly ride around the Kemang area. Isabelle TolhurstFixed-gear riders can be seen gathering to perform tricks; the more experienced teaching amateurs new skills, showing off and admiring combinations and chromes, or just hanging out.
And though men seem enthusiastically accounted for in the scene, women too play a role in the fixed-gear revolution — taking the boys for a ride when it comes to pulling off skids and stunts like Kakatiara Nasution (Kaka).
Kaka started riding in early 2010, and akin to many fixie riders, says she “just loves the color and simplicity.” She rides with a crew of about 25 people, called “Cixie” (Cikini Fixie), and embraces the challenge of being one of the few girls who do tricks. However, Kaka confirmed that she is not totally alone, and knows many female riders who are certainly proud and outspoken about their demographic.
“There are lots of girls!” says Kaka. “Many of them are my friends.”
Their websites, Cixie chix and Reflectéur Bandi paint an impressive picture of the effeminate contribution to the scene in Jakarta.
Reinventing the wheel: A worker at Cyclo Bike Co. in Kemang works on a wheel, just one of many stages in building a custom made fixie-bike.Isabelle TolhurstIn the birth place of every uniquely crafted vehicle — the now not so reticent bike shop — walls are spattered ceiling high with wheels, frames, chains, pedals, toe cages, handgrips, tyres, seats, hubs; and creativity reins free. And though the fixie-bike prides itself on elegance through simplicity, the price tag is not often so naïve, and the local industry has quickly become a lucrative one.
Custom made fixed gear bikes can range in price from anywhere between “Rp 15 million; where the frame alone can be worth Rp 10 million,” and “Rp 1.8 million; if we really try to press the budget,” says Piter Jong, who has taken over ownership of his parents bike shop, Citra Bike, on Sumur Batu. The shop has been in existence for 22 years.
“I think it became so popular because of the design and color. It’s possible for each rider to choose their own colours, and combine parts as they like. And Indonesians tend to like things they can do together — we call it “kong kow;” it means hanging out — and fixie-bikes are a great thing to talk about. Also, I think many young people like the challenge of brakeless riding,” he says.
“Finally, I think it’s a fashion thing too…sometimes when people come into my shop and pick a particular part I ask them, ‘why do you choose this part, it’s not very comfortable?’ they simply say, ‘because it looks good’.”
Piter’s eight permanent staff work tirelessly in grease-stained shirts to complete fixie-designs and orders that come in, usually completing between five and 10 bikes a day.
“For me here, the maximum amount made in one day from sales was about Rp 50 million,” he estimates.
Looking at the cycling community more broadly, the Bike to Work (B2W) initiative — chaired and co-founded by Toto Soegito — has campaigned determinedly over the past five years for improved infrastructure and designated bike lanes, though progress has been slow.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed road traffic injury as “one of the fastest growing epidemics in Southeast Asia,” and the 2008 Regional Report on Status on Road Safety claimed that cyclists accounted for 13 percent of the over 16,000 annual road fatalities. And despite the campaign being backed by much of the fixed-gear community, riders remain undeterred. The same unwavering confidence seems to apply when it comes to wearing helmets, which is not yet a legal requirement for cyclists in Indonesia. “My bike, my rules!” says Rongga bluntly.
And while others have been quick to condemn the pace at which policy supporting the cycling community progresses, Piter is not without praise.
“I think that some credit needs to be given to the government for the car-free day. I don’t think as many people would have started riding if it wasn’t for that.”

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/01/25/pedal-power.html