The next big thing

September 14, 2007 @ 10:39 AM by Mark Noble

Every year, the bike industry as a whole goes a little bit nuts over a new genre in cycling and, before you know it, it’s “the next big thing”. Hit up a major trade show in the Autumn such as Eurobike or Interbike and all the forward-thinking bike brands will be scrambling for a piece of the new action. One year it’s downhill bikes with 9 inches of suspension, then tandems, next it’s boardwalk cruisers, the next season it’s city bikes, the following year it’s hybrids, then beach cruisers with 84-inch wheelbases and 3-inch wide tyres with flames on them will be the hot new ticket from each company. The cycle industry is definitely cyclical... BMX is obviously too established to be a part of this nonsense. Want to know what everyone’s getting into this year?

FIXIES...

Or, single speed road racing bikes with no brakes and a fixed gear hub and super-narrow handlebars. It’s cycling as bare bones as you can get it. Now, I will admit that these bikes look extremely simple and clean, some of the new models look beautiful no less, and for commuting about the city avoiding buses, taxis, and Ken Livingstone’s congestion charge they’re bang on. But, riding street on them seems a bit bizarre. Horses for courses, in my opinion. And doing a 180 down stairs on one of these fixies is a little like taking a flatland bike to a trails jam. Nonetheless, the bike industry is all over it like a rash – and even various BMX companies are getting into it; Profile Racing have just launched a set of fixie hubs.

Here’s Christian, at Profile’s World HQ in Florida, with a little more information about this – basically, what is this hub about there big guy?

“Profile Racing’s legendary BMX bicycle component quality has arrived for track and fixed-gear bicycle riding enthusiasts. For those unfamiliar with fixed hubs, the rear hub doesn’t coast or freewheel, the gear or cog is fixed to the hub. Profile’s design features a fixed cog on one side and a freewheel on the other. The rider can switch from fixed gear riding to a freewheel just by turning the wheel over. Cogs are sold separately, Profile is manufacturing 13-14-15-16 tooth cogs for 3/32 and 1/8 chains. We will have larger cogs (17-18-19-20) available soon.”

But what about that hub spacing? Give us the tech, chief.

“The rear hub is offered with either 120mm or 130mm spacing, for true Track frames, or converted road bike frames, respectively. If the demand is strong enough, we will make 110mm spaced rear hubs for NJS frames. To complete the track hubset, Profile’s front hub is available in standard 100mm spacing. Axle ends are available with Allen headed Cr Mo bolts, Quick Release or, Titanium Allen-headed bolts as an upgrade. They will be sold only in pairs.”

Charge Bikes, a very fine UK bike company, make a sweet example called a Plug. Check it out on their website; click here.

So there you have it. But, I’m still not sure. I mean, check out the video clip at the bottom -- does this float your boat?

--MN

Profile Rear Hub Specs

120mm or 130mm Spacing, 110mm spacing possible

44mm chain line

Axle Option – CrMo or Ti Bolt on or Quick Release skewers

Available in Silver, Black, Deep Purple, Deep Red, Blue, and Deep Green, hubs and matching axle ends. 3/32 and 1/8 cogs in 13-14-15-16 available now, 17-18 available soon, larger sizes possible, machined in USA from 4340 quenched and tempered steel. Lock ring included.

28, 32 or 36-Holed

Profile Front Hub Specs

100mm spacing only

Axle Option – CrMo or Ti Bolt on or Quick Release skewers

Available in Silver, Black Deep Purple, Deep Red, Blue, and Deep Green, hubs and matching axle ends. 28, 32 or 36-Holed

profileracing.com

A random fixie video. Nice bunnyhop contest... it's just not as rad as BMX though, eh?


Catch the Latest Ride BMX Videos on Mpora.com





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