Fixies, Fixed, Fixed gear, track bike — whatever you wanna call them — are all the rage in the urban dwellings, mainly NY, SF and LA. Most hipsters don’t even know why they have one, just that it is the new accessory to have these days. Hell, I can even admit to owning one, although its a single speed not fixed. Not because I’m tryin to be hip but because it’s basically my car for the time being.

Now that they are in the limelight, every company that can spit one out, regardless of whether they’ve ever done anything even remotely bike-related, is foaming at the mouth to capitalize on this semi-fad. Like the hipsters, most have no idea why they need to waste their money building one, they just know that they need to. While a lot of companies put together the most gawdy, overpriced, ill-conceived, unrideable bike they can make up [i'm looking at you kidrobot], a few get it right the first time. Prime example is the Element x Krabo fixed gear bike^1. .

What can I say — this thing is beautiful. Awesome part selection, although a bit pricey, great color combos, very easy on the eyes. But here is the downside: these things are probably gonna cost out the ass. There are only five of these handmade beauties to be produced, and I, for the life of me, can’t find a price for this one anywhere. Which usually means if you have to ask you can’t afford it. With a quality company like Krabo on the job, it almost justifies it, though. If anyone knows what the price is, please shot me a line. Or if you have rather deep pockets, order me one

So to all the other, “I have nothing to do with bikes” companies looking to milk the fixed craze to death, use this bike as your template: simple + quality is always a win.

1. although for some reason they have it listed as a single speed [↩]