The Chainlink

Fixed-gear bikes showing up in every TV ad lately...

Should I be happy that basically every 30 second TV and print ad has a bicycle in it? Or annoyed that they are all bull-horned fixies?  I see them everywhere - for fast food, cell phones, banks...

 

Here's my pitch for a new ad:

 

A woman leaves the Verizon store. Before she pedals away on a nice upright commuter with a basket, she checks her Samsung Galaxy for directions. Then she stops at a red light (camera makes a point to show she's NOT in the crosswalk).

 

There we see a messenger-chic wannabe fixster, with cycling-cap and waxed mustache, gauged ears, a brand-new Chrome bag, and jeans so tight his leg hairs are sticking through, who can't track stand and is riding in circles trying to find an opening to run the red, oblivious to people in the cross walk.

Light turns green, woman goes, and after she swerves to avoid the guy falling over, she says...


"iPhone user."

 


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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 15, 2012 at 2:03pm

I haven't noticed what type of bike, but I definitely notice that every other commercial has a bike in it now.  

Permalink Reply by Brian F Morrissey on October 15, 2012 at 2:08pm

Watch for it.  They all have bullhorn bars.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 15, 2012 at 3:41pm

anger...

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on October 15, 2012 at 4:04pm

You should be happy that so many bikes are showing up in ads. At the risk of watering down my twitter value by repeating myself here, I'm pretty sure that somewhere close to zero percent of of the people seeing an ad on mainstream television are going to even know what a fixie is, let alone notice that any given bike in an ad is one.

I would also refer you to the unironic message in your attached graphic. :)

Permalink Reply by Blatherskate on October 15, 2012 at 4:05pm

Premium Rush is hilariously awesome!

Wasn't the fixie craze over 3 years ago?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 15, 2012 at 4:09pm

"I got a package for you, 90 minutes, premium rush. Don’t screw it up."

Permalink Reply by Brian F Morrissey on October 15, 2012 at 4:18pm

You are FAR too pragmatic, Tony. ;)  I suppose I should focus on the "good news" side of this.

But then, I just love it when I have to walk around 4 or 5 teenagers blocking the sidewalk while they mill about on their big-box-sold single-speeds w/ top tube pads.  I LOVE IT!

A funny analogy would be fixie poseurs are like Blackberry users who don't realize it's 2012, instead of 2002.


Tony Adams said:

You should be happy that so many bikes are showing up in ads. At the risk of watering down my twitter value by repeating myself here, I'm pretty sure that somewhere close to zero percent of of the people seeing an ad on mainstream television are going to even know what a fixie is, let alone notice that any given bike in an ad is one.

I would also refer you to the unironic message in your attached graphic. :)

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on October 15, 2012 at 4:33pm

Love your pitch, Brian! And the graphic. Add no lights/reflectors and earphones in on these guys and you have it covered. Though, I'd have the woman with a rack and a nice Chicago Po Campo bag/pannier rather than a basket...

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on October 15, 2012 at 5:32pm

Yes! It is pretty funny to see tons of kids riding SS now (I never see the chain on the fixed side of the hub, but my sample is pretty small) now down in the hood (McKinley Park).

Your big box comment reminds me of seeing a lot of fixie/SS images in the City Target billboards and bus shelter ads kind of recently. That led me to wonder if they actually sold them. I don't recall seeing any in my local Target. Do they even sell bikes at the City Target? If so, are there any fixies there?


Brian F Morrissey said:

You are FAR too pragmatic, Tony. ;)  I suppose I should focus on the "good news" side of this.

But then, I just love it when I have to walk around 4 or 5 teenagers blocking the sidewalk while they mill about on their big-box-sold single-speeds w/ top tube pads.  I LOVE IT!

A funny analogy would be fixie poseurs are like Blackberry users who don't realize it's 2012, instead of 2002.


Tony Adams said:

You should be happy that so many bikes are showing up in ads. At the risk of watering down my twitter value by repeating myself here, I'm pretty sure that somewhere close to zero percent of of the people seeing an ad on mainstream television are going to even know what a fixie is, let alone notice that any given bike in an ad is one.

I would also refer you to the unironic message in your attached graphic. :)

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on October 15, 2012 at 5:55pm

I don't know if they sell bikes at the City Target, but the one on Elston has a fixed gear bike(I only saw it because I was looking at the legos)...It's called "fix-d" or something like that. If I remember correct, it's got  risers and was white with lime accents on it. Also, I believe it had 28" wheels. I know one of the bikes there had 28" wheels. The sign just looked weird to me.

I'm happy with my fixed gear bike, but I know I'll be looking at a geared bike in the next year or so.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on October 16, 2012 at 12:59pm

I just walked over and checked. They do sell bikes, or something like bikes anyway - a measly collection of 21 different department store clunkers. Most of the hybrids have front suspension. There was nothing suitable for commuting or utility biking - the only bike with both fenders and a rack was a retro-cruiser. jesus wept

But in keeping with their theme of using bikes they don't sell in advertising, there is currently a red cruiser they don't sell in one of their State Street window displays.


J. Smith said:

I don't know if they sell bikes at the City Target, but the one on Elston has a fixed gear bike(I only saw it because I was looking at the legos)...It's called "fix-d" or something like that. If I remember correct, it's got  risers and was white with lime accents on it. Also, I believe it had 28" wheels. I know one of the bikes there had 28" wheels. The sign just looked weird to me.

I'm happy with my fixed gear bike, but I know I'll be looking at a geared bike in the next year or so.

Permalink Reply by your duncle on October 16, 2012 at 3:51pm

Count the days until you see the ad with "Joe Camel" on a fixie.  

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