This week's Wprost contains an article about Polish hipsters, Dyskretne promieniowanie lansem (soooooo 2008, and behind a sad little paywall) covering all aspects of hipster life, fashion, music, etc. Trendiest places? PKP Powiśle and Plan B. Trendiest form of transport? Bicycle. Not just any bicycle - as well as the amsterdamka (Dutch gas-pipe roadsters, with lady's frame)... najmodniejsze w tym sezonie ostre koło - rower bez przerzutek i hamulców (OK, może być ewentualnie przedni hamulec) - "most fashionable this season - a fixed-wheel bike ['fixie'] - a bike without gears or brakes (OK, maybe front brakes)"
This season??? My dear Aleksandra Krzyżaniak-Gumowska! How out-of-touch you are! The fixie has been a hipster accoutrement since the late '90s, bicycle couriers being at the forefront of popularising this type.
Above: Trying too hard. White tyres? Matching saddle and grips? Minimalist front brake cable? Le Vélo de Merci? Pretentious? Moi?
Ah! This is it - purity. A real track frame (rear-facing drop-outs), rear aero-rim with matching chainwheel, Criterion geometry, Brooks leather saddle - I doubt if this is a hipster's bike. The owner knows what's going on.
Hmmm. Again, trying too hard. No front brake. No helmet. On your head be it (literally). The white-black-red scheme - isn't it just a bit too - factory?Links:
Australian Honda Jazz advert, featuring hipsters and fixies
Hipster Hitler never invaded Switzerland
My own fixie here, here and here
This time last year:
Exit polls can get it wrong
This time two years ago:
In search of good Polish beer
This time three years ago:
In the Solstice garden
Hipsters...?
ReplyDeleteGood to find out such a subculture exists at all. I've probably grown out of keeping up with all new fashions, rages, etc.
Not a surprise to learn that journalists are out of touch as well - typisch...
Here's a very witty and slightly rude take on this subculture. This makes me laugh as I lived in Shoreditch, where most of this video is set and whose fashion styles most of the Polish hipster seem to take their cue, for two years.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVmmYMwFj1I
Funny to read it, noticeable you are correct and sadly these bikes are dangerous. Yet as I'm living downtown and mostly driving by car (sadly) from A to B I see the past year more and more bike roads pop up. A good thing when not having a decent brake (-;. Yet as I'm from The Netherlands and its kind of hard to a find a "normal" amsterdamka around in Warsaw. Starting to think of importing one instead.
ReplyDeleteP.s. nice and interesting blog!