10 Perks of Fixed Gear Cycling in Taiwan

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Taiwan is a blend of perks and challenges and serves as a place where fixed gear riders from all over the world can come together to ride and just have fun. For that reason, I’ve found Taiwan to be one of fixed gear cycling’s hidden gems.

But this isn't your typical travel video where I make a location look perfect from every angle. Here's the good, the bad, the ugly, and the sweaty: perks of fixed gear cycling in Taiwan.

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#fixedgearasia #fixedgeartaiwan #fixedgearbike

[tonyperotti]

I’m not a fixie rider but I love your vids. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Thanks

[BruceChastain]

Here in Switzerland you can find so many excellent climbs pretty much anywhere. Also Switzerland has a network of gravel roads that allow you go pretty much anywhere in the country car free.

[thefile]

0:19 i've left thaiwan and relocated to tailand so its thyme to say goodbye to tywan for the taem being

[michaelfreeman]

I’m from London and the fixed gear scene here is good! People like fixed beers and Icarus fixed keep it going - you have to come sometime!

[FJ-xzyy]

Riding here in the Philippines will be like Taiwan, with extra steps. Steps made of lava. Lava from hell. Dangerous 👏

[valensi]

Here in Italy of course the scene is 99% dominated by road bikes but the fixed gear scene is always there.
In Milano we have a couple of good velodromes to train, one of which is the famous Vigorelli, plus a lot of people choose to ride fixed in the city.
In general I think Italy is a more competitive scene, with lots of criterium races and competitive fixed gear teams, also pro sprinters or pro roadies that use fixed gear as a training.
Tradition in Italy is everything.

[barrettdonnelly]

I’m from Denver Colorado where the fixed scene is pretty good but I could definitely see myself taking a trip to Taiwan in the future just to visit faith gear and go on a sick night ride

[dslapster]

I ride in the north Orlando area, mostly Apopka, quite hilly for Florida. Making me a stronger rider all around. Great video Zack. Keep them coming .

[CSFamily]

It’s cool Fixed Gear, my family cycling around Taiwan last month and recently uploaded videos. #天晴天藍環島畢旅

[julianalbertson]

I’m from Sf but I spent my summer in Taiwan for a lab internship. Incredible country. Didn’t do much biking but the hiking is fantastic aswell.

[abhijith]

Taiwan sounds a lot like Trivandrum (Kerala) in India. The heat, humidity, traffic, weird people who stare at cyclists like aliens, unstable weather, changing terrain, and most annoyingly stray dogs : ) )
You should try this city some time. Would be fun to ride with you. But I haven't seen any other fixed gear riders apart from I, me and myself :D

[count_of]

Wabi cycles are gorgeous. I'd love to have one. Or three. But I need something in the 60s cm range.

[suesskind]

This sounds wonderful and makes me want to visit! Also, a german viewer and fan here. So go ahead. Toot that horn!

[migsduenas]

Here in the Philippines, people will judge you with the bike you ride. But if you meet people with the same style of your riding or same "niche" then, it will be enjoyable and fun. Just mind that you might need a tracklocross build because of the road...

[mangofoldie]

Totally hear you. Went biking with a guy in Taiwan, we stop at a 7-11. He casually places his carbon road bike against the wall without a lock, and asks if we want to rest a bit. We eat some snacks bikes are completely out of sight. Im super anxious about my cheaper bike getting stolen but of course nothing happens. Safe place

[AnimusBCC]

I ride in the Seattle area and its definitely not a flat area. I have to ride smart. Pick the correct hill routes to safely descend and because its so compact here I have to pick when where and how I choose to ride on the road. Overall I feel like a stronger more aware cyclist for riding fixed in such a challenging city.

[enriquechocair]

Not sure if I would call them perks, but:
Highly dense population, you learn how to hunt for space
Drivers dont respect cyclist, it teaches you how to survive to road rage, makes you a better sprinter
Weather sucks, it rains all year round and it can be unexpected, so you learn how to be prepared for rain, hot weather, you learn how to ride with wind
Streets are a mess (design), so you have routes in mind at all times and your sense of location gets trained
There are a lot more of them to list them. I have a love/hate relationship with the chaos of mexico city. Riding here gave me good survival riding skills ("gave me", as if i finished learning how to ride in the middle of this beautiful and horrible chaos)

[dannystarkridesfixed]

I have no perks living in Vallejo its too good LOL. got ny bike stolen in 2011. I guess one perk of Vallejo is that it's nutueral to various other cities around. Especially since I live a few blocks from the carquinez bridge and the benicia Vallejo border isn't very far from my house either.

[footieballer]

Going to call you “The Ambassador”. All the best in Thailand. Also, I ride my bike everyday. Cheers.

[LUIx]

Down here in Chile, things are Chill jeje people often respect you when you on your bike, every were you go in the capital it's always going to be a climb and a super fast way down, buses thou are our biggest enemy so as taxis, fixed gear scene I havent seen much but I know that they are really hardcore.