[Hot Take] Fixed gear biking begins to feel like an equivalent to car tuning (but in a good way)

Fixed gear biking and car tuning evolved from racing into some kind of sub culture. One difference in the evolution of the culture is the impact of bike messaging - in car tuning there is nothing comparable to that (as far as I am aware).

However, both groups share some similarities. They meet up, do group rides, and are really passionate about optimising their rides, specific parts and brands and certains ways of doing stuff (e.g. the brake/brakeless debate in fixed gear and the transmission/automatic debate in car [it's not comparable, I know]).

The general vibe of the bikes/cars is quite similar: they look special and one can tell, a lot of money and effort hase gone into them. Most of the work is done by the owners, not by paid mechanics. People take pride in their work and rightfully so. In a way a fixed gear bike might feel a bit like the cars we used to build in our beloved early to mid 2000 "Need For Speed" games.

However today with modern cars, it gets more and more difficult to tune those by yourself. Today there might not be a tuning scene as in the NFS games or as was shown in the early "Fast and Furious" movies (if there ever was). With bikes and especially fixed gear bikes it's quite the opposite: it's still (relatively) easy to work on those by yourself and I feel like more and more people find joy in it.

Biggest difference in my opinio is that riding a fixed gear bike requires some skill and - especially if you want to go fast - strength and stamina. And last but not least it's a heck of a lot better for your health and the environment.

So fixed gear biking might evolve in some kind of sub culture, like a "better" car tuning but for bikes.