Fixed Gear Criteriums Have a Massive Issue. Here’s the Game Plan to Solve It
When I first launched Slow Spin Society with a sharp focus on fixed gear culture, I think deep down I wanted to help sparking another “fixed gear boom”, following the one we saw in the 2010s. One of the most unforgettable highlights from that era has to be the Red Hook Crit. This fixed gear criterium is something everyone’s tried to replicate ever since, but without anyone’s quite nailing it yet. Honestly, if there was one thing I thought could outshine everything else in fixed gear culture in the eyes of non-cyclists, it’d be criteriums. They’re fast, intense, super engaging as an audience, and somehow both easy to pick up and ridiculously tough to master.
But as the years rolled on, companies started shifting their attention to other disciplines, and fixed gear crits couldn’t withstand the test of time. Red Hook faded away, leaving room for a slew of smaller events trying to carve out their own path. There’s nothing wrong with that, and since the racing format is pretty much the same, riders and sponsors knew what to expect. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that none of them ever caught traction the way Red Hook did.
Pulling off an event like this is anything but simple. You’ve got to secure a location, sort out insurance, handle communication and marketing, round up enough riders, draw a decent crowd, and of course scrape together the funds and sponsors to keep it all together. Anyone who takes on that mountain of work deserves serious props. Let’s be real: there’s rarely any profit in it. Everyone involved knows that, and yet they are still making it happen. For the community, the thrill of racing, and the love of the culture.
As I dig into this, keep in mind I’m coming at it as an outsider who’s rooting for the scene to thrive, not here to cast a shade what’s already been built.
So, what’s holding fixed gear criteriums back? Why aren’t we seeing more races pop up, more teams forming? Why is it so hard to lock down sponsors, and what could turn that around?
Let’s step back for a moment and imagine fixed gear criteriums through the eyes of someone who’s never heard of them.
At its core, it’s racing, simple enough. But here’s the thing: fast-paced racing hooks people of all ages, whether it’s road cycling, F1 cars, motorcycles, sailing, or anything that looks quick to the human eye. Speed has a universal pull.
It’s extreme! Fixed gear criteriums are, without a doubt, an extreme sport. Picture throwing yourself into tight corners, surrounded by a pack of riders, on a bike with no brakes, and your only protection is a helmet. It doesn’t get much more intense or raw than that.
It’s engaging! Most race courses are compact enough to fit inside a stadium, giving you a front-row seat to every second of the action. Even if you’re right down at track level, you can still pretty much catch everything happening. Riders battling it out, sprinting for the line, or the occasional crash that will make a general gasp in the audience, for the rider climbing back on his bike, creating euphoria in the crowd.
It’s high visibility! From traditional marketing to pop-up shops, team sponsors, trackside ads, live broadcasting commercials, and plenty more, fixed gear criteriums open the door wide for brands. They can jump in, sponsor the event, and promote themselves however they like, with almost ENDLESS possibilities to get their name out there.
possibilities to get their name out there.
You’d think all of this would be the perfect recipe for success, right? Well, the ingredients aren’t the issue. The problem is everyone’s trying to make a cake without bothering to bake it. Fixed gear criteriums, as they stand today, are up against some real obstacles.
There’s no overarching league or governing body. That means no consistency across events, even though they’re running the same race format, they barely talk to each other. No coordination, no unity.
No league also means no leaderboard. You’re hauling yourself from event to event, pouring everything into it, but the prize at the end doesn’t get you anywhere bigger. You’re fighting for that one race, with no broader payoff in sight, no invite to a big finale, no grand prize, and barely any exposure for you or your team.
No schedule! That’s what kicked this whole rant off for me. I dug around for a while because I wanted to provide a schedule here on SSS and couldn’t find anyone putting together a master list of races. What am I supposed to do? Follow dozens of Instagram accounts, praying their next race post doesn’t get buried in my feed? Sign up for a stack of newsletters and hope they actually send updates? How do I juggle this with work? How do I pitch a solid season to sponsors to convince them to throw me even a shred of support?
And where’s the next event? Am I seriously supposed to rely on word of mouth? Are you kidding me?
Alright, I’ve said my piece, so here are some potential solutions! Not all of them work on a tight budget, but most of it literally just takes working together, and I’m pretty sure the rest will fall into place once that happens.
Establish a Unified League: The lack of an overarching league or governing body is a massive roadblock. Without coordination, events stay fragmented, inconsistent, and tough to track. A league could standardize rules to ensure consistency in race formats, bike regulations, and safety protocols while building trust with riders, spectators, and sponsors. It’d also be perfect for aligning schedules, avoiding conflicts, and creating a cohesive season. Plus, a governing body could reach out to existing cycling organizations to gain legitimacy (street cred alone isn’t enough this time), without losing the true raw identity of fixed gear crits.
Create a Seasonal Leaderboard and Championship: Set up a points-based leaderboard updated after every race. This gives riders a real goal beyond just winning single events and keeps fans hooked on who’s gonna crush it as the season champ.
Host a Season Finale: How does “Fixed Gear Criterium World Championship” sound? I’ll tell you: it sounds freaking awesome to literally everyone! Riders, spectators, sponsors, they would all want in on that high-profile action. A big event like that means serious rewards too. Beyond bragging rights or a wheelset, what if your leaderboard spot unlocked sponsorship deals, media exposure, and more? That’s how you pull in elite talent and keep them locked into this discipline.
Develop a Comprehensive Race Calendar: I’m circling back to this because it literally just needs communication and a webpage. Heck, I could do it! The frustration of not finding a solid race schedule is a total downer for everyone. A one-stop hub would let organizers post registration details, link to live streams, sell tickets for spectators, and, of course, show off that leaderboard we just talked about.
These are my top four points to transform fixed gear criteriums into something that hooks everyone: riders, sponsors, and fans alike! Brands and sponsors would target some real rewards, building loyalty among a growing fanbase. Spectators would get a massively improved experience, better access, awesome vibes, and a front-row seat to the action.
In the long run, scaling up this whole experience would unlock crazy race locations. (Money is always the main issue, so even if we’re not aiming for Monaco, let’s figure out somewhere fun to ride) For racers, it’s finally a proper season with tangible payoffs at the end. Think podium glory and real recognition. The surge in brand partnerships and spectator turnout would also open doors to always more opportunities. Team support, training programs, and beginner categories? The possibilities are wide open and almost limitless!
Fixed gear criteriums have all the cards to blow up, and if you need help making it happen, hit me up! I’ve got a contact page, reach out, and I’ll help in however I can. If you’re hunting for sponsors and they’re not quite getting it, send them this article.
But here’s the real deal: we can’t make it work if everyone’s just doing their own little league in their corner of the room. It’s time to team up and turn this into something huge!
Yes, I had a lot of time to think during my 12 hours drive back from Berlin, followed by a 15 hours flight.
🎞: Many
📷: Leica M6/M4
📍: Berlin
