The track plays by the rules, the street makes its own

Fixed-gear bikes aren’t just a way to get from point A to point B—they’re a statement. A lifestyle. A raw, stripped-down approach to cycling that’s as much about attitude as it is about movement.

It all starts on the velodrome. Fixed-gear bikes were born for the track, designed for pure speed and efficiency in a controlled, high-stakes environment. No gears, no coasting—just power, precision, and aerodynamics pushed to the absolute limit. Track cycling is where the most radical innovations in bike design happen. The pursuit of records like the Hour Record has given us some of the wildest, most futuristic bike shapes ever seen. Every material, every angle, every component is dialed in for one thing: going as fast as humanly possible.

And then, at some point, these machines escaped the track.

In the early 2000s, fixed-gear bikes—better known as fixies—became an urban icon. What started as a practical choice for bike messengers—lightweight, low-maintenance, and brutally efficient—turned into a full-blown cultural movement. No brakes (for the real ones), just you, your legs, and the road ahead. Every turn of the pedal is connected, every movement precise. Ride or be ridden.

Fixies aren’t just fast; they’re alive. They demand full control, full commitment. There’s no coasting, no time to slack. You stop with your legs, skid when needed, and flow through traffic like a glitch in the system. It’s the ultimate connection between rider and machine. An adrenaline rush that only those who have gripped the bars of a brakeless fixie and dived into city chaos can understand.

works by Olafur Eliasson and Rafael Lozano

But it’s more than just the ride—it’s the community. Cities worldwide have witnessed the rise of fixed-gear crews, underground races, and messenger subcultures that embody speed, rebellion, and raw energy. Alleycat races, midnight sprints, and the art of weaving through traffic like it’s second nature. Fixed-gear culture is DIY, street-level, and unapologetically bold.

At the same time, track cycling has never lost its allure. Velodromes, with their steep banks and perfectly curved lines, have captivated audiences for generations. There’s a raw beauty in the simplicity of track racing—man, machine, and the endless chase for speed. Whether it’s the Olympic Games or a local race, velodromes have a way of drawing people in, from seasoned athletes to kids dreaming of their first sprint on the boards.

It’s this balance—the precision of the track and the chaos of the streets—that defines fixed-gear culture today. That’s exactly what caught our attention when we came across Anton Kuznetsov on Instagram. His ability to merge the urban energy of street riding with the raw performance mindset of track cycling was something special. So, we had to ask him a few questions.

My name is Anton Kuznetzov, also known as Anton Bentframe. I’m 27 years old and work at the design studio Eburet as an operator of a large 3D printer, printing chairs and tables from recycled plastic.

MA: Mental Athletic wants to shake up sports aesthetics with a fresh language and build a network of people who experience sports differently. You seem like the perfect fit—there’s that attitude in you. So, who is Anton?

A.K.:I’m an easy-going, open-minded guy who can’t imagine life without a bike. Coffee lover. I do tricks on a fixed-gear bike, love traveling on road bikes, and enjoy training with friends on group rides. I went backpacking in Turkey, and it was an amazing experience! In the future, together with my friend and photographer Anton Selshot, I want to create a photo book documenting a year-long journey. Let’s see if we can make it happen!

MA: Why did you start cycling? Tell us about your journey.

A.K.: I started riding a fixed-gear bike in 2014. Before that, I had a BMX and used to do tricks at the skatepark, sometimes with my skateboard too. A year later, my BMX was stolen from outside my house—they cut the lock. After that, I wanted a new bike that could handle both tricks and city riding. At the time, fixed-gear bikes were kind of a stylish urban accessory—minimalist, sleek, with thin frames, large narrow wheels, and that clean aesthetic. My brother suggested I get a fixie and join the trend. He told me about the mechanics of a fixed-gear bike, the ability to pedal backward, and even ride in reverse. I was hooked on the idea of learning tricks on it, and that’s what pushed me to get one.

MA: How do you balance your bike life with high performance?

A.K.: I’ve always had a competitive mindset. When I ride around the city, I turn on Strava to track my rides and check my results so I can improve next time. I always want to push myself and try something new. That’s why I compete in all kinds of races, not just among fixed-gear urban riders.

MA: How did your passion for the track begin? What fascinates you about the velodrome?

A.K.: At first, I wasn’t interested in track cycling at all—I thought riding in circles indoors would be boring. But my friend Pete Lobanov, a track cyclist, gave me the chance to try it for the first time, and that completely changed my perspective. He introduced me to track racing, and I rode my first race on my Cinelli Vigorelli city bike. I figured that if I could go fast in city races, I could do it on the track too

Of course, I didn’t win anything, but I quickly realized that on the track, you need a fully optimized bike. For my next race, I prepped my bike properly and installed lightweight, more responsive wheels. That made a huge difference—I was much faster and experienced a whole new level of excitement.

Even though track cycling might seem like just riding in circles, winning a race requires more than just strength. You need strategy, timing, and the ability to think ahead. The rider who anticipates every move has the best chance of winning. In a way, riding on the velodrome is like playing chess on two wheels. That’s what fascinates me about the track.

MA: How brutally cold does it get in St. Petersburg? How do you even manage to train in winter?

A.K.: Winters in St. Petersburg range from +5°C to -20°C, but the wind is strong, and it feels freezing. I only train when the roads are dry. From December to March, it’s almost impossible because the snow keeps melting and refreezing, making it not just cold but also super wet. But I still use my bike for transportation all year round—to get to work, go to the store, or meet friends. I ride around 50 km daily, and honestly, that’s my real training.

MA: Italy is known as the sacred land of classic cycling. What’s the scene like in your part of the world?

A.K.: Cycling culture in Russia isn’t as developed, but the amateur cycling community has been growing a lot in recent years. More and more people are starting to use bikes as a form of transportation.

MA: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done on a bike?

A.K.: I’ve raced gravel on my aluminum road bike and even on a fixie. Every winter, I ride through snow and ice with skinny tires. At some point, I started thinking—maybe I actually need a gravel bike.

MA: Which brands get you the most hyped right now?

A.K.: Right now, I’d say S-Works, the high-performance line from Specialized.

MA: Fixed-gear was a massive global phenomenon in the early 2000s. A lot of riders eventually transitioned to road cycling. Do you still see interest in fixed-gear among younger riders?

A.K.: Even though I now have a bike with gears and brakes, my love for fixed-gear riding is still strong. I love weaving through traffic—it feels like a game. When I’m fully connected to the bike, I don’t feel stressed at all. And there are still plenty of younger riders getting into the fixed-gear scene. The culture has changed a bit, but the philosophy behind it is still cool.

MA: Where do creativity and sports collide for you?

A.K.: For me, creativity comes through in how I do tricks on my fixie. It’s all about feeling the bike beneath me. To get to that level, you have to ride a lot and constantly refine your technique.

MA: What’s the most common comment people make after watching your videos?

A.K.: The most common comment under my videos? “Wear a helmet!”