Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Brakeless Deathwish

OK, I respect people who ride fixed and brakeless. You guys (and gals) got a lot more balls than me on my SS. But how about someone riding geared and brakeless? WTF?

I was riding down Chestnut, and got passed by some guy on a black bike with flop and chop bulls. I figure it is a fixie, and don't really pay any mind. Then a cab pulls over to stop in front of the kid, and he damn near rear ends it and has to jump up on the sidewalk. Now it was by no means a graceful hop up. Both feet hit the ground, boys about a half inch from the top tube. Gets back on and cruises down the sidewalk out into the intersection. So I pull in behind him, and that's when I hear the derailer clacking away as he is trying to shift from a dead stop. I start looking at the bars, and no brakes. At the next intersection I see him stopping by rubbing the shoe on the back tire. And this guy was by no means in control, weaving all over the place, in-between cars. Deathwish?

Maybe he won't be riding for too much longer???

yeah thats a little nuts...you don't have control...Thats the difference between fixed and this nutter...we're in control..

Funny enough I was at a LBS the other day with a few other Bikeforums guys...there was a wrench there, who had a SS MTB that he rides brakeless too...He jams his shoe between the wheel and the bike to slow down....like we did on our BMX's when we here kids!

ted shred rides a freewheel pista w/o brakes. his brakepads are the soles of his slip-on vans (stuck up on the rear wheel). there was a short on him in the bikefilmfest this year...

ted shred rides a freewheel pista w/o brakes. his brakepads are the soles of his slip-on vans (stuck up on the rear wheel). there was a short on him in the bikefilmfest this year...

that film was pretty entertaining - i was wincing watching him bomb down some of those SF hills... i wouldn't be surprised if his vans are consumed by flames in the near future.

ted was surprisingly good at footdown as well.

ted shred rides a freewheel pista w/o brakes. his brakepads are the soles of his slip-on vans (stuck up on the rear wheel). there was a short on him in the bikefilmfest this year...


HA! that's exactly who i thought of when i was reading the posts. I rode with him and a bunch of other kids in one of the scenes for the trailer of the bikefilmfest. He's bad ass. He also skids to a stop by kind of kicking his seat stays.

i was going to say "THATS CRAZY" but that's what most people say about fixies...so I'll just say "YIKES"

Holla!

ted shred rides a freewheel pista w/o brakes. his brakepads are the soles of his slip-on vans (stuck up on the rear wheel). there was a short on him in the bikefilmfest this year...

This kid was no Ted Shred.

I passed him at one point, and then thought what if he rear ends me at a stop light? So I let him get by me and watched him for about five blocks.

ted shred rides a freewheel pista w/o brakes. his brakepads are the soles of his slip-on vans (stuck up on the rear wheel). there was a short on him in the bikefilmfest this year...
This wil be the new bike of choice for hipsters in the future...mark my words!

On brakeless SS content, I ride a brakeless SS bike in the snow.

Wasn't Kevin Bacon riding a brakeless SS in Quicksilver?

Wasn't Kevin Bacon riding a brakeless SS in Quicksilver?
SS coaster brake, me thinks.

Wasn't Kevin Bacon riding a brakeless SS in Quicksilver?

His bike only has a freewheel during certain scenes (i.e. those involving jumps, and a few others, I believe) - most of the time it's fixed. I'm assuming the filmmakers figured people wouldn't notice. Either way, there are no brakes to be seen the whole time.

I was riding behind Ted on Sat. and had never heard of him before. We were being flanked by scooter cops, common sight these days. This one cop is watching him come to a stop at a red light standing on the rear wheel. The look on that cops face was priceless.

ted shred rides a freewheel pista w/o brakes. his brakepads are the soles of his slip-on vans (stuck up on the rear wheel). there was a short on him in the bikefilmfest this year...
any video clips available online?

I was riding behind Ted on Sat. and had never heard of him before. We were being flanked by scooter cops, common sight these days. This one cop is watching him come to a stop at a red light standing on the rear wheel. The look on that cops face was priceless.

i was in the parade, too.. one of the peeps in the funny white blow-up suits (http://www.aeolian-ride.info). it was so weird watching him in situ, i must have had a puzzled mug too...

i was in the parade, too.. one of the peeps in the funny white blow-up suits (http://www.aeolian-ride.info). it was so weird watching him in situ, i must have had a puzzled mug too...

I was rockin the orange netting. Was there to make my statement about permits and whatnot, but had a good time. Thanks for the link. I was wondering about the suits.

Edit: I just checked that i'd rather be doing thingy and have the same ride. Except mine is not an SE and it is covered in tape. '02 gold Fugi Track.

His bike only has a freewheel during certain scenes (i.e. those involving jumps, and a few others, I believe) - most of the time it's fixed. I'm assuming the filmmakers figured people wouldn't notice. Either way, there are no brakes to be seen the whole time.

Although through the whole movie there is this superimposed sound of a clicking freewheel when he's riding or walking his bike...

His bike only has a freewheel during certain scenes (i.e. those involving jumps, and a few others, I believe) - most of the time it's fixed. I'm assuming the filmmakers figured people wouldn't notice. Either way, there are no brakes to be seen the whole time.


there is one scene with brakes: when he's going down a flight of stairs... he's in the drops, freewheeling and squeezing both front and rear brake levers. it's easy to miss, i had to pause and rewind a couple of times.

Although through the whole movie there is this superimposed sound of a clicking freewheel when he's riding or walking his bike...

that there's what we in the biz like to call foley. :D

ted was surprisingly good at footdown as well.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "footdown"? I've read the term on here before I think

there is one scene with brakes: when he's going down a flight of stairs... he's in the drops, freewheeling and squeezing both front and rear brake levers. it's easy to miss, i had to pause and rewind a couple of times.

You can also see a hint of a brake hood in the scene when kevin bacon and "voodoo" get ready for their big race on top of that nasty hill.

how did this thread devolve into yet another discussion about quiksilver?..

That would be my fault. Should we establish some sort of standard punishment for that?

OK, I respect people who ride fixed and brakeless. You guys (and gals) got a lot more balls than me on my SS. But how about someone riding geared and brakeless? WTF?

I was riding down Chestnut, and got passed by some guy on a black bike with flop and chop bulls. I figure it is a fixie, and don't really pay any mind. Then a cab pulls over to stop in front of the kid, and he damn near rear ends it and has to jump up on the sidewalk. Now it was by no means a graceful hop up. Both feet hit the ground, boys about a half inch from the top tube. Gets back on and cruises down the sidewalk out into the intersection. So I pull in behind him, and that's when I hear the derailer clacking away as he is trying to shift from a dead stop. I start looking at the bars, and no brakes. At the next intersection I see him stopping by rubbing the shoe on the back tire. And this guy was by no means in control, weaving all over the place, in-between cars. Deathwish?

Maybe he won't be riding for too much longer???

am i the only one that got actual shivers from reading this? it was like watching a suspensful movie for me.

Dude, it never suprises me the amount of crazy bastards in philly, never mind on bikes. I saw a guy riding around with no seat the other day. Somehow the bums are always getting sweet 3 speeds too.

You can also see a hint of a brake hood in the scene when kevin bacon and "voodoo" get ready for their big race on top of that nasty hill.


touche

Dude, it never suprises me the amount of crazy bastards in philly, never mind on bikes. I saw a guy riding around with no seat the other day. Somehow the bums are always getting sweet 3 speeds too.

Hey, when someone jacks your saddle, you gotta get home somehow.

I rode my friend's ss that had no brakes because he had to replace his cables. Stopping with your shoe against the wheel is pretty easy, but It would probably destroy your shoes pretty fast.

Hey, when someone jacks your saddle, you gotta get home somehow.
The bike was a beater, I don't suppose it got stolen (although i wouldn't be supprised), and he looked comfortable riding standing up.

That would be my fault. Should we establish some sort of standard punishment for that?

Yes, strip down to your undies, trackstand on your track bike, and have your GF/SO take your picture.

Er, wait a minute, you already volunteered for that...nevermind.

Alternatively, you should be forced to wear a trucker hat, one of mrwhite's C***t t-shirts, dickies with a pair of vans, put a white regal saddle on your bike, and put Modest Mouse on continious repeat on your ipod while you carry around a chiwawa. And make sure you walk (NOT ride) your track bike. For a week. And while you're at it, dump your GF for a girl with more multi-cultural *ethnicity*, if you haven't already done so.

Alternatively, you should be forced to wear a trucker hat, one of mrwhite's C***t t-shirts, dickies with a pair of vans...

don't forget the studded belt.

don't forget the studded belt.

also,http://www.jfleischmann.com/hh/blueribbon.jpg or http://www.zianet.com/spencer/lonestar900.GIF

(depending on your location.)

how did this thread devolve into yet another discussion about hipsters?

I'm not cool enough, but if you are then live fast...die young, go brakeless ss, and play....

He jams his shoe between the wheel and the bike to slow down....like we did on our BMX's when we here kids!

Are shoes cheaper than brakepads nowadays?


how did this thread devolve into yet another discussion about quiksilver?..

Am I the only person who hasn't seen this movie? I was deprived as a child.


you carry around a chiwawa.

WTF is a chiwawa?

http://stars.udn.com/star/StarsContent/Content34/chiwawa.jpg
WTF is a chiwawa?

It might bee the 3 Newcastle Brown Ales, but that won through me off big tyme.

I nevr saw it spelt that way. I get it now thoug...I thenk.

Should we establish some sort of standard punishment for that?

Alternatively, for every message we post, turd "always startin' sumtin'" will post:

how did this thread devolve into yet another discussion about ___________?

http://www.chiwawagaga.com/Images/gallery/chico_sombrero.jpg http://www.chiwawagaga.com/Images/gallery/chico_sombrero.jpghttp://www.chiwawagaga.com/Images/gallery/chico_sombrero.jpg http://www.chiwawagaga.com/Images/gallery/chico_sombrero.jpg

that is crazy, but not too odd I'm beginning to think. Just two days ago i saw a SS rider trying to come to a stop outside of the Last Drop on 13th and Pine using his cleats to stop himself. I don't know a bout the rest of you but I haven't had the money to drop on a clipless system yet, but when i do, i wont be ruining the cleats on the street.

ps, I feel like i am seeing more and more ss and less and less fixed in philly... frankly, I dont get the point of a SS if it isnt fixed.

ps, I feel like i am seeing more and more ss and less and less fixed in philly... frankly, I dont get the point of a SS if it isnt fixed.

I can only give my reasons:

1. No Derailer maintenance
2. No shifting constantly up and down
3. Can coast when needed to avoid:

A. Large bumps and ruts on Walnut
B. Taxis and suburban SUVs everywhere
C. And apparently brakeless SS and geared guys who use shoes of varying cost to stop
4. See reason 1 again

how did this thread devolve into yet another discussion of chihuahuas en sombreros?

:P

how did this thread devolve into yet another discussion of chihuahuas en sombreros?

:P

Just once, I'd like to see a sombrero-wearing chihuahua on a bike that fits it.

A few days back, I saw a kid tearing up the street on a brakeless bmx, I first saw him bombing down mission hill and then I followed him down huntington. He seemed at ease on his bike, and he was well versed in the ways of shoe braking. He had obviously been riding for a while because he could bunnyhop like nobody's business and jumped off/over everything in sight.

...he could bunnyhop like nobody's business and jumped off/over everything in sight.

when you can do it, that's what you do.

That would be my fault. Should we establish some sort of standard punishment for that?

Pehaps having to wear an autographed William 'don't call me Bill' Karstens asshat would do the trick.

ted shred rides a freewheel pista w/o brakes. his brakepads are the soles of his slip-on vans (stuck up on the rear wheel). there was a short on him in the bikefilmfest this year...


the trailer for the bicycle film festival this year is up on their site and you can see Ted Shred riding that brakeless freewheel pista. You can also see me riding by with a big grin.

hottt

and put Modest Mouse on continious repeat on your ipod
HEY!

TWO bad albums (new one obviously, and Everywhere and his Nasty Parlour Tricks), SIX great ones

you leave them alone!

i forgot to post this before, but now that this thread is back from the dead:

i was in gerritson beach (in the a$s-end of brooklyn, but it looks more like a ghetto cape cod) the other week when i saw a kid riding an old 27-inch ten-speed... without tires. it was making the damnedest racket, but damn if he wasn't pretty fast either. made my day.

so, i guess the next big thing in williamsburg is going to be: brakeless ten-speeds running around on the rims

i forgot to post this before, but now that this thread is back from the dead:

i was in gerritson beach (in the a$s-end of brooklyn, but it looks more like a ghetto cape cod) the other week when i saw a kid riding an old 27-inch ten-speed... without tires. it was making the damnedest racket, but damn if he wasn't pretty fast either. made my day.

so, i guess the next big thing in williamsburg is going to be: brakeless ten-speeds running around on the rims

watching him take a sharp turn would be hilarious.