Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Who uses brakes? Round 2 (w/poll)

Same question now with a poll :)

people with brakes use brakes

WTF cares?

WTF cares?

w0rd...

As a side note I was tinkering on one of my rod brake bikes last night, a green phillips roadster, and thought to my self... These brakes sure suck. Modern brakes sure rock.

Once again:
I have a hand operated brake on the front and a leg operated brake for the rear, so I voted Front and Rear.

I don't think its possible to ride a fixed gear without a rear brake. Or are SS included in the poll?

Al

Ugh. Give me a brake... I mean a break... or... umm... both. :rolleyes:

There is no such thing as no brakes with fixed wheel bicycles.
Your drivetrain is a drivetrain brake. Calling these bicycles brakeless just makes them seem dangerous to the general public, while in reality they can be operated safely and very easily without the use or need for handbrakes.

There is no such thing as no brakes with fixed wheel bicycles.
Your drivetrain is a drivetrain brake. Calling these bicycles brakeless just makes them seem dangerous to the general public, while in reality they can be operated safely and very easily without the use or need for handbrakes.

here, here!! (or however you spell that)

^^ it's 'hear hear', basically means "listen to what the dude's sayin'!"

/english nerd

There is no such thing as no brakes with fixed wheel bicycles.
Your drivetrain is a drivetrain brake. Calling these bicycles brakeless just makes them seem dangerous to the general public, while in reality they can be operated safely and very easily without the use or need for handbrakes.

I went to a shop today to pick up a new blinky and I saw a dude outside looking at the Pista in the window. We chatted for a minute about the bike, and when I mentioned that I had a fixed bike he had all kinds of questions about the "brakeless" aspect (even after I explained that I run a front brake). I don't think I did much to change his perception that it's dangerous, but hey it's not my job to do that.

I don't think I did much to change his perception that it's dangerous, but hey it's not my job to do that.

That is a tough one for me. There is so much folklore and rubbish out there regarding fixed wheel cycles that I feel like anyone that knows better should help others understand better. I would hate to see law enforcement crack down on fixed riding on the street just because of general misinformation and the idiots propagating it.

That is a tough one for me. There is so much folklore and rubbish out there regarding fixed wheel cycles that I feel like anyone that knows better should help others understand better. I would hate to see law enforcement crack down on fixed riding on the street just because of general misinformation and the idiots propagating it.

Well... I hate to go there but I'm going to. There is a small bit of truth to every stereotype. I think it's quite possible that the perception that fixed bikes are dangerous stems in part from a few people riding them in a reckless way.

Also, the reputation as "messenger" bikes (BS for the most part), coupled with the fact the messengers, (largely due to the sheer exposure) due tend to have more run-ins with cars, etc... than average joe/jane cyclist = danger to a lot of people. It's stupid, but there you have it.

I had about half a block to talk to this guy, and what I wanted him to to come away with was that I was not the kind of person that takes chances with my life or the lives of others. In the wrong hands, no bike is safe.

Well... I hate to go there but I'm going to. There is a small bit of truth to every stereotype. I think it's quite possible that the perception that fixed bikes are dangerous stems in part from a few people riding them in a reckless way.

Also, the reputation as "messenger" bikes (BS for the most part), coupled with the fact the messengers, (largely due to the sheer exposure) due tend to have more run-ins with cars, etc... than average joe/jane cyclist = danger to a lot of people. It's stupid, but there you have it.

I had about half a block to talk to this guy, and what I wanted him to to come away with was that I was not the kind of person that takes chances with my life or the lives of others. In the wrong hands, no bike is safe.

I fully agree on the "truth to stereotype thing" and the reason where is comes from. I guess my main concern is not to inflate it even more with the "brakeless this brakeless that, hella gnarly dangerous dude" crap.

Your advice to the guy was awesome! Hope he'll remember your words when he gets his friends hooked on this wonderful bicycle.