General Cycling Discussion - The braking system (or lack thereof) on messenger bikes

A lot of the bicycle messengers in the Chicago Loop have customized single-speed bikes (no derailleurs, no brakes). They don't even have the coaster brakes that old-fashioned single-speeds do. Instead of pedalling backwards (like on a coaster brake bike), they stop pedalling and lock their feet into place to use a skid to slow themselves down. A lot of this is sheer pragmatics: (a) there's very few components for a bike thief to steal, (b) there are very few components that need to be maintained or replaced, (c) you can't have cables, etc. freeze up in bad weather if you don't have any.

While I'm never going to be a bicycle messenger, I'm curious as to how workable it would be to mix and match an old-fashioned coaster brake with a bicycle-messenger-style bike.

Actually, those are called "fixed gear" bikes. They have no freewheel, and the rear wheel slows as you slow your cadence. If you stop pedalling, you stop turning. You can also do trackstands at traffic lights.
Bike messengers tend to be a fringe group, many of whom consider brakes to be unneeded extra weight, and rarely allow more than a single front brake. Most of these guys are hard-core racers, too, and their bikes are set up much like a track bike. Some truly ARE track bikes, without even a front brake, and you stop these by squeezing the front tyre with your gloves if the pedals aren't enough.
Putting a coaster brake on a track frame is a very bad idea. A coaster brake needs to brace itself around a chainstay, and racing bike chainstays are too fragile. Also, a coaster brake hub weighs a LOT more than a track hub.

I still wanna be a bike messenger when I grow up - maybe when I turn 40.

Jonathan

Originally posted by jramsey
I still wanna be a bike messenger when I grow up...


Me too, except I want to be a bike messenger to keep fron growing up.

Besides, I think it would really help with that scruffy, starving artist persona I'm bound to aquire while trying to 'make it' in the theatre biz.

My next bike will be a track / fixed gear bike.... I have been looking for a good road frame at the yard sales for the last few months, but havent found anything that works :( I may end up purchasing a new bianchi pista rather then building up my own.

I love riding fixed gear bikes, if you have never spent time on a nice fixie, try one! :)

If you are looking for a "good" road frame at garage/yard sales, give it up! All you are going to find there are 25 year old department store gas-pipe frame bikes, with stamped vertical dropouts. Better look in eBay.

Originally posted by D*Alex
Actually, those are called "fixed gear" bikes. They have no freewheel, and the rear wheel slows as you slow your cadence. If you stop pedalling, you stop turning. You can also do trackstands at traffic lights.


D*Alex, I know you know and you know I know you know (Huh?), but just to clarify for others who may not: with a fixed gear you can't stop pedalling as long as the wheels are turning. As D*Alex says, there is no freewheel mechanism, the click-click-click that allows you to stop pedalling and even pedal backwards.

I know this is stating the obvious for most of us, but for a long time "fixed gear" and "single speed" were synonymous in my mind and there may be newer riders who are not aware of the difference.

Sure, you can stop pedalling! You will skid, though. Messengers do this all the time-they must use only hard-rubber tyres, because this seems to be a popular method of stopping. Not very good for the tyres, legs, cranks, etc. though....

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
My next bike will be a track / fixed gear bike.... I have been looking for a good road frame at the yard sales for the last few months, but havent found anything that works
Be patient. It took me at least 6 months of searching classifieds, yard sales, etc. but I found an old lugged Fuji road bike at a police auction. Paid $2. It had been spray painted with all of the parts on, one shifter hanging from the frame by a rusty cable, chain completely rusted, you get the picture. I now probably have around $250 in it (new wheels and tires plus a few other minor things). Lots of paint thinner, steel wool and elbow grease. Repainted it's original yellow color. It looks good with it's half chromed forks and seat stays, rides nice and, being a fixed gear, it's a lot of fun

*nod* I have been to dozens of yardsales this summer. The local police auction is in a few weeks, i'll make sure im there :)