Road Cycling - A track bike?? Ya gotta be crazy!

My hardcore roadie uncle built himself a track bike last year and can't stay off of it. He rides it everywhere, even in high-traffic urban areas with no brakes:eek: I can understand the appeal of a fixed gear rig like that, though. It helps make your pedal stroke more efficient, and since you have to use the pedals to slow down you're using different muscle groups. But you have to have a death wish to ride something like that in traffic or down a steep hill! It must require amazing concentration just to stay alive! He knows most people think he is crazy (including me:D), but he proudly admits to his insanity, and said he has barely touched his geared rig at all this season and it's made him a much better rider. Is anybody here a proud member of this exclusive club? If so, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING??? (just stirring the pot) ;)



Ok...I should mention that he has recently installed a front auxiliary brake.

well there are brakes of sorts (other than the front one),
you use your legs and kind of backpedal (usually accompanied
by quad popping noises).
I haven't tried it myself but all that I hear is that it is quite
addictive, once you try it and get used to it you won't want
to go back (ala your uncle).
You should ask him to teach you to ride a fixed gear bike.
who knows, maybe you'll be as insane as you accuse him
of being. . . :D

marty

I find you actually get more control on a fixed gear. You may have noticed it's a lot easier to maintain your line when you're pedaling, but what if you need to slow down at the same time? On a fixie you can fine-tune your speed at every moment.

Besides, if you're relying on your brakes to stop you short, you'll probably end up hitting the bumper in front of you. If instead you're constantly thinking of escape routes and "plan B"s (or is that "plans B"?) it's actually a lot safer.

Around here, bike couriers almost all used fixed gear bikes. I'm amazed that you'll ride them on snow and ice also.

My fixed is my favorite bike. It is classic, smooth, nobody wants to steal it, and I can trackstand like mad on it.

i ride a track bike with no brakes as my daily ride.

it's not as dangerous as it seems. you get used to it and it becomes second nature.
i find it much more comfortable and safe to ride my track bike in city traffic than my road bike. much less equipment to deal with and worry about (shifting, braking) much fewer sudden stops and acceleretations, and i almost never have to get out of my pedals. i usually clip in at the beginning of the ride and unclip when i get off my bike. on a road bike, it really gets annoying when you get clipped in and you immediately unclip at the next light.

fixed gear is fun. give it a shot. (you can run brakes too. a lot of people do)

Originally posted by live311
Is anybody here a proud member of this exclusive club? If so, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING???
Mr. 311......If you would like to meet more crazy people like your uncle, just visit the topic under "Singlespeed & Fixed Gear''. Maybe we can try to convert you too!