Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Question of Brakes

I'm in the final stages of building my Fixie . I'm using a 42/14 gear with 23c tires for 78.8 gear inches. I went with this beacuse I bought the 14t cog when I planned on using a 39t ring on another set of cranks I had but, things changed. I think it should work out fine as; I ride my bike 13km to school in one gear on the way there it is slightly up hill and I use 74.9"(when I'm feeling slow) or 80.3"(4 out the five days of the week) and 92.8" or 99.4" on the way back.

My question is should I run a brake or brakes? There are usually only two places I have to come to a complete stop on the way there. But I ride at night on Tuesday and Thursday, and am unsure if I should have brake due to the reduced visiblity.

All those with massive fixie knowledge and experience please advise.

Cheers,
Eric

If you are using a converted freewheel with a bottom bracket lockring and locktite on the back then I would say a brake is absolutely necessary. Personally I like having a brake regardless for emergency use and I also want to keep my knees functional past the age of 40.

I have 2 bikes: 1 ss track frame set-up and then a full fixed. When I wanna get my brake on, I grab the SS. For that truly free feeling, grab the track fix.

Well my feeling about this is that if you have to ask then you might as well use a front brake. You can always take it off later if you want to. To me the essence of riding fixed gear is the control with your legs. Get yourself accustomed to stopping and going and only use the brake for emergencies.

-Jason

Put a front brake on. Use it if and when you want to.

Remember the Boy Scout motto...

BK

Asking someone whether you should put on brakes is a bit weird, no? :) Since you're not sure, you better put on brakes. Eventually you'll know if you want to take them off.

also, don't listen to other people. your own situation is so differenet than other people's. for example... riding 46:16 brakeless in Seattle during the winter (rain 6 days a week) is different than riding 46:16 brakeless in Arizona. Every situation is different... and you can't expect someone else to understand your situation. Take it easy, figure it out for yourself, and be safe and have fun. Isn't that why we all started riding fixed in the first place, to have fun? :D

Shrimpx is right on, in my opinion. Put it on for now, use it when you need it, try to use it less everyday, then take it off when you have the confidence and skills to ride sans brake. I have a front, and use it a lot in the hills around where I live. There are a few hills that I can/will not ride with just the front brake--and I've toyed with adding a rear. But I'm a wuss.

I would start off with a front brake. If this is your first fixed gear staying alive is more important in the first few months than being cool. Get a feel for the bike then you should be able to make a more educated decision.

I learned to ride fixed without brakes but I rode where it was flat and not alot of traffic. The past two years I started riding hillier and busier streets so I mostly ran a front brake. I recently switched bars and am back to brakeless.

For me there is a huge difference in how you ride whether you have a brake or not. More offensive with a brake and defensive without.

I like having two sets of bars one with brakes and one without. It doesn't take long to swap them out and it gives you more flexibility. My stems are quills so it really makes it easy.

Ride both fixed and traditional road bikes. I have (and use) both front and rear brakes on drop bars on my fixie...I like the symmetry and having places to put both hands. In some traffic situations I think having both brakes gives me security and peace (piece?) of mind.

I just recently took the front brake off. My fear of not being able to stop with my legs was finally outweighed by my distaste for the feeling of braking on a fix. I started to associate any and all resistance not coming from my legs with the ground. But the ground hasn't actually changed, I'm just braking. It's weird but this conflict became jarring to my senses. I'm very happy with the brake off.

OTOH, when it's wet, rear-wheel-only braking takes like twice the distance. I might put the brake back on for the winter.

Well my feeling about this is that if you have to ask then you might as well use a front brake. You can always take it off later if you want to. To me the essence of riding fixed gear is the control with your legs. Get yourself accustomed to stopping and going and only use the brake for emergencies.

-Jason

I second that!!

Being older with some knee problems (I'm 42) I would never do without a front brake on my fixie. Although it's not "pure", it's better than ending up in the hospital and with a mangled bike I can't ride at all!

i need to throw a front brake on my new fixie. i've been learning brakeless for the past few days now, but the slight inclines scare the hell out of me going down them. i have black 105 brakes/levers, but now i think i want to get a bmx lever or the such since i'd rather have my brake up top and not in the drops. plus i really don't want to rewrap my handlebars that got wrapped only 3 days ago.

Stinky,

Funny you should mention about a BMX lever. I'm in the process of putting on a Dia-compe MX99 lever on the drop bars of my fixie for the same reason you mentioned, plus I want a "cleaner" look. Unfortunately, I'll have to do some filing to get it to fit. I'll let you know how it goes!

I'm kind of wondering how that lever will work with my Wienmann 750 centerpull. I guess I'll find out!

It is a rare day that I use or need the front brake, but it is there for emergencies.

About a year ago I was riding in the city at a good clip, light changed to red and I locked up the rear wheel to stop. I had plenty of distance to execute a skid stop. Except the wheel kept turning. The threads on the hub had stripped, no stopping power here. I grabbed the front brake and kept from blasting through a busy intersection.

Drop your chain or break your chain? Guess what - no stopping ability. I'm cool enough to know being dead isn't cool, so I run a front brake.

With all the time and money I'm putting into university, I think I'll use a front brake. I actually want to see some returns on my education and not have my ass splattered on the road somewhere. I know I'll be carring an extra gasp... 200 grams and not be cool. But I've never be cool and I'm getting to old to ever be considered so. Thanks for the help all.

Regards,
Eric

i run a bmx brake lever on my fixie. i forget the brand/model, but it clamps on, so you don't have to, like, feed it thru the bars. i have it mounted centrally, as an "e" brake.

it's fairly pimp.

-rob

ps-you can make anything cool by takin' it a l'il too far