Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 1 brake vs. 2 brakes.

so currently i have just a front tektro brake i got from bikeisland for $35 for my windsor hour, but since i got my freewheel, i've been doing a lot of mountain road riding. So far my descents haven't been too crazy, but my last ride was steep enough to scare the crap out of me...im just wondering what would be the worst case scenario going downhill with only a front brake. What would happen if i overheat my brake pads?? and how common is it to overheat them?

ted shred

Just go ahead and grab another brake set. its worth having if you live in a super hilly area. front brakes + big hill + freewheel = scary and dangerous. Your only means of slowing down is the front brake but if you get nervous or try to avoid something quick and only have a front brake you are going over the bars. Just grab another brake set. its worth having, especially if you are uncomfortable because it will end up stopping you from enjoying your rig :)

-Ali

ummm if you are going down any kind of hill, what do YOU think will happen if your single means of braking fails for any reason? loose bolt, old spring, overheating pads if that is even possible... best case you cant stop and you end up panicking and putting your feet on the ground, worst case you go over the top for a graceful face plant. ouch.

If you ride SS ride 2 breaks


ummm if you are going down any kind of hill, what do YOU think will happen if your single means of braking fails for any reason? loose bolt, old spring, overheating pads if that is even possible... best case you cant stop and you end up panicking and putting your feet on the ground, worst case you go over the top for a graceful face plant. ouch.

Not the worst case scenario.

get another brake... body in one piece and still functional>cool points for only having one brake

worse case is broken bones. broken shoulder. broken fingers.

run 2 brakes. it is just foolish to run 1 brake mtb. or you don't go fast.

either way, 1 brake is dumb on mtb

If you ride SS ride 2 breaks
Not the worst case scenario.

break and brake mean two different things.

Yeah definitely two brakes on downhills and mtb'ing. I couldn't imagine not having both brakes on some of the descents I do.

break and brake mean two different things.

ahhh! I've been on these forums too much! Soon I'm going to start talking about "petals" too!

Two brakes, regardless of bicycle type, are essential.

On very long descents you'll get hand fatigue from riding on just one brake. Having two brakes makes a huge difference.

Is there any reason for having one brake only?

Is there any reason for having one brake only?

One reason is that some track frames are not drilled for a rear brake.

You don't need brakes! When it gets to fast just Fred Flinstone it, or jump off and tuck and roll.


Seriously, 2 man. You can always cover it up with your hand when the cool fixie riders ride past so they don't see it.


lol, I make myself laugh. All in good fun bro

Is there any reason for having one brake only?

I personally don't enjoy having something interfere with my legs interaction with the rear wheel. On a side note though, I have one of those brakes as well and am not so sure I would downhill or MTB with them. They seem nice for scrubbing off speed, and helping in slow speed turning situations, but not much more than that. Just me though....

worse case is broken bones. broken shoulder. broken fingers.




Second worse case would be your death. Worse case would be you killing someone else.

Not the worst case scenario.


Melting tube while scrubbing off speed on big descents is always fun.

Your legs aren't enough? Well then just work on your skidding skills.

Your legs aren't enough? Well then just work on your skidding skills.

Yeah, I'm sure that would work well with his FREEWHEEL :crash:

If you ride SS ride 2 brakes



If you ride SS ride 2 brakes. QFTW.

what does QFTW mean?

Always 2 brakes on SS, looks dumb anyway otherwise.

what does QFTW mean?

QFT= quoted for truth, QFTW= quoted for teh win

I personally don't enjoy having something interfere with my legs interaction with the rear wheel. On a side note though, I have one of those brakes as well and am not so sure I would downhill or MTB with them. They seem nice for scrubbing off speed, and helping in slow speed turning situations, but not much more than that. Just me though....

Im confused, looks like your talking about a fixed gear, but the op is talking about a freewheel.



and if your not talking about a fixed gear, come mountain bike riding with me and tell me you only need a front brake

One reason is that some track frames are not drilled for a rear brake.

In my country track bikes are not "street legal". Two brakes (in good working condition) are imperative by law; besides other things like a rear and front light, reflectors, etc. (Exceptions are made for racing bikes that are supposed to be ridden during day-light hours only.)

Police may confiscate a bike if it is not by the rules. (Fines are up to € 150, that's about $200, I guess.)

There even is another "serpent under the grass": a biker who also drives a car from time to time can kiss his drivers license goodbye when found guilty of fooling around, riding bikes in traffic. "Yes, your honour, I am a monkey and I belong in a circus..." :)