Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - new here: few fixie questions

Hello all, Im new to here and also new to fixies. Ive ridden bmx and mountain bikes my whole life and just moved into the city and wanted to get a fixed gear instantly. i recently got a redline 925 and am really pleased with it so far. But just had a few questions.

First it came with those mustache bars which i am not really of fan of. I was looking to get either some straight flat bars or riser bars (just 1" rise or something, nothing big) I was wondering what you guys would suggest? Ive seen bikes with flat and risers so not too sure on what to decide or the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

And if I were to pick riser bars: Im curious on how the bike would feel as most riser bars ive seen have a sweep to them. Would a sweep feel weird on a fixed gear bike? Or are there even any riser bars out there that have no sweep and how would those work?

And lastly, the 925 came with a front brake and a back brake. Im planning on keeping both on for now,until I test the bike out a little more,and then keep just the one that works better for a fixie, and then eventually take off both maybe once i get more used to the bike. DO you guys usually keep the front brake on or rear? Im thinking of keeping just the front as it will obviously work a little better and the bike will look a lot simpler. But on the other hand i feel like if i had to slow down realy fast with just a front brake I would press it really hard as I would on a back brake on a regular bike resulting in going over the bars.

Any help appreciated, thank you very much
-Mike

first off, not fixie... fixed gear... fixie makes babies cry.


how do bar affect any other bike you have ridden? now think, that on a fixed gear.


keep the front, for the love of god, keep the front... to not go over the top... dont squeeze so hard. simple logic, if the back wheel come up, you squeezed too hard

Oh my God.

Keep the brake on the wheel that you can't already slow down.

Almost every time I come into this forum I am reminded why I should never come in again.

Read this.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=473376

And then learn how to brake properly so you don't get thrown over the bars.

Don't worry about everyone treating you like snot. They whine about how stupid this forum is, yet they keep coming back.

Keep the front brake on, use your legs to slow down the back wheel.

Risers are really comfortable to ride with, flat bars will be about the same feel, just lower and more forward (obviously). Go to your local bike shop and see if they have a parts bin you can grab some cheap risers out of (be prepared to chop them to a comfortable with) and put some ourys on them.

Hope this helps.

I am really serious about the learning how to brake properly thing as I run into far too many folks who do not how to properly execute a hard stop.

My 8 year old daughter can ride at 25 kmh and will hammer the front brake without tossing herself and her little mtb runs some kick ass Avid brakes with serious stopping power...

The reason we can do this is because we practice and practice.

Good choice on the Redline 925. It was my first fixed gear. I got it used with road drops and no brakes. I just rode it down the street a few times before I got risers and a front brake. I was used to a more upright riding position hence the risers.
I rode them for a few months and decided to flop and chop the road bars to make bullhorns. I now like those better, more hand positions, a little more aero for going into the wind and better for climbing. (search that subject,<handlebars> and you will find a lot of info)

Experiment and you will find what works best for you. It might take a while but that's the fun of this whole cycling thing.

I'm just glad driving cars with no brakes is not the current fad. Or riding motorcycles without brakes.

Unless you're riding on a track you'd be wise to have brakes. If you're riding fixed gear you should keep the front brake on in spite of how cool it might seem to do otherwise.

Lots of guys ride with no brakes at all. Lots of guys aren't exactly blessed in the intelligence department either.

thanks to those who helped. I ended up keeping just the front brake and put on some flat bars. there about 23 inch long now which is obviously way to long. What width do you all usually run?
thanks

My 8 year old daughter..runs some kick ass Avid brakes with serious stopping power...

Dude, Sixty Fiver, your daughter is probably the coolest 8 year old on the block. I wish I'd had parents who gave a crap about the quality of my bikes growing up! That's so awesome of you to not just go to WalMart and pick up some crap mongoose for her. I applaud your parenting choices! Seriously.

thanks to those who helped. I ended up keeping just the front brake and put on some flat bars. there about 23 inch long now which is obviously way to long. What width do you all usually run?
thanks

Take a little off and see how it feels. Repeat until the perfect width is achieved.

keep your front brake, always.

Dude, Sixty Fiver, your daughter is probably the coolest 8 year old on the block. I wish I'd had parents who gave a crap about the quality of my bikes growing up! That's so awesome of you to not just go to WalMart and pick up some crap mongoose for her. I applaud your parenting choices! Seriously.

Thanks !

I got her a Raleigh 5 speed mtb (it was free) and had to upgrade a few things as she destroyed the stock front brake... she is fearless.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/danirocks2.jpg

^^ Nice, intense face she's got going there.