Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - To drill or not to drill.

So, as my track bike nears completion (I'm waiting on my LBS to build the damned front wheel. I really wish I could impart my frustration to him more precisely), I'm faced with the decision:

I know riding brakeless is less safe (yeah, you heard me right. IT'S DE FACTO LESS SAFE DUE TO INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE), but I'm really thinking I'm going to "ruin" my track fork by drilling it for brakes. Also, my bars would just look nicer without a brake lever, though I would be willing to settle for a 'cross lever (I think they look okay).

Am I just being crazy? I was checking out the thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=74504) about Tomity-san's non-drilled brake. It seems like something like this might be a bit much.

Any ideas/suggestions?

this may be entirely NOT what you want to do, but maybe run a different fork for the time being? you can find 700c steel forks from 80's bikes for free on most decent suburban trash days. then, you can return to the nice real-deal track fork should you decide to run brakeless (or, drill the fork).

probably not the most stylish solution, but it'd buy you some time, on the cheap. just make sure you dont get a JIS-sized fork off a banger...

-rob

ps-fwiw, i wouldnt consider running brakeless again. seems foolish, to me. i mean, you could jump or break chain, and then what? but i'm sure you've already heard these arguments. brakes might be ugly, but so am i. and, again, brakes and levers are basically free on trash day

this may be entirely NOT what you want to do, but maybe run a different fork for the time being? you can find 700c steel forks from 80's bikes for free on most decent suburban trash days.

No can do. 24" front wheel.

I know I don't want to run brakeless. I live in a hilly part of Los Angeles, and I really just see no reason to knowingly decrease my ability to stop myself (in other words, I would rather have a brake and never use it than not have a brake and need it one day).

I'll probably end up drilling it, I'll just feel a little guilty doing so.

No can do. 24" front wheel.

I know I don't want to run brakeless. I live in a hilly part of Los Angeles, and I really just see no reason to knowingly decrease my ability to stop myself (in other words, I would rather have a brake and never use it than not have a brake and need it one day).

I'll probably end up drilling it, I'll just feel a little guilty doing so.

Don't do it, your bike is so pretty!!!

I dunno what your budget is like, but if you really didnt want to drill you couldget a 24" wheel built with a disc brake hub (buy all the parts and assemble yourself, take to a shop to get trued) and use a clamp-on assembly on the fork. It would probably look completely outrageous on that bike though :D

Tomity-san's non-drilled brake is only applied to the rear brake. Keirin riders drill the front but not the rear in most cases. It is a good system I have it on one of my Keirn bikes. It is easy to take off and put on your bike.

S/F,
CEYA!

give me your bike if you cant ride it brakeless you should let someone else have it.

give me your bike if you cant ride it brakeless you should let someone else have it.

Funny, I never mentioned being unable to ride it brakeless, I simply stated that I prefer to have a brake and never use it than need one and never have it. Nevertheless, your elitism is another example that riding brakeless is more about status (and ostensibly aesthetics) than anything substantial like safety.

On the bright side, I can now drill my fork without so much as an ounce of guilt. Thanks!

yes, drill it! Its just a bike.

"Its just a bike"

thankyou,
thankyou.

It would probably look completely outrageous on that bike though :D
outrageously BADASS!

that riding brakeless is more about status (and ostensibly aesthetics) than anything substantial like safety.

As another brakeless rider (please note my status and elevated aesthetic sensibilities, and conduct further correspondance to me accordingly) I say drill whatever you want. It's your bike.
But why stop with your fork?
http://www.malevole.com/mv/misc/calendar/door/3_game.jpg

I would make a bracket that attached to the inside of the stear tube

Funny, I never mentioned being unable to ride it brakeless, I simply stated that I prefer to have a brake and never use it than need one and never have it. Nevertheless, your elitism is another example that riding brakeless is more about status (and ostensibly aesthetics) than anything substantial like safety.

On the bright side, I can now drill my fork without so much as an ounce of guilt. Thanks!

undrilled fork. smooth unstreaked rim. sleak handlbars.. ummmm why the hell do you want to ride that funny clown bike (no offense bike, YOU understand even if HE doesnt) unless it has at least A LITTLE to do with oh-so maligned status and aesthetics???

i repeat: if you cant ride it brakeless give the damn thing away cuz you aint worthy.
ohmygosh im so elitist how do i live with myself :eek: