question about fixies
 

Hi,

Im a total noob and i just need this answered if you please.

Do fixie bikes have brakes on them or not?

For example, if you purchased lets say a Felt Brougham straight from the store, would it have brakes? (i thought i read it was illegal for a bike to not have brakes) and if it does have brakes, what kind of brakes are on them? (all I know are 2 different kinds of brakes; 1) pedal backward to brake, and 2) brakes on the handlebars/triggers.

I know I am a total noob but would like to be more informed on this I have searched but for some reason haven't really been able to find answers to my questions.

Thanks in advance for any questions or comments :)

:popcorn

Don't buy one. Just don't. Get a mountain bike, from K-mart, with dual suspension. Seriously.

Recommend that you get one with brakes, for starters. I've seen some sold with and without brakes and you really only need the front brake.

Don't feed the Troll.

what the heck is that ^^ supposed to mean?

I had a question, I'm just starting out getting into riding, and all the comments besides from 'boostbutt' (thanks boostbutt) are just insults and gives more new people reason to be discouraged from asking questions and finding things out.

Does it make you guys feel better to treat people this way? Yeah? You feel like a man now? Whoa you're so cool.

Every time I see the word 'Brougham' I have to laugh thanks to LupinIII 's quote from a year back:

Now for your questions. Yes fixies can have brakes on them and personally, I suggest having at least a front brake... a rear brake is ultra-insurance in the case that your chain snaps and your front brake fails. However not all fixies are capable of accepting brakes without some form of modification. If you're looking into buying a fixie, you can't go wrong with a Jamis Sputnik which is my personal favorite in the $480 range. The KHS Urban Soul is also a decent fixie already equipped with brakes.

Might as well get use to it if your interested in getting one. Bicyclist of all kinds gotta hate.
Sounds like you might not totally grasp the the mechanics of the whole thing, I'd recommend checking out Sheldon Brown's site Very well written.
I do not like riding with out a front brake on a fixed geared bike.

I would get a front brake ( BMX ) style. I mean, safety first. Would you rather look cool and have no brakes? OR DIE?

**I would take em off after mastering skidding and footjamming.

In some states it is illegal to sell a bike without brakes at the retail level unless they are specifically marketed as Track Only bikes.

use a front brake, you don't need a back brake. Most ready to ride "fixies" these days come with a front brake, unless they are Track specific.

Another thing to check, make sure the chain doesnt have a "quick link" holding it together, these things are dangerous on fixies.

The Sputnik retails for about $1,000, you're thinking of the Beatnik. And this reminds me how awesome it is that Jamis took the same frame, removed the carbon fork, but updated the paint job and now charges $300 more than they did for the '07-'08 Sputnik.

Yes you are correct... I meant the Beatnik (although I do prefer the Sputnik). Luckily I didn't brain-fart on the link.

The Beatnik seems really nice,
How does it compare the the BD bikes?
It components seem better than the generic BD components but I wouldn't know..

You make people like me look like bike experts. Lol pedal backward[death.

This thread is full of fail...

Do you find that unusual?

Stick to walking you hipster.

I like having a front brake. Your front brake can stop you faster then your back brake.

:bang: