trekkie820

Anyone do it? The cooler weather has hit and I want to be ready for icy roads.

HereNT

I had a brake last winter, but used it so little that it stuck shut the last time I used it. I didn't use it after that. I had to dissasemble the brake in the spring, it is all messed up now. I couldn't actually get the spindle part that goes through the fork out - it's still there.

I'll probably be brakeless this winter, too, though I do need to get a new frame. I'd hate to ruin my Bianchi riding it through the winter. I've had to chip Ice and snow out from my brakes too many times in the past...

Ceya

I have done it is better than any ride other than cyclocross. No chipping brakes other than your wheels and crank. I have done it over the years with no problem. If you can get cyclocross tires and have room on your fork it will be a fun.

S/F,
CEYA!

bostontrevor

Messy weather is when brakeless seems to work best for me. I always run a brake because usually my gear (47/16) is too high to comfortably skid or skip, it's hard on my knees (which are already suffering from years of inline street skating abuse--note that this is in direct contradiction to the first reason), and brake pads are cheaper than tires.

BUT when it gets nasty out, I run a lower gear on my other bike and I'm generally more cautious. That pretty much takes care of all of the above excuses and I don't touch the brake nearly as much if at all. Just my $0.02.

OneTinSloth

brakeless in boston in the winter is so much fun. i skidded into kenmore from like, a block away once on freshly fallen snow. i forget which street it was, but it's the one that leads to landsdowne/fenway. starts with a B, i think...

BMX was always fun in the slush too. get going kinda fast then turn and brake hard and swing the rear end around and just ride fakie for a while....mmm...slush. mmm...gliding between cars...

bostontrevor

Brookline Ave. Good call.

Bikkhu

me

bombusben

Wouldn't have it any other way.

schiavonec

Did it in MI all last winter, as it was broken. I have a long reach caliper though and just run it up front now. When I upgrade the cross bike, I'll take the tires and use them on the fixie, as I have the clearance.

marked001

.did it in philly last year.

I need to get some different tires this season..

goatmeal

Brakeless in the winter is good and all, most of the time (at least here in Minn) you end up riding quite a bit slower so it is easier to stop. I personally have brakes on my winter commuter, even if I never us em.

Bikkhu

My 2 cents:

Drop gearing to something like 44-19, if your frame can accommodate use ice spiker tire in the front ( I use a 32c Nokian one) and a Cyclocross tire in the rear (Nokian Ravagozzi 35c works fine, steer clear of Michelin Sprints)