messias

Hi guys,

I'm interested in installing one brake on my fixed gear (actually without any brakes). Initially, I was going for the front brake but then I thought that this brake would easily make the wheel slide across the pavement (also I have 700c wheels, which are very thin).

I want to know what's your preference in this subject? If you have a brake, is it frontal or in the back? Why?

Thanks guys

lz4005

I'm amazed this has never come up before.

hairnet

Both, because it is a fixed gear road bike

If you must have only one get a front brake.

boffenbec

both is best but if you're set on just having one the rear would be the safest

thebrad20

Actually no, if you only want one brake a front would be a better idea.

Jaytron

Both if possible.

Front if you only want one.

chenghiz

Incorrect, a front brake is more effective and better in every regard, especially on a fixed-gear bike.

hairnet

fixed

homebrewk

I lol'd

messias

Ok, guys. Thanks a lot. Front brake it is.

homebrewk

Just make sure you don't pull that lever too hard! You don't want this:

evilcryalotmore

Have any of you actually flipped a bike? I dont understand how you can unless u have suspension, When you break, Your weight goes backwards.

homebrewk

It's never happened to me, but it's really easy to do when you are whipping out sweet skidz:

thebrad20

Ive never personally, but was eating at Moe's Southwestern one day and people watching and saw this guy on his supa sweet fixie fly up to a red light slam the front brake and right over the bars he went with the bike following haha.

chenghiz

No it doesn't. The fact that your weight moves forwards when decelerating is primarily why front brakes are more effective than rear brakes. The more you decelerate, the more weight is on the front and the less weight is on the rear, with corresponding changes in traction.

JohnDThompson 

Especially since your legs already provide braking action on the rear wheel.

JohnDThompson 

I doubt that rod brakes in the rain would be capable of locking up the front wheel. The damage visible on the fork suggests the bike hit something, perhaps hidden in the water.

homebrewk

Probably. A pothole would could easily do that.

jibberishballr

My friend failed and went over the handlebars attempting a skid. I only have a front brake and have gotten my back tire a few feet off the ground from braking quickly with just the brake (back when i first started riding).

LesterOfPuppets

Your weight actually goes forwards unless you push back with your arms.

I've never faceplanted but I've done surprise stoppees a few times with V-brakes. I only have a super weak front brake on my SS so I rarely even get the rear wheel off the ground on it.

LesterOfPuppets

Attempting a front wheel skid? Wild, man!

TejanoTrackie 

Yes, it's possible to lock the front wheel with a brake and go over the bars. I did it with my first adult bike in the 1960s when I grabbed a handful of front brake while sitting upright. Physics is a biatch.

KBlas

When I was in high school, hanging out with the flatlanders, I remember my first Endo....fun times, I even still have the chip in my tooth.

yummygooey

I've flipped before. It was pretty funny/stupid.

To the original poster, 2 > 1 > 0. The front will always stop you faster (unless it fails).

EpicSchwinn

I'm surprised this thread has gone on this long. If you're riding on pavement and it's a fixed gear bike you will be just fine with a front brake. Unless you get something really high performance it will be hard to flip your bike unless you're trying. I have a Tektro dual pivot with koolstop pads and I think I'd still have to throw my weight forward and slam the brakes to get it to flip.