ModeratedUser24102018

So im going for the colour blue/black with my bike. As you can see ive already got a blue trim om my saddle and blue on the tyres. Im soon to get drop handlebars, but the big question is....what colour bar tape?! Blue to match the saddle and tyres or black to blend in with the frame? Thoughts?

Cyril 

Rule #8
Is this a single speed?
If its fixed, foot retention?

bmontgomery87

I'd keep the bar tape black.
It looks good with small hints of blue, but if you keep adding blue it'll look tacky.

ModeratedUser24102018

It is a fixed gear with a flip flop rear hub

ModeratedUser24102018

Yeah i was thinking black im just not 100% sure

UltraManDan

Fixed and you only run a rear brake with no foot retention???

ModeratedUser24102018

Yeah lol like i said its a flip flop rear hub, so if i want i can coast, or if i want i can choose to constantly peddle. The reason i only run a rear brake is beacuse the front brake levers bolt sheerd off, so i took it off till i get my drops and finaly, do you really need foot retention? I peddle fine without tbh

bmontgomery87

yes you need foot retention.
if you ride fixed, and your feet fly off while going down a hill, stuff gets crazy.

plus i can't even imagine why anyone would want to ride fixed if they weren't using foot retention and at least taking advantage of being able to slid around from time to time.

TejanoTrackie 

You don't REALLY need foot retention or a front brake. The only thing that REALLY matters is the correct colorway.

UltraManDan

ModeratedUser24102018

Well to be completly honest i use my fixed gear to get to and from work, i peddle pretty steadily and my feet hardly ever come off the peddles, i dont really want to slide around corners lol it fits me well and im pretty comfertable riding it like this

Carcosa

At least give foot retention a try. You really don't get all the benefits of riding fixed without it.

TejanoTrackie 

But dude, the OP's feet hardly ever come off the peddles !

JeremyLC

You only peddle on your bike if you pedal a food cart.

heymatthew

Keep the bar tape black. You might find some with blue flecks in it or something if you really wanted, but I'd just keep it black.

Also, as far as foot retention. When riding single speed, it's not such a big deal, but riding fixed, you'll enjoy having it. My first fixed gear was an old Royce Union 3-speed conversion that I did and I didn't have any foot retention because I was naive and didn't know what the hell I was doing. A car ran a red light as I was crossing an intersection and out of reflex, I quit pedaling. My feet came off the pedals and the bike kept moving. I ate the **** out of their front quarter panel and tore up a few parts (of me and the bike) in the process.

I learned a lot about foot retention.

I also learned that idiot thug kids that listen to ridiculously loud and ****ty rap music and run red lights will threaten to kill you if you use the right-of-way given you by a green light and hit their car, but you didn't ask for that lesson so I'll save it for another thread.

Get a front brake. Get foot retention. Keep your bar tape black.

EDIT: Get a light, too. I see you have a reflector, but get a blinky light.

bmontgomery87

+1

blinky lights are better for visibility.
plus you can quickly remove them for riding during the day if visibility isn't an issue.

heymatthew

You guys will probably make fun of me for this, but I leave my light on all the time. Day or night, if I'm riding, it's blinking.

ModeratedUser24102018

i agree with most of that haha, front brake is getting put back on when i get the drops and the proper brakes for those bars. i do have a light but its not really dark when im out atm, not until the winter so i dont need to have it on the bike. its on a rubber strap so i can just clip it on willy nilly. ill look into a blinky light though. black tape yes, foot retention still i dont get why i really need it, if i just stop peddling it stops peddling. but if all of you bike folk insist i must have it im sure it wont hurt to look into it.

jhess74

If that's the case, you're not riding fixed, you're riding with a single speed freewheel. As mentioned above, foot retention is not necessary for that, but if you do flip that rear wheel around and actually ride fixed, it's an important safety measure.

ModeratedUser24102018

yeah i did mention i was riding a flip flop rear hub, i like to coast, tbh its the first time in 6 years ive gotten back into cycling after a knee operation caused by bmx riding and until i feel completely comfortable riding again i might turn that wheel around and get some foot retention. but for now i just enjoy the fast speeds and ability to just wing it

bmontgomery87

It's really not a bad idea, and I have ran my lights during the day before on busy roads that have high speed limits. Every bit of visibility helps.

But for cruising around town, I usually take my lights off and keep my bike as simple as possible.

ModeratedUser24102018

yeah i really like that idea, ive even thought of turning the wheel round and going fixed with no brakes and just having a really clean looking bike. but i have a family and i like my life, so im playing it safe ...not that im saying people who do run fixed with no brakes are morons or anything, just that id have to really really know my routes and have alot more riding time, before i did anything like that

bmontgomery87

Brakeless isn't the brightest thing ever, especially when just starting out.
That being said, I've ridden sans brakes for almost a year now. I spent 3 months riding with brakes, then ditched them.
It's fun.

TejanoTrackie 

But, what color is your bar tape ?

bmontgomery87