lymeriq

I know there are bunch of other threads askin same question, but I wasn't really getting an answer I wanted. I am a beginner trying to skid and whip skid. I try to lock my feet, but I just end up slowing myself down instead.
I have motobecane track bike

Are the chain tensions too tight? I can't seem to do it at all.
I know my feet are supposed to be parallel to the ground 3 0 clock 9 o clock.One leg pulling while other pushing.
Leaning forward does help, but now how do I whip skid w/o leaning forward as much.
I get the basic method; however, I am just wondering if it is the bike setting that is causing a problem.

Also, will track standing help some what with skidding?

veganbikes

Ask yourself this: Why am I skidding?

They make brakes for a good reason, it is better on your ankles and knees and will actually bring you to a stop rather than just slow you down. I know the "cool kids on their fixies" are doing it and all the videos on the yootoobes have all the "fixie kids" skidding but just because everyone is doing it doesn't mean you shouldn't unless it makes actual practical sense.

Riding brakeless is fine on the track when you don't need to brake ever and never have to deal with traffic or stop lights or pedestrians or anything else aside from other cyclists doing the same thing you are doing in the same direction at a similar speed.

You wouldn't skid in your tidy whiteys, why would you skid on your bike? (well at least I hope not)

TenSpeedV2

Thank you for the new sig.

FBinNY 

The ability to lock the rear wheel by reverse pedal pressure depends on your strength and the gear ratio.

Leaning forward makes it easier by shifting weight off the rear wheel but is counter productive if your intent is to sop the bike rather than simply skid to show you can do it.

I suggest you switch sprockets to a lower gear (larger rear sprocket), to find a balance between control, acceleration and the ability to lock or slow the rear wheel (improves with lower gear), and the ability to cruise at higher speeds without your legs spinning faster than you can manage (higher gear helps).

Once you have than, then your goal is to practice short stops (not just skids) by resisting pedal motion, and short pulsed skids each time the crank are horizontal. You want to be able to do this without shifting weight forward more than the braking alone causes. In fact you want to be able to do this with weight shifted back to get the shortest most controlled stop.

BTW- since you mentioned it, chain tension has nothing to do with this, and the correct tension is still NO tension, with the chain slightly slack (sags about 1/4" in the middle).

Now go find a parking lot and practice.

Leukybear 

Balls to stem.
It'll help take some weight off the rear wheel in terms, making it easier to lock up and lose traction with your legs.

MattoftheRocks

Go faster.

lymeriq

I didn't ask for your opinion. I do have a front and rear brake.

Carcosa

Wedge one of your thighs against your top tube for leverage. Usually whichever is your back foot pressing down.

I am not responsible for any injuries...

Or just get a bigger rear cog. Or stop with brakes. Up to you.

veganbikes

I am a timesaver then. Rather than you wasting your time asking for my opinion I gave it too you for free, without call.

veganbikes

Thank you, I knew when I wrote that someone was going to use it as the new siggy.

FBinNY 

This is a great way to get a serious bruise on your thigh if the rear tire bite and kicks your foot up. It's important to keep the legs clear of the frame skip stopping a fixed wheel. But as you point out, you're not responsible for injuries.

The second part of the answer is correct. Use a gear low enough to be able to skip stop the bike (unless you don't care about this). As technique and/or leg strength improve, you can move to a higher gear.

Philasteve

Practice makes perfect, Rome wasn't built in a day.

neamatoad

man, this attitude isn't going to help you at all around here

with that said, there's nothing wrong with your bike. harden the **** up and put those little chicken legs to work

Carcosa

Shhh. Don't let them in on that part.

hardboiled718

OP, don't over analyze it too much. practice back pedaling to slow down, once you're comfortable applying pressure/pulling up at the right times to slow down just do the same thing but with more force and a little speed.

On a separate note: help me if I'm missing something but why the hating on skidding?
I get that this is a dumb thread that's been posted a billion times before and that people hate the "fixie" craze that's flooded the streets with cheap bikes and whatnot, but other than that who cares if you skid?

TenSpeedV2

I don't know about anyone else here, but I don't use those cheap a** Cheng Shin tires. I run Gatorskins on my fixed gear, and at about $45 a piece, those are not cheap to replace due to skidding because all the cool kids are doing it on their mismatched color wheeled $319 fixies.

OP, if you are using a front brake, why do you need to skid? Get a better front brake if that is not stopping you quickly enough or at least adjust yours so that it is providing adequate stopping power.

cDiff Notorious

^ I was wondering about this too

Anyway, OP, change to a lower gear ratio if you didn't already. Try to do it on grass or a wet pavement when practicing cause it makes it easier.

Go fast, lean forward, lock your legs, skid straight into a bike shop, and sign up for a subscription of cheap tires.

JohnDThompson 

Not to mention, "tires."

JohnDThompson 

Because, since there are far better ways to slow and stop a bike, skidding is pointless. Unless you're trying out for the circus, I suppose.

lubes17319

Makes it even easier, squeeze your rear brake till you skid.

franswa

Skids and track stands. The only way to ride!

thedapperest

Try pushing you legs against your top tube when you do it, works for me

Euthyphro

I'm confused about why someone would post a question on a forum if they didn't want opinions.

TejanoTrackie 

Sometimes people just want some specific advice or information, and not people expressing disatisfaction with their life decisions. Whether or not skidding makes any sense is irrelevant to the OP's inquiry.

Euthyphro

Well that's just like, your opinion man.

I'm kidding. Fair enough.