esskay

hey everyone. in a couple of weeks, ill be buying my first track bike. there are just a few questions i have for those of you who have been riding for a while.

first of all, since it is my first fixed gear bicycle, i was seriously considering getting a brake. is this a good idea? im trying to spend as little money as possible so if im not going to use or like the brake, then i dont want to get it.

also, what is the difference between a drop lever and a cross lever?

i pedal my bike everyday, and use it for most of my commuting. i plan on buying an IRO, is this a good choice? or are there other options out there that would better suit my purpose?

thanks in advance!

climbo

first track bike, for the street or track riding?

IRO is fine for a bike, front brake good to start with if you want to ride on the streets.

fixedpip

If you just want it for mainly for commuting, go and ask/search in the singlespeed/fixed gear forum. Theres a ton of advice in there.

https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/

Lots of folks will steer you towards IROs, but the Pista is also worth looking at, as are the Fuji track bikes (if you can find one for cheep).

esskay

thanks so much!

nep

When I first started riding fixed, I ran a front brake (I took it off after a few months). I would recommend it as you need to get used to being able to stop quickly and efficiently using your legs. As for your question regarding cross/drop levers, I would run a cross lever (kinda like a mountain bike lever), a drop lever would be more like a traditional road lever. There are also the bullhorn levers (profile design makes 'em, I know) which mount to the end of bullhorns (instead of an end cap) if you're using them. That, I suppose, is all preference. The IRO is a decent frame, it should do you well, plus it is more fun to build up your own bike instead of buying a pista/fugi/redline/whatever. Have fun!