Originally Posted by 79pmooney

I ride no higher than 48x18, 44x17 and 42x16. (I have three fixies.)

Features my fix gears have always had: 2 good brakes and toeclips and straps. I have had bad knees for 35 years and it is very obvious I have no business even trying to skid. (Funny story: I bought some very good gripping winter tires a few years ago that had just come out. Bought them from the shop in Portland that specializes in fix gears. Went back to report to the owner I liked them. He told me he was going to stop carrying them because other fixie riders were bring them back because they were getting injured trying to skid them. What a concept - to be able to initiate a stop, tires incapable of slowing quickly must be used! Here in Oregon, as long as your tire is slippery enough, you meet the law which states that you must be able to initiate a skid on all braked wheels.

Actually all this means little. We all established as kids how poor rear brakes are. (Those contests for the longest skid?) If you want to get old riding fixed gears, put on a front brake with a lever you can get to fast in an emergency. For me, that's drop bars and road brake levers front and rear.

Toeclips and straps? Because I NEVER want to pull just one foot off the pedal going 40. And at that speed, I have no idea what angle my foot is at. So I view riding fixed and clipless a near death wish. But with old fashioned slotted cleats (like our grandpas used) even if I do pull a cleat out, my foot is still in the toestrap. Drawback? I do fall over every once in a while strapped in. But it is always at a standstill. I'll take 20 of those over one at 40!

Ben (38 years of fixed gear)