What To Do With Fixed Gear Riders Who Refuse to Put Brakes on Their Bikes?
11-12-18, 04:19 PM
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What To Do With Fixed Gear Riders Who Refuse to Put Brakes on Their Bikes?
This seems to be a growing. Riders (typically young and male) who think its cool to have a bike without brakes that can be stopped by their immensly powerful legs.
Unfortunately, it doesn't always work and I've seen some pretty close calls even a few involving me.
So how do you talk to these people about putting brakes on their bikes?
Of course an option is to just let it slip, but I think that's taking the easy option.
Unfortunately, it doesn't always work and I've seen some pretty close calls even a few involving me.
So how do you talk to these people about putting brakes on their bikes?
Of course an option is to just let it slip, but I think that's taking the easy option.
11-12-18, 04:44 PM
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If you REALLY want to learn something, post this on the Single Speed and Fixed Gear Forum.
If you want OPINIONS from a bunch of old farts who never rode fixed, no brakes - you came to the right place.
I'm gunna sit this one out for a bit.
If you want OPINIONS from a bunch of old farts who never rode fixed, no brakes - you came to the right place.
I'm gunna sit this one out for a bit.
11-12-18, 06:09 PM
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Telling random stranger how fix their fixies? Hmmm. That should work out fine. Some states require at least one working brake. Just hand out Darwin awards?
11-12-18, 08:23 PM
#4
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Fixed gear that stops a bicycle within the legal stopping distance meets the intention of brakes regardless of who does not like it.
The only other cyclist that have hit me, all had front and back brakes.
Maybe the states with brake laws should also should require all cyclist to switch their braked bikes to fixed gear, then everyone could have 3 braking systems rather than just two.
OP - if they did not hit you, then they adequately stopped.
The only other cyclist that have hit me, all had front and back brakes.
Maybe the states with brake laws should also should require all cyclist to switch their braked bikes to fixed gear, then everyone could have 3 braking systems rather than just two.
OP - if they did not hit you, then they adequately stopped.
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11-12-18, 09:34 PM
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11-13-18, 05:21 AM
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"Educating" other riders of the error of their ways mid-ride rarely work well. It tends to spread anger, not knowledge. And that anger may well lead to resisting change as it becomes a point of contention.
It's like addictions, people won't change until they themselves see the need for change.
I treat them like I treat any other road user who seems to be judgement, equipment or skill impaired - by trying to keep a safe distance.
It's like addictions, people won't change until they themselves see the need for change.
I treat them like I treat any other road user who seems to be judgement, equipment or skill impaired - by trying to keep a safe distance.
11-13-18, 06:08 AM
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Seems to me, if there is no collision, the brakes were sufficient ... but that also might mean they were not tested.
At least a few pedestrians in England have been killed by fixie riders who could not stop in time. So ... I guess we should assume brakes aren't necessary until someone is killed?
And as for lights ... until someone is hit, I guess riding ninja is okay ... the lighting is sufficient, even if it doesn't exist, until someone is hit, right?
11-13-18, 07:42 AM
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How do you talk to anyone about anything you don't like them doing? Easy answer is that you don't. Instead, the normal strategy is to propose legislation to "protect" people from their aberrant practices.
11-13-18, 08:39 AM
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You should yell at them. Or wave. Your choice.
11-13-18, 10:14 AM
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I just hope that, when they need knee replacements at age 39, their doctors, nurses, and pt's mock them for their titanic stupidity. I've ridden fixed on and off since 1971--my knees thank me for being friends with Weinmann, Mafac, Dia Compe, etc.
11-13-18, 10:36 AM
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Fixed gear that stops a bicycle within the legal stopping distance meets the intention of brakes regardless of who does not like it.
The only other cyclist that have hit me, all had front and back brakes.
Maybe the states with brake laws should also should require all cyclist to switch their braked bikes to fixed gear, then everyone could have 3 braking systems rather than just two.
OP - if they did not hit you, then they adequately stopped.
The only other cyclist that have hit me, all had front and back brakes.
Maybe the states with brake laws should also should require all cyclist to switch their braked bikes to fixed gear, then everyone could have 3 braking systems rather than just two.
OP - if they did not hit you, then they adequately stopped.
11-13-18, 10:41 AM
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11-13-18, 12:32 PM
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Not your place to do anything, unless you are their parent (I insisted my son put a front brake on his fixie...he was fine as he didn't want to be strapped in to the pedals) or are fixing the bike and it is a liability thing (either don't fix or don't let out without a brake)
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11-13-18, 01:50 PM
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11-13-18, 03:16 PM
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Confront them, give them a piece of your mind and what not...see what happens. Make sure you get it on video.
11-13-18, 03:22 PM
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Am old fart whose first bike (1955) was a fixie (with front brake).
Thought (and practical) experiment.
Thought (and practical) experiment.
- Ride fixie at (any) speed
- slow down using legs only
- Then apply front brake
- Slow down even more quickly
11-13-18, 06:18 PM
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No collision doesn't mean no brakes are needed
In my case I side stepped out the way to avoid the collision. Others dived out the way.
I agree its not socially the norm to lecture people, but neither is expecteding others to get out of your way.
I agree its not socially the norm to lecture people, but neither is expecteding others to get out of your way.
11-13-18, 09:27 PM
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11-14-18, 12:43 PM
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I can say I tried
I ran into the guy who nearly ran into me earlier. I tried to make the conversation about a shared passion for bikes and it went something like this:
ME: That's a nice bike you have there (lying through my teeth)
HIM: Yes, it is
ME: You know equipment in bikes has changed a lot. That chain ring set you have there ia simple alu crankset, you can really nice forged ones.
HIM: Were they forged in Mt Doom?
ME: What
HIM: Mt Doom?
ME: I got to leave.
So we never talked about his brakes. His mind was so fried with god knows what. For those of you who don't know your Tolken. The ring to rule them all were forged in Mt Doom.
ME: That's a nice bike you have there (lying through my teeth)
HIM: Yes, it is
ME: You know equipment in bikes has changed a lot. That chain ring set you have there ia simple alu crankset, you can really nice forged ones.
HIM: Were they forged in Mt Doom?
ME: What
HIM: Mt Doom?
ME: I got to leave.
So we never talked about his brakes. His mind was so fried with god knows what. For those of you who don't know your Tolken. The ring to rule them all were forged in Mt Doom.
11-14-18, 02:11 PM
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Clearly the fixie folks, the singlespeed set, and the 1x11 clique all fight over precious.
Beyond that to brake, or not to break, those are the questions.
-mr. bill
Beyond that to brake, or not to break, those are the questions.
-mr. bill