I don't follow your logic. Brakes or no brakes it is still a fixed gear and the workout doesn't change.

Should I wear lycra when I ride fixed ?

Yes. And don't forget to swap out the parts on your bike and put the most expensive **** on it that you can find so all those uppity bike messengers who the real king of the street is. Bonus points for "an all NJS build!" It's the only way to earn street cred.

In Tokyo everyone has a bell and no one pays attention - especially me. It annoys me to no end to have people ride up while walking on a crowded sidewalk ringing their bell expecting everyone to get out of the way. If they wanna go faster they should get in the street. Also a bell doesn't help so much in the frequent emergency situations like yesterday when a rider I was passing while he was texting decided to cross the street without looking and nearly swerved into me. If I had a bell, I would have to ring it constantly because there are bicycle riders everywhere and I don't know who is going to run into me.

If I have two brakes I wouldn't need to backpedal to stop so why not just switch to a fw? Or is there enough of a fitness benefit to keeping it fixed and backpedal to stop under normal conditions? Or is there a benefit to my legs still moving while slowing (even though I am not pedaling) versus freewheeling?

That was the point of getting rid of my other bicycles for a SS/FG. If I wasn't kitted up and out for 4-5 hours on the road bike I felt like I didn't get a workout. With this bike I just put on my DZR shoes, go nuts for an hour or two and feel like I accomplished something. If I decide to stop somewhere I don't look like any more of tool than usual and don't worry about leaving my bicycle. Not for fear of it getting stolen as dental floss would probably make a fine lock here. But people won't think twice about slamming their rusted out bicycle (or scooter) into yours when parking. I've had bent wheels, derailleur hangers, handlebars...

That's a different discussion relative to the OP. Basically, a brake on a fixed bike is mainly for emergency use. A front brake provides way more stopping power so it is preferred. A rear brake is helpful for slippery conditions or potential endovers.

+1 And on a freewheel bike in case the front brake were to fail (ie cable snapped).

The "benefit" (of riding fixed) is the feeling of being connected to the cranks, which are directly connected to the wheels, which are connected to the road... You've felt this, right?

Other benefits of riding fixed are becoming stronger from riding uphill and smoother from riding downhill. That smoothness translates to better efficiency all the time. Also improved recovery while pedaling. Note that having and using a rear brake doesn't diminish any of these benefits. (I've been riding fixed and benefiting from it for nearly 40 years, all with two good brakes and using them.)

Oh, if you go fast enough downhill to really work on your spin you are also going fast enough that your legs DO NOT add redundancy to your front brake. I was clocked at 40 mph last week. 188 rpm. (42 x 16) With just your legs, your stopping distance will be measured in football fields.

Ben

AT: Yeah well, it's fine. It's not as big a deal as I expected. Maybe when I get the new bars, levers and brakes on it will be better. Right now I only feel connected at the feet.

79: Thanks for the info. I'll keep at it with the new parts.