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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Stepping off a Fixie

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Old 11-03-18 | 01:12 PM
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Stepping off a Fixie

Ok here

What are your techniques for stopping/getting off a fixed gear bicycle?
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Old 11-03-18 | 01:21 PM
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The same as any other flavor of drive-train on a road bike, it's not a circus act.

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Old 11-03-18 | 01:40 PM
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For me it depends.

For clipless...

If I have a brake it's about the same as a freewheel bike because I can stop on the part of the stroke I want.

If I don't have a brake I think about where I want to end up and unclip the planting foot just before I get there while my attached foot is in the down stroke. This gives enough time to plant my free foot before the clipped foot makes another rotation. The upstroke acts as the last bit of stopping force.
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Old 11-03-18 | 02:12 PM
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Triple axel.
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Old 11-03-18 | 06:05 PM
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I try for the Lutz but it winds up looking like the klutz...
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Old 11-03-18 | 09:33 PM
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There's the "Sheldon Brown" dismount:

Instead of getting off to the side of the bicycle, the fixed-gear rider can go straight off the back. This technique works best if you ride with clips and straps, but if you are really proficient in disengaging from clipless pedals, try it at your own risk.

As the bicycle slows to near walking speed, disengage your left foot, then wait for the right pedal to get to the bottom of its circle. As the right pedal starts to rise, straighten your right leg and let the motion of the pedal lift you up. Let go of the handlebars, let the saddle move forward between your legs, and put your left foot on the ground. As the bike goes ahead, grab it by the saddle.

It takes a bit of courage to try this, but it is actually very easy to do. It is also extremely impressive to watch. When executed properly, it is very smooth, and you can go from riding to walking in a single fluid motion, without ever coming to a stop.
https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html
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Old 11-04-18 | 09:13 AM
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When I want to stop bike, I time the bike to slow down, no stop. I decided I want to get off bike to the non drive side, I unclipped the drive side, kept non drive clipped in. Let's non drive's momentum lift me up, I also stand out of saddle as it lift left leg up, my right leg swing over the top tube and saddle toward the rear tire.

When non drive side lifted me at around 90 degree, my right legs (should be at non drive side now) will touch the ground then unclip left side afterward.

Note: if you fail to unclip left side as moments your right touch the ground, you may finds it awkward. Practice make perfects.
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Old 11-04-18 | 09:55 AM
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Jump off the back as descrbed up a few posts
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Old 11-07-18 | 12:01 PM
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I unclip just before the bike comes to a stop. Put one foot down, then lift the other leg over the back. Hmm... that's just how I get off any bike.
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Old 11-07-18 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by hay
Jump off the back as descrbed up a few posts
yep. jump off the back and ghost ride it into some bushes and go collect it
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Old 11-07-18 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by rms13
yep. jump off the back and ghost ride it into some bushes and go collect it
Are you my neighbor or something 🤣
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Old 11-07-18 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
What if you come to a stop, and your pedal is in the wrong position? But you cannot roll forward to reposition the pedal, due to cross traffic.
Usually this means certain death. It's part of the gamble.
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Old 11-07-18 | 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
What if you come to a stop, and your pedal is in the wrong position? But you cannot roll forward to reposition the pedal, due to cross traffic.
A front brake makes this very easy, Push the bike forward to do a quick roll. In a couple of inches, hit the front brake, Rear wheel comes up and you spin the pedal to where you want it.

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Old 11-07-18 | 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
What if you come to a stop, and your pedal is in the wrong position? But you cannot roll forward to reposition the pedal, due to cross traffic.
With full-on Zen-Control the Fixie-Master never comes to a complete stop turning traffic signals green by a deep understanding of prajna, executing a perfect track stand for up to a week through Śūnyatā, and cutting through gas station parking lots. Any other technique of Fixie-ess is Avidyā.

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Old 11-07-18 | 04:23 PM
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I never get off my fixie.
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Old 11-08-18 | 06:32 AM
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Mom,bring me a meat loaf sandwich.
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Old 11-08-18 | 09:24 AM
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Just lift up the road and move it back a bit.
Or accept certain death as Seau says - we all gotta go sometime. Might as well be while doing something we don't fully comprehend.
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Old 11-08-18 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
What if you come to a stop, and your pedal is in the wrong position? But you cannot roll forward to reposition the pedal, due to cross traffic.
Apply front brake to lock the wheel, push forward, lifting the rear wheel off the ground, rotate the pedals until they're properly oriented, release front brake, done.
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Old 11-09-18 | 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
Apply front brake to lock the wheel, push forward, lifting the rear wheel off the ground, rotate the pedals until they're properly oriented, release front brake, done.
Or, lacking a brake, just pick up the rear of the bike between your legs and rotate the pedals to reposition. It's less graceful, but would work assuming you aren't riding a fairly oversized frame.
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Old 11-11-18 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by TimothyH
I never get off my fixie.
can't get off my fixie, won't get off my fixie

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Old 11-12-18 | 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Caliper
Or, lacking a brake, just pick up the rear of the bike between your legs and rotate the pedals to reposition. It's less graceful, but would work assuming you aren't riding a fairly oversized frame.
You don't even really need to step off the bike, or use the front brake. If you've got some foot retention just hop the rear wheel, similar to how you'd do a skip stop, and back pedal while it's in the air

also that meatloaf sandwich looks good, thread jack the topic to favorite sandwiches?
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Old 11-12-18 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by hardboiled718
You don't even really need to step off the bike, or use the front brake. If you've got some foot retention just hop the rear wheel, similar to how you'd do a skip stop, and back pedal while it's in the air
Who said anything about getting off? You're still astride the bike, just lifting the rear wheel between your legs to spin it.
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Old 11-12-18 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Caliper
Who said anything about getting off? You're still astride the bike, just lifting the rear wheel between your legs to spin it.
You mentioned the potential awkwardness that a large frame might pose, that only seemed to make sense to me if your foot or feet were on the ground, hence the "getting off" aspect, astride or not. I was just saying it's possible to re-position your pedals without actually having to remove your feet from the pedals.
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Old 11-14-18 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by mtb_addict
After reading this thread, I really now want to get a fixie and learn to become a master of fixed gear bike control.
$100.00 on craigslist and you can find out whats up. My first ride I knew they were my kind.
Dont overthink it
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Old 11-14-18 | 06:40 PM
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It's too late Hffy Addict has already been overthinking it to the point the old brain got so hot it turned to liquid and poured right out ; )

They have no plans to ever buy a bike and if they do it will be another wally-mart special so they can avoid mountain biking like the plague.

When I make plans for bikes I usually try and follow through with them if I have the money or I will at least put parts to use on frames I pick up. I do like to sit around and say "oooh new bike should I do it" but then usually at some point I will have a new bike (or an old bike) In this year alone I have done about 7 different projects granted a lot of it was free stuff that I put a little money into to build up (or the Langster which was a replacement for a cracked frame) and two of those builds I am 100% not keeping because they aren't my size and one build I am probably selling but wanted something extra to play with for this winter. Our Addict in the past three years hasn't done anything. Granted I probably won't take on that many projects again for a long time because it has been overwhelming and hard to get things finished but on the plus I have gotten rid of some spare parts and cleaned up a little(ish)
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