View Poll Results: Do you use brakes on your fixie?
Nope.
51
38.35%
Front brake.
72
54.14%
Both front and rear.
10
7.52%
Voters: 133. You may not vote on this poll
Brakes or not?
#26
antisocialite
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,385
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by wroomwroomoops
Actually, as far as I remember, most photos I've seen, have been of frames that didn't even have the brake posts.
OK, I went back to the "Your Fixed Gear/SS Photos!" thread, and I didn't see, in the few minutes I blanced through, one single instance where the bare brake tabs would be visible. So either all the frames where without them as designed, or they were shaved/filed off.
OK, I went back to the "Your Fixed Gear/SS Photos!" thread, and I didn't see, in the few minutes I blanced through, one single instance where the bare brake tabs would be visible. So either all the frames where without them as designed, or they were shaved/filed off.
Originally Posted by wroomwroomoops
So, this poll seems to show that there's a "silent majority".
sorry dude, nothing personal.
edit: changed some "we"s to "i"s
#27
Sir Fallalot
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,286
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
11 Posts
Originally Posted by BostonFixed
Brakes are mounted on that bike in the same way they are mounted on this bike:
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...chmentid=32693
There is a brake hole through the fork crown, where a brake is bolted onto.
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...chmentid=32693
There is a brake hole through the fork crown, where a brake is bolted onto.
Originally Posted by dirtyphotons
caliper brakes do not require posts, only holes.
as a member of said majority, i usually stay silent because i find threads about the personal choice of brakes vs. no brakes to be played (when in the form of an argument) or ***********y (when everyone agrees).
sorry dude, nothing personal.
as a member of said majority, i usually stay silent because i find threads about the personal choice of brakes vs. no brakes to be played (when in the form of an argument) or ***********y (when everyone agrees).
sorry dude, nothing personal.
Last edited by wroomwroomoops; 12-27-06 at 11:46 AM.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA.
Posts: 350
Bikes: Univega conversion and a Bianchi Pista.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use both front and rear brakes on my ss, none on one fixie, and front on the other. I find the brake is nice for emergencies, and for big hills at the end of long rides.
#29
King of the molehills
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Detroit 'burbs, east side.
Posts: 1,192
Bikes: '04 Giant OCR2, DIY light tourer built on on Scattante cross frame, '87 Schwinn World Sport F/G conversion, '85 Schwinn Super Le Tour
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Front brake. I was dubious at first being accustomed to two brakes on my road bike, but it works fine for me, especially since installing Koolstop pads.
I tried brakeless for maybe two rides on MUPs at first but decided it was borderline suicidal. (Edit: Plus, being used to riding on the hoods, it wasn't comfortable.)
Being older and protective of my knees, I prefer not to backpedal hard or skid. Mild backpedaling to adjust speed is OK for me though.
BTW, got Cane Creek road levers from my wife for Xmas to replace the crappy old suicide lever stock ones on my conversion.
I tried brakeless for maybe two rides on MUPs at first but decided it was borderline suicidal. (Edit: Plus, being used to riding on the hoods, it wasn't comfortable.)
Being older and protective of my knees, I prefer not to backpedal hard or skid. Mild backpedaling to adjust speed is OK for me though.
BTW, got Cane Creek road levers from my wife for Xmas to replace the crappy old suicide lever stock ones on my conversion.
Last edited by bcoppola; 12-27-06 at 04:14 PM.
#30
Walks with a limp
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Indy, IN
Posts: 1,346
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mihlbach
Fixed Gear Gallery is the same...lots of bikes with no brakes, or anything else for that matter. Its fairly obvious that people dont really ride their bikes all that much, or they photograph their bikes before installing the brakes and other accessories or remove them off to take the photos. I guess is supposed to make the bike look cooler...really, it just makes it look less functional. Can you imagine all these people riding around with no brakes, no water bottles, no fenders, no frame pump, or bag for spare tube and tools? I kind of doubt it. Theres no way I'd ride far from home without most of that stuff (except maybe fenders, which I only have on one of my bikes).
not quite..
#31
Dismount Run Remount etc.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Some Latitude and Some Longitude
Posts: 2,235
Bikes: A couple customs and some beaters.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Brakes for races and when I want to go stupidly fast and still have modulation.
No brakes for the races that require such a thing, when I want to look soooo kewli00)), or when I know I don't need to stop incredibly quickly.
No brakes for the races that require such a thing, when I want to look soooo kewli00)), or when I know I don't need to stop incredibly quickly.
#32
IT'S IN YOUR HEAD
Join Date: May 2006
Location: the del
Posts: 401
Bikes: 46/16 - schwinn conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i dont have a front brake currently, but am thinking about putting one on for rainy conditions.
#33
IT'S IN YOUR HEAD
Join Date: May 2006
Location: the del
Posts: 401
Bikes: 46/16 - schwinn conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
and in reference to 12XU - if i were to do a race i'd probably put a brake on then too
#34
crotchety young dude
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SF, CA
Posts: 4,818
Bikes: IRO Angus; Casati Gold Line; Redline 925; '72 Schwinn Olympic Paramount
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I honestly don't see any reason to take my brake off for normal riding. Maybe for trick **** or polo and throw on some stupid narrow bars, but around town? Not for me.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 3,363
Bikes: DW
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I honestly don't see any reason to run a brake for normal riding. Maybe for trick **** or polo and throw on some stupid narrow bars, but around town? Not for me.
and there we have it
and there we have it
#36
YOU ARE NOW TUNED IN
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: The City that Works
Posts: 1,185
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I rode with a brake until my legs got strong enough and I got experienced enough to ride brakeless all the time, which I do now. In the city, in traffic. It's better for me. I don't like the feeling of using a brake to stop a fixed gear, you know, because you can use your legs? If I needed to grab a brake in emergency I'll just be doing an endo anyway, so I don't see the point. And as for really long rides, I use a road bike. Brakeless. .
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: philadelphia pa
Posts: 141
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I started off with a front brake as most people do but after a while saw myself not ever using it so I took it off. At first I didnt like riding brakeless because I didnt know how to skip or skid and I was relying on pure backpressure and the tendinitis in my knee didnt like that much. After learning how to skip Ive since given my knee a lot of relief and have been better at stopping fast. Im also not one of those balls to the wall pedal fast as you can types. I enjoy a slower riding pace where I can stop efficiently in any situation.
#38
crotchety young dude
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SF, CA
Posts: 4,818
Bikes: IRO Angus; Casati Gold Line; Redline 925; '72 Schwinn Olympic Paramount
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by eddiebrannan
I honestly don't see any reason to run a brake for normal riding. Maybe for trick **** or polo and throw on some stupid narrow bars, but around town? Not for me.
and there we have it
and there we have it
#39
hmm..
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RVA
Posts: 305
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have ridden with a front brake since I started riding fixed. I hardly ever used it except down steep hills for general safety but never in a true emergency. It was kind of a nice "just in case". However I switched the handlebars on my bike a few weeks ago and have gone brakeless. Went from drops to a riser. I bought a different brake lever, just wanted to try riding brakeless for a short time. I love it, but I wouldn't recommend it as I now find myself being much more conscious about stopping and you spend more time thinking about slowing down then I would ever on a bike with brakes. If I didn't know how to skid I'd never consider brakeless to be an option.
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 108
Bikes: Gazelle Tour De L'Avenir, Iro BFSSFG, Motobecane Fantom CX, Redline Monocog 29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I definitely prefer having my front brake on my bike, even when it isn't being used it's nice to know it's there.
#41
Danger! Danger!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 216
Bikes: CAAD10, Norco A1, Bob Jackson WT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, at some point, the conversation is going to be moot. CA and Oregon have very similar bike brake laws, and this year, a judge in Oregon recently decided that the law as is, implies that you have to have at least one brake. Legs & gear don't count.
hub-bub
CA cops are too lazy to cite for this, but I imagine it'll start a slow legislative trend where the definition of required bike gear will get clamped down.
hub-bub
CA cops are too lazy to cite for this, but I imagine it'll start a slow legislative trend where the definition of required bike gear will get clamped down.
#42
dances with bicycle
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 1,683
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Rugen
Well, at some point, the conversation is going to be moot. CA and Oregon have very similar bike brake laws, and this year, a judge in Oregon recently decided that the law as is, implies that you have to have at least one brake. Legs & gear don't count.
hub-bub
CA cops are too lazy to cite for this, but I imagine it'll start a slow legislative trend where the definition of required bike gear will get clamped down.
hub-bub
CA cops are too lazy to cite for this, but I imagine it'll start a slow legislative trend where the definition of required bike gear will get clamped down.
Check this! https://bikeportland.org/2006/11/22/w...ixed-gear-law/
1204.1 Each bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which enables the operator to cause the braked wheels to skid on dry, level, clean pavement; provided, that a fixed gear bicycle is not required to have a separate brake, but an operator of a fixed gear bicycle shall be able to stop the bicycle using the pedals.
Hooray for DC! Keep it reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllll!
#43
Danger! Danger!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 216
Bikes: CAAD10, Norco A1, Bob Jackson WT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That is awesome news.
But I still don't trust lawyers & legislators to have anything better to do than to jump on the bandwagon... the first time the family of a thief sues a cyclist for injuries incurred when they try to heist a fixie and end up as blood on the asphalt, everyone will get their panties in a bunch.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
But I still don't trust lawyers & legislators to have anything better to do than to jump on the bandwagon... the first time the family of a thief sues a cyclist for injuries incurred when they try to heist a fixie and end up as blood on the asphalt, everyone will get their panties in a bunch.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
#44
elite
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: seattle, wa
Posts: 516
Bikes: track, road, cross, fixie
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by deathhare
No brake=small cock compensation
#45
Danger! Danger!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 216
Bikes: CAAD10, Norco A1, Bob Jackson WT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by trackstar10
nah, just makes mine bigger than it already is.
#46
dances with bicycle
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 1,683
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Rugen
That is awesome news.
But I still don't trust lawyers & legislators to have anything better to do than to jump on the bandwagon... the first time the family of a thief sues a cyclist for injuries incurred when they try to heist a fixie and end up as blood on the asphalt, everyone will get their panties in a bunch.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
But I still don't trust lawyers & legislators to have anything better to do than to jump on the bandwagon... the first time the family of a thief sues a cyclist for injuries incurred when they try to heist a fixie and end up as blood on the asphalt, everyone will get their panties in a bunch.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
So legislatetors DID change it for the better.
The fixed wheel brake is same deal as a coaster brake and nobody cries about that either.
It is not really a big deal to ride without handbrakes. The sooner this is realized the sooner we can get over it.
#47
Senior Member
For all you brakeless folks out there...I'm intertested in what sort of riding you do and if you ever encounter times when you think a brake might come in usefull. I don't normally ride brakeless, but I'm capable of doing so, so I don't feel like less of a man for using a front brake. However, I find that there are times when the brake just makes more sense, like when I'm pulling my kid to daycare in a trailer. Riding brakless with a kid in a trailer is just not an option. I also do long rides and drafting people brakeless is irresponsible. Moreover, after the 50th mile or the 50 stop light, my knees just aren't interested in skipping/skidding anymore. Backpedaling to stop is fun but not repeatedly hundreds of times in one ride...thats just not good, and it zapps my energy and ruins my tire...these things are not good on long rides. For the other 50% of the time, brakeless would be fine, but its not worth removing it...just because you have a brake on your bike doesn't mean you can't ride brakeless.
#48
biciclista
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Spain
Posts: 105
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
I rode with a front brake for 1.5 years. I liked using it to slow down when going downhill or when I was carrying a large load (groceries or launry). I recently bought a track frame without brakeholes so I´m currently brakeless. I miss the brake and I like my knees so I´m slowly going with a brake, the only deterring aspect is that I don´t want to kill the classic look of the bike so I just found a vintage road fork that fits the frame. Now I need to find a decent vintage brake and install everything on it. I have to admit that I like the looks of a brakeless bike but I have to be more practical. I also have lights on it.
#49
JuNKie! bike junkie!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,559
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mihlbach
For all you brakeless folks out there...I'm intertested in what sort of riding you do and if you ever encounter times when you think a brake might come in usefull. I don't normally ride brakeless, but I'm capable of doing so, so I don't feel like less of a man for using a front brake. However, I find that there are times when the brake just makes more sense, like when I'm pulling my kid to daycare in a trailer. Riding brakless with a kid in a trailer is just not an option. I also do long rides and drafting people brakeless is irresponsible. Moreover, after the 50th mile or the 50 stop light, my knees just aren't interested in skipping/skidding anymore. Backpedaling to stop is fun but not repeatedly hundreds of times in one ride...thats just not good, and it zapps my energy and ruins my tire...these things are not good on long rides. For the other 50% of the time, brakeless would be fine, but its not worth removing it...just because you have a brake on your bike doesn't mean you can't ride brakeless.
oh thats why there was a warning sticker on the gt pusle meant not for street use track use only.
oh well
honestly maybe I'm alone ,but even when I rode with a brake I forgot to use it when I could have. but made it through fine.
I think that you should learn with a front brake at least and would never recommend a beginner to ride brakeless and I do think its a little crazy to ride brake less..
wow that was long winded sorry
__________________
www.cranks505.com
www.cranks505.com
#50
dances with bicycle
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 1,683
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Stop calling it brakeless!
It is a drivetrain brake!
I don't pull kids in a trailer yet so I can't comment on how hard that would be with a drivetrain brake. However, I would most likely use a handbrake when doing it.
Drafting people without handbrakes is perfectly fine.
I have no idea why that would be irresponsible.
Going 50 miles plus so far has been fine without handbrakes.
Sure, there are situations where a brake would make life easier but the same is true for gears or engines or recumbents and yet I don't ride those either. It is not a convenience thing!
Is it a style thing? Yes, of course it is! The riding style derived from riding without a handbrake is much different in most cases that that of someone using a handbrake. Does it look better? Yes, it does! Does it feel better in your head? To me it does! Of course there is nothing that a bicycle without a handbrake can do that one with a handbrake can't but that fluid fixed riding style that we all look at in videos on the internet is easier to acquire when one is forced. It also makes you more careful!
It is a drivetrain brake!
I don't pull kids in a trailer yet so I can't comment on how hard that would be with a drivetrain brake. However, I would most likely use a handbrake when doing it.
Drafting people without handbrakes is perfectly fine.
I have no idea why that would be irresponsible.
Going 50 miles plus so far has been fine without handbrakes.
Sure, there are situations where a brake would make life easier but the same is true for gears or engines or recumbents and yet I don't ride those either. It is not a convenience thing!
Is it a style thing? Yes, of course it is! The riding style derived from riding without a handbrake is much different in most cases that that of someone using a handbrake. Does it look better? Yes, it does! Does it feel better in your head? To me it does! Of course there is nothing that a bicycle without a handbrake can do that one with a handbrake can't but that fluid fixed riding style that we all look at in videos on the internet is easier to acquire when one is forced. It also makes you more careful!