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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)
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?

Old 12-27-06, 05:53 PM
  #51  
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brakes? what are you? gay?

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Old 12-27-06, 05:55 PM
  #52  
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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).
water, pump, tools and tube (or tire for tubular) all go in the bag dummy.
don't a troll.
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Old 12-27-06, 06:05 PM
  #53  
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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).
Most people I know that have pics up on fgg ride quite hard and lots of miles too.
If you are not riding in the country there a plenty of places to stop to get some water and food.
My tools fit into my fanny pack and the water between the seatstays. On long long long rides or country rides I bring a bag with more water. When it rains I add fenders. Riding in my environment most things attached to a bike will get stolen (bags, panniers, frame pump, etc) so even from that standpoint it makes more sense to carry things on the person. My underthesaddlebag is a piece of canvas that things are rolled into that is secured with a toestrap. Try it - you will like it.
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Old 12-27-06, 06:10 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by 46x17
Drafting people without handbrakes is perfectly fine.
Until the person in front of you slams on their brakes doing 28 mph and you smash into them. Good way to piss off your geared friends.



Originally Posted by 46x17
It also makes you more careful!
Naturally it changes your riding style, but thats a necessity of the increased stopping distance. But I would define that as being more reckless. One could very easily argue that the simple act of adding a front brake makes one more careful than one only riding with a drivetrain brake.

Edit: I don't want to leave the impression of hating on the brakeless. I enjoy it from time to time. I just thing the "Zen", "more careful", "more vigilant" arguements of riding brakeless are illogical and self-deceptive. Better to recognize and accept the risks than to deny them.
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Old 12-27-06, 06:18 PM
  #55  
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Originally Posted by 46x17
Most people I know that have pics up on fgg ride quite hard and lots of miles too.
If you are not riding in the country there a plenty of places to stop to get some water and food.
My tools fit into my fanny pack and the water between the seatstays. On long long long rides or country rides I bring a bag with more water. When it rains I add fenders. Riding in my environment most things attached to a bike will get stolen (bags, panniers, frame pump, etc) so even from that standpoint it makes more sense to carry things on the person. My underthesaddlebag is a piece of canvas that things are rolled into that is secured with a toestrap. Try it - you will like it.
I agree with you...however, I still submit that there are people who strip their bikes down for the photo session and then reinstall brakes and accessories when riding. Theres nothing wrong with doing that...but still its a little deceptive. If I ever get around to submitting my Bareknuckle, I'll include figures of the stripped down track setup (which I ride occasionally) as well as the everyday road setup with brakes, bottles, framepump and the works.
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Old 12-27-06, 06:21 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by mihlbach
Until the person in front of you slams on their brakes doing 28 mph and you smash into them. Good way to piss off your geared friends.





Naturally it changes your riding style, but thats a necessity of the increased stopping distance. But I would define that as being more reckless. One could very easily argue that the simple act of adding a front brake makes one more careful than one only riding with a drivetrain brake.

Edit: I don't want to leave the impression of hating on the brakeless. I enjoy it from time to time. I just thing the "Zen", "more careful", "more vigilant" arguements of riding brakeless are illogical and self-deceptive. Better to recognize and accept the risks than to deny them.
The reason you become more watchful is because you perceive riding without a handbrake as an increased risk.

Same as walking through a supposedly bad neighbourhood or driving on a busy street.

It is a natural reflex not a denial of risk.

I generally don't draft geared riders but if they slam on their brakes going 28mph I doubt I'd have much of chance not rear ending them handbrake or not.
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Old 12-27-06, 06:24 PM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by mihlbach
I agree with you...however, I still submit that there are people who strip their bikes down for the photo session and then reinstall brakes and accessories when riding. Theres nothing wrong with doing that...but still its a little deceptive. If I ever get around to submitting my Bareknuckle, I'll include figures of the stripped down track setup (which I ride occasionally) as well as the everyday road setup with brakes, bottles, framepump and the works.
Yes, I agree! The whole 'being ashamed of brake' thing it so silly.
It is personal preference not a better or worse thing.
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Old 12-27-06, 06:29 PM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by 46x17

I generally don't draft geared riders but if they slam on their brakes going 28mph I doubt I'd have much of chance not rear ending them handbrake or not.
You may have forgotten just how effective a good handbrake can be!
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Old 12-27-06, 06:32 PM
  #59  
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Could be. I ride handbrakes regularly on my geared bike. I'lll upgrade the pads and see what it does. Currently I could not come to an immediate stop going 28mph. Sure quicker than the fix but still takes a couple feet.
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Old 12-27-06, 08:19 PM
  #60  
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I personnaly feel I can be much more aggressive with a brake, so I keep it. I like to go fast, I know how to skip/skid, and this is what I do to stop and slow down. I nearly never use it and can not rememember when was the last time I used it. Just in case one day it can make the difference... I don't want to die on NYC streets. However, I think a fixed gear bike definitively looks better without a brake.

Last week in Lower East Side, an old guy stopped walking, looked at my bike and asked me (I was not riding) if it was a fixed gear and then why I had a brake... During one or two seconds, I felt stupid, but I know I feel safer with one, so I really don't care. "Emergency stops" was my answer...
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Old 12-27-06, 09:10 PM
  #61  
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I ride brakeless but where I live it is very flat I can get away with it don't let me or anyone else influence you go with what you are comfortable with within your abilities
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Old 12-27-06, 09:51 PM
  #62  
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My front brake saved my ass last night. (I like riding fast).
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