This might be a stupid question, I've read a bit about fixed gear they look like they could be fun. I know some don't even put brakes on their bikes, how do you stop? I figure you could slow down to a stop but sometimes that is just not feasible.

Kind of depends on where you ride and how you are geared. Also how heavy you are and how brave/stupid. If it is flat I can stop just about as fast without the front brake as with. I can lock the back wheel up when stopping so the power is there but it is a little hard to modulate. It is a mixture of the wheel turning and then locking up for a second and then turning again, skipping. If I am slowing down a hill, in order to stop, I have to use my brake. I only run the front brake, but I have both levers on the bike to have a hand rest and I have thought about using a tandem splitter so I can brake with either hand.

Just curious is that harder on you're legs, then normal cycling (when braking by stopping the rear wheel)? Sounds like fun to (just what I need another bike project hahaha). Hmmm... how many bikes should one person own? haha

The answer is always the current amount you own +1

Your legs get more of a work out, but it is not really hard on them. Fixed is also really good for your spin and makes you smoother. Plus, when I ride mine it makes me cool, and I am not otherwise cool.

I am a wuss...I run brakes on both of mine...snap a chain on a steep downhill and it's "hello road rash!"

I'm seriously thinking about this.. either fixing up a old bike as a fixie or getting one already that way. Okie so number of bikes I have +1 is still sane.. okie so I'm okie with 5 then.. I'm still sane that is good to know

It will become your favorite bike.
You can never have to many bikes, I have 6 plus a unicycle(As well as 2 motorcycles and enough spares to build 3 more) And then my wife has 2 bicycles. There is one room, in the house, that has nothing but bikes, repair stands, and parts. It is better laid out than the shop I work at, but then my house doesn't have a fleet of partimers running around in it.
BBQ, I tried to get a no brakes freewheel ride going but nobody was interested, bunch of sissies.

I should get my state tax return soon any time, Fixed gear does sound like fun! Maybbe unicycle after fixied gear atleast they are cheap hahaha

How hard is it to lock the back wheel when trying to stop? Is there any special technique to it?

it's not that hard, depending on your gearing. a harder gear will make it harder to skid.

truth be told, skidding is really a waste of time (and tires).

if you're really interested, though, as your pedaling basically stand up, move your weight forward over the bars, and lock your legs. everyone has a leg they prefer over the other. as that leg is on the upstroke of your pedal circle basically try to stop the movement. since your weight is shifted forward there'll be less traction on the rear wheel to keep it rolling, which will leave you in a skid.

i would recommend installing a front brake until you're comfortable riding fixed, and even then i'd leave it on.

(i should take my own advice.)

edit: oh, skidding is also a good way to destroy a hub. if you're curious i'll explain how/why it happens.

Nice to be able to stop as hard as possible when the lady in her green suburban backs out of her drive way right in front of you. It is not skidding, but when I stop hard(PANIC) esp when using the front brake, the back wheel skips locking and unlocking as I pass through the power part of my pedal stroke.
OK, how did you destroy a hub skidding?

say you're cruisin along at a good clip, and say you go into a skid.. the hub/cog/lock ring will be stationary, but they sure as hell want to be spinning. as you know, the lock ring is there to keep the cog from spinning itself off, which is exactly what it wants to do in this situation. the cog, trying to spin itself off the hub, will press on the lock ring quite hard. sometimes, hard enough to damage the threads holding the lock ring on.

I just trashed my hub doing leg locks.

I had a cheapo hub sprocket and lockring. When I tried doing some skids and leg locks, the sprocket trashed the threads on the hub.

I got about four years out of that wheel so I can't complain. I should be receiving a new wheel with a Suzue hub (sealed bearings), Dura sprocket, lockring and a KMC s.s. chain.

I can not wait to get on that baby!!!!