stormywaters

I keep seeing freewheelin' single speeders rolling around town with only a front brake, WTF?

It's clear to me that these people do not understand the physics in stopping a bicycle, but why would you risk killing yourself simply to look like you are running a fixed gear?

If you are one of these people, please, help me understand your death wish.

marqueemoon

This has been debated to death here.

Yes, it is possible to run only a front brake and not die, but the fact that you are only running one gear does not provide you with any more additional stopping power/control.

roadgator

I'm right there with you, but this has been discussed ad nauseum here.

It's just a symptom of the larger trend of people using bicycles more as fashion than functional transportation.

Pajaro

That is silly. A rear brake would be beneficial in that situation.

fatbot

I've done it before when I didn't have a spare rear brake to throw on.

bexley

Wow, your righteous indignation is so, so stupid.

First of all, the whole post (well, thread, actually) seems to just be a relishing in your tin-pot theory that they all want to look like they're running a fixed gear.

Risk killing yourself? While it may be clear to you that "these people do not understand...physics," it's clear to me that you don't know how to modulate a front brake.

When riding on my geared road bike I very, very rarely have to use my rear brake. Most of the stopping power is in the front, or did you not know that?

No one will argue that it's safer and more convenient to have two brakes on a freewheeling bike (for reasons covered ad nauseum in this forum), but making a thread to deride those who don't (the 8th or so in recent history) is shows less intelligence than someone riding a SS with just a front brake.

fetch

i personally prefer riding Razors now, IMO, everyone in this forums should too.

kemmer

Riding a SS with only rear brake is better than riding a FG without any brakes at all. Also, I would really love it if you would elaborate on the "physics in stopping a bicycle". Why exactly is having only a front brake so much more deadly on a SS than on a FG?

exhibitx

really you should always have 2 brakes, obviously those who do not, are taking a risk, but that is their risk to take

weather you are riding fixed gear with no brakes or a SS with only 1 brake, it's dangerous, i'd rather ride a SS with only a front brake than a fixed with no brakes ... and i know a lot of people here ride with no brakes, so i don't know why it's always such a big deal.

crosswalkrider

I wonder if I have a beer in the refridgerator?

a_elephant

If your brake goes out how will you stop your bike?

With a FG you can lock up your rear wheel.

With a SS I guess you'd have to Fred Flintstone it.

A rear brake is definitely not necessary, but it's silly to skimp on such a cheap/easy to install part.

I'm sure fashion is the motivating factor for many who ride this way.

I'm having trouble thinking of a logical reason otherwise.

skinnyland

I put a front brake and bullhorns on my Razor for superpredictable track skids.

pinkmike

Check with the master

willypilgrim

Do people really think it's that hard to throw your foot onto the rear tire to stop? I've done it when I threw my chain on my fixed gear, is it that hard to assume someone with only 1 brake on a singlespeed could do the same should their brake fail?

oceanfx

Weight savings, simplicity, and not being an idiot were my primary reasons for running front-brake only when I rode SS. Nothing to do with looking like a fixie.

There was just a thread about whether or not a rear brake is absolutely necessary: DONT READ IF YOU ARE A SELF-RITEOUS ******BAG!

Sheldon Brown is a good resource too, but read only if you have the capacity for critical thought.

oceanfx

The thing is, while everyone is up in arms about riding a singlespeed with just a front brake, they seem perfectly okay with fixed gears...never mind that you can throw your chain whether you ride fixed or free..............................and if the front brake is the fastest way to stop without a broken chain, the front brake is still the fastest way to stop WITH a broken chain. It doesn't suddenly change.

roadfix

It may be difficult for those who's never tried this maneuver before.

willypilgrim

But I think the argument isn't traditionally that singlespeeders should use rear instead of front, it's that they should run both because if one should fail, they have another as a means to stop. The same purpose is served by a fixed gear with a front brake. I could see if you were comparing it to brakeless riding, but what i quoted from you is you saying it's silly for people to ***** about SS with front only but not fixed with front only. A fix with a front break has, effectively, two brakes. A ss with front only has one brake.

Marrock

I don't run fixed or ss but the only time I use my rear brakes is when I'm towing the BoB trailer and need the extra stopping power because of the added weight since I'm usually hauling 100+ lbs. of groceries and suchlike.

BLIMP

100+lbs of groceries? Unless your suchlike is rebar or something you eat a lot.

roadfix

You're out of control! Don't overload that bob trailer!

Marrock

No, we hit the store every two weeks and get a lot of canned stuff... (three people trying to survive on a single paycheck till I can find a new joblike gig )

Control hasn't really been an issue so far and it's only overloaded if it breaks, also not an issue so far.

666pack

either way, you're still a tool if you coast.

BLIMP

I hate when my jokes reveal something unfortunate. Best of luck finding a new, fuller teet to suck on.

jussik

my old mtb is now single speed with freewheel and brake only on the front. and i don't care.