as long as ur not tarcking, keep ur front brake
its good to have in emergency situations

I think it's the people who avoid doing something fun because it's dangerous who are the masochists, not the other way around. And besides, you can always manage the risks when you know you're taking them, i.e. when you're having a dicking around sesh on your bike. That way, when your front brake cable snaps, and the risks are real, you'll be way more prepared than the guy who always rode a front brake "because what if you throw a chain dude?" and he suddenly realizes that sometimes the other thing happens too.

as for braking, just go with a break and anticipate by slowing leg speed... as for skidding, you are not smashing your nuts against the stem, it takes a few painful tries, but you need to get as much weight forward and you will eventually figure how to do it without damage to the crotchal region

YOU DONT LEAN FORWARD TO SKID. ARGH this is a misconception. Nuts to stem skids are different than slowing down skids

Sounds like a surefire approach to injury.

lols... is this supposed to be serious?

I think there's something to the idea that not knowing the risks, or at least being unprepared and/or ignorant of the risks, is much more masochistic. That being said, I'll be riding the front brake until I feel comfortable (this means on hills too) without it. That's my goal.

when is the last time you heard of a front brake cable snapping (never)

I've had two brake cables snap on me this year, it...does happen guys. once on the fixed bike was no problem, the freewheel was a bit scarier but I was ready for it to happen (it was a slow test ride) and ted shredded it. but I guess I should have freaked out and ridden into the curb instead!!

maybe read the thread before further beating an already very dead horse.

i watched it, and he's constantly doing it. Is his ratio/gear inches really low? i dont see anything other than he levels out his footing, and every time i've even come close to attempting it, i get the "bucking" sensation..

you gotta tilt your bike hard, too. When your back wheel is sideways, it wants to slide a lot more. Figure out how to feel like you're almost falling over (andy does at one point) and then pull it back from there. and go out when it's raining!

don't tilt too hard. you should learn how to do it first with dry ground because that way you have a bit more traction on the ground and won't slip as easily. it's all about feeling out your balance and doing a tail whip in the rain is not too smart for someone who doesn't have the technique down first.

* I mean doing it in the rain will make it easier though but I don't recommend it, regular skidding is fine to do in the rain though since you'll be more centered over the bike

Word, it's veery easy to lose control when it's wet. You learn how to be soft with your movements so you don't tip the bike over. And you don't get as tired as fast. When it's dry, it's more about raw effort to break traction, but you can also use the extra grip to throw nastier fishtails. I'm actually still really new to sit-down skiddin, but I like to mix it up practising on rainy and dry days because you can work on different aspects of your skid while other parts are easier.

here's a nice rear view of how it's done
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9Mik5AKGYnw

on this note, can many of you skid comfortably without proper foot retention and being able to pull up?

ive been curious

I can skid w/o clips and straps. takes coordination and a bit of getting used to but it's definitely very doable but not too convenient

not to hijack, but should be helpfull information at either rate

ive really banged up my knees alot recently from playing hockey, and pulling way to high of a gear on my pedicab, both are my own fault, but at either rate i have been finding it painful and a struggle to skid so im trying to make it as easy on myself as possible, im running a 48/17 setup so maybe stepping down to something pus is a good idea and then just refining my technique as others have stated in this thread?

my typical technique is to wait for front pedal to orbit around start by lifting and then put weight down as soon as i get to the proper point, i think its damaging my knee, :s

if you don't already have one get a brake. you really don't want to mess up your knees with skidding and you should be fair to your knees and give them proper rest. I don't do it a lot because I find it unnecessary 95% of the time. My general feeling is if you are constantly skidding (in a place that's not hilly), you're not riding well planned. I usually slow down on flats by backpedaling but use the brake exclusively on hills. Skips are reserved for quick speed modulations/maneuvering.

i don't skid that much, and i do ride a front brake, and I'm not a show off but i cant deny that i do enjoy it, :(

your right, i should be taking it easy

ps, in regards to the mash videos

skids downhill = cake

weight is transfered forwards when traveling downhill

right on, I hear you on it being fun and it being easy on a hill

(I'm a noob to all this, go easy)

Is it easier to skid with lower gears? Right now my bike is 48/16 and I'm having a hell of a time getting a skid, unless its on a rainy basketball court..and even then its a struggle to keep the wheel in place :(

yea it is easier

anyone who posts "use a front brake" needs to shut up already. its not funny, we all understand the need for brakes, we all get how you think everyone who doesnt run one is an idiot, naive, etc. no ones arguing your point.....but for god's sake, if theres a thread about skidding, LET POEPLE WHO ACTUALLY SKID HANDLE THE THREAD.

don't worry I don't think you're an idiot for not running a brake because I too do it from time to time (I just don't grab the brakes). I agree, let the thread topic lead on and stop derailing it with the obvious. I think EVERYONE should learn how to do all the necessary movements when riding fixed regardless if they use them frequently or not. I think it's always good to have something to fall back on and it will only make you a better rider. The way you'll, who advocate the constant use of a front brake, talk about using it to slow down, you'd think we all ride single speed and not fixed gears. It IS possible to slow down other ways besides a brake on these kind of bikes and you should let all others who are curious on how to do it, ask how to do it. Even Sheldon knew how to do it all and gives a tutorial on how to do it.