Be Honest
#151
Rebel Rouser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: fort worth, TX
Bikes: kilo TT, dawes touring lightning, unknown BCM lugged conversion
1> friiiiieeeend
2> hey so do i who cares?
this is the gayest thread ever, who cares honestly..stop being so detail oriented and ride. I hate elitist on any subject honestly. I do understand the views of both sides and i think it boils down to personal preference.
2> hey so do i who cares?
this is the gayest thread ever, who cares honestly..stop being so detail oriented and ride. I hate elitist on any subject honestly. I do understand the views of both sides and i think it boils down to personal preference.
Last edited by redfb; 07-29-08 at 02:13 AM. Reason: felt like it.
#153
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 0
From: GA
well it is unless your wheel wasn't in the dropouts to begin with. The tire will hit the stay before that happens and even if it didn't you can't pull the non-driveside out so the wheel won't go anywhere. If you were a bit stronger and actually had to worry about this problem that would be obvious after the first or second time it happened with trackends.
#154
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,849
Likes: 0
From: four 1 OHHH , Maryland
Bikes: nagasawa, fuji track pro
i see a conversion and say "cool"
i see a front brake and say "he has a front brake"
i see a front brake and say "he has a front brake"
#155
ALL PARTY
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: Douglas Touring Cross Wise, Urbanite Fixed Gear
The only time I looked down on a conversion was seeing a beat up piece of **** conversion with a front arr0sp0ke.
If I see a conversion, I see someone that is good at fixing bikes, and will want to be their friend because they have more knowledge than me. It rules to see people doing DIY stuff.
If I see a brake, I am relieved that the person is smart enough to take precautions. I also think they are probably a better rider because I always assume the person without a brake can't take cool chances, and thus is forced to ride in moderation. That may be a good thing, however, I like taking short cuts and knowing my brake is there just in case something unexpected happens.
If I see a conversion, I see someone that is good at fixing bikes, and will want to be their friend because they have more knowledge than me. It rules to see people doing DIY stuff.
If I see a brake, I am relieved that the person is smart enough to take precautions. I also think they are probably a better rider because I always assume the person without a brake can't take cool chances, and thus is forced to ride in moderation. That may be a good thing, however, I like taking short cuts and knowing my brake is there just in case something unexpected happens.
#157
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: Late 80s Japanese Bianchi
well it is unless your wheel wasn't in the dropouts to begin with. The tire will hit the stay before that happens and even if it didn't you can't pull the non-driveside out so the wheel won't go anywhere. If you were a bit stronger and actually had to worry about this problem that would be obvious after the first or second time it happened with trackends.
so yeah, i think you'll know something's funky well before you have any problems.
#158
thread derailleur
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 1
From: beyond Thunderdome
Bikes: 82 Bianchi ECO Pista, Pake, Kilo TT, some *** bmx i found underneath an old house
I sold my Miyata to someone who asked, "you selling that?" on the spot 12 years ago (with bag still strapped on my back full of packages) because I had enough of the no-insurance-dangerous-job-inhaling-box truck fumes all day-career. I walked off the rest of my runs & took a desk job.
I have a family too so now I ride for the enjoyment. Fortunately for me, those in-traffic instincts are still with me all these years later. But I find myself on bike paths & out of traffic all too often.
I don't hate, per se, someone riding with a brake. It's just it seems like they're either too scared to be riding fixed gear, or too lazy.
The other day I saw this guy on a fix going down one of Manhattan's steepest hills sans brake. Man, he was really cranking to slow the bike in traffic. I yelled to him, "yeah! No brake!" His head whipped around quickly & I saw him smile as if all of his effort was not going unnoticed. That's what I'm talking about. There's a dude I can kick it with.
I have a family too so now I ride for the enjoyment. Fortunately for me, those in-traffic instincts are still with me all these years later. But I find myself on bike paths & out of traffic all too often.
I don't hate, per se, someone riding with a brake. It's just it seems like they're either too scared to be riding fixed gear, or too lazy.
The other day I saw this guy on a fix going down one of Manhattan's steepest hills sans brake. Man, he was really cranking to slow the bike in traffic. I yelled to him, "yeah! No brake!" His head whipped around quickly & I saw him smile as if all of his effort was not going unnoticed. That's what I'm talking about. There's a dude I can kick it with.
oh yeah...
1. I have a conversion
2. it has a front brake (and a back cause it's a SS)
#159
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Seriously. It's embarrassing. The brakeless rider killing himself to slow down in traffic is "someone you can kick it with"? You know who I can kick it with? The fellow rider who can ride next to me and NOT crash into me or take me down. That's it. That's the prerequisite to get into the cool kids club. Just be happy to be sharing the road with someone else enjoying the **** out of their bike and actually riding for chrissakes!! I ride with someone who mess'd and worked at bicycle habitat 10 years ago. You think he gives a **** how long people have been riding fixed or whether they're legit[I based on whether they have brakes or not? The true heads, of whom you so proudly proclaim to be a member, stopped caring and seeing a caste system of fg riders a long time ago (if they ever did in the first place). They know we're all cattle to drivers on the road.
Think about this, just be happy that another fixed rider who undoubtedly doesn't have your jedi-like skills (which, you've reminded us, time has failed to erase) will be able to control himself in the lane next to you instead of skidding into you and taking your old school ass out while trying to 'rep it for the tru hedz'.
Think about this, just be happy that another fixed rider who undoubtedly doesn't have your jedi-like skills (which, you've reminded us, time has failed to erase) will be able to control himself in the lane next to you instead of skidding into you and taking your old school ass out while trying to 'rep it for the tru hedz'.
#160
Guest
Posts: n/a
1) Probably more interesting to look at than a track bike,
2) ....how about this: forget skidding, let's have a STOPPING competition. Anyone who can stop their genuine article "track" bike short of my 10 speed with the Deore V in the front can have my tires to make their wheels round again. Then lets do it again in the rain.
2) ....how about this: forget skidding, let's have a STOPPING competition. Anyone who can stop their genuine article "track" bike short of my 10 speed with the Deore V in the front can have my tires to make their wheels round again. Then lets do it again in the rain.
#161
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
1) Probably more interesting to look at than a track bike,
2) ....how about this: forget skidding, let's have a STOPPING competition. Anyone who can stop their genuine article "track" bike short of my 10 speed with the Deore V in the front can have my tires to make their wheels round again. Then lets do it again in the rain.
2) ....how about this: forget skidding, let's have a STOPPING competition. Anyone who can stop their genuine article "track" bike short of my 10 speed with the Deore V in the front can have my tires to make their wheels round again. Then lets do it again in the rain.
I don't like mountain biking, but, you know, I don't go into their forum and try to insult mountain biking.
#162
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'm talking about what a front brake can do, and hence it's unique value, in a gratuitously provocative tone. It is a mountain brake, but the bike spends all its time on the road or on city streets.
#164
this thread has seriously inspired me to sand off the powdercoat on my rim and install a front brake (as soon as I get a cross lever). honestly I just want to spite the purists.
#165
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 4
Bikes: 2012 Motobecane Vent Noir; 2016 Mercier Kilo TT Pro
Why do you think I got PowerGrips initially? Or a top-tube pad? Or hell, for that matter, a Kilo TT?
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Last edited by iamtim; 07-29-08 at 11:00 PM.
#167
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Some fixed-gear riders ride on the road without brakes. This is a bad idea. I know, I've tried it. If you do it, and have any sense of self-preservation at all, it will cause you to go much slower than you otherwise could, everytime you go through an intersection, or pass a driveway. The need for constant extra vigilance takes a great deal of the fun out of cycling.
#168
Originally Posted by bigbris1
The other day I saw this guy on a fix going down one of Manhattan's steepest hills sans brake. Man, he was really cranking to slow the bike in traffic. I yelled to him, "yeah! No brake!" His head whipped around quickly & I saw him smile as if all of his effort was not going unnoticed. That's what I'm talking about. There's a dude I can kick it with.
edit: I see you guys have been there/done that, I came late to the thread. Still, wow. Just wow. Lol. I think it should be quoted on any and all pages of this thread, it is just that bad.
Last edited by jet sanchEz; 07-29-08 at 11:27 PM.
#169
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Bikes: Steelman eurocross, Surly CrossCheck, IRO Rob Roy...
And as a cyclocross rider, you have that right, and are probably right.
<--- hates getting passed by cyclocross riders in XC MTB races.
So I guess the top of the Cycling food chain a SS Cross rider? (with a FG Downhiller being the bottom (no one could be that dumb, or that skilled to FG a true DH bike and ride on a good run)
Actually, I ran into a group of riders hard to hate on. We doing DH runs at our local trail, and came up on some riders.. yes they were slow.. yes, the small drops (1-2 feet) gave them problems. But hey, they were having fun... on unicycles. Unicycle freeriders > all
<--- hates getting passed by cyclocross riders in XC MTB races.
So I guess the top of the Cycling food chain a SS Cross rider? (with a FG Downhiller being the bottom (no one could be that dumb, or that skilled to FG a true DH bike and ride on a good run)
Actually, I ran into a group of riders hard to hate on. We doing DH runs at our local trail, and came up on some riders.. yes they were slow.. yes, the small drops (1-2 feet) gave them problems. But hey, they were having fun... on unicycles. Unicycle freeriders > all
#170
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 187
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Peugeot, Motobecane, Joannou, Kona, Specialized, Ironhorse, Royal Scot, Dahon
#171
Ride simple.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Mountains/New Mexico highlands
Bikes: vitus 979, g fisher, specialized, trek, bridgestone rb1, Trek SS, Hiawatha SS, 54' Schwinn SS, Trek SS CX conversion
I so love this place.
Conversions rock, like rock & roll.
And breaks, well that's very personal.
Oh yeah, and I love this place...this thread and all!
I'll admit that I'm a hipster, but it doesn't show cause I don't have my outfit yet.
Conversions rock, like rock & roll.
And breaks, well that's very personal.
Oh yeah, and I love this place...this thread and all!
I'll admit that I'm a hipster, but it doesn't show cause I don't have my outfit yet.
#172
The funny thing is, I'm pretty sure I've seen posts with BisBris1 declaring his love for his recently (in the last couple of months) acquired Windsor Hour. Nothing against the cheap frame, I've got a Pake I'm building up. It just feels like he's been riding fixed for maybe a few months top. Now he's acting like he's the holder of the sacred flame or something...
LOL really? ha
#173
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
fixed gear = cool, but are you sure you can ride that thing?
front brakes = who knows could be the difference between forever pushing flowers, or years to come enjoying your bike
are you asking this to gather information on whether or not you should keep your brakes on or should you install breaks at all, if so i would say yes install breaks, it's common sense better to be safe than sorry
front brakes = who knows could be the difference between forever pushing flowers, or years to come enjoying your bike
are you asking this to gather information on whether or not you should keep your brakes on or should you install breaks at all, if so i would say yes install breaks, it's common sense better to be safe than sorry
#174
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, Ca
Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Broakland Pipe Bomb
1. Who cares
2. I think it looks better but should be left to those that are really skilled. If I could trust myself to ted shred in panic situations then maybe I'd consider it....well that and improving my skidding skills but that isn't really a stopping alternative as much as it is to control speed especially on hills.
2. I think it looks better but should be left to those that are really skilled. If I could trust myself to ted shred in panic situations then maybe I'd consider it....well that and improving my skidding skills but that isn't really a stopping alternative as much as it is to control speed especially on hills.
#175
not aristotle
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, CA
did the OP intend a negative connotation about "conversion" bikes?





