So my first fixed gear is coming Friday
 

I ordered a Windsor Hour, as you may know, they do not come with brakes. Now I'm a very agile rider. I have good strength and have been pedaling up and downhill every day since I've arrived in college. I went to a LBS today to see if they had any good deals on brakes, they wanted $55 for a Tektro front brake caliper, cable and lever plus installation. Which I think is a rip-off, considering I can get the same ones online for $35 shipped.

I ordered my brake today from bikeisland.com today, yet I don't think they will be here in time to install on my new Hour. Now I've been on a fixed gear before, but how would you think a noobie would fair on 4-5 degree slopes (I don't know the grade of the slope just the estimated degree from the horizontal). I know I would be able to stay off my bike until my brakes get here.

So, how would you advise me in traversing my hilly downtown(trafficy) area without brakes as a noobie to fixed gear riding?

you shoulda just got the motobecane messenger

hopping on a fixed gear with out brakes your first time and riding downhill through traffic is ******** stupid. but if you have some sort of death wish, you probably should start by learning how to skid.

If you're new to fixed riding and have no brakes, I'd be very cautious. Emphasis on *very*.

If you can wait, I'd wait and get that brake installed the minute it arrives - if you can't resist riding the thing, just take it easy - take some time to build up handling/braking skills skip stopping/skidding/using the full circle for backpedalling/resisting - I mean both pushing down on the back foot and pulling up on the lead foot to get more resistance power.

I rode my Rob Roy brakeless (I'd only ever ridden fixed for a few months prior on platforms on my winter beater - I was by no means experienced) for a few days before I got a brake installed, I couldn't wait to ride the thing so I understand your situation. Just take it slow, be careful.

why have ugly brake cable bosses when you're only going to run a front brake and the motobecane graphics are ugly.

I guess I'll just ride around near my dorm for a while. I'll learn proper mounting/disengaging techniques, stopping, skidding, backpedaling and trackstands :p

Maybe I'll scout out a route that has little traffic and doesnt get as many hills.

Edit: for those of you who are in Richmond. I know you're here. I live in Cabaniss hall, its a fun ride.

:thumb:

Because you care more about actually riding a practical bike than using it as a fashion accessory?

See here's the thing: the $20 difference is a pretty standard rate for labor at bike shops (in my experience). So unless you're gonna install it yourself (not at all difficult, btw) I'd have just gone with the LBS brake.

wait til your brake gets in before you start biking to classes.

I don't know how the commute is really.. I never bothered going down to mcv. I don't think broad st. is that bad in terms of hills or whatever. but still, I'd wait for a brake before you start rollin' around. other than that, have fun man.
I'll look out for a fresh Hour and holla "bike forums". then you can write a missed connection about how you got holla'd at by some dude.. I'm kidding. enjoy the bike!

also, there are def. cheaper brakes out there, and you can just install em yourself (as noted above. you'll save $$$) if you want, cancel your order and buy one. I bought a front brake at Pibby's for ~12 bucks last year.

haha I'll keep my ears poised. I'll prolly be around shafer a lot, keep an eye out for me. I take grace for my 'to campus trips as it is one-way going west, and i take franklin for my return trips, its one way going east.

On the bottom
http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/phot...06653_1863.jpg

I got to the "Plus installation" part and stopped reading.

Why are you paying for something to be installed on your bike. If you want to be/are a cyclist you best put them ****s on yourself.

get a brake!

sure, I get that some people don't care for aesthetics, but is a moto messenger more practical than an hour with brakes?

No, but the Messenger offers brakes + freewheel stock. If you plan on running brakes, it would only make sense to buy a bike that comes with brakes, especially when they both are in the same price/quality range. If you don't need the back brake ever then it would justify getting the one without brakes, and then modifying to your liking.

Personally I am not going to be able to skid my Messenger on the stock gearing, and I am ok with that. Skidding isn't why I picked a fixed gear bike. I hardly use the brakes, and I don't skid, but when you need to stop in a hurry brakes are nice.

It's not black and white; there is such a thing as balance, and cable stops aren't nearly as tragic as fashionista's will have you believe.

I wasnt going to get them installed anyways.:notamused:

Who cares if someone else works on your bike? I sometimes take my bike to a pro mechanic, and there is absolutely no shame in that.

My point is: if an hour with brakes is the same as a moto messenger, why not choose the one that you find aesthetically more pleasing (whichever that may be) ? The moto messenger is not any more practical than an hour, so that point is weak in this case.

Trust me, i'm an advocate of function over form. But if you're not going to sacrifice any functionality or spend more money, why not choose based on looks? To 99% of people, aesthetics matter in some degree. If you're going to buy a car, can you absolutely say, with all other things being equal, that you do not care about the color you're getting?

Actually yes, I really don't care about the color of my car as it is simply a tool I use for transport. To me it's no different than any other tool; it's there to serve a purpose and it should do it well.

A little help, go to Bunny Hop on Grace st. It's right next door to Lil Caesars


Luke there is a super awesome guy and does good work, so if you need anything, go to him.

I'd wait for the brake.

A valid reason for waiting without calling the OP's riding abilities into question-

You got a shiny new bike. You have friends who may want to try riding it (depending on your social circle, many of your friends may have never ridden a fixie before). Even if you are a strong and coordinated rider, all it takes is one of your friends "test riding it" into a curb or wall to mess it up. I've let a bunch of non-fixed-gear-enthusiasts ride my bike and almost every single one has needed the brake to avoid potentially crashing my new toy.

Take the wheels to the shop to have them trued and that way you won't feel so bad not riding until the brake arrives since your bike doesn't have wheels anyway.

I'm not sure if its the guy I talked to. The past three times I'v been to bunny hop I'v talked to the same guy. He kinda has a long face, and medium length hair and no facial hair from what I can remember. This is the same place I went to ask about their brake pricing.

He's not in any of these photos

http://bunnyhop.org/photos.php

You have been talking to Luke then.

Handsome's suggestion is a pretty good one. Those wheels probably need to be tensioned properly anyway.

1. Pick up a claiper brake and lever from junk files at ReCycles for under $20.

2. Ride to school on Clay.

3. Return on Marshall.

4. Don't wreck.

-Rob.