Skidding and Gear ratio.
 

I know someone is going to say "search the forum newb," so just send me a PM if you really want to cry about it instead of posting in this thread.

I always see these guys online skidding effortlessly. I would like some pointers on technique. I would also like to know what ratio you are running. I'm running a 48/15 on my new Windsor Hour with I guess the stock 700c wheels. I find it super hard to skid even more than 4-6 inches. Do I need to lock my knee? Do I need to lean as far forward as possible? I feel like im going to eat pavement if I lean too far forward.

stats
48/15 ratio (3.2) (stock cog)
700c wheels
56cm Hour
stock wheels
New to fixed gears bikes

search the forum newb

Are you kidding you will blow out your knees. That is way to high of a gear. Try 48x18T.

Cool, I need to replace the stock cog and lockring anyways.

Just christ 48/15 is pretty much unskiddable, even if you are balls on stemming it. I know some huge bros will come in and say "ANYTHING IS SKIDDABLE" but Im a skinny guy and I had to balls on stem it to skid 77 gear inches, I cant imagine locking up 84.2 gear inches. If any of your friends ride fixed try their bikes. After riding a friends bike who was riding 65 gear inches, I switched from 77 to closer to that.


But to sum up the thread that is about to ensue "dont skid tires cost more than brakes go buy a ****ing brake hipster dont skid skidding is gay buy a brake search the forum"

Just practice at it, then one day it will just happen. I ride 46x16. My first time on a fixed bike I was skidding right away with no problems, not very impressive skids but i was doing it. When I was young all my bikes before the age of 15 were fixed gears, seemed like that's how they made kids bikes in the 70's. So when I had to skid I obviously was doing the same thing people do now on fixed gears. I don't know call it muscle memory.

I am very impressed seeing people skid effortlessly seated, especially going down a hill and skidding every few feet alternating sides. A little tip is whatever foot you are going to use for the back pressure, as soon as that foot is on top of your rotation start immediately to stiffen your leg and pull up with your other foot, really its all about timing and different muscle usage. As you practice more you will work those certain muscles in your legs you never used before riding fixed.

I have a Meesenger, and after about a week or two I can barely skid on the 48/16 ratio. Not the best ratio though, as it leaves me with 1 skid patch. I am looking to change my chainring and cog soon though.

you don't have to skid, but seriously lower your gear

I ride 48/15 and I love it.

That's a huge cog.

switch to a 17T cog.
i ride with that and its beautiful
17 skid patches ftw^^

EDIT: oh yeah and learning how to skid is kinda hard at first, especially if youre new to riding.
i practiced a lot in a parking garage that was close to my house. the smooth pavement makes it a lot easier
also, grass is fun too, but it's easier to eat **** on, unless it's pretty flat
that's my 2 cents
good luck
have fun

This makes no sense for anything other than velodrome use.

I rode for a few years in the local drome. The ratio just stuck. I don't skid around like a 17 year old moron though. I prefer cadencing down, skidding/skipping for quick stops.

48x16 i use to have a 15 but i got a new cog when i got my new wheelset.

my friend on the other hand found it easy to skid with the 15 and he currently rides a 48x14 and skids quite a far distance.

Can you seriously climb decent hills with 48/15? Not trying to troll but I feel like that would be a horribly unfun ride for more than 20 minutes.

Yeah I can climb some hills, but I don't live in a very hilly area, it's mostly flat. And I love how fast the ratio is.

48/19 here.

I had 48/15 and skidding was a *****.

52 18 here and I can't skid even with my 6'7" 235lb weight thrown into it! But I love the gearing, I can haul!!!

I'm 6'1" amd near 300lbs and 48x19 was about the worst gear I've ever ridden unless I needed to go very slow and up lots of hills. Spinning way too much at a cruising speed. Wonderful for skidding and tricks though. I started at 48x16, went to 48x18 then back up to 49x16. I might consider going to a 47x16. Maybe you guys just ride slower or its super hilly and you need a 48x19 for it but my roommate rides a stock Surly Steamroller at 48x19 and him trying to keep up with me just cruising back from the bar is ridiculous.

Skidding is easiest with lower gear inch drivetrains and when you can apply leverage out in front of the stem to unweight the rear tire. I assure you, You can NOT lean over the bars so far that you'll tip forward. (Disclaimer: YouTube videos are proof of nothing LOL. I take no responsibility for your actions)

On the downstroke of your trailing leg (the one that would be in the back if your bike had a freewheel and you were coasting), hop up forward, lean your nuts on the stem, brace your arms putting all your weight out over the bars, lock your legs at 3/9 or somewhere near there and commit to not allowing your legs to rotate with the drivetrain. It's easiest of your front leg (if not both) is strapped/clipped in. Its also easier with speed. Slower means more friction on back tire so... just go faster, maybe a slow sprint after 2-3 hard pedals.

I consider weight a disadvantage to skidding unless you are running bullhorns allowing you to leverage way out in front of the stem. I'm running 100mm stems and straight or rider bars and since I weigh so much, its more weight on that back tire when I'm not leveraging it for skidding.

BTW, I refer to skidding as fun times, distance measured, black marks on light surfaces, goofing off, tricks. I like tricks but I hope you know how to skid/scrub stop/slow or have a front brake too :)

I just started running 48/16 (stock on the Kilo I just got) up some pretty decent hills on a daily basis, and I love it. The higher ratio just makes it easier to go balls out than to pace yourself, which I guess could be a drawback but if I wanted to go slow and steady I think I'd just ride a 10 speed.

Skidding is kinda tough, but it's really not that hard. The single skidpatch is the only (huuuge) reason I really want to change the ratio. Plus when you go back DOWN the big hills, the low ratio is definitely preferable, in my opinion, since spinning a little slower seems to make it easier to apply resistance than when your legs are a blur under you.

Good to know. I was just looking for this info. I have a flip fixed hub 16T /18T.

do 48/17 you will have 17 skid patches instead of the 3 you get with 48/18
i have 48/17 and its super easy to skid