Well, enchanted by their simplicity, I decided to buy a fixie, and am throwing on a freewheel cog for when I need a break.

Maiden voyage today! and I love it! its quick, agile, and I am just so in love with my new fixed gear bike. Luckily I didnt run into any problems with traffic (so far). I tried to avoid traffic as much as possible, but I had a fairly safe day to say the least.

My question is regarding Stopping.

I have a stock Windsor Hour, which has a fairly high gear ratio. 48/16. Idk.....it FEELS high. For the mean time while I grow more comfratable using the fixed side, I have been sort of coasting to a stop until I can comfratably resist the crank rotation without putting lots of pressure on my knees.

Any other suggestions? because I cant seem to get the hang of skids yet......idk. My friend who also has a stock Hour (experienced fixed rider) and says that its hard to skid with it because of the high ratio.


What you say everyone?

Well, you could always install a brake...

..

lol. well that was a given. But I dont have a front brake (im trying to install the rear brake and will then save instead for bullhorns + aero/TT clip ons + brake levers and THEN front brake XD).

Might eventually save up for Deep Vs. Idk lol. I also so want to remove the logos etc.

Quit screwing around and install a front brake.

Even if you have 2 brakes, the front brake does 80% of your braking.

You can buy a fancier lever later for your new handlebars, but get a regular front brake and brake lever and install them ASAP.

You don't always have the luxury of avoiding traffic, and when you need to stop quickly, there isn't a substitute for a brake.

It's a lot cheaper than a trip to the emergency room.

Just get a front brake. It's the best option. Get a front brake. Get one and install it.

I agree with the front brake suggestion, but eh, it's your skull.

This thread really needed to be created?

Clearly.

Your friend is right. It IS high, for the street anyway. Get something in the neighborhood of a 42 tooth chainring or an 18 tooth cog (cheaper) and it will become significantly easier to slow down with your legs as well as to accelerate.

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I think ur priority list needs to be readjusted to this:
FRONT BRAKE + brake levers, Bullhorns, Rear Brake, TT

Everyone on this thread is right. Get a front brake.


ESPECIALLY if u have a freewheel cog.

..actually. Because of the freewheel, u should get both front and rear brakes before bullhorns.

Ryan made a funny. Needs more cat though.

I hereby nominate the OP for a Darwin Award.

OP post is the POST OF YEAR!!....So far

Lol

I'm surprised all the cranky-pants posters around here aren't telling the OP that he needs to get hit by cars, and possibly die, to thin out the gene pool and all that.

You ought to bring your rear brake to the front. Just swap the pads around.

Geez. Just start off with a front brake.
This is such a no-brainer issue.

Now I'm ready to have my first cup of coffee.

You'll need a longer nut.

Just wait a few years; they stretch over time. Oh, wait. I guess we are talking about something else here.

Yeah...

Boxer briefs, ftw.

You need to install a front brake before you decide to ride this again anywhere near traffic. Right now if a car pulled out in front of you you'd run into them, probably dent their car, and then get sued for not equipping your bike with a front brake. Also, it sounds like you'll need a helmet as well.

You know you'd be the envy of everyone at bike polo if you had this:

sounds like the op is just ****ing with you guys. just my opinion...

a rear brake only on a fixed gears is a major pet peeve for me. Also people starting to ride without a brake are the fools who make the rest of the riders look bad. i would add one thing to you list of things to do after a brake and toe clips, throw a 17 tooth cog on there it will make you like a whole lot better.
man this paragraph has bad grammar on there. oh well.