More trendy than functional?
 

Is this topic prone to flaming?

It seems to be a minimalistic fixed gear bicycle with no brakes doesn't serve as anything but something you can ride around in the parking lot. Does advantage of saving a bit of weight and a bit of aerodynamic and a bit of bike real estate justify the disadvantage of not having brakes? I think, most would agree, that having brakes provides added security in any riding situation. Also, a fixed gear bike isn't too good on fast, long, hilly bike rides. Most fixed gear riders I've seen around (the Toronto area) do not at all look like fast or safe or responsible bike riders.

It seems to be a disadvantage in almost every situation compared to a SS with brakes or a fixed with brakes. So, is a minimalistic fixed gear bicycle more trendy than anything?

hmmm...here's something new to think about.

ZZzzZZzz...

Again, really???

Brakeless riding provides a zen connection to the bike and trains one not only to think ahead, but also to look through solid objects to see hazards not apparent to cyclists with brakes, let alone those pantywaists running gears. But this stuff is all over the internetz anyway, so read up and check back in later.

You my friend are a taste maker

Hey, it's still safer than driving a Toyota.

obviously, brakes make a bike safer.
some people are able to adequately control a bike without brakes, and don't use brakes. for various reasons.
some people are able to adequately control a bike without brakes, but choose to ride with brakes anyway.
some people are unable to adequately able to control a bike without brakes, but choose to ride without brakes anyway because they like the way it looks, or is trendy, etc.

it is not my place, nor is it anyone elses, to judge another's choices unless they directly put us in danger. which is not likely.
it is most certainly not our place to judge another's choices based on whether we feel they are, as cyclists, more or less "authentic" as we.
it is most hypocritical to judge another for making a choice based on aesthetics, since we all do it to some extent.

CLIFF NOTES: stop

I don't want those jackasses riding near me. They're all over the place and have come close to making me crash. I also don't feel like seeing other people getting killed and at times I'm amazed I haven't seen one of them killed.

you win the thread!

stfu

Wrong. I ride my bike everywhere, ~40-50 miles a day.

Duh. A wise rider also knows that having brakes will help him/her go faster. However, not all track bikes can accept brakes, and many of us make do just fine without. Not having a brake changes a rider's skill-set; and a good rider rides within his/her abilities.

Are you making an assumption, or have you tried? A fixed gear may not be the easiest choice to ride on fast, long, hilly rides but it doesn't mean it isn't "too good." I ride fast. I go out for long, fun, hilly rides. I've ridden across mountain ranges.

I think OP meant brakeless in general, that includes toyota.

haha what a complete durf.

10 points to gryffindor

Big Bris didn't stop himself by skitching between 2 busses, he stopped 2 busses from hurtling out of control!

You also forgot that they are not good for riding underwater, inside of erupting volcanoes, or inside of my dishwasher.

This forum is really starting to depress me.

this
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1439/...44076f0ccb.jpg

i want that on a tshirt. Maybe scrod can make one, hmm? :rolleyes:

You are sort of kicking a hornets nest over here.

There is no *single* reason why people ride fixed gear bikes. Fixed gear just describes how the bike works. There are still different uses for the bike.

Think of a manual transmission used in a car. These are generally considered fuel efficient. Some use them for high school cars, A-B basic transport cars, sports cars, car show cars, race cars, etc... So, saying "Isn't an economical manual transmission in a V8 sort of an oxymoron?" is you missing the point.

Also, people don't *exclusively* use tennis shoes for tennis, blue jeans for prospecting for gold, SUV for sports or utility...

"Brakeless riding provides a zen connection to the bike and trains one not only to think ahead, but also to look through solid objects to see hazards not apparent to cyclists with brakes, let alone those pantywaists running gears."

:lol:

Brakes are over rated. All they do is slow you down.

I've seen that before during random internet image searches and have considered it.

Jerk.