Fixed gear riding good?!
06-11-10 | 08:38 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Thanks for everyone that responded and shared their opinions. Some of you guys misunderstood and think that the reason why I hesitate to use my front brake is because of street credit.
I was just wondering if I did "use" my front brake, doesn't that defeat the purpose of fixed gear riding and shouldn't I use flip my hub over and slap on a freewheel. But that question is now answered. I am going to stop relying on my lower body to do complete stops. Definitely about to rely on the front brake and minor back pedaling and skidding once in a blue moon for fun.
I was just wondering if I did "use" my front brake, doesn't that defeat the purpose of fixed gear riding and shouldn't I use flip my hub over and slap on a freewheel. But that question is now answered. I am going to stop relying on my lower body to do complete stops. Definitely about to rely on the front brake and minor back pedaling and skidding once in a blue moon for fun.
06-11-10 | 09:53 PM
#28
.;/.,
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
I only put my front brake on a few weeks ago because I was doing a charity ride.
Now I use it all the time. Brakes are awesomesauce.
But later, I might want to go brakeless again. You always want what you can't have.
Now I use it all the time. Brakes are awesomesauce.
But later, I might want to go brakeless again. You always want what you can't have.
06-11-10 | 10:55 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
dtao819,
The reality is the best fixed bikes are the ones you make your own and ride with your own style. There are no rules. I know that especially among certain age groups that being um, how do I say this - being unique by being like everyone else is important. But, the reality is that being you and doing things your way is really the coolest and most attractive things you can do. If something works for everyone else but not for you then change that something to fit you. The worst thing you can be is a follower. If what you do just happens to be what many others are doing that is fine. But, to be a follower is to endlessly be unsatisfied. You will never express yourself and therefore be endlessly behind the curve. Following doesn't work. If you want to skid a lot then you need to invest in some research, find out how others are skidding and continue to invest until you find the way you skid your way and remain healthy. If you are concerned that having a brake somehow diminishes you then you are worried about what others think and I assure you that is a downward spiral.
The reality is the best fixed bikes are the ones you make your own and ride with your own style. There are no rules. I know that especially among certain age groups that being um, how do I say this - being unique by being like everyone else is important. But, the reality is that being you and doing things your way is really the coolest and most attractive things you can do. If something works for everyone else but not for you then change that something to fit you. The worst thing you can be is a follower. If what you do just happens to be what many others are doing that is fine. But, to be a follower is to endlessly be unsatisfied. You will never express yourself and therefore be endlessly behind the curve. Following doesn't work. If you want to skid a lot then you need to invest in some research, find out how others are skidding and continue to invest until you find the way you skid your way and remain healthy. If you are concerned that having a brake somehow diminishes you then you are worried about what others think and I assure you that is a downward spiral.
06-11-10 | 11:27 PM
#32
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 4
From: seattle
Bikes: tirove
Uh, I would say it differently.
The best thing you can do is follow common sense, science, and good advice. Being unique and true to yourself does not preclude you from following good advice.
The best fixed gear is not one that you make your own and ride with your own style, the best fixed gear is the one that fits your body, needs, uses, and passions best.
If you're passionate about brakeless(dumb thing to be passionate about, admittedly...), you're going to hate riding a bike with a brake, be it because of how it makes you look or otherwise- whatever your reasoning, the best fixed gear for you is the best fixed gear. No one ever said the best fixed gear for you won't kill you.
Fit is by far most important, value is pretty important to most of us, and ride quality or characteristic is important to the seasoned, discerning rider.
Being an individual is important to people who are vehemently against doing what other people do for the sake of doing it. But if you ask me, being for what other people do because other people are for it is only a bad thing in certain times and places.
Brakeless in SF? That's a time and place.
Riding without fenders because you like the look, even when it rains? That's a time and place.
Hating Jews because your nation's head of state tells you to? Time and... okay that's pretty universally bad.
I have just as much fun on my aluminum bike as I do on my steel bike as far as ride quality is concerned. I'm not buying into any kind of 'trend' by riding both, but if i were it would be because that 'trend' fits me. I ride brakeless when I'm being stupid because, for whatever false-explanation-you-call-excuse, I like it.
I make my kilo pretty damn unique, but cmon. It's a kilo.
If we didn't have followers no one would be apart from the flock.
What you really mean to say is "do what you feel, but ride a brake."
And I hear and support that. But I don't always do it. And so far it hasn't killed me.
In my defense, I *have* a brake... and a bike with two... but I don't always have it installed on my track bike. Because when it comes down to it, I like riding brakeless. It keeps me from doing anything immediately stupid. Not everyone is like that, it would probably push others to do things that are immediately stupid.
But you telling someone to not follow others is a little bit of a Catch-22, no?
The best thing you can do is follow common sense, science, and good advice. Being unique and true to yourself does not preclude you from following good advice.
The best fixed gear is not one that you make your own and ride with your own style, the best fixed gear is the one that fits your body, needs, uses, and passions best.
If you're passionate about brakeless(dumb thing to be passionate about, admittedly...), you're going to hate riding a bike with a brake, be it because of how it makes you look or otherwise- whatever your reasoning, the best fixed gear for you is the best fixed gear. No one ever said the best fixed gear for you won't kill you.
Fit is by far most important, value is pretty important to most of us, and ride quality or characteristic is important to the seasoned, discerning rider.
Being an individual is important to people who are vehemently against doing what other people do for the sake of doing it. But if you ask me, being for what other people do because other people are for it is only a bad thing in certain times and places.
Brakeless in SF? That's a time and place.
Riding without fenders because you like the look, even when it rains? That's a time and place.
Hating Jews because your nation's head of state tells you to? Time and... okay that's pretty universally bad.
I have just as much fun on my aluminum bike as I do on my steel bike as far as ride quality is concerned. I'm not buying into any kind of 'trend' by riding both, but if i were it would be because that 'trend' fits me. I ride brakeless when I'm being stupid because, for whatever false-explanation-you-call-excuse, I like it.
I make my kilo pretty damn unique, but cmon. It's a kilo.
If we didn't have followers no one would be apart from the flock.
What you really mean to say is "do what you feel, but ride a brake."
And I hear and support that. But I don't always do it. And so far it hasn't killed me.
In my defense, I *have* a brake... and a bike with two... but I don't always have it installed on my track bike. Because when it comes down to it, I like riding brakeless. It keeps me from doing anything immediately stupid. Not everyone is like that, it would probably push others to do things that are immediately stupid.
But you telling someone to not follow others is a little bit of a Catch-22, no?
Last edited by cc700; 06-11-10 at 11:33 PM.
06-12-10 | 12:43 AM
#35
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 4
From: seattle
Bikes: tirove
you can get killed almost exactly as easily on a bike with brakes in, depending on your skill and awareness, 95% of situations. Actually, you know what? **** that. 99% of situations.
When you have less skill that number drops to about 40%, and the majority of situations become "You just did that thing that you didn't know what you were doing all the way under that bus" type situations.
What I'm saying is that ANY bike can kill you. the best bike for you probably won't. If you're just starting to ride fixed, you need a brake. If you value your own life, you probably need a brake. If you never put yourself near danger, you just should have a brake.
When you have less skill that number drops to about 40%, and the majority of situations become "You just did that thing that you didn't know what you were doing all the way under that bus" type situations.
What I'm saying is that ANY bike can kill you. the best bike for you probably won't. If you're just starting to ride fixed, you need a brake. If you value your own life, you probably need a brake. If you never put yourself near danger, you just should have a brake.
06-12-10 | 01:04 AM
#36
Oscillation overthruster
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 1
From: Duncan, BC
Bikes: Cinelli Mash / CAAD9 5
I had a person do a u-turn on me tonight. Brakes would not have mattered. Her obvious disgust almost resulted in her murder but I chose solo showers instead.
If you are going to ride brakeless in an urban environment, at least wear a helmet. Now I thought this was a discussion about sore knees?
If you are going to ride brakeless in an urban environment, at least wear a helmet. Now I thought this was a discussion about sore knees?
06-12-10 | 01:07 AM
#37
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
I just did a 20-25 mile ride today around my city. I told myself to use the brakes, but it just didn't come in need. I skidded maybe only few times throughout the whole ride because the feeling of it after the ride sucks. I just relied on a lot of backpedaling. Like someone said earlier, it is like working out your triceps after years of focused workout on your biceps. I guess I'm just getting used to back pedaling after years of "forward" pedaling. I also decided to give hop skids a try and it definately feels like it is easier on my knees.
I'm probably going to go to a LBS to see how my bike fit is for me very soon.
I'm probably going to go to a LBS to see how my bike fit is for me very soon.
06-12-10 | 01:31 AM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 741
Likes: 0
Uh, I would say it differently.
The best thing you can do is follow common sense, science, and good advice. Being unique and true to yourself does not preclude you from following good advice.
The best fixed gear is not one that you make your own and ride with your own style, the best fixed gear is the one that fits your body, needs, uses, and passions best.
If you're passionate about brakeless(dumb thing to be passionate about, admittedly...), you're going to hate riding a bike with a brake, be it because of how it makes you look or otherwise- whatever your reasoning, the best fixed gear for you is the best fixed gear. No one ever said the best fixed gear for you won't kill you.
Fit is by far most important, value is pretty important to most of us, and ride quality or characteristic is important to the seasoned, discerning rider.
Being an individual is important to people who are vehemently against doing what other people do for the sake of doing it. But if you ask me, being for what other people do because other people are for it is only a bad thing in certain times and places.
Brakeless in SF? That's a time and place.
Riding without fenders because you like the look, even when it rains? That's a time and place.
Hating Jews because your nation's head of state tells you to? Time and... okay that's pretty universally bad.
I have just as much fun on my aluminum bike as I do on my steel bike as far as ride quality is concerned. I'm not buying into any kind of 'trend' by riding both, but if i were it would be because that 'trend' fits me. I ride brakeless when I'm being stupid because, for whatever false-explanation-you-call-excuse, I like it.
I make my kilo pretty damn unique, but cmon. It's a kilo.
If we didn't have followers no one would be apart from the flock.
What you really mean to say is "do what you feel, but ride a brake."
And I hear and support that. But I don't always do it. And so far it hasn't killed me.
In my defense, I *have* a brake... and a bike with two... but I don't always have it installed on my track bike. Because when it comes down to it, I like riding brakeless. It keeps me from doing anything immediately stupid. Not everyone is like that, it would probably push others to do things that are immediately stupid.
But you telling someone to not follow others is a little bit of a Catch-22, no?
The best thing you can do is follow common sense, science, and good advice. Being unique and true to yourself does not preclude you from following good advice.
The best fixed gear is not one that you make your own and ride with your own style, the best fixed gear is the one that fits your body, needs, uses, and passions best.
If you're passionate about brakeless(dumb thing to be passionate about, admittedly...), you're going to hate riding a bike with a brake, be it because of how it makes you look or otherwise- whatever your reasoning, the best fixed gear for you is the best fixed gear. No one ever said the best fixed gear for you won't kill you.
Fit is by far most important, value is pretty important to most of us, and ride quality or characteristic is important to the seasoned, discerning rider.
Being an individual is important to people who are vehemently against doing what other people do for the sake of doing it. But if you ask me, being for what other people do because other people are for it is only a bad thing in certain times and places.
Brakeless in SF? That's a time and place.
Riding without fenders because you like the look, even when it rains? That's a time and place.
Hating Jews because your nation's head of state tells you to? Time and... okay that's pretty universally bad.
I have just as much fun on my aluminum bike as I do on my steel bike as far as ride quality is concerned. I'm not buying into any kind of 'trend' by riding both, but if i were it would be because that 'trend' fits me. I ride brakeless when I'm being stupid because, for whatever false-explanation-you-call-excuse, I like it.
I make my kilo pretty damn unique, but cmon. It's a kilo.
If we didn't have followers no one would be apart from the flock.
What you really mean to say is "do what you feel, but ride a brake."
And I hear and support that. But I don't always do it. And so far it hasn't killed me.
In my defense, I *have* a brake... and a bike with two... but I don't always have it installed on my track bike. Because when it comes down to it, I like riding brakeless. It keeps me from doing anything immediately stupid. Not everyone is like that, it would probably push others to do things that are immediately stupid.
But you telling someone to not follow others is a little bit of a Catch-22, no?
We are at no odds here. As a matter of fact, you did a wonderful job of expanding on exactly what I meant. I agree 100% with everything you said.
(I beat the filter to the punch and installed my own asterisks)
06-12-10 | 09:37 AM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Cross Check, GT Outpost, Haro Z16, Trek 1000
I have a friend who just started riding fixed. He is ****ing amazing on everything he touches, be it bmx, skateboarding, you name it. being as he is just starting out fixed, he found it a good idea to use 2 brakes. im all for what ever gets him riding fixed. will he be amazing at it in 6 months? yea for sure and im glad he is doing what he needs to to make it work for him...
