robberry

§ 1236 - Lamps and other equipment
• White headlight and red taillight must be used from dusk to dawn;
• Bell or other audible signal (not whistle) required;
• Working brakes required;
• Reflective tires and/or other reflective devices required.

I sold my hybrid, gave my sister my mountain bike (she lives out on Long Island and wanted to start riding trails) and bought a road bike. Now, I'm regretting selling my hybrid, as I hate leaving my "nice" road bike locked up even for five minutes.

I want a cheap bike to have for errands and rainy day commutes, so I'm looking to pull the trigger on a Kilo TT. I don't live in Williamsburg, but I still don't want to be "that guy" using brakes on a fixed gear.

So, does having a "built in brake" override the law of "working brakes required?"

rustybrown

Probably.

Or pay for your cred via citations during their monthly crackdowns.

Jaytron

What's wrong with being "that guy" that isn't getting a ticket, or "that guy" who's not trying to blow his knees out?

To address your question. Not having a brake doesn't equal having a brake no matter how you look at it.

Dannihilator

Run a front brake, and if they give you a hard time tell them the rear is a foot brake.

robberry

Does only a front brake = more street cred?

Jaytron

Only a front brake is all that's really needed on a fixed gear. Assuming you care about being safe.

Law-wise, it doesn't say they require one on the rear anyways.

jimmytango

Just buy a brake you trendy bastard.

Doomride

A front brake is the correct place to have one if you are running a single brake on a fixed gear bicycle.

People who make fun of you for not having a brake are gonna be dumbass kids who don't know what they are saying. Do you really feel the need to impress high school youth? I ride without brakes, but I've become comfortable with it over time. If you are super inclined to ride without a brake keep the front one on until you are fully comfortable with not using it.

kandyredcoi

honestly i rarely have the need for brakes when riding my fg, but my next build will def have one...better safe than sorry

seau grateau

Get the Windsor Clockwork or Timeline, they already have brakes.

pkpyro

Most state laws and provincial laws require a "braking mechanism" or "a means to slow down" on the front and back of the bike. By legal definition, this means I have to run a front brake.

This would also mean that I must run lights after dark (it gets dark around 5PM right now in Canada) but it's one of those laws that are loosely enforced. I've personally never seen a cyclist or known anyone that has been ticketed. Those who remind of the law are typically non-cyclists who are ticked off that I am moving at the same speed of the cars.

It's just smarter to run a front brake, in my opinion. I hardly use it, but when my knees need some rest or if I have to make sudden stops, it sure does come in handy. When you learn to ride so that neither becomes a problem, then lose the brake if you really want to.

Though do keep in mind that if your chain gets derailed for some reason, you lose 100% of your braking ability on a brakeless fixie. If your rear tire gets punctured, you lose a significant amount of control / braking power.

robberry

That's enough convincing right there. Definitely neglected that small fact!

Stealthammer

If this occurs just unclip your right foot and use it as a "scrubber" against the front of the rear tire just behind the seat tube. Amazingly effective actually.

hairnet

Have fun with that in traffic

Doomride

''I'm sensing something, oh yes, yes, I can see it now, there's bent metal in your future.''

uketastic

'Sigged, just too perfect

hamfoh

Do you run a brake? I feel like everyone who runs one makes that knee comment

moxiot

i dont skid nearly as much as when i started. the more you learn how the bike works the less you need to brake as you start calculating distances and timing in reducing speed improves. having said that there΄s nothing wrong with having a brake until you feel comfortable.

Stealthammer

I certainly don't recommend it as a regular means of controlling speed, but in a pinch, when things are not going as expected, it works.....

cinemattic

i live in brooklyn, and ride in the city a bunch. haven't had a problem with being stopped for being brakeless.. they care more about running red lights and all that.

but you're gonna want a brake when the tour bus tries to squeeze you out between him and a city bus. that ****'ll get you thinking real quick.

Scrodzilla

You're already "that guy", just in a different way.

garlic_rice

NYPD will ticket you for pretty much anything except riding brakeless.
That being said, I just installed a front brake after enjoying a brakeless summer.
I got my skidding/skip stops down and built up my hipster points (+1000!). Even learned that the horribly named "Zen feeling" people talk about actually isn't entirely a crock (+500). Then I used said hipster points to buy a 31.8 lever (-10000!) for my road drops (-2, they're apparently what the cool kids are rocking these days). Front brake + fenders + 68 GI = bring it on, winter.

Nuggetross

nice blanket legal statement. this is completely meaningless information on a state-by-state basis.

RobertFrapples

I tried that once. I can come to a complete stop with my front BB7 before I can get my foot unclipped and in a position against the tire to even start slowing down.

hairnet

"if you had to ask"