New to fixed gear
 

Hello all
I have just built a fixed gear bike and I could use all of the help and advice I can get.... Could someone try to explain on how to skid stop? I have a front brake and I intend to use it at first. How about going down hills? If there is a source for all of these elementary questions, please shuffle me in the right direction.

Sorry to be so broad with the questions. My intent is to just get out there and ride. But as with everything else, there are little tricks that may cut down on the learning curve.

Thanks for the help

http://www.63xc.com/gregg/101_1.htm

also the search feature in this forum

the most helpful tidbit is to behold the power of


pie

le skid-stop: get ready!
lean all the way forward, thighs on your bars, lock your legs up!

there you go. easy as ....

I practiced skidding on grass and wet asphalt before using those skills in real applications. Took a whole new set of muscles for me - after my first night spent practicing, I could barely lift my right leg.
For hills I just put all my weight on the pedals when they are coming up in the rotation, and weave a little. There's a few hills by my house with busy intersections at the bottom - those can suck.

Doesn't skidding shred your tires? I've played with skids with my beater MTB (with the rear brake though :)) and I was down to the threads in two nights. That must get expensive!

I've been riding brakeless for a month and a half, skipping and skidding have become a regular part of my riding depending on how quickly I need to stop. I still don't have any noticable flat spots on this miracle 27" tire I'm using.
If one is worried about expense, one could always buy a bunch of $5 tires from Nashbar.

It's better than crashing.

The easiest way I can say it is this....

Pretend you are going to Teabag the handlebars, pull up with one foot and push down with the other with all your weight forward (in a formal teabagging stance) and get ready to skid. Once your legs get strong enough, you should be able to skid without leaning forward... if the ground is wet, I can usually skid without leaning at all.

find some wet leaves.....!