New to fixed gear
12-03-04 | 04:05 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
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
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
12-03-04 | 04:24 PM
#2
72 & Sunny
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: '93 Yamaguchi Pursuit track bike, Alan Super Record
12-03-04 | 05:37 PM
#5
troglodyte
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 1
From: the tunnels
Bikes: Crust Romanceur, VO Polyvalent, Surly Steamroller, others?
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.
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.
12-03-04 | 08:38 PM
#6
Eschew Obfuscation!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: over here!
Bikes: 2005 Rocky Mountain ETSX, Surly Crosscheck, 2000 Enduro Expert (sold), 1999 Rockhopper, 1984 Trek 520 (STOLEN-but recovered!), $7 rigid MTB from a police auction (broken, then stolen)
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!
) and I was down to the threads in two nights. That must get expensive!
12-03-04 | 08:51 PM
#7
troglodyte
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 1
From: the tunnels
Bikes: Crust Romanceur, VO Polyvalent, Surly Steamroller, others?
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.
If one is worried about expense, one could always buy a bunch of $5 tires from Nashbar.
12-03-04 | 09:25 PM
#8
I need more bikes!!!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Bikes: 2 roadies, 7 fixed-gears, 1 hardtail, 1 full suspension mtb, and 1 hybrid...so far.
Originally Posted by enduro
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!
) and I was down to the threads in two nights. That must get expensive!
12-03-04 | 09:41 PM
#9
Philly bike nerd
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Center City Philadelphia
Bikes: 2003 Fuji Track Bike,Pink Univega, Mixed part BMX, Early 70's Columbia Tandem, Orange and Cream Fixed gear Pursuit bike (Puig), random bikes made from spare parts
Originally Posted by 2big2ride
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
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
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.
