yes, it's a dumb question, so mock all you like, but please answer whilst you mock...

is there an "optimal gear" for skidding on your fixed gear bicycle?

i currently have 48/16 and i can't seem to skid, no matter how far i lean over my handlebars, i can't seem to get my legs to stop the wheels moving (i don't have brakes).

either it's my technique, i'm weak, or it's the gearing.

assuming my technique is good and i'm not weak, i'm wondering if my gearing doesn't lend itself to skids.

please and thank you.

Your gear is too high. Get an 18t cog.

Wouldn't a 19T give him more skid patches? I believe the 18 is only going to give him 8.
I refuse to go run a calculator to be accurate, work before play!

cool, thank you, i will get a better cog.

48/18=3 (unless you're ambi)

48/19=19

It's most likely your technique I have never rode a bike I couldn't skid on and im 145 lbs. Just practice more but if you insist it will be easier to get good technique down on a smaller gear.

HTFU

i can skid a 52/16, can, i dont... get a brake.

a 52/16 has four skid patches, i only have one right now. (thanks to this thread i learned what skid patches were and found a calculator, so thanks again santaria and carleton and jaytron)

oh, and you use brakes? HTFU

This. 48x16 here and I don't have problems. Then again, I have a brake so skidding is rare. Maybe ride faster No, actually, just get a brake.

Invalid.

guess how many skid patches i have when i use my front brake?

none. ever. i get about 2000 miles out of my rear tire.... envy me.

pro tip: brake pads are cheaper than tires.

Honestly, you can learn on any gear, just htfu or get a brake as already stated.

oh, i'm sorry, you don't like me telling you how to ride your bike? neither do i. no brakes work for me, and you don't have to ride my bike. thanks for your input.

Interesting, considering you posted this thread, asking for people to tell you how to ride your bike.....

48x16 isn't too bad, it's what I started out on.

Your legs will either break or strengthen up after a while.

I run 46/17 easy peesy. but I also have a brake so I don't all the time just for fun

Do tires have much to do with it? The cheap IRCs I had for a few slid pretty easy. I'm now running Vittoria Rally tubulars on a 48x16. They seem a lot more "grabby". I can still lock it it up but it wants to skip and bounce instead of skid. Though I also prefer replacing brake pads than tires.

I have a friend who rides 53x16 on some cheap tires and can skid around very easily on most any bike. He rode my bike with Gator Hardshells on it and could barely get the tire to skid at any speed on only a 46x17 gear ratio. I'd definitely say tires can drastically affect the ease of skidding.

QFT. Moral of your cool story: HTFU and skid with whatever gear you have.






Also, get a brake you ****ing hipster.

Yeah I noticed when I threw on thickslicks, compared to Zaffiros, skidding became a lot harder. Eventually, after I rode enough and stopped enough without using a brake, I went brakeless. If you can't skid properly and on command, I don't know what the **** you think you're doing without running a brake. You're destined to become street spin art via truck canvas if you're dumb about it. Maybe you live in bum**** america, you might be able to get away with it. Riding in the city will teach you **** real quick.

I learned with 46/16 and run 46/15 no problems. HTFU.

edit: not trying to sound elitist or like a prick. Learn how to skid before you take the brakes off dumbass.

I live in the middle of nowhere, run brakeless, and don't know how to skid very well. I always thought it was kind of stupid to intentionally burn through your tires. But, OP, it was never really asked: are you in the city or a rural area?

mostly rural, occasional "small city". i don't really stop much, and maybe i don't ride that fast, because i've managed to slow down and stop when i've needed to, or turned and kept rolling when i couldnt' stop. been riding the same bike for about 7 years and i've changed my tires once. i've managed to eek out a small skid here and there, but nothing regular, hence my question about the gearing.

You've been riding fixed for 7 years and can't skid? 48/16 is a little tough but I'd figure you would be able to skid just about any ratio after that long.

My first fixay was 52/15 (yeah I know) and I learned how to skid within the first month or two. I learned on a big patch of dirt and leaves. It's really all mental. Just think about which of your feet will be pushing down and which will be pulling up, throw your weight forward, and lock 'em up. You'll be pulling up a lot at first, but as you get used to the feel of it, your foot that's pushing down will be doing most of the work. Then learn it the other way so you have more skid patchezz!

For those concerned about tires, if you are a good customer at your LBS, ask the mechanics if they have any used tires they'd be willing to part with. If you do all your business on the internet, well, keep on keepin' on.

I've always wondered why 48T rings are so popular. If you run a ring with a prime number tooth count, e.g. 47T, you will always get the maximum number of skid patches regardless of your cog tooth count.