Why ride fixed WITH a brake?
 

Why do people ride track bikes with a front brake? Lets face it, how many people do you think riding their "fixies" do it for the look? I would say A LOT. What kind of annoys me are the people with fixed gears with front brakes. These people do realize they can have a freewheel or coaster brake and their bikes will still almost look like a track bike. Is there/ what is something about riding fixed that makes it worth it? Otherwise I'm just kind of stumped as to why people ride fixed with a front brake, since they can make it easier on themselves with something like a White Industries freewheel (which needs almost as little maintenance as a fixed gear).

PS. I started with a freewheel bike and since having a brakeless track bike (which I commute on daily), I have not had any "zen" bullsh#t that all the annoying hipsters are talking about. Go brakeless or just get a freewheel...

I do it so I can stop and maybe prevent myself from dying.

Well there you go.

But why ride FIXED?!

PS. ted shred

with a front brake i can stop faster than you there for ride harder and faster as i can stop in less time and it helps prevent dying.

stupid thread is stupid

It gives me the option of skid stop or brake or both depending on the situation. And in the chance my chain brakes while I'm riding really fast I have a Plan B. I like Plan Bs

You guys seem to be ignoring the point of the thread. Why are you riding fixed with a brake, when you can have a freewheel/coast brake with a front brake and your bike will pretty much look the same? Why are you riding fixed if you (should) know you are wasting more energy doing so compared to a freewheel?


Can you guys read the description and not just the title? Jesus christ.

Riding fixed and not being able coast makes you feel more connected to the drive train and in terms the bike as you are able to directly moderate speed and traction the entire time you're pedaling no matter the road conditions.

I wouldn't say riding fixed wastes energy. Momentum plays a key role in fixed gear riding, especially when riding up hills where being directly connected to your bike's drivetrain helps you take advantage of your weight with gravity.

Crazy coincidence, I use mine to stop too.

Thanks for giving a half descent answer.

How about going downhill, wouldn't you think coasting would save energy more energy than having to pedal constantly? Also, expand upon the whole going up hills on a fixed gear is easier. A freewheel bike can have momentum to and you are pretty much "connected" (as you put it) to a freewheel drivetrain up hills if you keep pedaling.

This thread isn't necessarily about safety. It's obvious why people want a front brake. This thread is more about the aesthetics and energy efficiency of a track bike and freewheel bike.

Can you stop being stupid and read the description and not just the title?

The question is, why do people ride fixed with a front brake when you can have a freewheel and a front brake and the bike will look the same. You would also save more energy with a freewheel, so why would you have a fixed gear if you already have a brake?

Because I enjoy riding fixed.

Of course being able to coast down hill would save a lot more energy with the rider just sitting on their butt the entire time but if you've ridden fixed gear/ track long enough, you learn to spin your legs where you are able to completely free up your legs spiritually and let them spin effortlessly to the same effect.

Going up hills fixed is easier because you are able to use your weight (yes, as with any bike) to push a foot/ pedal down whilst bringing up the opposite BUT thanks to the inability to coast/ being directly interconnected to the drivetrain, your other/ opposite foot has to go up no matter what, setting you up perfectly to use your weight again without having to pull up with the other. With a freewheel you don't get this type of interconnectivity/ momentum from the wheels.

Hello pot. My name is kettle. The answer to your question is in post #12 .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by seau grateau (Post 16016412)

Hello pot. My name is kettle. The answer to your question is in post #12 .

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Is this an image kind of thing?

Thanks for the clarification.

To repeat and clarify what I said, "I enjoy riding fixed," not, "I enjoy other people seeing me ride fixed."

My FG is a SSCX, so I am not going for an aesthetic, particularly since it has big ol cantilevers on the front and back wheel. I enjoy riding fixed for the reasons that St. Sheldon preached about.

Your reasoning is completely backwards. You seem to assume that everyone who rides a fixed gear does because they want to look cool. I ride a fixed gear because I enjoy it, and I ride with a brake because I want to be able to brake safely and efficiently. I have another bike that has a freewheel and 12 variable gear combinations.

The real question is, why would you ride brakeless if not for image? It has absolutely no benefit over riding with a brake and is much more dangerous and inefficient, which I bring up because you seem to be stuck on efficiency for some reason. You would save more energy with a brake.

I like the fixed gear for the different riding experience and the silence. I don't skid stop and I've had to use the front brake twice and I was glad​ I had it.

GT4, YOU ride fixed because you think it's cool and all the 'important' people will think your some sort of wunderbloke. Not everyone is that shallow. As explained above, fixed gear bikes offer advantages to bikes with freewheels and within their limits, can be more efficient. Strangely, some of us enjoy riding these bikes outside those limits. If you had the skills to understand what I and others are talking about, you wouldn't be stupid enough to post this insulting thread (yes sunshine, you're the one who started getting personal and nasty, right back at post 1). So rather than worrying about whether the lace on your knickers matches your bar tape, get out and ride your bike, however you want to set it up, learn some strength, endurance and skill, then try to investigate and understand what other riders are talking about.

Here's the image that comes to my mind when I see someone riding brakeless on the street.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18...ps71d47a15.jpg

Damn, you really do live up to your title. Thanks for the input. I just live by logic and asked a question. I have said in another thread that I ride another thread that I rode a brakeless track bike because I needed a beater that was theft resistant (which was my biggest concern), low maintenance, and inexpensive.

You're going to see a lot of "dumbasses" in SF then, lol.

I'll bet.