fixed gear bikes
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- mrdobolina0
//I know those heavy brake arms and cables are really slowing you down...
- fooler0
i made this thread last year and everyone laughed at me. shiiiiiit.
track bikes, no brakes for life.
MLP
(Jun 14 06, 14:18)HAAAA HAAAAA!!!*
said in best nelson voice.
I've been wanting to convert my 15yo schwinn for a few years and now that I'm not working I thought it could be a semi inexpensive hobby.
Plus I just read and article in SPIN about how cool and badass people who ride em are.
- k0na_an0k0
are bananna seats still in?!?
*looks at bananna seat on bike
- acescence0
you can get yourself into just as much trouble WITH brakes than without. i've locked up the front wheel in a panic and had it slip out from under me. but really i think it's just a more pure experience, sounds corny i know. i'm certainly NOT a weight weenie, and in fact those dudes all decked out on their carbon frames in central park are always trying to knock me and tell me that their bike is lighter blah blah. whatever. i just tell them i weigh 120 lbs, and their fat ass weighs more than my bike ever could, that shuts them up. oh yeah, also when i stand up and destroy them on the uphills, that shuts them up too.
- Supplemental0
I ride brakeless and I find that I am actually way more safe on track bike than I was on my road bike. I pay much more attention to what is around me, but have also put in a lot of time, learning to ride with traffic, and in complete control of my bike and reactions.
If anyone is interested. I am part of a video coming out soon at mashsf.com. We all come at track bikes from a bmx or skating background and besides serious racing/riding try to do some tricks. I went riding in a skatepark the other day, and it was a blast.
You may all start the hating now.
- versa0
i skate and that sounds fun nonetheless
- mrdobolina0
that sounds cool, but what is the point of no brakes?
- fooler0
that sounds cool, but what is the point of no brakes?
mrdobolina
(Jun 14 06, 15:16)have yu ever riden a bike? I'm no expert but a "fixed gear" means you have to slow down the rpms of the crank to stop.
That is your breaking. It's not a 'free wheel" with no stopping power.
- mrdobolina0
no I have never ridden a bike. I worked for three years for the schwinn family painting standard bmx, waterford, rivendells, mountain bikes, track bikes, touring bikes, recumbants, and every other type of bike you have ever even heard of.
track bikes are for the track, they don't need brakes.
So why no brakes in the city? Just say because you think it is badass and I will stop, noone has answered.
- acescence0
dobs, i answered your question.
- mrdobolina0
those brake levers are really holding you back, eh?
;)
- Supplemental0
Track bikes, aside from bmx which I am getting into, are hands down the most fun I have ever had on a bike. I started with brakes, then stopped using them and took them off. I in no way feel as if riding without brakes is more dangerous, as I explained in my last post. But it is a problem within the popularity of track bikes and people thinking they can handle themselves too early in their time on a track (brake-less) bike. I love skidding, I love the flow, I love the way it feels to never stop pedalling, and I love hills. It all may be a little crazy to most, but I feel thats a bit naive to be casting judgement on others about riding brakeless without knowing their capabilities.
That said, track bikes provide an easy enough way to 'stop' without the need for a lever brake. Thats my answer. And if people think im a badass for it, great. I really dont care. I ride my bike for me.
- acescence0
i heard brake pads were made from aborted fetuses
- mrdobolina0
those brake levers are really holding you back, eh?
;)
mrdobolina
(Jun 14 06, 15:42)hahaha Im just playing but noone ever (on nt or people I know) gives a straight answer. It's always about how it "feels".
that said, having the option of brakes is absolutely safer, there really is no debate that having another method to stop other than stopping peddling is a safer and more efficient way to stop.
- Supplemental0
I gotta disagree there. Just because you have another method of stopping doesnt really make it safer. I know how I ride with brakes and its a lot more reckless than without. Granted, this is personal, but so is your idea about brakes.
What does it matter really? Why can't I ride whatever I want, however I want, as long as I put no one else in danger?
Playing or no, it bugs when people take the high and mighty stance on something like that. Too much ego with bikes, and this isnt an attack. Still all in fun.
- mrdobolina0
I would think high and mighty would actually be the guy who doesnt think he should have brakes on his bike.
I dont care if you or any of the bike messengers I know ride with brakes, but the reasoning is always flawed when I ask them why they do it. That was the point.
- acescence0
i know you're playing, but it's not a tangible thing, it truly is the way it feels.
and the reality for me is that brakes have caused more bad accidents than no brakes on a fixed. i've ridden both for many years and have many experiences on both to base my conclusions upon, how many hours have you spent on a fixed to arrive at yours?
- foreverwhatever0
all the hipsters in chicago ride fixed. and no breaks, with timbuk2 messenger bags and hankerchiefs in their back pockets.
- acescence0
handkerchiefs in their back pockets? is that to let everyone know if they are a top or a bottom?
- algorithm0
when they do a full page in Spin mag , only then is it way beyond the fad stage where everyone is bah-bah black sheepin along with the crowd.
Oh wait...That is in this months issue, nevermind.