fixed gear bikes
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- 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.
- mrdobolina0
those brake levers are really holding you back, eh?
;)
- acescence0
dobs, i answered your question.
- 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.
- 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
that sounds cool, but what is the point of no brakes?
- versa0
i skate and that sounds fun nonetheless
- 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.
- 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.
- k0na_an0k0
are bananna seats still in?!?
*looks at bananna seat on bike
- 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.
- mrdobolina0
//I know those heavy brake arms and cables are really slowing you down...
- mrdobolina0
why though MLP? why no brakes at all? just to be a badass?
- MLP0
i made this thread last year and everyone laughed at me. shiiiiiit.
track bikes, no brakes for life.
- versa0
went single speed after some run-ins with large moving metal objects
feeler a bit more in control now on the little hills here, even tho i never felt out of control per say before - just a bit safer i guess
- eric_i_e0
Enter response:Redline makes some nice bikes at decent prices. I rode a Monocog around all last winter (fixed) I'd recommend the brand so far.
- acescence0
purple monkey dishwasher
- e_b_c0
it fucks up your knees.
- skelly0
ditto on knees feeling better riding fixed. they hurt like hell for 2 weeks because you use muscles you never worked out before, but after that, you feel like a machine.
the problem with freewheels/coasting is you pump out energetic bursts of pedalling then coast until you slow down and repeat, fixed is a more consistent cadence. and running a break lessens the stress on the knees if that ends up being a problem.
- acescence0
i think the knee thing is a myth. i've had bad knees all my life from competitive skiing, and riding fixed has actually strengthened them and lessened my pain. just my opinion, of course.