sers

is riding brakeless on a fixie something you just jump into...

humancongereel

it was for me, and i don't recommend it at all.

but you're not really jumping into it, you've been riding fixed for a while. my first fix had no brakes...i'm finishing a new bike this week and it will have the first brake i've used in well over a year.

i don't recommend that anyone start riding fixed and brakeless...just in case something goes wrong and you don't know what to do.

edit: i also think that riding brakeless can be just fine, and i'm not going to tell anyone what they should do with their bike. but i'd suggest to any n00b, that they at least have a brake just in case, even if it never sees action.

Eatadonut

I didn't have any brakes laying around that I thought would look good on my fixie - so I've never done it any other way.

I've got some sweet Weinmann 999s I'm thinking about putting on there soon, though. Just for style, you know.

eddiebrannan

but your level is brakeless. were you not riding that bike much?

DoshKel

It took me 1 year - 1 1/2 years to ride brakeless. Way after I learned how to skid/skip too.

Brakes are really cool anyway. Especially Campagnolo Delta.

sers

my level is my track bike. built it up well after i first started riding fixed. i can go either way, but i keep a brake on the everyday thrasher.

colnago57

I got my first fixed gear about six years ago, and just jumped on and rode. I've always been more of a "shoot first, ask questions later" person.

Retem

skipping and skidding isn't the proper way to stop at all it just wears out tires learn to control your rpms is the sauce

BodiesOfLight

You're riding on the road with vehicles weighing 4000lb+.

You're f ucking stupid riding brakeless, I don't care how good of a rider you are.

Retem

thats ok it is flat where I live

sers

this is not the thread to argue this point.

Kilgore_Trout

i'm sure i'll get flak for this, but from day 1 of riding fixed i started riding brakeless. it also took me a few months to learn how to skip/skid

Gyeswho

i just started brakeless bout 3 weeks ago after i got OLD Davy. def very fun and not as bad as i thought but it is VITAL to be VIGILANT at ALL times. i like but dislike at the same time but again i say very fun and puts a new way to riding fixed and a bike in general.

i think it is absoltely mandatory to learn skipping AND skidding when going brakeless. I also say learn the hockey stop maneuver as well. um ima also say trackstanding with both left and right side put the icing on the cake as this will make you a better skidder since you will be used to how to use your balance.

humancongereel

yeah, hockey stops are the shiz.

luvthemas

Rode bikes my entire life, rode fixed with a brake for about 6 months, it took about that long for me to feel just as comfortable without one. Yeah I could have ridden brakeless after a month or so skill wise, but to really enjoy it I believe a lot of time should be spent with a brake first.

Gyeswho

yup same here

pitboss

relax. step away from the computer.

you are offically "that guy"

Sakae Custom

Started brakeless, as my bike was a track frame with a non drilled fork, i even tried to get it drilled for a brake, but the bike shops said the fork couldnt take it, and that it would compromise integrity, to top things off, it was geared for the track at 49:15, and i was living in hilly seattle, needless to say, i quickly learned how to ride brakeless. My next bike, wasa 27in --> 700c conversion, and i couldnt find brakes to reach, i learned about tektro long reach brakes, but by then i felt comfotable, and i was broke. I want to build a fixed wheel with a brake in the future though.

G0balistik

I started riding brakeless after I learned out how skid only because I learned how to skid on a friend's brakeless fixed gear before I had one of my own.

I have never ridden a fixed gear with a brake, it seems like it would feel weird to be pedaling and pulling a brake.

trackstar10

i found that riding around the neighborhood a lot helps a ton. i did it just for fun, but its a good quiet place to practice your skills, including stopping, skidding, bunnyhopping, jumping curbs, and slaloming, among others. i also learned to trackstand, backwards circle, wheelie, and 180 skid on the street right in front of my house. my first fix was brakeless. i rode a braked bike for a little while, but its one of those things (almost like an addiction) that you just get drawn back into. so i took the brake off, and from the looks of it ill be leaving it that way for the rest of my life.

666pack

i jumped into it, learned how to skip/skid, learned it wasn't as fun as i hoped and put a brake on real quick.

i rarely use the brake, but it's nice to grab a handful when you need it.

remorashadow

I was lucky and learned how to skip/skid really well about a week before I was forced into going brakeless, I forgot to tighten my brake back down after taking off the wheel so the brake wsan't there when I needed/expected it, it was definitely one of those "oh ****" moments. Riding brakeless isn't a big deal unless you think you are riding with a brake, then you get good at riding brakeless real fast or bad things start to happen.

JaredG

i ride with brakes and i wear a helmet. i learned to skid after my brake was installed.

i found that having a brake helps me to 'feel' safe, although i rarely use it.
i prefer to rely on my own skill as a rider rather than rely on everyone to see me and keep me safe.

wearyourtruth

i started riding fixed and had no brake for years and platform pedals for a good while... but this was in lubbock tx with minor traffic and about 5ft of elevation change across the whole city. it took me little time to learn how to skid, but i never used it as a stopping method. i still don't really know how to skip (or at least haven't done so). within a few weeks of moving to baltimore i wanted a brake, and i got one. the hills and the traffic are a serious matter to contend with.

another thing to note is that i was rolling 42x16, hardly a high gear. i had to do some serious pedalling just to break 20mph. it was much easier to stop than if i was running something like many of you are, much less torque to overcome.

trackstar10

IMHO< i think the whole "i have a brake but never use it" is a bunch of crap. in my own experience, (yes, this may differ from YOU) whenever i have a brake on, i just feel like i have to use it, and i do, simply because its there. ive tried just not using it and it doesnt work. i have just always liked the idea and the simplicity of riding brakeless, before i even started riding brakeless. for example, when building a bike or changing bars, i complete the task, and stop and think..." hey! i'm done! i didn't have to put a brake on!"
it may seem silly but thats just my two c3nts.


*cents.