IamNed

Track standing is easier without foot retention, and I do more of that than I do skidding. But, I can track stand, and I can't skid. I've done both straps and clips and decided that I prefer the MKS metal clips to go with my MKS pedals.

Scrodzilla

This makes absolutely no sense. At all.

UltraManDan

+1

IamNed

Sure it does. Learning to track stand with straps or clips results in more un-needed falls. I can more easily track stand without being clipped or strapped in, and get my foot on the ground easier if needed. There is no benefit to being strapped in track standing at a traffic light. Straps and clips get in the way. As I approach a light that I intend to track stand at, I un-clip or un-strap my feet.

I keep clips on because coming to a stop is easier with retention, confidence on hills, and for high cadence. Some day I might accidentally skid. Don't need retention for track standing.

Scrodzilla

Hey, whatever version of "fixie logic" you choose to believe is cool with me. I've got burritos to eat.

murrellington

So you meant to say learning to track stand without retention is easier. Not that track standing in general is easier without retention. I agree its easier to learn without it so you don't fall a lot. All you gotta do is let your straps hang down when practicing

IamNed

I'm having a chili dog to help me see the flaws in my logic. I always have trouble seeing my flaws for some reason. I must be new to the interwebs.

Bandera

Having learned to track stand on a Velodrome: properly cleated/strapped-in, likely before your parents were out of diapers, I disagree.
> 40 years on riding FG on the road: same, same.

Riding FG w/o proper foot retention is just plain stupid, as is running brakeless.
As always (Over 18 Adults) do as you please.

-Bandera

mixedfix

This sounds like a horrible idea, not to mention virtually impossible to develop a quick reflex for.



He has said numerous times that he is new.



You get used to it, but yeah they're ugly as hell.


I bike to work everyday and sometimes I see this kid on my route who rides a SS without foot retention or brakes. Notice I said single-speed and not fixed gear; he definitely has a freewheel and I have seen him coast. I have also seen him stop traffic because he just weaves in and out of everything and doesn't pay attention to things like red lights. I have never actually seen him stop his bike.

I kind of want him to get hit by a car.

IamNed

You are going to have to be damb old.

Falling into the path of car or truck doesn't happen very often on a velodrome. If you fall it's no big deal. Falling on a street because you are strapped in at a stop light is plain stupid.

TejanoTrackie 

Falling anytime, even on a velodrome, hurts and is not fun. The only reason to do a trackstand on the road is to avoid having to unclip and then clip back in again. If you are going to unclip whenever you stop or ride w/o foot retention, then you might as well just put one foot down at a stop and not even bother with a trackstand.

Six jours

I can skid without foot retention. I just apply the rear brake a little harder than normal.

Of course, I'm not one of the cool kids when it comes to FG.

But I did learn how to track stand with toe straps. Although that was on an actual track, which I gather is also not cool on the FG forum.

I do have a beard, though. Which is cool, I think. Except it's mostly grey now. Which isn't. Or something.

How about that new Hozier album?

Bandera

Iam indeed elderly but also quite wise to cycling FG in various environments, including the road, with a wide variety of equipment over the decades.

If you are concerned with "Falling on a street because you are strapped in at a stop light" you may wish to consider a method of foot retention recently introduced in the mid-1980's: Clipless pedals. A very good technology: easy in/out and quite reliable retention for the hardest efforts. Try it if you continue to ride a bicycle in future before moving on to the inevitable "next thing".

Not being "stupid" is indeed something one must strive for, good luck w/ that. We look forward to your progress.

It is also obvious that you have never been on a Velodrome if you think that "If you fall it's no big deal", it's not quite like that at all. There is however a way to find out. For those who just imagine what it is like to actually ride a FG bicycle in competition on the track I encourage all to join a club and have at it, very enlightening. You may also learn the why/how of actual trackstands. Most likely not......

-Bandera

Ictoanta

But... why would you track-stand at a traffic light, if not to avoid having to un-clip/strap?

O.o

IamNed

Thanks folks, track standing is fun, with or without retention or clipped in, and it is more fun and safer for me without it. It's given me something to learn in my old age. I realize and accept that I'm not cool because I use a fixed gear track bike for fun and errands. As old as I am, its not too late for me to come around to the real fun of putting my foot down at a traffic light or wearing special shoes to go to the grocery store half a mile away or to ride exclusively on velodromes. I'll get it eventually.

Old people having fun and un-clipping at a traffic light while track standing and not skidding to the stop...ouch. It's like what we did to facebook, right?

I am IamNed

Ictoanta

Don't get me wrong, if you enjoy doing it, keep it up. However, if you're still learning to track stand, with or without foot retention, the traffic light might not be the best place to practice... (I wouldn't want to be next to you ) But hey, I can't track stand (or skid) at all, so regardless of how you pull it off, kudos to you!

tombc

Many of your posts are condescending as hell FYI

Bandera

Glad that you are following along so closely, very flattering.

What then is your opinion regarding "Skidding w.out foot retention"?

-Bandera

UltraManDan

I like your condescending/ sarcastic responses to idiotic questions like "skidding without foot retention"

Keep up the good work #Bandera

tombc

The antagonistic attitude in this sub forum is typical, but having a lot of firsthand information is not. It makes me want to disregard the information in your posts, which would otherwise be much better than the average response. So I guess it's an extra stinger? Do as you please.

I tend not to weigh in on questions like this because I think most of the denizens of Bikeforums would learn a lot if they rode their bikes instead of posting asking questions about what it's like riding bikes. But, since you asked: having ridden fixed gears with zero to two brakes and with and without foot retention (except the brakeless one), I find I can skid alright on my currently preferred platform pedals without applying the brakes. I never really do because it's a waste of tires. I have found one brake and no foot retention to be about as safe as anything, but the brake track on the front wheel is worn out after only about a year, so I'm gonna stick with two brakes. I rode with straps until getting some dr. martens that didn't fit in my clips while I was away in Portland, so I took em off and found I could do everything just about the same. I never really stand up to pedal uphill or sprint, and haven't ever found my feet to just fly off. I do prefer to rest my feet on the downtube and coast downhill since I work on top of a huge long one.

I encourage anyone confused on this topic to ride their bike until they arrive at their own conclusion which will probably be unique to them. I am 24. Sorry for being rude in my previous post, it wasn't any better.

Bandera

Thanks for a well reasoned response.

I agree that there are those who cycle and those who type about it, two very different experiences, and only one produces credible opinions on cycling.
Having been at this FG on the road thing for a good many decades now I do have two serious suggestions for you to consider as you go about this activity.

A) "I never really stand up to pedal uphill or sprint, and haven't ever found my feet to just fly off."

You are severely limiting your power output, the natural and effective technique is to stand to apply grunt as necessary whether getting off the line at a stop light or climbing a grade. Bad technique here, the power is free why not use it? Proper foot retention will keep the "hamster-on-wheel" effect at bay. Having it turn into the dreaded "Cuisinart Pedals of Doom" is great way to injure oneself needlessly. Sprinting is the apogee of track racing and fun for FG on the road, proper foot retention is required to make it work at the requisite RPM, that's just how it is.

2) "I do prefer to rest my feet on the downtube and coast downhill since I work on top of a huge long one".

I hope that you are joking, that is an excellent way to get badly hurt and have a truly epic wreck. A brake or two and proper foot retention really are required for FG road riders when descending as is control of the machine with feet on the pedals, hands on the bars and butt on the saddle as you encounter potholes and road debris. It's not a carnival ride, unless you make it one.

When the Fixie Fad fades serious club riders and the fans of obsolete equipment will keep on doing what they have for over a century, riding FG on the road.



-Bandera

Six jours

You lose internet points for putting up a drawing of an internally geared hub bike.

Here's my British style fixed gear touring bike.



Hopefully everyone will note the toe straps and the two brakes...

Bandera

Duh, thank you (wrong pic).
That is a proper gentleman's machine: here's mine and Beryl Burton doing a FG/TT as an apology.



-Bandera

hairnet

Purdy

rustybrown

I have a FG without foot retention

Often ride in sandals

Can confirm still alive.