I don’t know about the U.S., but in Europe (most parts, if not everywhere) it would be illegal to ride a bike without brakes in traffic. Thinking of winter, snow and such… that’s actually a good thing.
risb, That’s why many fixed-gear riders add a hand-brake where legally enforced. The minimalist aesthetic, or necessity in a messengers’ case, of ‘going brakeless’ caught on. The offending rider is forced to learn how to use their legs’ influence over the rear wheel to slow the rate of progress, or skid-stop when necessary. It’s a great deal of fun regardless of whether a handbrake is present, makes for incredibly efficient urban travel, and is fantastic exercise, making use of core muscles not always used when cycling. I’ve listed the positives.
Well-maintained hand brakes are of course helpful, but from experience I can say that having the fixed wheel in addition informs the rider of any loss in traction when it’s rainy or snowy. The performance is superior to a ‘conventional’ free-wheeled mechanism, under ideal conditions when the rider is fit and alert.
Never understood the brakeless fixie thing. Mine has a SLX disc brake up front and a rim brake in the back even though it is a fixed gear.
You don´t have to touch the brakes if you want a leg workout day, but when necessary, you have powerful braking options at hand. You can still ride like you don´t have brakes anyway – and proactive riding is always good for your own safety, no matter what the bike is.
Brakeless on the velodrome is actually safer, but my road fixie is an old path racer fitted with brakes fore-and-aft. The only advantage to going brakeless on the street is that it teaches one emergency bike handling , but it’s a lesson learnt only if one survives the emergency.
I actually like brakeless fix gear when it is snowing. You cant go that fast and brakes dont work well anyway. Using the drivetrain to slow down seems like the safest way to decelerate. Brakes can lock up your wheels on snow and ice.
I used to think brakeless fixed gear bike were dumb. Had a Steamroller with a front brake, used the brake all the time.
12 years later, and about 5 after selling that bike, I bought a Felt track bike. No brakes, on the road, 48×14 gearing, so about 90 gear inches. Terrifying. Put a 17t cog on the back l, dropping it to roughly 75 gear inches, and suddenly I understood all the hype, all the “you’re so connected to the bike” stuff. I can stop fast without skidding, I can skid if I want to, it’s all there. I love it. Still gonna get that brake on the front when I get a little $$$ though. It’s a little extra safety net.
True that!!!
And it ain’t just for fixies only.
-“BB”-
I don’t know about the U.S., but in Europe (most parts, if not everywhere) it would be illegal to ride a bike without brakes in traffic. Thinking of winter, snow and such… that’s actually a good thing.
It is also illegal to not use turn signals and park in bike lanes, yet somehow, there are people who think all this is a good idea. 🙂
risb, That’s why many fixed-gear riders add a hand-brake where legally enforced. The minimalist aesthetic, or necessity in a messengers’ case, of ‘going brakeless’ caught on. The offending rider is forced to learn how to use their legs’ influence over the rear wheel to slow the rate of progress, or skid-stop when necessary. It’s a great deal of fun regardless of whether a handbrake is present, makes for incredibly efficient urban travel, and is fantastic exercise, making use of core muscles not always used when cycling. I’ve listed the positives.
Well-maintained hand brakes are of course helpful, but from experience I can say that having the fixed wheel in addition informs the rider of any loss in traction when it’s rainy or snowy. The performance is superior to a ‘conventional’ free-wheeled mechanism, under ideal conditions when the rider is fit and alert.
In the USA we tend to not make laws regulating things that cause people to injure only themselves, unless the risk of death is significant.
Never understood the brakeless fixie thing. Mine has a SLX disc brake up front and a rim brake in the back even though it is a fixed gear.
You don´t have to touch the brakes if you want a leg workout day, but when necessary, you have powerful braking options at hand. You can still ride like you don´t have brakes anyway – and proactive riding is always good for your own safety, no matter what the bike is.
Brakeless on the velodrome is actually safer, but my road fixie is an old path racer fitted with brakes fore-and-aft. The only advantage to going brakeless on the street is that it teaches one emergency bike handling , but it’s a lesson learnt only if one survives the emergency.
Brakeless and fixie are both utterly alien to me, and probably terrifying as well.
Agree with pro-active riding, no matter what one chooses to use.
…Attn: Westinson, regarding your comments, that was a good point 🙂
I actually like brakeless fix gear when it is snowing. You cant go that fast and brakes dont work well anyway. Using the drivetrain to slow down seems like the safest way to decelerate. Brakes can lock up your wheels on snow and ice.
I used to think brakeless fixed gear bike were dumb. Had a Steamroller with a front brake, used the brake all the time.
12 years later, and about 5 after selling that bike, I bought a Felt track bike. No brakes, on the road, 48×14 gearing, so about 90 gear inches. Terrifying. Put a 17t cog on the back l, dropping it to roughly 75 gear inches, and suddenly I understood all the hype, all the “you’re so connected to the bike” stuff. I can stop fast without skidding, I can skid if I want to, it’s all there. I love it. Still gonna get that brake on the front when I get a little $$$ though. It’s a little extra safety net.