So...how does one lock the rear? I've been riding fixed gear for about 6 months now, and initially held back while going downhill, then finally followed Sheldon Brown's advice (from his website) and just went with the flow and let my legs spin. I've noticed recently that it's quite hard work to try and slow down by resisting the pedalling (particularly as I've gradually increased the gearing)...so I always use my front brake. Suppose I did want to lock up the rear...how would I do it? I don't think I could right now, unless I could somehow jump the rear wheel off the ground momentarily so I could stop pedalling. This sounds dangerous at speed, though? How do the experts do it?...I clearly have a lot to learn.
One more thing....any truth to all this talk about riding fixed gear taking a lot more energy than riding a variable gear bike? Subjectively, my body feels quite the opposite. I can come back from a ride on my derailleur equipped bike feeling quite tired after a hard ride...generally I come back feeling quite energized from a fixed gear ride...maybe I'm not riding hard enough :^) Yes, it's hard work going uphill, or against a strong headwind, but the downhills more than make up for it...all that fast spinning leaves my legs feeling quite supple.
thanks in advance
Michael Davies
St Louis, MO
(snip)
> It is really silly in NYC right now with
> bikes not drilled for
> brakes commanding a premium- for road use! Used to
> do a lot of riding in the
> city on fixed wheels, with and without brakes (the
> no brakes thing was
> stupid and I gave it up), but at least I used a 72"
> gear, not a 90". Plus
> I'm not so sure they know how to lock the rear,
> which is a desperation
> method anyway.