Re: [CR] Surprising ending to Cinelli Pista frameset auction

(Example: Framebuilders:Rene Herse)

Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2006 21:16:30 -0500
From: "gabriel l romeu" <romeug@comcast.net>
To: Ken Sanford <kanford@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] Surprising ending to Cinelli Pista frameset auction
References: <000001c71a6a$70c36e60$6501a8c0@D5FSLZ21>
In-Reply-To: <000001c71a6a$70c36e60$6501a8c0@D5FSLZ21>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

caught me in a bit of a troll Ken, very perceptive. I think that is an excellent assessment. I only ride a fixie every weekday, weekends i get to play gears. On the roads around here, I really do not have to use the brake if I am thoughtful of what is in front of me- there are many ways of stopping a fixed with or without brakes and I prefer to do it with grace, and that is with a consideration to what is ahead. safety is a perceptual thing, varies according to it's source. I find that safety 'rules' such as helmets, brakes on fixed bikes, bright clothing, etc are generally a panacea and an excuse for no further engagement. the important rules are to ride to your abilities, be astute to the conditions of the locale (with all the implications of defensive pedaling, predictable riding, pedaling with a group, etc.) and adjust riding style appropriately. If the accroutements make one feel comfortable, by all means. It is secondary to the general quality of one's riding that determines safety IMHO.

Ken Sanford wrote:
> I owned a nice circa 1990 Cinelli Pista and rode it a bit on the road i n
> more or less controlled areas - without a brake. But, I did not want t o
> ride it in circumstances where I would need to stop quickly - I just
> ain't that skilled in skid stops. I felt it would be horrific to drill
> the front fork and using a different fork did not appeal. So I sold
> that bike to a friend (who lusted after it). He rides it everywhere. I
> was glad it found a proper home.
>
> Riding a fixed gear bike with or without a brake is a personal choice
> and I do NOT want to open up that debate! That's one reason I like
> British path racers - they are usually drilled for a front brake.
>>I hope the buyers at least ride them occasionally on the road,
>>although that often requires drilling the fork for a front brake to
>>do so safely.
>
>
> I am not so sure I understand this. why?

--
gabriel l romeu
last post of the day, chesterfield, nj usa
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