Hi,
Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 6:49:04 PM, kevin mccaul wrote:
<snip>
> In my opinion, riding a track bike in traffic is something you need
> to take seriously to say the least. Many do's and don'ts.
Riding any kind of bike in traffic should be taken seriously, no?
<snip>
> Every once in a while I'm asked politely how the bike works without
> brakes. I can explain in less than 60 seconds and the individual
> usually comes away thinking it's hard, but not that it's dangerous.
> It's neither of course!
> My gear of choice is 49x16. I've tried lesser and quickly went back.
> As for brakes, well all I can say is if you feel the need for them, then you
> probably shouldn't be riding fixed. I've seen firsthand and heard numerous
> stories of guys flying over the handlebars using them.
Could you please explain how using brakes on a fixed gear bike is more
likely to cause one to go over the bars than using same brakes on a
freewheeling bike?
> Then again I'm sure there is a place for brakes in certain
> circumstances, but I can't think of one that applies to me. Let me
> know! You ride on the sidewalk only maybe?
A front brake can stop a bike faster than a rear brake (which is effectively what you have on a brakeless fixed), all other things being equal, I'm sure this may come useful not only when riding on a sidewalk.
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--
Cheers,
Dmitry Yaitskov,
Toronto, Canada.