Norris Lockley wrote:
> Until very recently I had never seen, certainly never ridden, nor heard
> discussed, the suggestion that fixed-wheel bikes could or should have a
> rear brake. It is obviously fine for a *single-speed* bike ie one with a
> freewheel, to have two brakes, but a *fixed-gear bike *never should have a
> rear brake. Application of the rear brake over zealously can easily and
> quickly lock up the rear wheel. If that stops turning then so too does the
> chainwheel and cranks to which your legs are attached via your feet...and
> everything stops turning at the same time..and you end up in the ditch
> having been thrown off. If you don't believe me..then try it..at reasonable
> speed.
A ditch -with water- is never far of, but so far I haven't been able to reproduce your findings. I would be inclined to think that- because with the fixed gear you know when your wheel is about to skid- it could well be safer
-- mvg
Marten Gerritsen
riding fixed on a champion mondial with wrap around seatstays in Kiel Windeweer Netherlands
(and the brake is fitted because the cable loops on the toptube looked silly empty ;)