Brakes?

Kippers!

Amish men don't use brakes.

Or power tools.

Sole.

engine braking then??

Just tried brakeless car driving but think I have fucked the gearbox up. Tried to put it into reverse at 30mph to do a skid stop :-)

Try it in a mini (use a real one).

Can fixed gear bikes stop as fast as a bike with two brakes?

Can fixed gear bikes stop as fast as a bike with two brakes?

no

I love brakes and have 2 on both my bikes

well said and i agree, cycling brakeless in London is barmy!

Can fixed gear bikes stop as fast as a bike with two brakes?

Course not, what are you crazy?!

no

Yes

well said and i agree, cycling brakeless in London is barmy!

Possibly even Crazy, those fucking hipsters eh!

if you cant brake without a brake then you should ride SS

Fo shizzle Crane...if its possible to brake down from the speeds you get up to, I don't see why anyone needs brakes.

P.S. get yourself some double straps ASAP :p.

too.

broke.

Its to in that context, and that sucks man, you ever thought about pimping yourself out to the 50+female crowd, they always like a bit of fresh meat?

ive always said i'd never do the rentboy thing but if times get too hard... you never know what might happen

ive always said i'd never do the rentboy thing but if times get too hard... you never know what might happen

i thought breakless riders could see into the future ?

isnt that why you do it

I have recently bought a cycling computer and been trying to raise my average speed on commutes from 15-16 to 18 mph (by raising my cruising speed from 16-18 mph to 20-22 mph). I am getting to work faster but it has increased the rate of attrition on my front brake. Prior to upping my speed I was using the brake a lot less and using a combination of skipping, skidding and slowing my legs to control my decceleration.

I would agree that the good brakeless riders are very smooth and tend to use their cadence to control their speed, skidding tends just to be an emergency or for show. It is really lovely to watch a skilled rider navigating through traffic. Their appreciation, anticipation and prediction of the traffic is amazing.

Once I have got my comfortable cruising speed up to 20-22 mph I shall then work on being more comfortable using my legs for braking. Skidding at this kind of speed just does not feel so controlled.

I think we could also make the distinction between long skids done for show (where the weight is shifted right towards the stem) and seated (or near seated skids) where the weight is kept more over the rear wheel, leading to a much more abrupt skid to halt. I feel a little more confident using the front brake to help lift the weight off the back wheel before I skid or skip the bike.

I have seen idiots with 2 brakes and idiots with none. I also have met a few people who just bought brakeless bikes with no knowledge of skidding or skipping, it turned out that one of these characters had to cycle pitifully slowly as he had no way to stop quickly.

I am not conviced that brakeless and 22mph cruising speeds mixes that well. I like to average around 20mph on my rides but I ride where there is very little traffic, very few junctions and even fewer traffic lights meaning I rarely have to stop.

Regular stopping or slowing from 22mph is not good for legs or knees in my opinion.

Riding smooth comes with experience not because of a lack of brakes IMO.

When I started out riding seriously, I was on and off sprints (which got me fucking fit), however I wasn't smooth.

After a few years riding, the brakes have become more for controlling my speed than stopping. I anticipate what is happening ahead and ride accordingly, which is the only sensible way to do things. This causes me to wimp out slightly and fall behind a group of riders on occasion, but I rather have this than be on the floor or under a cars wheels.

My first build was made for me brakeless, and after some scary moments downhill trying desperately to keep control it's now ok I wouldn't ride with brakes on fixed now

My fullstop on my keyboard doesn't work, sorry

My fullstop on my keyboard doesn't work, sorry

You could say your typing is also breakless.

Eh, Eh. Get it. Eh.

oh. my. days. Tommy.
You are wasted in academia.

oh. my. days. Tommy.
You are wasted in academia.

Thanks you very much. I'm doing a stand up tour of soon, catch me live soon .... as I'm thrown off stage.

boom tish!