Brakeless

Yeah, it is. :)

I'm not a hater, I've ridden brakeless myself. If your frame isn't drilled, you can get a clamp-on/change fork, if the clearance is too big, you can get a long drop etc.

brakes can also be used as a handy beer bottle opener. Think twice before removing

brakes can also be used as a handy beer bottle opener. Think twice before removing

Especially when it's Mike do the removing and re-installation eh Mike?! ;-)

Did you get a new lever at Cavendish?

Yeah, it is. :)

I'm not a hater, I've ridden brakeless myself. If your frame isn't drilled, you can get a clamp-on/change fork, if the clearance is too big, you can get a long drop etc.

or you could get yourself a raleigh activator 2 (the one with both front and rear suspension)

I rode three weeks in brighton brakeless after loosing the bolt that held my front brake on at the track, I absolutely loved it, was a completely enlightening experiece, I enjoyed riding more than usual, I was slower though but this meant that I could check out my scenery more and enjoy the day instead of caning it around like a nutter. however at one point my Cleat failed and I unclipped which did scare the shit out of me as I lost my braking power.
I have now put a brake back onto my bike and you know what I dont like it being there, it makes me take more risks and ride a lot faster, I will leave it there just for emergencies but I now kinda get the whole brakeless thing. So in conclusion have a brake just dont use it.

Nick

Speaking of your cleat failing, I wonder which is more reliable? strap + cage, or clipless?

I walk around on my cleats all day so it is my fail not the cleats to be honest as I have worn them down

What's wrong with riding with two brakes at a pace that allows you to 'enjoy the scenery'?

I walk around on my cleats all day so it is my fail not the cleats to be honest as I have worn them down

Same here, I go through cleats so quickly because I walk around on them wearing them down (Bebop cleats stick out quite a bit). I kill a pair every 6 months.

What's wrong with riding with two brakes at a pace that allows you to 'enjoy the scenery'?

It can give you AIDS.

Speaking of your cleat failing, I wonder which is more reliable? strap + cage, or clipless?

Clipless + straps + cage + gaffer tape.

You can't catch the AIDS twice though.

Nail your feet to the cleats.. then weld the cleats to the pedals.

You can't catch the AIDS twice though.

Nail your feet to the cleats.. then weld the cleats to the pedals.

Too many things can go wrong/wear out..

weld your feet directly to the BB axle I say

It's psychological - I've always ridden with a front brake and even though I only use it in emergencies, I am pretty much always riding flat out. I went out for a ride this evening - when I set out I was only intending to take a slow leisurely roll around but ended up doing 14 miles full pelt most of the way. Nearly rear ended a car that stopped sharply, jammed on the front brake and felt my rear wheel lift off the ground. Scary moment, but I'm pretty sure if I was riding brakeless I wouldn't have been so close to the car in front in the first place.

EDIT: Wow lots of people replied whist I was typing that...

You can't catch the AIDS twice though.

Very good point, and very well put.

Too many things can go wrong/wear out..

weld your feet directly to the BB axle I say

Much better point and beautifully explained.

I rode three weeks in brighton brakeless after loosing the bolt that held my front brake on at the track, I absolutely loved it, was a completely enlightening experiece, I enjoyed riding more than usual, I was slower though but this meant that I could check out my scenery more and enjoy the day instead of caning it around like a nutter.

I can understand this.. I have just got a new pub bike...its a single speed but the breaks are not that great.. So I have been riding so much slower then I normally would/taken different routes etc and I have really enjoyed it.

Too many things can go wrong/wear out..
weld your feet directly to the BB axle I say

I tried that... and then realised my chainline was out.

what is this "ride slower"? does not compute... beep boop.... bzzzzzzzzzzz........

error.

that is a problem.. perhaps you could cut out the middle man and weld to the mudguard?

I use my face as a mudguard.. no problemo.

Ok so the other day my shitty front brake broke, wouldnt work properly so i took it off and rode home "brakeless" (on a fixed gear of course), now i have never "skid stopped" because i find i simply slow down well in advance of red lights for example (bad example since i never stop at rl's) and any other obsructions and so have never in a whole year had the need to suddenly stop, basically i was wandering if i should rapidly get a brake back on, or if cycling brakeless and not skidding is something others do (very stupid question), i ride a 1950/60's 61cm harry quinn track/path frame, and so the wheelbase is quite wide/long meaning its difficult to transfer my weight over the front wheel when its so far forward! i will practice skid stopping at some point (in a car park or something) because its worth being able to do wether i'm breakless or not.

but am i not right in thinking that if you ride responsibly... dont zoom down big hills with a junction at the bottom and dont follow closely behind buses then slowing down simply with the strength of your legs should be enough?
and i'm no slouch i tell you, i rode kentish town to greenwich in under 30 mins... in traffic

I personally see skidding as "only in emergencies", but then i notice many riders skidding and skipping all over the place...

Anyway i enjoyed cycling more then ever when i was breakless and so might just stay that way.....

....i now await a barrage of "GET A FUCKING BREAK YOU MUG" from you kind people :)

If you ride brakless and don't skid you must be going everywhere at 10mph, learn to skid pronto. Blaming the long wheelbase of your frame is nonsense it's the lack of muscle in your legs that's stopping you.

If you don't know how to stop in an emergency don't ride brakless. Period.

If you ride brakless and don't skid you must be going everywhere at 10mph, learn to skid pronto. Blaming the long wheelbase of your frame is nonsense it's the lack of muscle in your legs that's stopping you.

Dont think its a lack of leg muscle (i leg press 200kg easily :)
i think i have never properly "commited to a skid" which is the problem/reason, and no i dont ride 10mph! :) average speed is acctually 17.5mph in london... not too bad