Gear ratio effect on stopping/skidding

thanks everyone for the advice... it was me posting but I accidentally used the boyfriend's account.

I lift with one foot and push down/back with the other when skidding and I'm fine with the 42/16 so I'm just gonna shove the 19 on the 48 and see if it's easier. My legs are pretty strong from years of bmx and horseriding and swimming - but obviously not strong enough!!

Tyres are a different brand, but I don't see how much difference that could make...?

I wouldn't worry about it. I been riding fixed as long as many on here. Whatever ratio I use, even really low ones I can't skid to save my life. I just gave up, saved my knees the trouble and concentrated on going fast instead

is the bike a freewheel?

haaaaaaaa!

This thread is full of fucking terrible advice.

OP: i'd recommend going for 48x19, it's nice and spinny.

Do not 'man up', if you value your knees. All these people skidding 80+ GI are going to be paying for physiotherapists' pensions in a few years time.

Do not 'lean forward more' if you are skidding to slow down.

Skidding is all about learning the point during pedal rotation to initiate the skid. IT HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH LEG STRENGTH. Once you have that, you can skid with your bum firmly on the saddle.

I can keep up with cars and buses on 42x17. Higher gears in london aren't necessary, and either impede the control you have over your bicycle, or increase the likelihood of severe damage to the tendons, muscles and ligaments in your knees.

Unless, of course, you have spent a few years training yourself up to the level of using a bigger gear. And even then, you're still setting yourself up for knee problems in later life.

This thread is full of fucking terrible advice.

OP: i'd recommend going for 48x19, it's nice and spinny.

Do not 'man up', if you value your knees. All these people skidding 80+ GI are going to be paying for physiotherapists' pensions in a few years time.

Do not 'lean forward more' if you are skidding to slow down.

Skidding is all about learning the point during pedal rotation to initiate the skid. IT HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH LEG STRENGTH. Once you have that, you can skid with your bum firmly on the saddle.

I can keep up with cars and buses on 42x17. Higher gears in london aren't necessary, and either impede the control you have over your bicycle, or increase the likelihood of severe damage to the tendons, muscles and ligaments in your knees.

Unless, of course, you have spent a few years training yourself up to the level of using a bigger gear. And even then, you're still setting yourself up for knee problems in later life.

took the words right out of my mouth.

Skidding is dangerous and not desirable at any time. Its bad for the tyre as well. On my fixed I have campag record brakes front and rear and I bet when I use them and my legs I can stop a lot quicker than you.

Another thought might be because you are a puny weakling like a malnourished ten year old. Harden The Fuck Up

Keep trying to lock those legs until it works. If you end up bouncing off a car or a lamppost just remember that whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger so it's good that you got hurt anyway.

The only other way to toughen up those spindly wimp legs is to to kick a copper in the nuts and run away.

actually im a sprinter for my county
i have rather big legs

shit
sorry for that quote
i thought u were commenting on the thread i just started

haha! go for the ninja 'delete post' next time

bump

i was gonna post a thread about this. i can't skid for shite yet i've seen videos of people skiding with what seems no trouble, whilst sitting down sometimes too. is there such thing as easy - skid tires? or am i really that fail at strength?

It's all about timing when you start the skid, if your cranks are in the wrong position then it's much harder to skid.
Also, as you've probably guessed, gearing helps quite a bit. What are you running at the mo?
Sitting down skidding is fairly easy with the right technique, and in theory should slow you much quicker than throwing your weight over the front in a hipster skid stop. More traction on the rear.

Or, get a brake and learn to skid and use the brake accordingly.

More fail at searching.

To learn: Practice on grass or when it's a bit damp. Some tyres are better than others. Get your weight forward, hipster-balls-to-stem stylee. As you push back with your rear foot try to lift a bit at the same time to un-weight the rear.
HTH.

ive no idea what gear ratio im on. im using a front brake atm, i couldn't ride without it yet. practice makes perfect i suppose!

ive no idea what gear ratio im on. im using a front brake atm, i couldn't ride without it yet. practice makes perfect i suppose!

read the entire topic.

if you have no idea, you can count them.

Hey Guys/Girls,
I was riding 44/18 a few weeks ago with powergrips and could skid alright on the roads etc (not long distances, just for slowing down quickly). Now I've swapped to 46/17 with clips and double straps and find it much more difficult, if not impossible to pull off a skid on anything else but wet smooth concrete.

Is there maybe anything I should consider (except keep practicing, cause I'm doing that anyway) to get my skids back/better. Maybe changing to a different ratio (I have Sugino 75 on the front), changing tyres, or going back to the freestyle type straps rather than cages on the pedals.

Any advice/abuse welcome,
Thanks
Monsta

You have increased your gearing making it more dificult to skid with your puny legs. Increase leg power or reduce gearing.

http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html

around 65" is good for a skiddy set up.

I run 44 / 19 with 165mm cranks and 28c tyres. Its ncie fr around town and easy to slow down / skid etc, much more fun than riding a big gear

You have increased your gearing making it more dificult to skid with your puny legs. Increase leg power or reduce gearing.

:)

You have increased your gearing making it more dificult to skid with your puny legs. Increase leg power or reduce gearing.

Or improve technique,

Or get brakes.

and time atacs

I'm skidding around on 81"... build some better legs. Never used cages though, not sure if that makes it harder than straps.

Technique involves unweighting the rear wheel, gearing is largely irrelevant.

You should show me one day. I can't do much with 53/16 and I really like the high gearing for some reason recently. I though it would be a nightmare, but as long as I take it slowly every now and then, I quite enjoy it.

Thanks everyone, as insulting, opinionated and semi-informative as ever; Just the way I like it :P

I wouldn't necessarily say I've got weak legs (I'm a Muay Thai fighter), but maybe I should tighten up my straps and commit to the skids a bit more.

Later
Monsta