How can you skid / How to do skids / skidding

Especially in the current weather conditions. I find that skidding makes worryingly little difference to my speed on damp roads, even with bum firmly on the saddle. Still too lazy to fit a brake and too stupid to ride slowly though. Although there are no hills on my commute.

You should stop ridin' on Rubino's then... :)

info?
this picture is arousing

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread1163.html

They are (or were, when I posted the oringal pic) a prototype only.

What do you mean? That they didn't fade to amber like normal? You're going fast downhill on a busy road which is dangerous at the best of times, with no front brake and the lights changing take you by surprise. It's not your chain line that needs working on.

1+ before I went brakeless I asked a couple of bloke here for advice, well their story on how their transition to brakeless went, they said that when you´re approach an intersection, always slow down so when it turn amber, you won´t get that much of a surprise.

sound like he been watching too much MASH SF.

You should stop ridin' on Rubino's then... :)

How the bloody hell do you know I'm riding a rubino on the back?!

Actually It's made a nice change from an armadillo, and it hasn't punctured yet and has taken a surprising amount of skidding abuse!

Random thing to ask, I know, I can do it perfectly well thankyou. But my girlfriend just got a fixie, and after getting on wel with it just riding around, she's determined to learn how to skid, after a few attempts, she's deemed it impossible. I've tried helping her by telling her the basic idea, ie get your weight over the front & off the back, put reverse pressue on the wheel & lock up your legs, she just can't seem to do it. Any tips on how to help her practice?

try on grass first, as long as she's sure that her legs are strong enough she will be fine - its justabout getting that confidence. That's why grass is a good idea at first.

sounds a bit like "i've got this friend, who has this problem, it's definitely not me"

This subject has been covered a few times. I suggest using the search function.

I found having gear inches under 70 much easier to skid on. Something like 42 - 18 which is about 62 gear inches would be a good ratio for getting the technique right & comfortable with it (albeit spinney). Also suggest moderate speed build up & slippy surface (like grass or paving slabs as previously stated).

If you can skid then just show her how to lean forward & lockup. After a while I'm sure mussel memory would kick in and it will become second nature.

Fit rear brake
Ride bike
Activate brake in a sharp fashion
Results guaranteed within 14 days or your money back*

*results not actually guaranteed

How fast can her fixie go?

haha.. too early for you Hippy?

practice makes perfect Tim, she will get there eventually if she has just got her bike it is a massive shock to the legs and she should notice her legs get stronger over the next few weeks, then it will be easy peas :)

Ride in too early.
Ride in too fast.
No coffee.
Yep. :)

Practise on wet roads.

Go to a park when it rains... buttery goodness.

Watch 'Last Tango in Paris'... buttery goodness.

I find cotton works best for skids..

Dude, have you been working out?

forget the mistletoe hippy.. ill meet you in the showers!

Back to the OP, maybe you both should head down to Trix night near Spitalfields tonight?

It can be a bit difficult to teach loved ones stuff and you both often end up getting annoyed...

"Just lock your legs and lean forward a little..."
"I fucking am locking my legs and leaning forwards, you bellend..."
"No you're fucking not, otherwise you'd be fucking doing it!"

cue escalation in hostilities that leaves millions dead...

A little input from others might help out?

Back to the OP, maybe you both should head down to Trix night near Spitalfields tonight?

It can be a bit difficult to teach loved ones stuff and you both often end up getting annoyed...

"Just lock your legs and lean forward a little..."
"I fucking am locking my legs and leaning forwards, you bellend..."
"No you're fucking not, otherwise you'd be fucking doing it!"

cue escalation in hostilities that leaves millions dead...

A little input from others might help out?

although largely agreed, that roof acan be hard to skid on if learning - grass ftw

Good point. I was thinking more of the help you can get up there.

the spelling in this thread is appalling, the correct spelling is 'meat'

Grass FTS

Dude, have you been working out?

and waxing?