How to answer the question, "where's yer brakes?"

Or just point in a different direction and shout...

** BBBBBBBOOOOOOMMMMMMMMBBBBBBBBBB!**

That'll stop 'em thinking about your brakeless bike.

I have two rim brakes riding fixed. So I have three! It must be safe! Yes!

I saw the opposite of that today, green frame coming up the northernline road, SS with only front brake... is that the ss equivilent of going brakeless except without the excuse of being on the way to a track? WTF?
(by the way he had a flip/flop but no cog on the fixed side)

I had brake cable fail yesterday so road home brakeless... fucking scary. I assume people that choose to go brakeless don't go down any of the hills that I do!?

What's the northernline road?

one time in Clapham a very new roadie pointed out that I have no brake (I just brought the bike, couldn't even afford brake on it yet so was cycling it back to Wimbledon), that bloke look like he work in I.T. so when he went to ask the question while we're in motion, my respond is;

"oh it's voice command, watch this; STOP" (promptly slow down immediately).

the worrying thing is that I think he actually did believe that the bike is voice command.

Ha just spotted this, that's WICKED!

I saw the opposite of that today, green frame coming up the northernline road, SS with only front brake... is that the ss equivilent of going brakeless except without the excuse of being on the way to a track? WTF?
(by the way he had a flip/flop but no cog on the fixed side)

I had brake cable fail yesterday so road home brakeless... fucking scary. I assume people that choose to go brakeless don't go down any of the hills that I do!?

I saw a Peugeot single speed locked up outside Tesco opposite Cantelowes skatepark in Camden with only a front brake. I didn't know whether they'd been scammed by somebody or whether they were trying to be fashionable. Either way, I wouldn't be so stupid!

I had brake cable fail yesterday so road home brakeless... fucking scary. I assume people that choose to go brakeless don't go down any of the hills that I do!?

That's half the fun!

I saw the opposite of that today, green frame coming up the northernline road, SS with only front brake... is that the ss equivilent of going brakeless except without the excuse of being on the way to a track? WTF?
(by the way he had a flip/flop but no cog on the fixed side)

Are you suggesting this is 'CRAZY' but brakeless fixed wheels aren't?
You do realise this is safer (greater stopping power) than a brakeless fixed wheel though right?

I'd rather have two forms of braking personally but I'd also rather have a front brake on a freewheel bike than no brakes and a fixed hub.

Are you suggesting this is 'CRAZY' but brakeless fixed wheels aren't?
You do realise this is safer (greater stopping power) than a brakeless fixed wheel though right?

I'd rather have two forms of braking personally but I'd also rather have a front brake on a freewheel bike than no brakes and a fixed hub.

Front brake only on S/S is pretty much an invitation to smash your teeth out. I really can't understand why people do it. Personally I think it's people liking the look of fixed but being too pussy to ride it. Why not just ride a BMX or S/S jump bike if you want a freewheel? Those on BMX also seem to have the sense to put the brake on the BACK!

I'd rather have two forms of braking personally but I'd also rather have a front brake on a freewheel bike than no brakes and a fixed hub.

then how you managed to control your speed in corner??

find the racing line, brake before the apex, accelerate through.

What's the northernline road?

the road that follows the northern line... isn't it obvious?
Should have mentioned that I was talking about south of the river where for the main part the northern line is mirrored above by roads. Saw him first on clapham common southside, he disappeared off my route on borough high st... there's about 6 road names, but it's basically one straight road (give or take a round about and one way system)...

Tallsam, no, I'm suggesting ss with one brake and brakeless are both equally crazy choices to ride on london's roads, but if I was going to the track with my light-as-fuck track bike (which obviously wouldn't have breaks) it's acceptable to ride it there.

And yeah, I'm aware that stopping with your front wheel is more effective than stopping your back, although I hope you are not suggesting that a back brake is more effective than a fixed gear.

Last night did make me think of fitting a second brake to my fixed.

Do you think I could fit two on the front?

find the racing line, brake before the apex, accelerate through.

Not really on topic, but there is nothing more satisfying while cycling than taking a corner at max speed, starting wide, clipping the apex and running right to the outside of the road/track/path, accidently did it one time me and a MTB riding friend (with much better brakes than me at this point) was on the inside and I wouldn't brake until he did, he eventually gave in, and I very very nearly went into the ditch on the outside, very scary, but oh so satisying.

There's a great cycling memory from me, now, as you were.

we dont need brakes its very muddy where I live

How about: "Will you call an ambulance for me, please?"

"fuck off!"

"holyyyyyyyy shhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittttttttttttt!"

Front brake only on S/S is pretty much an invitation to smash your teeth out. I really can't understand why people do it. Personally I think it's people liking the look of fixed but being too pussy to ride it. Why not just ride a BMX or S/S jump bike if you want a freewheel? Those on BMX also seem to have the sense to put the brake on the BACK!

Cause a BMX or Single speed MTB is slower.
Whats wrong with ppl riding single speed road bikes with a freewheel? Just because its a road or track frame with only one gear doesn't mean they're trying to look like they're riding fixed.
Some ppl just prefer having a freewheel.
Although to be fair they should have two brakes.

And yeah, I'm aware that stopping with your front wheel is more effective than stopping your back, although I hope you are not suggesting that a back brake is more effective than a fixed gear.

I'm not suggesting that. They're both (rear brake only freewheel or fixed brakeless) as effective as each other.
Although to be fair anyone can apply a rear brake lever whereas braking with your legs is a bit more of a skill so, dependant on the rider, a rear brake only could be considered safer.

I'm just playing devils advocate here anywhere. Do what you want.

I had my first comment about brakes today. I ride with a front brake, but that doesn't stop some people!
I was riding to work and it was pretty slippy earlier. I was riding along as a bus decided to pull out towards me on the other side of the road. I promptly back pedaled and decided a little of the front brake would help me slow down quicker. My front wheel slid out and I took a hit to the tarmac. It wasn't very pleasant but I wear a skid lid, so that saved me. I collected my bike and stepped onto the curb to assess the damage. My bike was fine and I only took a chunk out of my chin. A moped rider pulled over and asked if I was OK, I said I was and off he went.Then, from the other side of the road, a lorry was waitng and the driver leant out of the window and shouted "You'd be better with a back brake".
I was seriously pissed with him, having just taken a pretty big fall, all he could say was that I should have had a rear brake. I don't remember what I said to him but I wasn't about to explain the whole fixed gear set up.
Some people really should just keep to themselves sometimes.

this situation is pretty much why a back brake/fixed wheel is essential when it come to certain aspect, espeically in wet day when a front wheel skid is far riskier than a rear wheel skid.

Learn to modulate your brake(s). If you used them more often you'd have better knees and better bike handling.

Then, from the other side of the road, a lorry was waitng and the driver leant out of the window and shouted "You'd be better with a back brake".
I was seriously pissed with him, having just taken a pretty big fall, all he could say was that I should have had a rear brake. I don't remember what I said to him but I wasn't about to explain the whole fixed gear set up.
Some people really should just keep to themselves sometimes.

What happens is that people attempt to transfer more responsibility onto other road users than is sensible (often while badly informed). Taking responsibility requires maturity and seems more difficult than just blaming things on someone else, which is the knee-jerk reaction of a lot of people.

It's always worth thinking very carefully about whether you want to accept such responsibility. In some cases, of course you do, we all make mistakes, but regardless of what has happened, try not to make any commitment either way in the moments after you've been in a collision or after you've fallen off your bike, as you may still be under shock and unable to think clearly.

Who was responsible is at any rate the least important question in the moments immediately following such an event. So, that comment was just pointless and the last thing you need in a moment like this.

I've lost the front end 3 times so far this winter. It really pisses me off because it knocks your confidence, and stops riding being fun.

(i need some) modulation, for the nation.

Rep for that lorry-driver, Lurker 103.

I've lost the front end 3 times so far this winter. It really pisses me off because it knocks your confidence, and stops riding being fun.

(i need some) modulation, for the nation.

It's shit when your confidence gets a shock like that. For the first time in a while I didn't enjoy my ride home. I rode pretty slowly and cautiously just 'cause my face hurts!

Brakless Single speed in SF

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