Delicate Situation

My mate who is an experienced cyclist,although he's only been riding fixed gear a couple
of months needs to see the error of his ways,He rides a pompino on fairly low g.i.(65")
as he has a hilly commute,to avoid taking his work boots he rides on flat pedals with no
foot retention,on the downhills he just takes his feet off the pedals (He's got front and back brakes)at speeds of up to 40mph,He's getting a bit uppity about being told not to
ride fixed like this,But i can only see this ending horribly for him sooner or later.

If anyone can suggest a way of making him see the error of his ways I would be eternally grateful,Praps a link to some other individual who tried this and came a cropper would help

he'll learn himself

wait half way down the hill, and throw a stick in his wheels, then when he's on the floor thats when you hit him with the 'foot retention' talk

When he is doing 40, stop infront if him.

Tiswas has a good point. Question is though why is he riding fixed with front and back brakes? Pointless no or does he just think he looks well cool?

Tiswas has a good point. Question is though why is he riding fixed with front and back brakes? Pointless no or does he just think he looks well cool?

to avoid taking his work boots he rides on flat pedals with no foot retention
.

if you really want him to have foot retention (even though dbl brakes) then ask him how else he can pull up on the uphill.

He just pushes really hard on the down stroke.

Marine epoxy+pedals=foot retention.

Maybe attach some stabilisers to his bike so he does not fall over at traffic lights.

Question is though why is he riding fixed with front and back brakes? Pointless no or does he just think he looks well cool?

Pointless is it?
Seems perfectly sensible.

but what is his reason for not having retention?

I have front + back brakes and fixed on my polo bike. I used to put my feet up on the frame all the time because the gearing was so low. Was riding to the court once when a jogger ran out in front of me on a blind bend. I slammed the breaks on but because I was only using my arse cheeks (and hands) to balance the bike I slipped forward off the saddle, the bars turned 90 degrees, wheel buckled and I ate some tarmac.

So now I have a freewheel for the commute. But riding slower or having foot retention to keep me riding slower would have saved me that smack to the head.

There are plenty of people riding front and rear brakes and fixed, often with drop bars people would rather have 2 brakes than a dummy lever.
Surely some holdfasts would not be a problem?

but what is his reason for not having retention?

the answer is there:
to avoid taking his work boots he rides on flat pedals

There's nothing wrong with riding fixed with a back brake, but having no foot retention just makes it a bit pointless. You have all the disadvantages without any of the benefits, he'd be much better off with a freewheel.

but what is his reason for not having retention?

Did he buy a foffa or caramel bike?

Or one of these:

http://www.pisquaredbikes.com/

There's nothing wrong with riding fixed with a back brake, but having no foot retention just makes it a bit pointless. You have all the disadvantages without any of the benefits, he'd be much better off with a freewheel.

But he can now swagger as he talks about his fixeh. This is the important thing, not that he has gained or lost any advantage. It's all about the hipster bragging rights.

the answer is there:
to avoid taking his work boots he rides on flat pedals

Work boots? With cleats? Am I missing something? Don't see the connection if he wants to avoid them anyway.

I ride with straps; I can wear any shoes or boots. If I want to wear heels I put them in the bag and change later.

He just pushes really hard on the down stroke.

that wouldn't get me up the Ditchling...

Does this chap have work high heels? What does he do for a living?

Is this your friend, admittedly you cannot see his work-boots but I would imagine that they are there:

Yeah I have the perfect dress they would go with.

Question is though why is he riding fixed with front and back brakes?

The other question is, why not? huge amount of control.

I'm with Nelaii on this. I'm either being completely obtuse or there's no logic to what his work boots have to do with it. If he doesn't want to wear them as stated above then surely he can wear his cleats. If he wanted to wear his work boots then he would ride on flats. I am confused.