|   How many of you fixed riders actually use your brake(s)? | jtferraro
Jan 9, 2004 10:44 AM | | My fixie has only a front brake and I don't use it unless I'm in trouble (i.e. car suddenly turns in front of me or a traffic light changes and I don't think I can stop in time without using the brake). I know this is more taxing on the knees but with a 42 x 16 I don't think it's all that bad. My left knee (the one I had surgery on 10 months ago) sometimes feels a little strained when I initially arrive back home but that feeling subsides fairly quickly.
Curious,
-Jeff |
| yes | DougSloan
Jan 9, 2004 10:54 AM | | Use them to stop and slow down steep hills. |
| it depends on the ride I'm doing | cmgauch
Jan 9, 2004 11:05 AM | | If I'm heading out with an agenda that I need to conserve energy for (ie: a long ride, attacking some nasty hill or riding with some strong riders on geared bikes) I force myself to use my brake for slowing all the time. My reasoning is that if I do this right from the beginning of the ride, I give myself the best chance that my legs will be there for me when I need them later.
Otherwise, I avoid the brake until I feel too tired to brake effectively. Barring emergencies, of course.
I won't say I never have discomfort in my knees, but it's pretty minimal. |
| makes sense... | jtferraro
Jan 9, 2004 1:00 PM | | I haven't done any rides longer than 40 miles yet but I think I'd subscribe to your plan if I ever do a fixed century, a group ride, or a course that I knew was particularly hilly.
-Jeff |
| stopping on hills, yes | laffeaux
Jan 9, 2004 11:41 AM | | I often commute on my fixed gear, and for red lights on hills, I use the brakes (I have both front and rear on a converted road bike). Generally on the flats I do not use them unless I'm lazy.
There's one particular red light at the bottom of an overpass that I seeem to always catch. On the downhill I generally let the bike go and my RPMs get up pretty high. If the light changes when I'm half way down the hill, I need both brakes to slow me down to where I can actually stop at the light. |
| re: How many of you fixed riders actually use your brake(s)? | PaulNYC
Jan 9, 2004 11:47 AM | | I do. I've had patellar tendinitis, and I got into cycling to avoid troubling my knees. |
| I rarely use back pressure to slow down... | biknben
Jan 9, 2004 1:25 PM | | After so many years riding geared bikes with brakes, I'm just used to it. When coming to a light I will just spin without pushing either way and use my brakes (f&r). |
| I use 'em (nm) | OverStuffed
Jan 9, 2004 1:29 PM | | |
| Yep | stratoshark
Jan 9, 2004 1:47 PM | | I fear knee problems. Got into cycling to ease pain in knees and ankles from too much basketball. Been pain free for many years and hope to keep it that way. |
| what brakes? | popdan
Jan 9, 2004 4:10 PM | | |
| I do but ... | Humma Hah
Jan 9, 2004 4:12 PM | | 1) I don't ride fixed enough to be in the habit of fixed-gear speed control, and
2) The bike is presently geared 48:17, and it takes more of a man than I am to stop it in a hurry.
3) I have front and rear brakes, but they're low-quality retro types that are not tremendously strong in the first place. |
| no, don't use them here | climbo
Jan 10, 2004 7:13 AM | | got used to not having them and can do track skid stops when I need to. People I ride with on fixies are about 50/50 on this topic. |
| Why wouldn't I use them? | Len J
Jan 10, 2004 5:02 PM | | Isn't that what they are there for?
I don't get it.
Len |
| Why wouldn't I use them? | climbo
Jan 12, 2004 7:35 AM | | real track bikes have no brakes, that's why the question was asked. Converted road bikes allow you to add brakes to the frame. Some do, some don't. |
| In traffic and on big hills. nm | dzrider
Jan 12, 2004 7:56 AM | | |
| re: How many of you fixed riders actually use your brake(s)? | blownpupil
Jan 12, 2004 2:23 PM | | what is the point of this question?
do you need advice on when/ why to use brakes?
are you afraid the brakes will wear out?
are you worried someone will think less of you/ care if you use brakes? |
| gimme a break (about brakes)! | jtferraro
Jan 12, 2004 5:54 PM | | The point of this question is just as it reads - to see how many of you fixed riders actually USE your brake(s). Uhhh...no, I don't need advice on when/why to use brakes. Huh? Am I afraid my brakes will wear out? No. When the pads do wear out, I'll replace them. No again, I can care less if someone thinks less of me if I use my brakes. I actually was primarily interested in determining if NOT using my brakes would have any long term effect on my knees. Anyway, you sound very insecure or something. It was just a simple question. Easy does it! |
| |
