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Fixed gear bikes

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anti_bunk
Posts: 2629 - Karma: 329
just bought a fixie today. a fuji for 200 bones i couldnt be happier with how it rides so smooth i can already tell my mountain bike is gonna collect mad dust its so much fun!  i learned how to skid already but i really suck at it.  who else loves their fixie?
Sep 28 2009 2:08AM
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AcidKing
Posts: 284 - Karma: 10
fixies are fun but impractical for city use. single speed is a lot better imo. if you're doing fixie though, still put atleast a front brake on there. it'll help a lot if you have a lot of big hills and save you having to replace a rear tire every few weeks.
Sep 28 2009 2:12AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
hahahahahahahahahahaha

You don't know shit. Even IF your name is Animal Collective.
Sep 28 2009 2:34AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
And Search Bar.
Sep 28 2009 2:35AM
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honeydip
Posts: 984 - Karma: 20
hahahahahahha hipterzzzz
Sep 28 2009 2:38AM
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AcidKing
Posts: 284 - Karma: 10
Hmmm... explain your logical. I'd love to here it.
Sep 28 2009 2:39AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
I will explain my logical. But first, tell me what you know about fixed and single gear bikes. Ready? GO!
Sep 28 2009 2:41AM
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AcidKing
Posts: 284 - Karma: 10
I don't even know where to begin. Would you like to here?
Sep 28 2009 2:44AM
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anti_bunk
Posts: 2629 - Karma: 329
im not even gonna post a vid just youtube fixed gear or nyc messengers and tell me thats not the most efficient way to get around. although it is an incredibly dangerous and stupid to charge like they do, there is something mystical and badass about it. if you are really good at it you should be okay but its walking a fine line for sure.  hopefully someday ill be as good.
Sep 28 2009 2:47AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
First off, the fact that you would prefer a fixie to a single speed shows that you have no idea what you're talking about. Second, to only advise a front brake is both irresponsible and dangerous, especially for a first-time fixie user who can't properly backpedal yet and will be riding in traffic (assuming he uses it for transportation). Being able to freewheel is NOT gonna help him with hills, and if you ride a fixie, you obviously haven't been doing it right, because you should NOT have to replace a wheel every few weeks.
Sep 28 2009 2:49AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
Those boys had your basic 10 or 8 speed bikes. There are very few messengers that use fixies anymore. They're more expensive, and have become a hipster fashion item. Much less efficient.
Sep 28 2009 2:50AM
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AcidKing
Posts: 284 - Karma: 10
Riding a bike to get around through traffic and city streets, yes it is the most efficient way to get around. Riding a fixed gear bike simply for the fact of looking cool, no. Riding a fixed gear is nothing like riding a regular bike, it takes practice and a little bit of skill. You don't have brakes, you have to use the power from your legs to stop your movement.

It's sketchy for sure, fun yes. My first post simply saying that I would recommend doing single speed rather than fixed gear. If you have a flip flop hub on the bike then it's easy.
Sep 28 2009 2:52AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
^ once again, incomplete information. Fixies are hardly an efficient way of getting around the city. Get a damn road bike. Also, if you're going to flip between single and fixed, you need 2 brakes, and it's good to have a chain spacer.
Sep 28 2009 2:55AM
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AcidKing
Posts: 284 - Karma: 10
Did you even read my post? I clearly stated that I would prefer a single speed over a fixie. Not the other way around.

I advised a front brake only because if you're riding a fixie, then you should at the very least know how to slow the rotation of your legs to gradually bring down your speed. Using a back brake will just get most people reliant on it and not let them learn for themselves how to slow down the bike with the use of their legs unless they're determined to do so.

You should be using the bike to slow down, not the brake if you're riding a fixie. I use the front brake on mine for steep hills where I need to gradually ditch speed.

And in my opinion, remember thats MY opinion so don't get defensive about it, a freewheel will help greatly with going down hills if you don't know how to control a fixed gear confidently. The more speed you gain, the faster the cranks move, the faster your legs move, and the more likely a lot of people are to freak out and not know what to do.
Sep 28 2009 2:58AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
Sorry about the first line of my post.

You're right in the sense that he should have brakes. But that completely defeats the purpose of the fixie, and I'm sure a hipster like OP wants his as a fashion statement rather than an actual form of transportation. Just a front brake poses problems for new fixie users - especially in traffic when they need to stop fast. I've seen idiots come to the shop having actually flipped their bikes at lights cuz of that, so I always prescribe 2 brakes. And if you do that, you might as well turn it into a single speed. It's retarded to have a fixie with brakes unless you're training,
Sep 28 2009 3:05AM
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AcidKing
Posts: 284 - Karma: 10
Agreed. Two brakes is the best option. Like I said earlier, I said just the front because a lot of people who use the back brake will get hung up on using it to slow down and stop, then when they go to take the brakes off they won't know how to stop without them. Simple solution, start with two brakes, when you get really confident, take the back one off. After that if you feel you're in control then take the front one off too if you want.
Sep 28 2009 3:14AM
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Alehandro
Posts: 818 - Karma: 12
solid post^
arabian, stop acting so high and mighty
Sep 28 2009 3:15AM
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anti_bunk
Posts: 2629 - Karma: 329
i think youre both retarded.  rear brakes only do about 20% of the braking and that can easily be achieved by the riders feet, hence only the need for a front brake if somebody flips their bike they should probably be checked for missing chromosomes.  experienced riders need no brakes at all save for legal reasons. 
Sep 28 2009 3:15AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
Okay there hipster. Keep believing that and enjoy your deep V rims.
Sep 28 2009 3:16AM
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Alehandro
Posts: 818 - Karma: 12
.
Sep 28 2009 3:17AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,093
All i know about fixies is way too many people have them in slc, especially up on campus. Why the fuck would you want a fixie in a hilly environment? shits stupid and hipster as fuck, a road bike would suffice just as much if not more than a fixie.
Sep 28 2009 3:21AM
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AcidKing
Posts: 284 - Karma: 10
The rear brake only does 20% of the braking? Where do you get your numbers from? Last I remember you were supposed to apply 70% on rear brake and 30% on front brake, given that is for a bike that coasts but can also be applied to a fixie with full brakes.
Sep 28 2009 3:22AM
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Arabian.
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 55
Singles and Fixies are retarded for inclination short of training. AND road bikes are cheaper.
Sep 28 2009 3:25AM
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toominator
Posts: 4792 - Karma: 120
uhhh think about it. does it really make sense, given you are travelling forward, that the rear wheel does 70% of the stopping?

He was quite right in saying that the rear only does 20 % of the braking. It's more like 30% but that's beside the point. Most of the braking is delivered through the front.

You seem to have confused how much power you choose to apply to your brakes with where the actual stopping power is delivered.

Anyway - who really gives a rats arse about the technicalities of bike brakes.. get out there and ride!
Sep 28 2009 4:46AM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
So a fixed gear bike is like a regular bike but more annoying?
Sep 28 2009 5:16AM
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0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
Noooooooo they are cooler than regular bikes
Sep 28 2009 9:05AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
yeah i like flipping over my handle bars too.
Sep 28 2009 9:30AM
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jksl
Posts: 12727 - Karma: 854
because they look artsy-er, and hipsters love art.
Sep 28 2009 9:37AM
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yojimbo
Posts: 3631 - Karma: 27
i dont even get why fixies are so trendy and hip. I personally think a vintage 10 speed is 100 times cooler than a fixed gear, and way more fun/practical to ride.
Sep 28 2009 10:21AM
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blong131
Posts: 2193 - Karma: 59
no offense, but if you think front brakes make you flip over your bars you dont know how to ride a bike.

fact is that front brake has almost all your stopping power. rear is just there to help if you need it. this is not a subject of debate, it is a fact.

and this thread has some really ridiculous arguments otherwise
Sep 28 2009 10:32AM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
i don't even fully understand fixed gears. someone explain them to me, you pedal backwards to stop, right?
Sep 28 2009 10:35AM
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AcidKing
Posts: 284 - Karma: 10
No, you don't actually pedal backwards. You have to slow the rotation of your legs to ditch speed or lock your legs up all together which in turn stops the rear wheel causing you to skid to a stop. Don't do the skid part unless you know how to, that can cause a lot of damage to your legs unless you know how to do it.
Sep 28 2009 10:38AM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
maybe a shitty road bike, im gonna have to dissagree with you here bro
Sep 28 2009 11:19AM
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sk1er
Posts: 614 - Karma: 10
single speed > fixed gear
Sep 28 2009 12:28PM
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KyleA
Posts: 865 - Karma: 510
How is a fixie more efficient than riding a bike with gears and brakes?  You are stripping off all of the components that actually make a bike efficient in the first place and replacing them with your own energy.  That is probably the most ridiculous argument I have ever heard for a scenester to defend his beloved fixie. And for people questioning why fixies are more expensive this is pretty much the scenario.  You buy a perfectly functioning older road bike and then you take off all of the components.  Next you have to buy flamboyant spraypaint, cut the bars and invert them and get vibrant bar tape so people will be compelled to look at your handle bars and realize that you don't have brakes.  Next you have to buy the appropriate hub and/or wheel setup because coasting down hills is not cool.  Finally, you have to buy a different colored rear tire because if it is the same color as your front tire your bike will not function properly. I think that pretty much sums up all of the additional costs. 
Sep 28 2009 1:21PM
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jayo.
Posts: 5015 - Karma: 34
IMO single speeds are the most impractical bike available.

they have all the disadvantages of a fixie without any of the fun.
ten speed is much more practical than single speed
Sep 28 2009 1:42PM
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daytripper67
Posts: 681 - Karma: 11
god damn i love riding my bike that can shift, stop, and coast
Sep 28 2009 1:50PM
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-JME-
Posts: 679 - Karma: 33
Im a bike messenger in boulder and i only use track bikes to deliver. Once you know how to do it really well, it gets around a city far better. You are in complete control of the bike- it climbs hills faster, its lighter, easier to get around campus/traffic. the only way to go.
soooo sick of all the kids hopping on fixies that dont know how to ride them tho
Sep 28 2009 1:51PM
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ShredTheGnarnia
Posts: 2544 - Karma: 79
why would it climb hills faster?
Sep 28 2009 2:07PM
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jayo.
Posts: 5015 - Karma: 34
me too.
it gives them a terrible name
Sep 28 2009 2:07PM
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b-kul
Posts: 4350 - Karma: 1,111
flip your numbers and you would be right. why do you think downhill bikes have a large front rotor? cuz thats where the most stopping power is needed.
Sep 28 2009 4:06PM
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anti_bunk
Posts: 2629 - Karma: 329
momentum dude. seriosly, take physics.
Sep 28 2009 4:11PM
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sammiedee
Posts: 974 - Karma: 175
Sep 28 2009 4:22PM
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Ski.Ballet
Posts: 2860 - Karma: 200
This is probably the funniest post I've read in a while.
Sep 28 2009 4:23PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
My thoughts exactly.  Does anyone here know anything about physics?
Sep 28 2009 4:47PM
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daytripper67
Posts: 681 - Karma: 11
anybody claiming a fixie is more efficient than a bike with gears and brakes is pants-on-head retarded, end of story. that is the most ridiculous argument ive ever heard in my life
Sep 28 2009 4:51PM
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kool.aid.man
Posts: 1416 - Karma: 526
keep fixies on the race tracks ya fuckin hippies.

buy a real bike for christ sake.
Sep 28 2009 4:52PM
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jayo.
Posts: 5015 - Karma: 34
hippies?
i think you mean hipsters
Sep 28 2009 4:59PM
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kool.aid.man
Posts: 1416 - Karma: 526
opps my bad. thanks you.
Sep 28 2009 5:02PM
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gordie.
Posts: 2014 - Karma: 84
fixie  < this:


Click for larger image

Sep 28 2009 5:08PM
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