How dangerous are fixed gear bikes ? - The Chainlink2024-03-29T13:32:13Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/how-dangerous-are-fixed-gear-bikes?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A919085&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAnd snow and ice! I don't hav…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-12:2211490:Comment:9192572015-06-12T15:07:59.838ZTony Adamshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/TonyAdams
<p>And snow and ice! I don't have a fixed gear currently, but when I did, one of the many great things about it was how great it felt when riding in winter.</p>
<p>Which reminds me that I initially went fixed because I got tired of dealing with winter wear and tear on deraillers and freewheels. (the internal two speed has that covered also)</p>
<p>And snow and ice! I don't have a fixed gear currently, but when I did, one of the many great things about it was how great it felt when riding in winter.</p>
<p>Which reminds me that I initially went fixed because I got tired of dealing with winter wear and tear on deraillers and freewheels. (the internal two speed has that covered also)</p> The higher the deceleration r…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-11:2211490:Comment:9190412015-06-11T17:19:29.522Zdjmhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/djm
<p>The higher the deceleration rate, the more weight is transferred from the rear to front wheel, and braking power is increased in the front and reduced in the rear. For a minimum distance straight-line stop on a good surface, the rear brake doesnt contribute anything due to weight transfer.</p>
<p>The higher the deceleration rate, the more weight is transferred from the rear to front wheel, and braking power is increased in the front and reduced in the rear. For a minimum distance straight-line stop on a good surface, the rear brake doesnt contribute anything due to weight transfer.</p> Except in a few rare circumst…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-11:2211490:Comment:9189662015-06-11T15:52:22.489ZShttps://thechainlink.org/profile/s2485df
<p>Except in a few rare circumstances, skidding takes longer to stop then having wheels that are spinning but about to lock up. Primarily because the coefficient of static friction is higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction (i.e. you get less braking force when sliding then when rolling). So having a skidding rear tire and a braked front takes longer to stop then when you have two brake wheels. But the differences are probably negligible.</p>
<p>Except in a few rare circumstances, skidding takes longer to stop then having wheels that are spinning but about to lock up. Primarily because the coefficient of static friction is higher than the coefficient of kinetic friction (i.e. you get less braking force when sliding then when rolling). So having a skidding rear tire and a braked front takes longer to stop then when you have two brake wheels. But the differences are probably negligible.</p> I rode fixed gear for several…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-11:2211490:Comment:9191122015-06-11T14:47:07.244ZRich Shttps://thechainlink.org/profile/RichyRich
<p>I rode fixed gear for several years in Chicago and thought it made great sense for urban riding. I liked being able to better control my speed through the pedals. And once up to speed I felt like it required less effort to cruise. The cranks are spinning anyway so it's just a matter of enough pedal pressure to keep them moving. I will concede that it FELT like less effort. I have no idea if that was the actual case it terms of wattage, heart rate, etc. Coming up to stoplights it was easier…</p>
<p>I rode fixed gear for several years in Chicago and thought it made great sense for urban riding. I liked being able to better control my speed through the pedals. And once up to speed I felt like it required less effort to cruise. The cranks are spinning anyway so it's just a matter of enough pedal pressure to keep them moving. I will concede that it FELT like less effort. I have no idea if that was the actual case it terms of wattage, heart rate, etc. Coming up to stoplights it was easier to keep your feet up if the light was about to change. </p>
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<p>When people say riding fixed puts you more in tune with your bike I think of the way driving a stick shift puts you more in tune with your car than a slushbox err automatic. It gives you an additional way to control your bike. </p>
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<p>Riding fixed also taught me to how to maintain a smoother overall pedal stroke. And to pedal through puddles, mud, and other loose patches that others often coast through. </p> Acceleration depends on geari…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-11:2211490:Comment:9189372015-06-11T03:06:47.487ZGeckohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Gecko
<p>Acceleration depends on gearing, crank length, and leg strength, not whether a bike is fixed or free.</p>
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<p>Please elaborate on "brake torquing in snow".</p>
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<p>The "puts you more in tune with your bike" argument has been used many times before and is completely worn out. Of course you're more "in tune" with the bike you ride every day vs. the one you just take out on the weekends. Just like I'd play my own guitar better than I would someone else's, because I'm used to MY…</p>
<p>Acceleration depends on gearing, crank length, and leg strength, not whether a bike is fixed or free.</p>
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<p>Please elaborate on "brake torquing in snow".</p>
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<p>The "puts you more in tune with your bike" argument has been used many times before and is completely worn out. Of course you're more "in tune" with the bike you ride every day vs. the one you just take out on the weekends. Just like I'd play my own guitar better than I would someone else's, because I'm used to MY guitar. It doesn't matter if one is acoustic and one is electric.</p> Think more about your knees,…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-11:2211490:Comment:9191032015-06-11T03:02:56.976ZHaddonhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/HaddonPearson
<p>Think more about your knees, all the wear and tear that would normally go into your break pads now goes into your knees. Fixies havn't been in wide use long enough but I would bet that long term fixie use will correlate strongly with knee injuries. Instead of swapping out your break pads you can swap out your knee joints.</p>
<p>Think more about your knees, all the wear and tear that would normally go into your break pads now goes into your knees. Fixies havn't been in wide use long enough but I would bet that long term fixie use will correlate strongly with knee injuries. Instead of swapping out your break pads you can swap out your knee joints.</p> Yep, the funny bike is just f…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-11:2211490:Comment:9189362015-06-11T03:00:10.138ZGeckohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Gecko
<p>Yep, the funny bike is just for fun. It can still coast, though, which is the main difference of opinion here.</p>
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<p>I'll never ride fixed. I've tried and it just seems too limiting for no good reason. Why take away the efficiency advantage of being able to coast? It's completely backwards and illogical.</p>
<p>Yep, the funny bike is just for fun. It can still coast, though, which is the main difference of opinion here.</p>
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<p>I'll never ride fixed. I've tried and it just seems too limiting for no good reason. Why take away the efficiency advantage of being able to coast? It's completely backwards and illogical.</p> The normal reaction when stop…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-10:2211490:Comment:9189292015-06-10T23:42:06.207ZMike Zumwalthttps://thechainlink.org/profile/MikeZumwalt
The normal reaction when stopping suddenly is to stop pedaling so instead of coasting and applying the brakes your legs are already stopping and if you have your hands on the brakes you can stop in 3 feet! I've tested it and looked back at my skid mark just don't ride with only a front brake because your weight is shifted forward, your steering capabilities are gone your back wheel is off the ground, then you wreck or look like you have no control.
The normal reaction when stopping suddenly is to stop pedaling so instead of coasting and applying the brakes your legs are already stopping and if you have your hands on the brakes you can stop in 3 feet! I've tested it and looked back at my skid mark just don't ride with only a front brake because your weight is shifted forward, your steering capabilities are gone your back wheel is off the ground, then you wreck or look like you have no control. It's only dangerous if you do…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-10:2211490:Comment:9190942015-06-10T23:27:02.779ZMike Zumwalthttps://thechainlink.org/profile/MikeZumwalt
It's only dangerous if you don't know how to ride fixed. I ride fixed 90% of the time and ride with dual brakes as well. The perception of someone riding 15 mph in a bike lane next to cars doin 25-35 or 50 mph is somehow more dangerous is silly.
It's only dangerous if you don't know how to ride fixed. I ride fixed 90% of the time and ride with dual brakes as well. The perception of someone riding 15 mph in a bike lane next to cars doin 25-35 or 50 mph is somehow more dangerous is silly. A bike designed as a fixed /…tag:thechainlink.org,2015-06-10:2211490:Comment:9189262015-06-10T22:05:46.556Zdjmhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/djm
<p>A bike designed as a fixed / single-speed road bike is likely the best choice. True track bikes have more radical geometry, little tire clearance (e.g.: 21mm @ 175 psi tires) and their forks arent designed for brakes (no mount, short reach, blades not designed for braking loads).</p>
<p>A bike designed as a fixed / single-speed road bike is likely the best choice. True track bikes have more radical geometry, little tire clearance (e.g.: 21mm @ 175 psi tires) and their forks arent designed for brakes (no mount, short reach, blades not designed for braking loads).</p>