Funny, I don't find my Brompton realy that twitchy at all. OK it doesn't ride like a full sus or a carbon road bike, but I'd advise anyone to spend 30 minutes riding one before commenting. It's a revalation in personal transport (at least during this dry spell).
Bike Forum
London cycling.
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Posted 12 months ago #
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I can tell you for fact, that in the ice, a freewheel and 2 rim brakes is much more affective at not landing you on your arse than grabbing a handfull of front and locking it up.
you have actually chosen a perfect example for riding fixed over free, you can resist and modulate your speed without locking your rear wheel and without touching the front brake.
the front wheel/brake combo is same on either fixed or freewheel bike, having a fixed rear is far more controllable on slippery surfaces than a brake, fixed is like abs or engine braking in a car as you can only lock the the wheel if you lock your legs.Posted 12 months ago # -
I'm going to Beastway tonight so drove in to work with the bike in the car....took 25 mins. Normal commute by bike from aforementioned Crouch End = 15mins.
AND.....I reckon I'm actually warmer in winter on the bike than I am walking to the bus stop then shivering on the platform at Finsbury Park.
AND.....London is really pretty, but you only really see it when you are on a bike.
I love cycling in London.
Posted 12 months ago # -
you can resist and modulate your speed without locking your rear wheel and without touching the front brake
apparently it is not good for your knees to do this - we are not evolved for the type of stresses that causes.
Posted 12 months ago # -
apparently it is not good for your knees to do this - we are not evolved for the type of stresses that causes.
Hence the tight-fitting denim knee supports that fixie riders wear.
Posted 12 months ago # -
apparently it is not good for your knees to do this - we are not evolved for the type of stresses that causes.
apparently they said that about singlespeeding and motor powered travel faster than a galloping horse too.
there is a difference between speed moderation and overgeared fixie-pricks doing lock up skids and weaving down the road.
Posted 12 months ago # -
Yawn.
Really a fixed wheel debate?
Can't we all just get along -there are pricks on all sorts of bikes. It's just the ones on fixies have beards and tighter jeans. Hopefully the idiots will learn to ride considerately and not influence the noobs along the way.
I see too much cutting up, running lights/zebra crossings - it just gives us all a bad name and makes taxi drivers want to knock us off even more.Posted 12 months ago # -
MrSmith
you have actually chosen a perfect example for riding fixed over free, you can resist and modulate your speed without locking your rear wheel and without touching the front brake.
the front wheel/brake combo is same on either fixed or freewheel bike, having a fixed rear is far more controllable on slippery surfaces than a brake, fixed is like abs or engine braking in a car as you can only lock the the wheel if you lock your legs.
I'm sorry to say the evidence would suggest otherwise. Seceral fixie riders hit the deck in comedy fashion after grabbing a handfull of front. You seriously think you have more control in the ice with a fixie than I do with 2 rim brakes?Posted 11 months ago # -
Fixies are cool. As Kevin Bacon can prove...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9bQi_fqH5U(it does gain a freewheel at certain points)
Posted 11 months ago # -
"I'm sorry to say the evidence would suggest otherwise. Seceral fixie riders hit the deck in comedy fashion after grabbing a handfull of front. You seriously think you have more control in the ice with a fixie than I do with 2 rim brakes? "
yes because my front brake is the same as yours, it's no different and works the same way.
rear brakes are less effective than fronts and certainly aren't going to be used to stop you only for slowing down.
if you touch the rear brake with the freewheel over a slippery surface it's highly likely that once it starts to slip it will lock and keep slipping, with fixed the wheel cannot lock up (if your legs are still moving) so even if it slips it will regain grip quicker.much prefer town riding in the winter as it feels a lot safer over manhole covers and in the wet on the fixed.
i wasn't there so can't really comment on your anecdote except if you "grab a handfull of front" on ice you are going down whatever you ride.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Where you are wrong is the fact that you can't keep a constant braking force on the rear wheel throughout the revolution of the crank. When the crank is hoziontal you obvioulsy have much more braking force on the rear than when your cranks are vertical, thus for every revolution of the cranks the braking force is increasing and decreasing. Now, if you think about it, with my rim brake I can apply a constant braking force. Tell me, which one is more effective, I good constnant braking force or a constantly changing braking force?
I'll tell you what, next time it's icy we'll go and ride some frozen 25%'s and see how you get on.Posted 11 months ago # -
a moot point considering that your brake will lock in an instant and stay locked long enough to end up on your arse no matter how carefully you try and modulate it.
i have no interest in riding with you, it would be like 2 bald men arguing over a comb and about as exciting.
Posted 11 months ago #
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