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I don't either, rural as it gets. But I still run brakes on my fixie. See reasons above.
Anyway, I thought this was a show and tell thread about people's fixed gear bikes, not a chance for you to prove you are the awsumz at skid stops.
The physics of braking bicycles is hardly an unknown science. The maximum possible braking force in a straight line is with the centre of mass as low and as rearward as possible, with the front wheel carrying the entire weight, and the rear wheel carrying zero load (and thus providing zero retardation) without lifting.
Whilst Wikipedia isn't gospel, it'll give you a representative idea of the difference: on a good surface rear wheel braking is capable of around half the retardation of front wheel braking.
Regardless of your opinion of the law you're breaking, or of what risks you do or don't present to yourself and others, the fact of the matter is that you can't stop a bike without a front brake as rapidly as a bike with a front brake, by a significant margin, because physics.
At least, not unless you can pop the front wheel in the air and throw your weight backwards to the same angle of inclination from the rear wheel as a front-braked rider could manage behind the front wheel, whilst still pedalling so as to maintain maximum grip instead of sliding the tyre across the tarmac, and using all of that grip through rearward force on the cranks.
If you're that awesome then crack on, write to your MP and see if you can get the law changed 😉
My nan could skid stop a 38" gear 😉 . What tyres do you run Kerley?
I haven't had a fixed gear for a couple of years but I've had a Langster, a Pomp, a Fixie Inc (which was one of the nicest steel frames I've ever ridden, despite the silly name) and a couple of conversions including an ill-advised Spesh M5 race frame with a WI Eno hub. Terrifying toe overlap on that one.
I'm building a nice old 531 Rourke currently. Picked up a Goldtec rear hub with 126mm spacing which will be perfect. Lots of NJS parts too 😎 . It will have a front brake. I'll try and post pics when I'm done.
My nan could skid stop a 38″ gear 😉 . What tyres do you run Kerley?
38", I am not surprised. She must top out at about 10mph too.
I however ride 60" in winter and 63" - 66" in summer. I have just squeezed in some tubeless 30c Giant tour tyres as they look very bombproof with small side knobs so look great for winter gravel.
Anyway, I thought this was a show and tell thread about people’s fixed gear bikes, not a chance for you to prove you are the awsumz at skid stops.
Any chance I get to challenge peoples incorrect assumptions.
the fact of the matter is that you can’t stop a bike without a front brake as rapidly as a bike with a front brake,
Totally agree, and have never said otherwise. However I don't agree with the significant margin bit, especially at the speeds I ride (slow). Bear in mind that I am not just going into a skid and holding in in a straight line until I stop, that would be where you would may get a significant margin.
Anyway, you carry on using brakes and I will carry on with what I am doing safe in the knowledge that I am stop as quickly as I need to backed up by the last 30,000 miles of riding.
write to your MP and see if you can get the law changed
Is it that simple, wow. I would have to catch him when he wasn't busy blacking up, the racist ****.
Why are you going slowly on a 66" gear? 😉
(But yeah, aside from the law, I do get the "it's not that simple" thing.)
. London and Paris in 2015 (before it was cool?)
So far after it was peak fixie try 2007/8
Why are you going slowly on a 66″ gear?
I would like to say because I am a spinner not a grinder but the simple answer is because I am old and not very fast.
So far after it was peak fixie try 2007/8
I think the comment was more around the gravel riding and back packing aspect than just the fixed gear.
I am however still thankful for the fixed gear boom in 2008 through as before that it was much harder to get frames and hubs with a much narrower choice. The choices opened up by the boom are largely still around today so there is something to be said for fashions.