Running a front brake and using all of these methods as backups has worked best for me in years of riding fixies and single gears. I don’t care what other bikers say; I stop when necessary.
Why a front brake tho? I'm kinda afraid of them. As a kid i flip over my steering wheel more than once by pulling only the front brake. Now I ride a omafiets and I still only use the front break after I use the rear.
@@trg3625 Yeah hahah I was a kid. probably leaning over the steer too. I also remember "fixing" my front wheel, with the first attempt to do a wheely my front wheel fell on the ground. So is an engineering or ascetic thing. easier to install and there is not a wire running from the front to the back?
@@axMf3qTII’m not sure about aesthetics but brake power is about 70/30 front to rear. Obv you can hammer a rear brake and worse case get tire skid because it’s still being “dragged” by the front tire. Think of if you stopped an object would it be easier to stand in front of it and push against it or stand behind it and pull back.
Thank you for making the very important, albeit pretty obvious, point at 3:24 regarding brakes. It still boggles my mind some people feel safe (for them and others) riding at high speeds in high traffic areas with no brakes other than their chain. Your chain should not be both your drive system and your brake system. A chain on a normal bike will only be subjected to forces directed in the pulling direction (or it's opposite to be technical). But with fixies, combine the fact you are constantly riding on a heavier gear (the only one you have), applying constant pressure while pedaling, with the fact you apply a counterforce of similar magnitude while pedal braking you are subjecting your brake to what I can describe as metal cold working, which is commonly known as "yanking a piece of metal until it breaks". Then the chain pops and you go ride with the angels.
Fixie chains are different. They are thicker, heavier, tougher, anti-stretch and anti-drop. In my experience brakeless fixed gear riders look after their chain a lot more than any other bikers which prevents the situation of a chain breaking. Thought you might like to know...
@@humildemarcelo You could also try to find add-on brake which mounts on fork legs, arching over tire. Not a common stuff but saves fork from drilling.
@@olorgaullyzes9439 Riding on street minimizes chances to ever meet pedestrian. Pedestrians are hit mostly by sidewalk racers, not so often when they cross streets.
Couple things I'd add. - Running an easier gear makes stopping way easier. Putting a 19 or a 20 cog in the back will greatly increase control. - Using cages or SPDs helps with the back pedal. You can use more of the pedal stroke. Also stiff cycling shoes help with power transfer to both start and stop the bike. I use SPDs and carbon-soled shoes. My commute is 60km all up and I'll maybe skid a couple times at most. Also yea, brakes are awesome. If I ran a harder gear, I'd put a brake on my bike.
What a vid! Thank you man! Four years fixed gear rider. takes a long time to get used to riding a bike without brake . Running 46/16 ratio first year I change to 46/14 this year. My favouvorite gear. Clipless and always with front break. You've got to think of other people, not just yourself. I never use but I prefer to hav e a brake and dont use it than not have and need it.
good segment about the brakes! running two is mandatory here on public roads, and since I enjoy being able to ride my fixie not only strictly in skate parks while also NOT enjoing getting fined to hell for it, I just have them. the whole brake/nobrake drama becomes a complete non-issue that way, and that's kinda nice.
Fixed gear bike messenger here Always been running a front brake on my fixies, I'd rather stop quickly than hitting a pedestrian, getting hit by a car or eating a driver's door. Plus it helps saving my knees, legs and rear tire No shame on having a front brake boiiiz, ride safe
The thing is, you actually ride safer in the whole without any brakes, scientifically called the rebound effect. As a messenger though, time probably is a big pressure factor.
Thank you for taking a step on de-stigmatizing using brakes on fixed gear bikes. Riding brakeless is definitely a rush, and it adds a dimension of connection between you and your bike, but tbh, in my opinion, I don't think it's worth the risk of getting in an accident, especially if somebody rides along with traffic frequently.
since this video is aimed at beginners i wanted to say that before you buy a fixed gear make sure to buy at least the chainring* with an odd teeth number, why? because it will make your skids more evenly spread throughout the tire, there are calculators online to check your gear ratio and the skid patchs so you don't waste your tires on single spots, i recommend 49x17 for a beginner, it's a nice balanced ratio, unless you're doing tricks you would want something lighter, it would be nice if jackson make a video about this
I've always run 47x17. Could even go a bit lighter. Keeping the cadence at around 100 is pretty efficient and I rarely reach that on my ratio. I'd rather go too light than too hard.
Great feedback! The number of skid patches makes a huge difference in tire longevity. It's a shame that a lot of stock bikes come with a 48 or 42 chainring.
Been around the channel for at least 4 years, was originally a Road cyclist and really wanted to switch to ride a fixed gear bike for so long, but was kinda scared since if I stop pedaling the bike’d slow down or stop by it’s own. And now I got a fixed gear up online and rode it for the first time, I tried using the knowledge I learnt from all the videos on the channel but it really felt different when I was riding it. And did skids but still can’t handle it like I used to do it on a road bike.
skip hop is the way, stop fast and not that aggressive but evenly grinding for the tire. i'm use continental grand prix 4 season on the rear about 4years already, tire all flat you can feel a little more drag but not sudden flat spot.
Here in the UK its actually illegal to run any bike with no brakes (Also think that's the case for Europe as well). Front brake is the minimum requirement or you will get pulled over and fined.
@@FractalZero Believe the only time you'd get caught/into trouble is if you'd hit a pedestrian and badly injured them, or got pulled up for jumping lights. Seem to recall the guy who killed the woman at Old Street roundabout didn't have any brakes, and that factored into the verdict during trial.
@@TheMixCurator yeah, as i'd expect then. Given the statistical rarity of serious accidents with fixed gear i'm glad police aren't wasting time and resourced pulling us over
I run a front break since I ride year round and have had chains break from icy grit spraying up from the road. Back pedaling is what I do almost 100% of the time. I have airless tires and skidding would grind a flat spot in no time.
For the last one I called it emergency brake, because it's slow down faster, and when I ride, the places I go has alot of people so it does help me slow down quickly
I just got a budget fixie with rear hub to flip from fixe to like cassette and it came with brakes front and rear. It was a used one this way I can mess it up learning again. My old fixie was taken stolen it was a bianchi one but it’s all good. My downhill mtb were not stolen.
I ride exclusively fixed, only 1 of my 4 bikes is brakeless and I only ride that in a bike lane to an oval. It's also a very expensive vintage track bike so it's more about protecting the bike than me (not drilled for brakes). I rode brakeless on my commuter for about a year before going back to the front brake... my city is too hilly and I like the option of having an easy stop.
Riding fixed for 3yr, took my brake off after 4 months. Should of waited was not ready. Learning to skid and have bike control is FUNDAMENTAL to riding a fixed gear safely and would make your time on the bike way more fun. Take time learn the basic it can save ur life. Be safe cycling gang ❤
There was a bike I used to like riding at the daycare after school wich wasn,t fixed gear but did have backpaddle brakes so I loved skidding to a stop. But the daycare employes did not really like that because it was destroying the tyres. Good times man, good times.
Kevlar reinforced gloves, a helmet, laceless shoes and a set of mountain bike pedals. The essentials.... A decent disk brake (xt or xtr) at the front and additional braking provided by back pedalling at the rear. Keep it light, robust, safe, very effective yet simple. Great instructional video. Learnt a lot, many thanks.
Missed the flintstone. As in braking with your shoes on the asphalt. Bit harder to do with a fixed gear since you can get pedal struck but still a valid way especially if you bail. Manual included.
I feel that you should 100% learn how to ted shred before you think of going brakeless. Always want another way to brake if your chain snaps or falls off!
Great advice! forgot to mention that this is a possibility. Back when I used to have a conversion (and my chain line was whacky) I would drop the chain all the time!
Kudos to plain message "brakes are there to stop bike and using them is no shame". FG bike isn't a track bike. FG is just a singlespeed bike without coasting capability, period. It can have rack front or rear, it can have frame or saddle bag attached, it can have brake(s). After riding several years on FG in a traffic I have learned to assess risks and chances, sometimes maneuvering between cars, sometimes accelerating to take position I need and sometimes I just use front brake - call me old, stupid, whatever - sometimes I just use brake, especially when I'm tired on my inbound route after hours on bike, or when some careless driver drives even more crazy than me. I don't want to be cool at any cost and that cost can be much bigger than front wheel, fork or whole bike. My bones and working condition cost much more than uncoolness when fixie goons see me going between cars with front brake lever on handlebars. Life is too short to waste time in a hospital.
Ted shred is very effective way to stop. The shoe wear depends strongly from the shoe used. I am wearing Adidas Five Ten and did tens of stops with it (only one foot). Suprisignly there is no evidence of typical groove wear on the back of the shoe.
Back pedalling works very well if using toe clips, BUT make sure you do not have a screw on sprocket! They screw off when back pedalled and the only thing to stop this is a skinny lock ring. Happened to me turning down hill into traffic. On inspection lock ring thread had stripped.
Your hair is on point in this video damn. Small contribution, be careful with gearing on skid tire wear, both mine came as 48x16 out of the box so it'd wear the same patch on the tire, shoutouts to prime numbers
I was wondering why it is so hard for me to skid. I did not think gearing played a big part. I have a 15 cog and holy moly I push hard and I skid a little bit. I am putting at 19 tooth on and we will see if it is easier/better than my 15t cog :)
17/46 and WTB Thickslicks is perfect. Also: skidding is two moves and not one, which is hardly ever mentioned, portrayed, explained. First move: shift your weight towards the front wheel without leaning over the bars. Second move: lock your legs abruptly and tighten your whole body with your good foot (the one you kick a soccer ball or whatever) at the rear. To shorten the skid (and make it more effective) you can rotate your hips to the left or to the right, like a "delayed" whip skid.
I commute daily on a track bike, no brakes, and I Ted shred most the time. The Lakai owen VLK shoes can handle it great. I also ride thickslicks so that's fun in the rain...
Pretty much every entry level fixed gear bike will have a fork drilled for brakes. If a beginner ends up with a track bike without a fork to mount brakes, then it was a deliberate decision on their part.
It's true, master and ruff don't make a fork with brake mounts. They do support a rear brake Milwaukee Bruiser used to have a fork with brake tabs if you can find them
Brakes are a must for everybody. A controlled way to slow and stop are the most basic of bicycle functionality. Never ride with no brakes experienced or not.
I'm going to be riding my Fyxation single speed with freewheeling for the time being. I have to get in better shape again and improve my balance and control. I tried it fixed once. I made it 10 minutes before suddenly forgetting to pedal...and then I don't know what happened, but my forehead met the front tire.
I believed everything dude said and assumed he was a better rider than me until he said it was acceptable to ride with brakes. Then he admitted he didn’t own a track bike with breaks. I’m gonna go ride my bike now 😂 The only time I ever ran a break was when I adjusted to riding in San Francisco - I’m gonna be real l, back break is better at first man. You can use the break in combination with pedal pressure combined to slow yourself, slow to an acceptable skidding speed, and if you’re trying to learn to ride fixed and not use a break and running a front break as a sort of emergency break - you are GOING to endo. I learned to put it on the back learning to ride in SF the hard way. Been riding breakless fixed gear since 2010. I never felt sketch not running breaks in Seattle other than being in Seattle.
I always called the “ted shred” foot jamming. Me and the homie used that method in SF so we could save our tires. Definitely ate our shoes though. Fun time
What ratio do you run brother? I broke my tibia in 3 places on a motorcycle in 2019 I was supposed to lose my leg but took a change with getting the surgery so I have a shit TON of hardware in it and recently bought a fixie I’m almost done building it but wanna get a tube protector just in case I bump my hardware 😅 and I’m usually a sram red brake on one bike & the other one I bought and the pads are completely wore to nothing but I can’t figure out how to remove the brake cable to slap a new sram red on there too I think they cut the cable because it doesn’t come out of the housing like a traditional brake lever/cable.
In Philippines there is a place called garden and in garden find camachile or kamachile I go there and there are pretty good trails there and It's dangerous but It's fun I ride there with my friends
I wish you explained more why you don't skip-stop but you pretty much only said "I don't really like it". I use the skip-stop because I'm not great at skidding, and it works well when going down hills.
Great question, and if they work for you, then don't be discouraged from doing them! Personally, skip hops can feel a little less smooth than doing a traditional skid.
I was on fixed gear for about 3 years never had brakes mounted , the only downside is , you may not notice if you’re young but you’re definitely hurts your joints breaking only with legs! Thank me when you all be in your 40s now I’m riding a surly with gears and regular brakes
Actually I use better brakes on the fixed gear w/ SwissStop BXP pads than on the road bike. Backpedal for normal slow stops. Brakes on steep hills, in emergency or on final stop. I'm 46 and I'd like to wear down the brake pads, not the knees.
Hi! Thank you for the good tips! My name is Pavel and I'm a fixed gear rider from Kazakhstan. I need your advice about my next build. I'm a tall guy, 6.7 feet. I'm looking for a reliable cromoly frameset with lugs. I've contacted Wabi about their 60cm Wabi Special frame with chrome lugs, but it's out of stock and they are not sure about new supply this year. So my question is, do you know of any other manufacturer that makes extra large frames? I found a Surly Steamroller, but it's close to my current Kona Paddy Wagon and I want something with more track geometry. Regards, Pavel.
How about Wabi with no lugs? I've not been able to convince myself I like particular color with chrome lugs - they just don't stand out on frame like they'd on wine red or navy blue frame. Zach made a decision but that kind of purple to me is rather meh. I just seem to prefer either deep colors or ivory or just white instead of pale dark tones - but it's just me. And limited edition means it will be out of stock forever and cost more (I get $225 isn't an issue if someone splurges for Wabi frameset). btw nice to know you guys ride FG in Kazakhstan and not just ride bikes but build up hot frames and I bet other comps are on par.
Hey Pavel! Thanks for your comment. You are the first rider in Kazakhstan that has reached out. I'd echo the comment below; maybe look for something without lugs. If you are deadset on lugs and really want "track" geometry you could keeo your eyes on ebay and look for an NJS keirin frame. It will be a sweet build, not cheap though!
@@event4216 Thank you for replying! I agree that the default purple color of the frame is not cool, but at least it's bright. Searching the web I found the Cinelli Supercorsa Pista in decent amount of interesting colors, but it costs like an airplane wing and has an Italian bottom bracket that isn't as common as the English BSA. I hope one day I'll find my frame.
@@FOADGang Thank you for your advice! I've googled NJS framesets, and found several manufacturers. Panasonic frames are really nice and come in a wide variety of colors. Yes it costs twise as much as framesets from Wabi. At least I have a few options to chose from, ether it will be the Cinelli Supercorsa Pista or Panasonic or another NJS frameset. Thanks again, your answer was helpful.
@@PaulRNik Maybe I sounded kinda snob about lugged Wabi - no, everyone is free to buy whatever frame he wants. It's just my personal view on it. I was kinda wanting to mention NJS frames but I'm not knowledgeable in them so I passed on them. People speak highly on them but at my age I could be suffering from tight tire clearances, I prefer 25c for my daily ride. Probably not all of them are limited for tire size.
I’m pretty new in this area and I saw all these amazing things you’ve been doing, so also wanted to give it a shot but I got only a normal road bike. What kind of tricks like the skid can I learn on a normal geared road bike?
I was riding with my dad years ago and I was running without brakes and he was on some mountain bike he asks how I stop in a emergency and without thinking I shove my foot in the front spokes and fly over my handle bars Wasn’t my best moment
Brought home a fixie I got for cheap, a Bianchi Pista from a few years ago and hating it. I tried riding it away from my truck and back around my house into the basement going down my driveway which is short but steep and OMG I couldn't slow down. This makes it seem cool but knowing what I am in for doesn't make it very attractive, to me anyway. It's nice to have the option but always wanted a single speed road bike. I have a Stormchaser that I love for the rain but wanted a SS road bike for my riding groups maybe eventually to do a (relatively) flat century. Not this! Thinking of taking it to my LBS and get brakes installed and flip the wheel to freewheel it. Terrifying.
i think i read somewhere that it's against our local law to ride a fixie bike without a proper brake. When i look at online shopping stores most of the fixies now has a disc or v or c brakes options.
Anyone wanna explain why you run a front break rather than rear?I don’t like front brakes because I tend to roll over the handlebars and crash when I stop too suddenly at speed.
I've never ridden a fixed gear bike so I'm not all too educated on the reasons, so could someone give me a reason as to why so many people remove the brakes? It just sounds inefficient, stupid and dangerous to me and I can't think of a good reason except for enjoying the thrill of the risk
Some years back I came upon a group of kids riding fixed gears without brakes. They had headed down a hill by the beach and one of them couldn't stop. There as a concrete k-rail and backhoe at the bottom and the kid hit one or both of them. His forks were bent pretty much parallel to the down tube. He was on the ground being attended to by a lifeguard paramedic when I got there and an ambulance was just pulling up. Phuck all knows how much his hospital bills were. But hey, at least he looked cool for a minute, right? Just ride brakes. Nobody who matters will care. And you won't end up in medical bankruptcy because you were trying to impress some other hipster/nimrod/whatever.
@@thatcandont One time I saw a stupid comment on YT from a guy who couldn't understand the difference in probabilities of becoming disabled with brakes and without them.
They are kept away from the roads because they are much more fun and every 15 year old without any experience in traffic and knowledge of their own capabilities would ride one.
@@markkubsch1257 Fun is a very subjective word. Just because something is fun it doesn't make it less dangerous. Roads can be dangerous enough for cyclists let alone when vital safety features are removed such as the ability to free wheel or brakes which are very commonly removed for some reason. Keep them on the track and let's try to keep everybody a little bit safer.
With plenty experience in big city traffic you become a much better, stronger, safer rider on a brakeless fixed gear. That's a fact. I see e-bikers, mountainbikers, roadbikers doing much more hair-rising things, every day.@@garyfreeman896
I just used my collarbone to stop my fixie! very effective, the design is very human.
Hahahah best comment. Also one of my favorite tiktok accounts.
Crash into some parked car or a wall maybe..what do you prefer ?
Running a front brake and using all of these methods as backups has worked best for me in years of riding fixies and single gears. I don’t care what other bikers say; I stop when necessary.
Why a front brake tho? I'm kinda afraid of them. As a kid i flip over my steering wheel more than once by pulling only the front brake. Now I ride a omafiets and I still only use the front break after I use the rear.
@@axMf3qTI because you were probably standing and absolutely tugging the brake
@@trg3625 Yeah hahah I was a kid. probably leaning over the steer too. I also remember "fixing" my front wheel, with the first attempt to do a wheely my front wheel fell on the ground.
So is an engineering or ascetic thing. easier to install and there is not a wire running from the front to the back?
@@axMf3qTII’m not sure about aesthetics but brake power is about 70/30 front to rear. Obv you can hammer a rear brake and worse case get tire skid because it’s still being “dragged” by the front tire.
Think of if you stopped an object would it be easier to stand in front of it and push against it or stand behind it and pull back.
youre just bad at braking
thanks, I'm watching this on my bike. I've been stuck on my bike for a few days now. I can finally get off and rest.
man, those 'Never Not Riding' stickers make victim after victim
Thank you for making the very important, albeit pretty obvious, point at 3:24 regarding brakes.
It still boggles my mind some people feel safe (for them and others) riding at high speeds in high traffic areas with no brakes other than their chain. Your chain should not be both your drive system and your brake system. A chain on a normal bike will only be subjected to forces directed in the pulling direction (or it's opposite to be technical). But with fixies, combine the fact you are constantly riding on a heavier gear (the only one you have), applying constant pressure while pedaling, with the fact you apply a counterforce of similar magnitude while pedal braking you are subjecting your brake to what I can describe as metal cold working, which is commonly known as "yanking a piece of metal until it breaks". Then the chain pops and you go ride with the angels.
Fixie chains are different. They are thicker, heavier, tougher, anti-stretch and anti-drop. In my experience brakeless fixed gear riders look after their chain a lot more than any other bikers which prevents the situation of a chain breaking. Thought you might like to know...
I run a front brake on my fixed gear. I'd rather not kill a pedestrian. Great vid!
Yeah, I'm looking to drill the fork on my old cinelli to install the front brake but I haven't found a good guide to do it
@@humildemarcelo You could also try to find add-on brake which mounts on fork legs, arching over tire. Not a common stuff but saves fork from drilling.
@@humildemarcelodon’t drill it, please, find a special brake mount for undrilled forks
i ride brakeless but ive never killed a pedestrian or even just hit one
@@olorgaullyzes9439 Riding on street minimizes chances to ever meet pedestrian. Pedestrians are hit mostly by sidewalk racers, not so often when they cross streets.
Couple things I'd add.
- Running an easier gear makes stopping way easier. Putting a 19 or a 20 cog in the back will greatly increase control.
- Using cages or SPDs helps with the back pedal. You can use more of the pedal stroke. Also stiff cycling shoes help with power transfer to both start and stop the bike. I use SPDs and carbon-soled shoes. My commute is 60km all up and I'll maybe skid a couple times at most.
Also yea, brakes are awesome. If I ran a harder gear, I'd put a brake on my bike.
Great advice! Thank you for sharing. 60km is a burly commute! I am personally not a fan of clipless shoes, but I might be if I commuted that far!
What a vid! Thank you man! Four years fixed gear rider. takes a long time to get used to riding a bike without brake . Running 46/16 ratio first year I change to 46/14 this year. My favouvorite gear. Clipless and always with front break. You've got to think of other people, not just yourself. I never use but I prefer to hav e a brake and dont use it than not have and need it.
good segment about the brakes! running two is mandatory here on public roads, and since I enjoy being able to ride my fixie not only strictly in skate parks while also NOT enjoing getting fined to hell for it, I just have them. the whole brake/nobrake drama becomes a complete non-issue that way, and that's kinda nice.
Fixed gear bike messenger here
Always been running a front brake on my fixies, I'd rather stop quickly than hitting a pedestrian, getting hit by a car or eating a driver's door. Plus it helps saving my knees, legs and rear tire
No shame on having a front brake boiiiz, ride safe
The thing is, you actually ride safer in the whole without any brakes, scientifically called the rebound effect. As a messenger though, time probably is a big pressure factor.
Thank you for taking a step on de-stigmatizing using brakes on fixed gear bikes. Riding brakeless is definitely a rush, and it adds a dimension of connection between you and your bike, but tbh, in my opinion, I don't think it's worth the risk of getting in an accident, especially if somebody rides along with traffic frequently.
Adds a connection between you and whatever you collide with too.
I just started learning today! I have a front brake and it just gives me the confidence to know that if all else fails I have that! Haha
I wear a special cover on my shoes and use my foot to rub on wheel to slow down , been doing it for years and worked flawless ❤
since this video is aimed at beginners i wanted to say that before you buy a fixed gear make sure to buy at least the chainring* with an odd teeth number, why? because it will make your skids more evenly spread throughout the tire, there are calculators online to check your gear ratio and the skid patchs so you don't waste your tires on single spots, i recommend 49x17 for a beginner, it's a nice balanced ratio, unless you're doing tricks you would want something lighter, it would be nice if jackson make a video about this
I've always run 47x17. Could even go a bit lighter. Keeping the cadence at around 100 is pretty efficient and I rarely reach that on my ratio. I'd rather go too light than too hard.
Great feedback! The number of skid patches makes a huge difference in tire longevity. It's a shame that a lot of stock bikes come with a 48 or 42 chainring.
anything sub 3 is gae
*Chain ring
Cranksets don't have teeth, the chain rings sold with them do.
@@tbz1551 thank you for the correction
Been around the channel for at least 4 years, was originally a Road cyclist and really wanted to switch to ride a fixed gear bike for so long, but was kinda scared since if I stop pedaling the bike’d slow down or stop by it’s own. And now I got a fixed gear up online and rode it for the first time, I tried using the knowledge I learnt from all the videos on the channel but it really felt different when I was riding it. And did skids but still can’t handle it like I used to do it on a road bike.
skip hop is the way, stop fast and not that aggressive but evenly grinding for the tire. i'm use continental grand prix 4 season on the rear about 4years already, tire all flat you can feel a little more drag but not sudden flat spot.
I run BOTH brakes on my fixed gear bike.
Even though I rarely use the back brake, it's good to have a grip on the hoods.
Here in the UK its actually illegal to run any bike with no brakes (Also think that's the case for Europe as well). Front brake is the minimum requirement or you will get pulled over and fined.
do you know of anyone who's actually been pulled up on this? i'm active in the scene here and i've never heard of it happening
@@FractalZero Believe the only time you'd get caught/into trouble is if you'd hit a pedestrian and badly injured them, or got pulled up for jumping lights.
Seem to recall the guy who killed the woman at Old Street roundabout didn't have any brakes, and that factored into the verdict during trial.
@@TheMixCurator yeah, as i'd expect then. Given the statistical rarity of serious accidents with fixed gear i'm glad police aren't wasting time and resourced pulling us over
They have to catch you first. 😎
I run a front break since I ride year round and have had chains break from icy grit spraying up from the road. Back pedaling is what I do almost 100% of the time. I have airless tires and skidding would grind a flat spot in no time.
Best recepi for a good crash
Having a brake adds so much comfort into fixed gear riding.
...but it also gives you a rebound effect of feeling comfortable in dangerous traffic.
Ted shred here is called a foot jam, if you do it hard enough the rear tire locks up. 👍
For the last one I called it emergency brake, because it's slow down faster, and when I ride, the places I go has alot of people so it does help me slow down quickly
I just got a budget fixie with rear hub to flip from fixe to like cassette and it came with brakes front and rear. It was a used one this way I can mess it up learning again. My old fixie was taken stolen it was a bianchi one but it’s all good. My downhill mtb were not stolen.
Cycling is not dangerous, cars are dangerous. Greetings from the Netherlands
I ride exclusively fixed, only 1 of my 4 bikes is brakeless and I only ride that in a bike lane to an oval. It's also a very expensive vintage track bike so it's more about protecting the bike than me (not drilled for brakes).
I rode brakeless on my commuter for about a year before going back to the front brake... my city is too hilly and I like the option of having an easy stop.
Riding fixed for 3yr, took my brake off after 4 months. Should of waited was not ready. Learning to skid and have bike control is FUNDAMENTAL to riding a fixed gear safely and would make your time on the bike way more fun. Take time learn the basic it can save ur life. Be safe cycling gang ❤
It's all fun in games till the chain pops off riding brake less in the city which is why I also run a front brake
Thick slick tires for the rear wheel is a big must for skidding!!!
There was a bike I used to like riding at the daycare after school wich wasn,t fixed gear but did have backpaddle brakes so I loved skidding to a stop. But the daycare employes did not really like that because it was destroying the tyres. Good times man, good times.
Kevlar reinforced gloves, a helmet, laceless shoes and a set of mountain bike pedals.
The essentials....
A decent disk brake (xt or xtr) at the front and additional braking provided by back pedalling at the rear.
Keep it light, robust, safe, very effective yet simple.
Great instructional video.
Learnt a lot, many thanks.
Missed the flintstone. As in braking with your shoes on the asphalt. Bit harder to do with a fixed gear since you can get pedal struck but still a valid way especially if you bail. Manual included.
I feel that you should 100% learn how to ted shred before you think of going brakeless. Always want another way to brake if your chain snaps or falls off!
ted shred?
Great advice! forgot to mention that this is a possibility. Back when I used to have a conversion (and my chain line was whacky) I would drop the chain all the time!
Also known as a foot stop
Kudos to plain message "brakes are there to stop bike and using them is no shame". FG bike isn't a track bike. FG is just a singlespeed bike without coasting capability, period. It can have rack front or rear, it can have frame or saddle bag attached, it can have brake(s).
After riding several years on FG in a traffic I have learned to assess risks and chances, sometimes maneuvering between cars, sometimes accelerating to take position I need and sometimes I just use front brake - call me old, stupid, whatever - sometimes I just use brake, especially when I'm tired on my inbound route after hours on bike, or when some careless driver drives even more crazy than me. I don't want to be cool at any cost and that cost can be much bigger than front wheel, fork or whole bike. My bones and working condition cost much more than uncoolness when fixie goons see me going between cars with front brake lever on handlebars. Life is too short to waste time in a hospital.
"Life is too short to waste time in a hospital." No reason to make it life even shorter. Very well said, fixed gear's take many forms!
I always use a combination of backpedaling, skip hopping & very short, controlled skids.
Ted shred is very effective way to stop. The shoe wear depends strongly from the shoe used. I am wearing Adidas Five Ten and did tens of stops with it (only one foot). Suprisignly there is no evidence of typical groove wear on the back of the shoe.
From brakeless bmx I found nike sbs last a long time haha. But agree, the ted shred is og
Hop skid will always be number one.
Back pedalling works very well if using toe clips, BUT make sure you do not have a screw on sprocket! They screw off when back pedalled and the only thing to stop this is a skinny lock ring. Happened to me turning down hill into traffic. On inspection lock ring thread had stripped.
Micro hops + skids. Works much like abs on your car.
Only a car actually has brakes.
Your hair is on point in this video damn. Small contribution, be careful with gearing on skid tire wear, both mine came as 48x16 out of the box so it'd wear the same patch on the tire, shoutouts to prime numbers
I was wondering why it is so hard for me to skid. I did not think gearing played a big part. I have a 15 cog and holy moly I push hard and I skid a little bit. I am putting at 19 tooth on and we will see if it is easier/better than my 15t cog :)
Oh shit that might be my problem. I got a 15 and can't skid for nothing lmao
17/46 and WTB Thickslicks is perfect. Also: skidding is two moves and not one, which is hardly ever mentioned, portrayed, explained. First move: shift your weight towards the front wheel without leaning over the bars. Second move: lock your legs abruptly and tighten your whole body with your good foot (the one you kick a soccer ball or whatever) at the rear. To shorten the skid (and make it more effective) you can rotate your hips to the left or to the right, like a "delayed" whip skid.
@markkubsch1257 I got a 46/17 right now and locking my legs is the problem lol. Will eventually figure it out
I'm thinking the rear tire has to lift up off the ground a lil to be able to lock the legs but haven't figure out how to lift off the ground yet.
You'll figure it out. Just keep on trying. Wet streets or fine gravel make it easier (but don't try any whip skids on These surfaces).@@peakflava
I commute daily on a track bike, no brakes, and I Ted shred most the time. The Lakai owen VLK shoes can handle it great. I also ride thickslicks so that's fun in the rain...
Fun video. Front brakes are a must for beginners, shame so many fixie framesets/forks don't support them
Pretty much every entry level fixed gear bike will have a fork drilled for brakes. If a beginner ends up with a track bike without a fork to mount brakes, then it was a deliberate decision on their part.
@@headcoatee Mostly talking about trick track and FGFS parts. Not the generic off the shelf fixies.
It's true, master and ruff don't make a fork with brake mounts. They do support a rear brake Milwaukee Bruiser used to have a fork with brake tabs if you can find them
Brakes are a must for everybody. A controlled way to slow and stop are the most basic of bicycle functionality. Never ride with no brakes experienced or not.
Nice one sir! All of Your videos are always be our guide all the way! Thanks for all of it! More power to you! 🔥
Im a new fixed gear rider is it okay to have no cleats or strap riding it?
amazing video man!
Appreciate it!
I'm going to be riding my Fyxation single speed with freewheeling for the time being. I have to get in better shape again and improve my balance and control.
I tried it fixed once. I made it 10 minutes before suddenly forgetting to pedal...and then I don't know what happened, but my forehead met the front tire.
Damn bro 💀
I believed everything dude said and assumed he was a better rider than me until he said it was acceptable to ride with brakes. Then he admitted he didn’t own a track bike with breaks. I’m gonna go ride my bike now 😂 The only time I ever ran a break was when I adjusted to riding in San Francisco - I’m gonna be real l, back break is better at first man. You can use the break in combination with pedal pressure combined to slow yourself, slow to an acceptable skidding speed, and if you’re trying to learn to ride fixed and not use a break and running a front break as a sort of emergency break - you are GOING to endo. I learned to put it on the back learning to ride in SF the hard way. Been riding breakless fixed gear since 2010. I never felt sketch not running breaks in Seattle other than being in Seattle.
I always called the “ted shred” foot jamming. Me and the homie used that method in SF so we could save our tires. Definitely ate our shoes though. Fun time
shoe jam aka sneaker shredder
sweet video duder
Thank you! Shredding for sure!
In the country where I live, a bicycle without two independently functioning brakes is not allowed on the road, which is good :)
Do you keep pedaling while you brake ?so you slow down while you brake?
What ratio do you run brother? I broke my tibia in 3 places on a motorcycle in 2019 I was supposed to lose my leg but took a change with getting the surgery so I have a shit TON of hardware in it and recently bought a fixie I’m almost done building it but wanna get a tube protector just in case I bump my hardware 😅 and I’m usually a sram red brake on one bike & the other one I bought and the pads are completely wore to nothing but I can’t figure out how to remove the brake cable to slap a new sram red on there too I think they cut the cable because it doesn’t come out of the housing like a traditional brake lever/cable.
In Philippines there is a place called garden and in garden find camachile or kamachile I go there and there are pretty good trails there and It's dangerous but It's fun I ride there with my friends
In fact some of you don’t even have fixed gear but you are still here for some reason
I wish you explained more why you don't skip-stop but you pretty much only said "I don't really like it". I use the skip-stop because I'm not great at skidding, and it works well when going down hills.
Great question, and if they work for you, then don't be discouraged from doing them! Personally, skip hops can feel a little less smooth than doing a traditional skid.
Can I ask what is your gear ratio?
I bought a Fixed Gear that came with "rear-brakes" is there a reason for that?
Probably required by law to come equipped with brakes.
STAY STRAPPED! 8:14
9:47 in Philippines we called that as a Foot to tire Emergency brake
Nice! I like the name
I just got a most brutal accident with first time riding fixie. Should've learn before riding out.
I was on fixed gear for about 3 years never had brakes mounted , the only downside is , you may not notice if you’re young but you’re definitely hurts your joints breaking only with legs!
Thank me when you all be in your 40s
now I’m riding a surly with gears and regular brakes
DAMN ANOTHER BANGER VID HOLY
No brakes on public roads seems a bit reckless, I understand being too cool for mudguards or a helmet but NO BRAKES 😅
Actually I use better brakes on the fixed gear w/ SwissStop BXP pads than on the road bike. Backpedal for normal slow stops. Brakes on steep hills, in emergency or on final stop. I'm 46 and I'd like to wear down the brake pads, not the knees.
Great vid!subbed.
I loved intro
Hi!
Thank you for the good tips!
My name is Pavel and I'm a fixed gear rider from Kazakhstan. I need your advice about my next build. I'm a tall guy, 6.7 feet. I'm looking for a reliable cromoly frameset with lugs. I've contacted Wabi about their 60cm Wabi Special frame with chrome lugs, but it's out of stock and they are not sure about new supply this year. So my question is, do you know of any other manufacturer that makes extra large frames? I found a Surly Steamroller, but it's close to my current Kona Paddy Wagon and I want something with more track geometry.
Regards, Pavel.
How about Wabi with no lugs? I've not been able to convince myself I like particular color with chrome lugs - they just don't stand out on frame like they'd on wine red or navy blue frame. Zach made a decision but that kind of purple to me is rather meh. I just seem to prefer either deep colors or ivory or just white instead of pale dark tones - but it's just me. And limited edition means it will be out of stock forever and cost more (I get $225 isn't an issue if someone splurges for Wabi frameset).
btw nice to know you guys ride FG in Kazakhstan and not just ride bikes but build up hot frames and I bet other comps are on par.
Hey Pavel! Thanks for your comment. You are the first rider in Kazakhstan that has reached out. I'd echo the comment below; maybe look for something without lugs. If you are deadset on lugs and really want "track" geometry you could keeo your eyes on ebay and look for an NJS keirin frame. It will be a sweet build, not cheap though!
@@event4216 Thank you for replying!
I agree that the default purple color of the frame is not cool, but at least it's bright. Searching the web I found the Cinelli Supercorsa Pista in decent amount of interesting colors, but it costs like an airplane wing and has an Italian bottom bracket that isn't as common as the English BSA. I hope one day I'll find my frame.
@@FOADGang Thank you for your advice!
I've googled NJS framesets, and found several manufacturers. Panasonic frames are really nice and come in a wide variety of colors. Yes it costs twise as much as framesets from Wabi. At least I have a few options to chose from, ether it will be the Cinelli Supercorsa Pista or Panasonic or another NJS frameset. Thanks again, your answer was helpful.
@@PaulRNik Maybe I sounded kinda snob about lugged Wabi - no, everyone is free to buy whatever frame he wants. It's just my personal view on it.
I was kinda wanting to mention NJS frames but I'm not knowledgeable in them so I passed on them. People speak highly on them but at my age I could be suffering from tight tire clearances, I prefer 25c for my daily ride. Probably not all of them are limited for tire size.
You could even argue, that a front brake gives you more possibilities doing tricks. Stoppies for example. Making it a more versatile bike.
Definitely! Matt B was doing some cool stuff with a front brake! Same with Oskar from germany.
For that "Scooter" that you had in the video, in the 80's I knew them as a KICK BIKE.
I've been riding a rear Aerospoke for over 10 years, my knees are starting to feel the years of wear
when i try to skit my cracks keep going and what is that supposed to mean???
What about dragging your foot on the ground?
Do you guys do give away?
Two days ago I finally used most powerful skiiiid (I was drunk af) that’s useful tip
lol. Can't condone drinking and riding, also can't say that I haven't done it.
I’m pretty new in this area and I saw all these amazing things you’ve been doing, so also wanted to give it a shot but I got only a normal road bike. What kind of tricks like the skid can I learn on a normal geared road bike?
3:55 so true! Why would you leave the brakes off a bike? Makes no sense!
its the thrill of it lmao
Last is the E brake or foot break like a hand break for a car
I was riding with my dad years ago and I was running without brakes and he was on some mountain bike he asks how I stop in a emergency and without thinking I shove my foot in the front spokes and fly over my handle bars
Wasn’t my best moment
Brought home a fixie I got for cheap, a Bianchi Pista from a few years ago and hating it. I tried riding it away from my truck and back around my house into the basement going down my driveway which is short but steep and OMG I couldn't slow down. This makes it seem cool but knowing what I am in for doesn't make it very attractive, to me anyway. It's nice to have the option but always wanted a single speed road bike. I have a Stormchaser that I love for the rain but wanted a SS road bike for my riding groups maybe eventually to do a (relatively) flat century. Not this!
Thinking of taking it to my LBS and get brakes installed and flip the wheel to freewheel it. Terrifying.
i think i read somewhere that it's against our local law to ride a fixie bike without a proper brake. When i look at online shopping stores most of the fixies now has a disc or v or c brakes options.
Switch skid is a must, listen to this man!
Agreed! Thanks Cole!
does your constantine have a carbon fork?
Yup!
Thanks
Anyone wanna explain why you run a front break rather than rear?I don’t like front brakes because I tend to roll over the handlebars and crash when I stop too suddenly at speed.
It's because you can control your back wheel with your legs. Front brakes also provide more stopping power - which you've pointed out.
What about jamming your toe in the chainstay against the tire? That's been my go-to for years, not even on fixed gears.
I think what you are referring to is at 9:28
maybe just use coaster hubs?
My video is suggested after this one 😮
GooooooD!!!!
In Serbia and ExYu for Skid we say Kontra .
Dude… been riding a fixie for more than a decade and have run a front brake since like day three.
You forgot running into a parked car.
I've never ridden a fixed gear bike so I'm not all too educated on the reasons, so could someone give me a reason as to why so many people remove the brakes? It just sounds inefficient, stupid and dangerous to me and I can't think of a good reason except for enjoying the thrill of the risk
It is stupid.
It’s faster lol. People crash regardless of having brakes…
I back pedal to slow down and put my foot on the back tire liightly when goin down hills to control speed.
Nice! One thing I forgot to mention with the foot on the tire is that it can be difficult to get back in the straps after you do so.
That ai art was terrifying but a good representation 🤣
I don't run brakes , I stop with my back foot on my wheel. It works every time
bikes aren't dangerous but what you're doing is.
Some years back I came upon a group of kids riding fixed gears without brakes. They had headed down a hill by the beach and one of them couldn't stop. There as a concrete k-rail and backhoe at the bottom and the kid hit one or both of them. His forks were bent pretty much parallel to the down tube. He was on the ground being attended to by a lifeguard paramedic when I got there and an ambulance was just pulling up. Phuck all knows how much his hospital bills were.
But hey, at least he looked cool for a minute, right?
Just ride brakes. Nobody who matters will care. And you won't end up in medical bankruptcy because you were trying to impress some other hipster/nimrod/whatever.
One time I saw a guy with brakes crash
@@thatcandont One time I saw a stupid comment on YT from a guy who couldn't understand the difference in probabilities of becoming disabled with brakes and without them.
They are called track bikes for a reason. Keeping them off the public roads is the first step towards keeping yourself and others safe.
They are kept away from the roads because they are much more fun and every 15 year old without any experience in traffic and knowledge of their own capabilities would ride one.
@@markkubsch1257 Fun is a very subjective word. Just because something is fun it doesn't make it less dangerous. Roads can be dangerous enough for cyclists let alone when vital safety features are removed such as the ability to free wheel or brakes which are very commonly removed for some reason. Keep them on the track and let's try to keep everybody a little bit safer.
With plenty experience in big city traffic you become a much better, stronger, safer rider on a brakeless fixed gear. That's a fact. I see e-bikers, mountainbikers, roadbikers doing much more hair-rising things, every day.@@garyfreeman896
Why are there no brakes? What century are we in?
what is FOAD means???
Idk it my fault or what everytime I do the skid stop my back wheel always pop up like a pop skid ☠️ it damaged my back wheel ...... .
Interesting! Having a hard time picturing this. Skidding shouldn't mess up your wheel
@@FOADGang i mean the pop up side skid. maybe I do wrong technic at that time cause I'm also drunk
You forgot one: gain sanity. BOOM! You'll stop riding a fixie.
Stay illuminated, stay fixed.
You forgot one: stop going around preaching people riding a fixie means you’re not a valid human being.