Submitted by Holy McBain
In the world of fixed gear bikes, there is an ongoing debate whether to have brakes or ride brakeless. Most long time fixies say only posers or trend-riders go with brakes because they have no idea how to ride or control their bike. On the other hand, if you are new to the sport, having the ability to stop quickly will cut down on accidents and avoid potential hazards that only seasoned “fixies” can maneuver through.
Part of the problem of going brakeless is most people learned to ride a free-wheel bike which requires a brake as there is no possible way to stop easily. It has been ingrained into your psyche that a bicycle must have a brake. However, if you recall the bike you first learned to ride (possibly a tricycle) then you already know how to control a fixed gear mechanism. I know, it sounds really simplistic and silly, but think about it for a moment.
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Submitted by Paul Scarsella
Usually when I talk about cycling with someone interested in getting started riding on the road, the inevitable question becomes how much will I need to spend on a decent road bike? The answer is you could spend as little as $700 to as much as $3k (or more). This is usually enough to make many people dismiss getting started in cycling as an option. In reality, you can get something nice in the $700 to $800 range but it will consist of a solid frame (usually aluminum) with some really lousy wheels and subpar components. Anyone who is slightly on the heavy side (which is most people) and does a lot of riding will inevitably wear this stuff out quickly and will need to replace wheels and parts. What’s left is usually the frame, just begging to be upgraded.
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Flickr pic thanks to Eelke
Speed vs. tricks it’s a mad question when you’re talking about fixie, which better, which is more rad, and which is more dangerous. Well let’s through all these questions out the window, and say they are both nice, both rad, and both dangerous. When ya see a fixie haulin ass down a hill, or barspinnin it backwards in the G-store parking lot, you’re gonna say holy crap that’s sweet. So what’s the debate for, is there really any need to argue? Maybe, or maybe not, I personally ride for fun, sometimes a little bit of speed and once in a while a little trick here or there. Whether you do one of the other, you’re still having fun right? So why argue about who’s better?
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