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 Holly McBain
Why do I enjoy riding my fixed gear bike? There are many reasons, but the most important is it reminds me of my childhood and the first bicycle I ever owned.
It was my fifth birthday and my big present was a blue Schwinn with a blue sparkle banana seat, ape-hanger handle bars with streamers, a white wicker basket with plastic flowers, and (of course) training wheels. My favorite past time was making skid marks with the tires by applying the brakes at a high rate of speed. The brake was putting pressure on the pedals in reverse. Sound familiar?
Well, it may not be exactly like riding my fixie, but it sure puts a smile on my face just remembering all the fun and good times I enjoyed on that little blue Schwinn. Every summer, it was my transportation to anywhere I wanted to go – the public pool, the mall, the ice house (convenience store), or my best friend’s house. I had independence and freedom because of that bike.
That is the same feeling I get every time I ride my fixed gear bike. Riding a ten-speed or freewheel bike doesn’t recapture the memories and emotions of my childhood, but my fixie sure does. I feel young and alive on it – I don’t wear a helmet (I know) but helmets for bicycling were not invented when I was young. When I venture out into the world of street riding with cars, I do wear a helmet. But riding around my neighborhood, I don’t – I want to remember when I was five and riding my blue Schwinn.
I rode that bike until it fell apart. After that, I got a “3-speed” and then a “10-speed” bike, but it wasn’t the same as that little blue Schwinn – that bike was my first and most fun. That’s why I love my fixie – it is the most fun riding since I was five. If only I could bottle that feeling and sell it, I’d be a billionaire.
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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