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City Cycling - Page 2

post #16 of 29
7/31/08 at 9:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serg View Post
if your chain breaks you have no way of stopping.

...and if my breaks fail on my car I have no way of stopping....... If I cross the street I COULD be hit by a car and killed...

I've been riding for years and never once has my chain broke.
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post #17 of 29
7/31/08 at 9:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lost in va View Post
May I ask why? I can stop just as fast as you can on a bike with brakes, now how am I being irresponsible?

I disagree that riding brakeless is irresponsible, but in any case, I don't think you're premise is correct. On a bicycle, just like a motorcycle or car, the front brake provides the majority of the stopping power.

edit: I agree, I've never had a chain break on my bike either, I don't think this is a huge concern.
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post #18 of 29
7/31/08 at 9:26pm
For inexperienced cycles, you try stopping with the main force on your front wheel and you fly over your handle bar, the rear wheel always does the most breaking on a bike until you become experienced. P.S. I know chain breaks are rare, was playing devils advocate on that one.
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post #19 of 29
7/31/08 at 9:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serg View Post
On a bike you try stopping with the main force on your front wheel and you fly over your handle bar. the rear wheel always does the most breaking on a bike.

P.S. I know chain breaks are rare, was playing devils advocate on that one.

How old are you? Have you ever ridden a bicycle? Your assertion is contrary to experience, physics, and what I believed to be common knowledge.

From wiki:
Quote:
The most commonly taught and accepted one is the 25-75 technique. This method entails supplying the majority of the stopping power to the front brake (75%), while using a much lower amount of power for the rear (25%). This is one of the most effective means of slowing a bicycle. The reason for this is that during braking (either with the front or rear brake), the bicycle's deceleration causes a transfer of weight to the front wheel. This means that there is much more traction on the front wheel than the back wheel. Therefore, the front wheel can generate more braking force than the back wheel before locking up and skidding. In any conditions (especially in wet conditions) the rear brake can exert relatively little braking force before the wheel locks and starts skidding.
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post #20 of 29
7/31/08 at 9:51pm
I'd say it is closer to an even split unless you have perfect traction conditions. In addition most riders (starting out) tend to lay off the front break until they have a understanding of proper modulation. In fact using a fixed gear bike makes it easier to learn how to balance breaking forces. fixed above to avoid confusion
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post #21 of 29
8/1/08 at 8:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lost in va View Post
May I ask why? I can stop just as fast as you can on a bike with brakes, now how am I being irresponsible?

I saw a girl meerly miss getting nailed by a car the other day. Granted it was the drivers fault, but she was riding fixie with no brakes. I dont know her experience level, but I know for sure that she would have had a lot better time avoiding the accident if she had atleast one break.

Nobody can tell me that adding a break to a fixed gear does not add safety.
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post #22 of 29
8/1/08 at 6:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Byrd View Post
I saw a girl meerly miss getting nailed by a car the other day. Granted it was the drivers fault, but she was riding fixie with no brakes. I dont know her experience level, but I know for sure that she would have had a lot better time avoiding the accident if she had atleast one break.

Nobody can tell me that adding a break to a fixed gear does not add safety.

I recommend a break to any person who hasn't been riding for a long time. It's scary as hell and risky as hell...not smart, to some. So yea, just starting out and if you just overall don't feel comfortable with a breakless bike, by all means, add a break.


...but to flat out say that I'm unsafe and I shouldn't be on the road because my bike is without brakes is just insane.
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post #23 of 29
8/2/08 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lost in va View Post
I recommend a break to any person who hasn't been riding for a long time. It's scary as hell and risky as hell...not smart, to some. So yea, just starting out and if you just overall don't feel comfortable with a breakless bike, by all means, add a break.


...but to flat out say that I'm unsafe and I shouldn't be on the road because my bike is without brakes is just insane.

I've never understood the fixed axle horde. Hipness? Hatred of efficiency through ratios? What's the draw?
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post #24 of 29
8/2/08 at 3:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCsommerreid View Post
I've never understood the fixed axle horde. Hipness? Hatred of efficiency through ratios? What's the draw?
I live in virginia beach...there's nothing "hip" about a fixed gear bike..we're about 20 years behind everyone else.

I ride my bike for the exercise and on occasion to go places, and when doing that I'd LIKE to get the best work out I could. That's NOT going to happen on a geared bike as most coast at least 1/4 of the ride and use their gears to make things easier for them. I can do 30+mph on my bike and don't need gears to do it.

I personally bought the bike because I love riding, fixed gives by FAR the best work out, and it keeps you on your toes when riding...no time to be lazy.

Mine:

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post #25 of 29
8/2/08 at 3:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lost in va View Post
I ride my bike for the exercise and on occasion to go places, and when doing that I'd LIKE to get the best work out I could. That's NOT going to happen on a geared bike as most coast at least 1/4 of the ride and use their gears to make things easier for them. I can do 30+mph on my bike and don't need gears to do it.

Obviously you need to start racing in the Tour de France.

Sounds to me like it would be best to use modern technology to make a commute more reasonable. Use a derailer to let you coast safely down hills at very high speeds, a redundant breaking system that lets you pulse them a little bit to reduce locking and skidding, and gears to help top speed and ramping up to that speed.
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post #26 of 29
8/2/08 at 5:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MCsommerreid View Post
Obviously you need to start racing in the Tour de France. Sounds to me like it would be best to use modern technology to make a commute more reasonable. Use a derailer to let you coast safely down hills at very high speeds, a redundant breaking system that lets you pulse them a little bit to reduce locking and skidding, and gears to help top speed and ramping up to that speed.
Right, because someone in my post it said "I need to ride LONG distances with the least amount of work and get there as fast as I can." You're barking up the wrong tree while at the same time sounding completely ignorant.
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post #27 of 29
8/2/08 at 10:10pm
If you want a good workout in a short ride fixes are the way to go. Plus if you they work great as a training bike because it works on both caindace and power. how much did that fuji run? I'm looking for a fixie as a second bike. Also I assume its not a flip flop hub?
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post #28 of 29
8/2/08 at 10:40pm
I ride a bike in NYC every day. After owning road bikes, mountain bikes, and fixed gears, I've settled on a hybrid - the Trek 7.5FX:



It's lightweight and fast. It's not as quick as a road bike, but I prefer the upright seating position (especially when hauling a bag) and it's easy to grab the brakes. For the price, I think that it's a solid deal.

For security, there's only one way to go:
1. Long Kryptonite chain (wear it around your waist when riding)
2. Master or American padlock (the kind that stores use for their metal roll-gates). Throw out the lock that comes with the Krypto chain
3. Locking bolts for the tires & seat

Nothing will stop a dedicated bike thief, but I've had good luck with this combo so far. I've had my bike locked outside for days at a time and it's still here.
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post #29 of 29
8/3/08 at 2:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Epaulet View Post
I ride a bike in NYC every day. After owning road bikes, mountain bikes, and fixed gears, I've settled on a hybrid - the Trek 7.5FX:

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/...-2006-bike.jpg

It's lightweight and fast. It's not as quick as a road bike, but I prefer the upright seating position (especially when hauling a bag) and it's easy to grab the brakes. For the price, I think that it's a solid deal.

For security, there's only one way to go:
1. Long Kryptonite chain (wear it around your waist when riding)
2. Master or American padlock (the kind that stores use for their metal roll-gates). Throw out the lock that comes with the Krypto chain
3. Locking bolts for the tires & seat

Nothing will stop a dedicated bike thief, but I've had good luck with this combo so far. I've had my bike locked outside for days at a time and it's still here.
Have you ever thought about the "Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock "

https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/35869
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