On Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 10:35 PM, Horace <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 8:51 PM, landotter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> On Oct 26, 8:54 pm, Horace <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>> Hi Jim, >>> >>> I never recommend that people ride fixed gears in the street. That's >>> my opinion, but if you want to do it, that's up to you. >> >> >> Why's that? I have a fixed that I often ride on the street, either >> with spds on a nice 40 mile weekend jaunt, or with some MKS Sylvan >> Tour flats--without toe clips even! I find it as safe or even safer >> than a geared bike for an experienced rider, of course, as it keeps >> one at attention at all times. > > When people ask me, I don't recommend it because (1) I don't see any > reason why riding fixed (in the street) would be better than riding > with a freewheel; and (2) I think a fixed gear is slightly less safe > than a bike with a freewheel because there is a higher likelihood of a > pedal strike. I think the argument that it is safer because it > requires greater attention is a poor argument. If you say it requires > greater attention, you're saying it is inherently less safe. Is a > loaded gun safer than an unloaded one? > > There are a couple of arguments in favor of riding fixed that I > concede readily. Some people ride fixed because they like it. And if > that's the case, I say go for it. I don't think it's THAT much more > dangerous than a freewheeling bike. And some people ride fixed because > they think it's "cool" or fashionable. I'm okay with those reasons > too. > > But, no, I certainly don't buy the argument that it's safer. I would > say that for an experienced rider, it is "negligibly less safe" than a > bike with a freewheel. > > So I concede it for fun and fashion -- but those are matters of taste, > and my tastes run counter. That's why I don't recommend riding fixed > when people ask for my opinion. > > Horace.
For an experienced rider, I strongly disagree. A fixed-gear bike with a front brake configured is much safer than a similarly equipped freewheel bike with front and rear brakes. Here's why: One of the maneuvers taught in Traffic Safety 101 (the League's new name for Road I, the only nationally endorsed bike safety program) is the quick stop. This technique relies on proper application of the front brake, which has over three times the stopping power of the rear brake. As you stop, your weight gets shifted forward, to the point that the rear wheel will lose its contact with the ground, rendering the rear brake useless. However, the fear is that overapplying the front brake will cause the front wheel to lock up, and throw the rider over the handlebars. The technique taught is to apply the front brake hard enough to just lose traction in the rear wheel, then to release it slightly. This gives the most stopping power without the danger of endoing. We practice this in a parking lot drill so that the students can really push their limits in a fairly safe environment: even if you endo, you're not doing it in traffic. Fixed-gear riders can perform a quick stop better than any other riders, because while a freewheel rider can judge somewhat through the brake when the rear wheel loses traction, a fixed-gear rider can feel the traction through the feet. They can tell the precise moment when the rear wheel starts to skid, and can modulate the brake appropriately. So a fixed-gear rider can apply a lot more pressure, stopping much faster. Also, because fixed-gear riders must pedal all the time, they have to use the stroke to modulate speed as well, thus are less likely to ride at an uncontrolled speed. As for pedal strike, it sounds bad, but it really isn't, and it can usually be avoided with shorter cranks and low-profile pedals. I've never had it happen at speed, and when it has happened it's hopping a curb that low-centers the bike with a crank-arm down. Jarring, yes, but I've never been thrown off the bike by one. -- How often I have lain beneath rain on a strange roof, thinking of home. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bicycle Lifestyle" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
