Riding fixed

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  • Hinaultscrapcousin
    Hinaultscrapcousin Posts: 647
    Matthewfalle wrote:
    Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:
    Simon Masterson wrote:
    Matthewfalle wrote:
    Anyone any tips of technique for back pedaling and pulling skids? Or does that just come with increased leg strength? At the mo' I'm struggling to get that sorted.

    Yes - Don't. ;)

    This.

    You basically lean into the bars and almost lift the rear wheel to lock out your legs. It might look cool but just fit two brakes.


    Definitely. Two brakes are on it at the mo' and are staying on it.

    I was actually thinking if I could fit more than two brakes on it for those 15% hill moments ........
    I know that feeling very well! Learning to let your legs go and moving to bigger gears can help a lot.

    I find I don't use the rear brake much at all for commuting, about town, etc. it's only when out on long rides/sportives it tends to get used but I've always happy it's there. Skidding just ruins good tyres.
  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    I think the term back-pedalling is misleading. I can use leg power to control my speed on a descent - that means dropping speed by a couple of miles an hour instead of letting the bike accelerate. No substitute for breaks, but it means your cadence is controlling the bike rather than getting on the break levers.

    As for a hipster bunny hop lock the wheel type of speed control, I left my hipster credentials behind long enough ago to want to give that a go.
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    Only got one brake and I can't do skidz. Key is to not let it accelerate to begin with, as soon as you let it run away it's hard to claw back.

    Have you got cut off jeans, a flannel shirt yet and some facial hair yet?
  • mankybianchi
    mankybianchi Posts: 117
    I've been riding fixed for years but when I started I remember coming up against the balking impulse when going downhill. I got over it by slowing down before the drop and feathering the brakes. Gradually my brain got used to it and it's not a problem now.

    On my first few rides, the bike felt too big and less maneuverable which I guess was just a fear thing as it was my usual bike stripped from all its gearing.

    I really enjoy the ride of a fixed wheel. To me the rhythm of cycling is heightened and being right on top of the gear is marvelous. Hill climbing was an eye-opener initially – the momentum/constant drive with no noticeable dead spot felt as though I was tractoring up the local hills. Obviously the steeper hills were hard but that's fine – you learn to live with and adapt to both the bike's and your own limits.

    I also prefer to use a 1/8 sprocket and chain with a 3/32 chainring. I found that the 3/32 sprockets and chains were noisier and less fluid.

    If it's something you want to try then try it. If you really want to do it, persevere and you will.

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