Fastpedaller
Über Member
The last time I rode fixed was when I did a 12Hr TT in 1991. I think after all this time i'd be a bit lot nervous that my reflex reaction to freewheel would kick in.
Herne Hill Track Bike sale
- Thread starter Red17
- Start date
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- Location
- The TerrorVortex
Thank goodness I missed this! I've only got six bikes at the moment, including a SS/fixed.
Juan Kog
permanently grumpy
Only ONE SS/Fixed 😱 .
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
Well, I suppose the ebike is SS as well.
faustino42
Member
- Location
- Perth WA and Singapore
Why would you want a rear brake on a fixie - always thought they had a front brake ?
For UK road usage, you just need two methods of stopping. A front brake is the first and best. With a fixed, as long as you have a lock ring on, this is an acceptable backup to the front brake. But should you snap the front brake cable, when descending at over 20 mph, reliance on legs alone is not very good and therefore a rear brake is a good option.
midlife
Guru
cougie uk
Guru
Much better having two sets of brakes - I did a lot of hilly rides on my fixed and it was nice to be able to drag the brake a bit to keep the legs from unscrewing. They are perfect for winter.
A couple of other considerations.
- for road usage and drop bars, it's good to have levers on both sides, to give balanced holding options.
- some riders will be riding flip/flop rear wheels and if switching to the freewheel side, then you do need a 2nd brake option. So setting up a bike with two brakes in the first place, makes sense.
The OP specifically mentioned singlespeed "I would probably prefer to change one to single speed for road use"
For my commute I rode fixed for many years- just front brake*, it was a predictable, gently undulating ride. For hilly rides- and touring on one occasion- I liked having a rear brake very much.
*once I arrived at a junction near work one Monday morning and applied the front brake to reposition the pedals and the lever just flopped straight down onto the bar- I had cleaned the rim on Sunday and had not re-hooked the brake noodle. I got quite used to using just leg braking in most situations.
