BRAKES OR NO BRAKES
Now here's a loaded subject. As with frame design, the issue of no brakes on fixed gears comes as a "bonus" with the transition of the track bike to
the streets. Generally speaking, I don't personally care if people want to have brakes on their bikes or not, UNTIL they get into a situation where not
having them causes harm to others. And let's be honest about this discussion- being able to apply back pressure or using the skid stop will slow a
bike down, but compared to 2 functional mechanical brakes, it's not even close. First, the front brake does the majority of the braking of a moving
vehicle- it's just physics. Second, as soon as you start skidding, you are operating at 28% of the braking efficiency that you had just prior to the wheel
locking up (physics again- there's a reason they developed antilock braking systems for cars). So, if you have only a rear "brake" (by back pedalling), I
would estimate that you have at best 10-15% of the braking efficiency of a bike with 2 hand brakes. You can either slow it down by applying back
pressure (similar to downshifting in a car with a manual transmission), or by locking up the rear wheel. Personally, I don't want to have to constantly
be thinking about how I'm gonna have to save my butt every second I'm riding through traffic. It's interesting enough WITH brakes... I see the appeal
of going brakeless- the bike looks super clean, and it's a challenge to master the skills needed to get by w/o brakes. In no way do I want to see laws
enacted about it, but my guess is that we will if there continues to be injuries to others caused by cyclists having no brakes. Please ride responsibly.
Now here's a loaded subject. As with frame design, the issue of no brakes on fixed gears comes as a "bonus" with the transition of the track bike to
the streets. Generally speaking, I don't personally care if people want to have brakes on their bikes or not, UNTIL they get into a situation where not
having them causes harm to others. And let's be honest about this discussion- being able to apply back pressure or using the skid stop will slow a
bike down, but compared to 2 functional mechanical brakes, it's not even close. First, the front brake does the majority of the braking of a moving
vehicle- it's just physics. Second, as soon as you start skidding, you are operating at 28% of the braking efficiency that you had just prior to the wheel
locking up (physics again- there's a reason they developed antilock braking systems for cars). So, if you have only a rear "brake" (by back pedalling), I
would estimate that you have at best 10-15% of the braking efficiency of a bike with 2 hand brakes. You can either slow it down by applying back
pressure (similar to downshifting in a car with a manual transmission), or by locking up the rear wheel. Personally, I don't want to have to constantly
be thinking about how I'm gonna have to save my butt every second I'm riding through traffic. It's interesting enough WITH brakes... I see the appeal
of going brakeless- the bike looks super clean, and it's a challenge to master the skills needed to get by w/o brakes. In no way do I want to see laws
enacted about it, but my guess is that we will if there continues to be injuries to others caused by cyclists having no brakes. Please ride responsibly.
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