LexRides

taylor · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject: freewheel with no brakes

I'm not sure if anyone has ever brought this up on the board before, but doesn't it seem like there's been an explosion of people around town riding single speed bikes with a freewheel and no brakes at all? I suppose it all has something to do with hipster fixie aesthetic, but without any of the practicality that riding a fixie might give you. Maybe it's just my proximity to the Void, where it seems like I see about five of these people/bikes every day, but I'm seriously worried for their safety, mine, and any other poor sap who happens to be around them when a car or pedestrian suddenly pulls out in front of them or they can't quite make it through the changing traffic light.

We have an LFUCG ordinance that requires "Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement." By the looks of it I would say the cops really don't know or care to enforce, not that I want people to be ticketed - I just want people to have a braking mechanism Maybe we should have a free brake giveaway, just in case they ran out of money when doing that hip single speed conversion? Future EDBG or Bike Lexington event?

/rant

laughterhouse5 · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 7:08 pm Post subject:

Where is there ever "dry, level, and clean pavement"? I don't advocate riding without brakes, but will love to point out that the city assumes that they've provided us with top-notch road maintenance.

"...to make the wheel skid over shattered glass bottles and triple patched broken pavement.."

The side streets in Lexington make my Tenax frame feel like bent aluminum.

mcrib · townie Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 232 Location: 40502

saw a freewheel with no breaks after the race yesterday. stopped by putting his foot on the rim of his rear wheel. I think this is one of the purest acts of sheer stupidity I've ever seen.
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politicalhero · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:47 am Post subject:

[quote="mcrib"]saw a freewheel with no breaks after the race yesterday. stopped by putting his foot on the rim of his rear wheel. I think this is one of the purest acts of sheer stupidity I've ever seen.[/quote]

that is the bmx stop, a lot of folks used to play polo that way. there was a guy at the bgsg on a bmx that way playing and using his foot to break

laughterhouse5 · Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:48 am Post subject:

Bm-x style - have to change laces a lot.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

yeah, makes sense that it's probably a lot of the BMX guys just applying that to larger bikes. My stance on this is the same as brakeless fixed riders... if you can handle your bike well in whatever situation might come up on the streets that's fine with me... I don't care.

On the polo court, it's another story. If you can't stop your bike and you're constantly crashing into people who are riding circles around you, then keep that shit at home.
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mcrib · townie Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 232 Location: 40502

still going with stupid. there are no hills on the polo court. If he can ride down Vine St. and stop at the red light at the bottom of the hill with his foot then I am convinced otherwise pretty foolish act.
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Albert Einstein trembled when he found out time was water. Seeping through the rafters to put out this burning world.

rocknroll · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:17 am Post subject:

What hill on Vine? Oh wait there is no hill on Vine St. I ride BMX and i ride with no brakes on my freewheeled 20" bike i have for years and years.

You calling me stupid?

taylor · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:41 am Post subject:

my guess is that he meant Mill Street from High down to Vine...

and not that I'm an expert on the mechanics of it, but there's a pretty significant speed (gear ratios) and riding style difference between someone on a BMX and someone on a road bike, isn't there?

iridetoobs · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject:

I'm calling you stupid, but that's cuz I love you.

brokebike · cutter Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2434 Location: local

I'm going to wear my "I'm with Stupid -->" shirt next time I'm at the Sidecar.
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rocknroll · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:47 pm Post subject:

If your riding a road bike with no brakes then you have no clue what you are doing. maybe we should start educating people. I would personally rather see a road bike with a freewheel and no brakes with person using there foot in tire method then a fixed gear with no clips or straps and no brakes looking cool trying everything they can to stop. You stop alot quicker with your foot in the rear tire than on a fixed. [ end rant ]

Im not saying I agree with it im just saying lets help instead of shit talking over the web.

And if you just want to talk shit do it to there faces.

iridetoobs · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject:

Um can I stick my foot in your rear wheel?

the great zombo · hipster Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 74 Location: lex

i will stick my foot in all your wheels for you. Twisted Evil

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knuckles · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject:

maybe am stupid, no.. wait.. I am stupid, but I cannot see what the "advantage" of not having brakes is..
I mean even if you wanna spin your BMX front wheel like a propeller, you can still get that innovative little "two-ring-swiveling-brake-jobby-thing" and spin it to your heart's content. BMX rocks.
Even if your on a fixie, whats the harm in planning ahead, to be the dumbass we all will be some days, and take out a little insurance in the form of a tasteful little lever, and a universal cable (which I think is a brilliant and underrated invention), a simple clamp, and some little rubber shoes. Fixies are cool.
Brakes are like hats, sometimes they look stupid, and people without them may laugh at you, but sometimes you NEED A HAT.
Whatever, y'all do what you want, its your right, more for me later...
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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.
Nietzsche