I know nothing about fixies and I have a few basic questions.
I understand there is one gear. Do you have a choice in gear when you buy it? i.e. if you are in a hilly terrain can you choose an easier gear?
Is it possible to have a freewheel with a single gear, or does that defeat the purpose?
Do people typically have brakes or do they just brake with their legs? Is braking with your legs hard work?
Rookie questions
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Rookie questions
Postby diggler » Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:26 am
Motorists hate cyclists and cyclists hate the motorists and the pedestrians hate the bikers and everybody hates the trucks.
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Re: Rookie questions
Postby BRLVR.v2 » Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:09 am
Yes
Yes
and Yes...
Now go and google Sheldon Brown or single speed or fixed gear, because it's all on the internet.
Yes
and Yes...
Now go and google Sheldon Brown or single speed or fixed gear, because it's all on the internet.
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Re: Rookie questions
Postby slidetaker » Tue Aug 09, 2011 2:06 pm
you could possibly ask the shop to change to an easier gear inches for you for hills, but it may incur a small cost...
yes...search for "flip-flop" hub for details...
Most bikes out there have brakes as it is another equipment you can use. A brake is also required to make the bike roadworthy in accordance to Road Rules.
Effort in braking with legs generally depends on gear inches, terrain, leg muscles and speed.
yes...search for "flip-flop" hub for details...
Most bikes out there have brakes as it is another equipment you can use. A brake is also required to make the bike roadworthy in accordance to Road Rules.
Effort in braking with legs generally depends on gear inches, terrain, leg muscles and speed.
- oldschoolfool
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:41 am
- Location: Adelaide, South Australia.
Re: Rookie questions
Postby oldschoolfool » Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:42 am
Don't think you need a brake on a fixed gear to be roadworthy.slidetaker wrote:you could possibly ask the shop to change to an easier gear inches for you for hills, but it may incur a small cost...
yes...search for "flip-flop" hub for details...
Most bikes out there have brakes as it is another equipment you can use. A brake is also required to make the bike roadworthy in accordance to Road Rules.
Effort in braking with legs generally depends on gear inches, terrain, leg muscles and speed.
- Tange Free Zone
- familyguy
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- Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:30 pm
- Location: Willoughby, NSW
Re: Rookie questions
Postby familyguy » Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:12 pm
Not to be roadworthy, its up to the purchaser. But if sold new, and not marketed as a 'track bike', it must have a brake.
Jim
Jim
- scrubnbash
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- Location: Brisbane
Re: Rookie questions
Postby scrubnbash » Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:32 pm
I think in Queensland you'll get a fine for not a having a brake.
Slowing with legs is very useful. Brakes are also very very useful.
If you go freewheel you'll want brakes front and rear. If you go fixed you'll only really need a front brake.
Slowing with legs is very useful. Brakes are also very very useful.
If you go freewheel you'll want brakes front and rear. If you go fixed you'll only really need a front brake.
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Re: Rookie questions
Postby slidetaker » Mon Aug 15, 2011 4:59 pm
Dunno about other states, but in Victoria,
Road Rules 258 Equipment on a bicycle
A person must not ride a bicycle that does not
have—
(a) at least 1 effective brake; and
(b) a bell, horn, or similar warning device, in
working order.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
The Road Rules obviously only apply in public space/road/path, not the velodome or your home....
Road Rules 258 Equipment on a bicycle
A person must not ride a bicycle that does not
have—
(a) at least 1 effective brake; and
(b) a bell, horn, or similar warning device, in
working order.
Penalty: 5 penalty units.
The Road Rules obviously only apply in public space/road/path, not the velodome or your home....
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