Is this normal?

I wouldn't use toe clips...

I wouldn't notice a fixie rider.

don't worry

it'll all be over soon

Don Despacio said:

I passed a rider today on a brakeless fixie. This town is crawling with 'em, so I don't much notice. This guy didn't have toeclips. Is this a whole new level of stupid?

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No, it's an old level of stupid.

Lol if I had to ride Fixie I'd not want to have those death trap toe clips.....

But come'on guys! They look so coooool! Just make sure you have a trendy messenger bag with all your literature in them. Never know when that'll come in handy.

someone post a pic i dont even know what a fixie is.

Basically, and correct me if I'm wrong, but a fixie is essentially a fixed gear road bike. That means no freehub so you can't stop pedaling. Sounds about as much fun as rollerblading down pikes peak if you ask me.

You have to ride a Fixie with toe clips and crank them down, the OP is right it is about as stupid as it gets flat, how do you brake? Messenger type use the toe clips to hold their feet onto the pedal while braking, cant use clipless, the stress is too much to keep the shoe engaged and they pop out while hard braking. Thats why Philadelphia passed new laws against operating a bike without brakes.

Darwinism will sort this form of stupidity out very quickly

Spinning Lizard said:

You have to ride a Fixie with toe clips and crank them down, the OP is right it is about as stupid as it gets flat, how do you brake? Messenger type use the toe clips to hold their feet onto the pedal while braking, cant use clipless, the stress is too much to keep the shoe engaged and they pop out while hard braking. Thats why Philadelphia passed new laws against operating a bike without brakes.

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Most places already have this law, although it doesn't specifically mention bicycles. But if you are operating your vehicle in the streets, you need a vehicle with a functioning brake. There was a kid a few months back that actually got busted by the police for not having a brake. First time I had ever heard of this happening.

They just jam their feet on the tires or lean over the handle bars, holding the pedals in place. Very crazy if you ask me.

Uh, yeah -- really. How can ANYthing in the fixie world be called 'normal', anyway?

Spinning Lizard said:

You have to ride a Fixie with toe clips and crank them down, the OP is right it is about as stupid as it gets flat, how do you brake? Messenger type use the toe clips to hold their feet onto the pedal while braking, cant use clipless, the stress is too much to keep the shoe engaged and they pop out while hard braking. Thats why Philadelphia passed new laws against operating a bike without brakes.

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I can skid mine with clipless pedals. But I do have a brake for when necesary.

I see this as two different types of riding.

The old school cyclists who ride fixed gear for the challenge and pure fun of it. I suspect if you were to "profile" these riders they would be middle aged and up who will jump on their bike and ride it for 20-80 miles or more just for the ride. They will have multiple bikes of all types and live to ride. Don't knock until you try it. If I have to ride solo, I'll usually take the fixed gear.

The fixie trick riders who have the learned through lots of blood and scabs how to do their tricks. Then there are a ton of poser wannabes trying to imitate them and their hipster lifestyle. Not my cup of tea for sure, but to each his own.

Flyn G

Everything you ever wanted to know about Fixed Gear riding :
http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/
http://bikefag.wordpress.com/

I love my fixed gear. Its a great ride.

Of course it is set up with brakes front and rear and its really hard to tell it from a single speed cyclocross bike.