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From: Ted Heise <theise@panix.com>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Urban cycling update
Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2024 21:35:19 -0000 (UTC)
Organization: My own, such as it is
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On Sat, 28 Sep 2024 15:53:30 -0500,
  AMuzi <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
>  On 9/28/2024 2:52 PM, Shadow wrote:
> > On Sat, 28 Sep 2024 14:09:33 -0500, Mark J cleary
> > <mcleary08@comcast.net> wrote:
> >> On 9/28/2024 1:44 PM, AMuzi wrote:
> >>> On 9/28/2024 1:09 PM, Shadow wrote:
> >>>> On Sat, 28 Sep 2024 09:34:28 -0500, AMuzi 
> >>>> <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> https://nypost.com/2024/09/27/lifestyle/nyc-bike-messengers-reveal-their-surprisingly-busiest-time-of-year/
> >>>>
> >>>>      All bikes shown have thick chains, ***no gears(maybe 
> >>>> hub gears on one) and no apparent brakes. Hub brakes by 
> >>>> back pedaling?
> >>>>
> >>>> <https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/victor-ramirez-credit-sammpicnyc-instagram-90397651.jpg>
> >>>>      []'s
> >>>
> >>> Right, primarily fixed gear.
> >>
> >> I crazy dangerous job that I expect some people have no 
> >> trouble taking. Not me that would be crazy. Also, having road 
> >> a bike for most of my life and many miles I have never road a 
> >> fixed great bike. Does this mean you are either pedaling for 
> >> not? The hub must not be a freehub or cassette. In my world I 
> >> have no idea how anyone could ride a bike like that, seems 
> >> incredibly dangerous. Do they use cleats and what is basic 
> >> speed your are going?
> > 
> > 	The way I see it, if the chain breaks you lose both the 
> > ability to accelerate out of trouble (as with most bikes) but 
> > also the ability to brake.
> > 	Imagine spinning those pedals down a steep slope then some 
> > debris strikes your chain and "derails" it.
> > 	[]'s
> > 
> > 	*** by "no gears" I meant no gear changing. Obviously 
> > there must be at least one gear.
> 
>  In practice fixed gear chain is not only wider and stronger but 
>  since it only runs in one path (like a cam chain in an engine) 
>  derailment is unheard of.
> 
>  That said, most urban fixed riders use a front brake, as do I. 

+1

>  The younger crowd will comment, "I can stop in three meters!" 
>  which is fine until you have two meters between you and the 
>  bus.

I never learned the technique of hopping the rear wheel and 
locking your legs while it's off the ground so you get a skid to 
stop.  Plus, my back pedaling muscles are super weenie, so I can 
barely slow that way.  So brake on front for me!

-- 
Ted Heise      <theise@panix.com>       West Lafayette, IN, USA