Re: Urban cycling update

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