# Why do they say fixed gear bikes don't have breaks? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601 "2017-08-24T22:56:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601/41 "2017-08-25T15:47:43Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > 20 years ago is a couple years before my time so maybe that’s why I’ve never seen it. But a couple things make me doubt that this practice would have ever been common. First of all, messengers use bolt on hubs more frequently than quick release. In fact track hubs, which are frequently used front and rear, are always bolt on. Second, even if a quick release is used, a hose clamp would be used to limit theft risk. If not a hose clamp, they would go with a locking skewer - which is more expensive, but very theft proof. Lastly, messengers tend to be very concerned with time, so I think most messengers would choose any other option than taking off the front wheel for every delivery. In London I’ve often seen them take the entire bike into Reception with them, slung over their shoulders. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601/42 "2017-08-25T16:35:34Z")
> [@JacobSwan](#): > > In London I’ve often seen them take the entire bike into Reception with them, slung over their shoulders. That’s not uncommon anywhere. Even take them up elevators if the delivery is not on the ground floor. ---
**Author:** ![Blakeyrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601/43 "2017-08-25T18:36:06Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Can you explain what the article means? > > ['Why I ride a bike without a brake'](http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41036581) The article’s talking about a “fixie” bike. Those have no brake, no gears, and no coasting, the chain is hooked directly from the pedals to the wheel. If you’re thinking, “wow that sounds pretty dangerous”… yup! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601/44 "2017-08-25T19:11:48Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > There’s a simpler solution; always apply the back brake first. > > Depending on where you live, a bike with no front brake may not be street-legal. I wasn’t aware of the requirement until this thread. Growing up every kid I knew had a standard single speed bike. There were two huge bike racks at our elementary school. I’d guess each held at least 50 bikes. The racks were full on nice days. I can’t recall seeing front brakes until guys went to multi-speed bikes in high school. I had a car by then and never made the transition to multi-speed. I don’t want one now. They require too much maintenance for a casual spring and fall rider. I’ll get a front brake added to my old bike and carefully, gingerly learn to use it. It helps that I already am aware of people getting flung off. I want to comply with any new traffic statutes. Needless to say, I’m not darting around like a bike messenger in traffic. I ride for fun, some exercise, and to enjoy a beautiful afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601/45 "2017-08-25T19:36:04Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Just this week we had the verdict in the case of a young London cyclist riding an unmodified track fixie (without a front brake) who killed a pedestrian. It was the first ever prosecution of a cyclist for manslaughter, although he was only convicted of a lesser charge. Expert testimony was presented that he could probably have stopped safely with a front brake. > > [Cyclist Charlie Alliston guilty over pedestrian's death](http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-41028321) I was detailed to Frisco for a year, and walked along the Embarcadero to get to the train. There is a bike lane there, but it is rarely used. I almost got hit by several assholes riding fixies at very high speeds along the sidewalk. According to locals, and in one case backed up by police, during that year those fixies sent a senior citizen to the hospital and killed a small dog on a leash. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601/46 "2017-08-25T20:23:20Z")
We have similar problems with bike paths in Little Rock. Riders tear through there at high speeds. It’s no place for a casual rider. It’s even more disturbing now that I’m aware many of the Fixes don’t have brakes. I drive 20 miles from the city to ride on quite roads. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601/47 "2017-08-25T23:49:15Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > 20 years ago is a couple years before my time so maybe that’s why I’ve never seen it. But a couple things make me doubt that this practice would have ever been common. First of all, messengers use bolt on hubs more frequently than quick release. In fact track hubs, which are frequently used front and rear, are always bolt on. Second, even if a quick release is used, a hose clamp would be used to limit theft risk. If not a hose clamp, they would go with a locking skewer - which is more expensive, but very theft proof. Lastly, messengers tend to be very concerned with time, so I think most messengers would choose any other option than taking off the front wheel for every delivery. You may be right and perhaps I overstated my case. After all what am I more likely to remember now–a few messengers carrying wheels, or all the ones who didn’t? I know I did see it happen but perhaps it was less common than I remembered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-say-fixed-gear-bikes-dont-have-breaks/794601.md?page=2)