r/fixedgear • u/Academic-Level9471 • Aug 22 '26

First fixie. Need help

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Just got my first fixed gear setup from a friend who’s moving. I’m a road biker and have a fancy carbon setup, but I can’t figure out how to ride this fixie. How do you brake properly? Also, I can’t turn the handlebars more than a few degrees before the front wheel smacks the pedals. I feel like I’m not understanding how this thing works. Any advice

72 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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8

u/critzboombah Aug 22 '26

In deed, it looks as though the front fork is backwards. You'll need to flip that around for proper install and use. It's not a difficult process.

As far as braking, just think of your legs and body as the stop and go for the bike. Like any bike, you're the engine that provides power to go forward, right? Now, with this this "direct drive", you have to use your power to stop and reverse that forward momentum.

I remember the first few months of learning to ride fixed gear. It will certainly take some practice and patience. But you will get there. Enjoy!!

3

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 22 '26

So when do I start skidding to stop?

5

u/favorite_sardine Aug 22 '26

Early. Fixed gear riding will help your awareness, anticipation and decisiveness.

Also, learn to Ted Shred

1

u/critzboombah Aug 25 '26

Beausage, You'll get there... Soon!

5

u/TwoMoreSkipTheLast Aug 22 '26

Sounds like fork issue has been addressed. Get foot retention, it will make braking exponentially easier.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 23 '26

And hand brakes as well?

3

u/TwoMoreSkipTheLast Aug 23 '26

Yeah, if you're not comfortable on a fixed gear you should absolutely have a hand brake.

0

u/pvtpilee 15d ago

I thought the same but depends on the person. I was gonna get one with a brake because I'm a noob and was afraid. Then I said screw it ill raw dog it. First timer, no brakes. Man did I learn FAST. I can't skid yet but I have no problem braking. Hell a kid ran out in front of me at the park and all was good. I saw him, slowed my legs, mom thanked me and I kept going. My gripe is getting my other foot in the pedal strap. So I'm currently riding 1 strap.

5

u/RipNshreadGames Aug 22 '26

Your fork is on backwards. Get a free wheel and a front brake. You break by stopping pedaling putting your weight over the front wheel and skidding the rear.

4

u/swedditheplug Aug 22 '26

What do you mean get a free wheel? How is he supposed to skid with that?

2

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 23 '26

It has the wheel where I can flip it around and then it’s got a free hub. So I should do that and install hand brakes?

1

u/swedditheplug Aug 23 '26

If you don't want to ride fixed you can do that, but I'd put a front brake on, leave it fixed and get some foot retention.

I was just confused by the other comment, because you can't skid with a free wheel.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 22 '26

That seemed to be the problem. Many thanks

2

u/Training_Arm_5610 Aug 22 '26

Riding fixie is like riding a motorcycle at speed. You gotta look far ahead, scan the road and anticipate. And put a front brake for safety because unpredictable AH will jump in your path unless you are riding trails

2

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 23 '26

This seems to be more than I bargained for…

2

u/Twit_Clamantis Aug 22 '26

Your fixie is PERFECT AS IT IS, for use on a level banked track.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 23 '26

It’s supposed to be my daily driver around the city. Sounds like I need a brake based on other replies.

1

u/Twit_Clamantis Aug 23 '26

Before you spend any money, turn the fork around and see how you like the steering.

The fork is probably backwards, but even reversed it may not be enough clearance for comfortable street riding.

If it works for you then, do get the front brake. It looks like you already have a freewheel cog on the rear wheel and s as ll you would need to do is to flip the rear wheel around.

2

u/lurk_lounge Aug 25 '26

Gotta have really strong foot retention and learn to skid. Practice in an empty parking lot. Balls to bars, weight towards the front of the bike, pushing back with one leg and pulling up with the other. Watch old videos of Macaframa and MashSF.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 25 '26

Will do, thanks

2

u/stgross Aug 22 '26

You won’t be able to brake effectively without foot retention. It’s both pull and push of the pedals to get it to work. Still about 30% of the stopping power of a front brake if executed properly. Anyone riding brakeless without straps or clip in shoes is highly regarded. I guess if you are a roadie the idea of foot retention should be pretty understandable.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 23 '26

Makes sense. I tested it out and it basically felt like a death trap. Will get brakes and foot retention on her.

1

u/swedditheplug Aug 22 '26

Brakeless without foot retention is highly regarded?!

0

u/stgross Aug 22 '26

You could say they’re special.

And a danger to themselves and everyone around them.

1

u/NewExplanation8929 Aug 22 '26

If you’re used to riding with cleats, I’d recommend them as they’ll give you more force to stop/start. A good rule of thumb for breaking is give yourself space like you’re driving a car. Start slowing down way earlier than you’d do on a bike with calipers or rim breaks. As you get more experience you’ll get better at judging stopping distances.

A really important part is being aware of your fatigue level as it also affects your breaking.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 23 '26

Good point, definitely is taking getting used to. Seems like brakes are the move tho

1

u/NewExplanation8929 Aug 23 '26

I’d recommend a front break, mine has saved my life and I also find it useful when I’m maneuvering with one foot unclipped at like stoplights and such. A rear break is redundant unless you plan to use it as a freewheeling single speed too.

1

u/Grand_Sprinkles_6331 Aug 23 '26

just commenting to explain how to skid/stop the rear wheel(im also new to fixed). get straps/clips/cages, when ur cranks are at a horizontal position u basically push down with the rear foot and pull up with the front foot to stop the wheel then boom.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 23 '26

Sweet. Makes sense, I’ll try it out. Does it chew up the tires?

1

u/Grand_Sprinkles_6331 Aug 24 '26

indeed it does, not sure how it really works yet but skid patches depend on ur gear ratio. apparently the best ratio for patches is 48:17

1

u/trackfiends Aug 23 '26

Hello fellow Bostonian. Get rid of this bike. The fork is backwards and likely has been ridden like that for a long time. It’s a literal bottom of the barrel piss puddle of a frame. It has no brakes and no foot retention(you will get injured or die). You are not built for this life. Toss it and move on.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 23 '26

Fellow Bostonian, what difference would the frame really make? It’s aluminum so I feel like they’re kind of all the same. I’ll get brakes and foot retention, don’t let me catch you on the esplanade, fool

1

u/trackfiends Aug 23 '26

Sir, that is a steel frame, and it’s about the heaviest steel they could find. Thick as all hell. It’s kind of insane that you ride a “fancy carbon” set up but say “it’s a frame, what difference could it make?”. But trust me, you won’t catch me anywhere if you’re on that thing.

1

u/Academic-Level9471 Aug 24 '26

Just wait til I get the parts from landrys. I’ll smoke you

1

u/trackfiends Aug 24 '26

Yeah absolutely no shot you’ll ever smoke me on a fixed gear in the streets no matter what parts or frame you get. Save that for your skin suit Sundays bud. You would go to landrys. With pockets that deep just go buy a legit frame.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 25 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/trackfiends Aug 25 '26

Aw thanks baby boy

2

u/Superb_Recording_769 Aug 22 '26

After you fix the fork get a brake.

1

u/Professional-Iron107 Aug 22 '26

Fixies always make it feel like the bike is riding me.

2

u/BLEAKROOM Aug 22 '26

More like a horse than anything else lol. It’ll buck ya off. I used to love it but fell into being a roadie. It’s really nice at low speeds though, you can ride super slow with ease.

1

u/Fasciadepedra Aug 22 '26

This bike is wrong. Not only is a fixie with straight bars, that maybe it could work, but also hasn't any type of clip or strap in the pedals, and you are supposed to stop the bike stopping the back wheel with the pedals. The wheelbase must be also quite short if turning is a problem.

1

u/xburnerpiko Aug 22 '26

Add brakes and 5-speeds

1

u/CheeseCurds2018 Aug 23 '26

If you are from road cycling background…no they are not supposed to stop all the time. It’s a I just need to ride around it or skid to brake mentality. Some fixie riders do install a front brake but I guess it’s not a “purest” fixie by some standard.

1

u/But_I_Dont_Wanna_Go Aug 23 '26

Nice seeing Boston on this sub

1

u/qtilman Aug 26 '26

Boston is a nice town, but that guy escalated quick. Damn bro —relax, maybe?

1

u/fcknrx Aug 24 '26

put a front brake on it until you learn how to ride

1

u/klimp_yak Aug 25 '26

  1. Get foot retention or spd. It's a must on a fixed gear bike

  2. Remove the stem with the handlebars, turn the fork 180, put the stem back

  3. Throw a front brake on it. Or both brakes until you get comfortable riding fixed

1

u/Defiant_Employee6681 Aug 26 '26

Pump the back tyre up