Want to replace fixed gear with freewheel and use my track bike as a commuter in Manhattan. Does a freewheel necessitate a rear brake (I have a front brake)--is safety any more of a concern with the freewheel/front-only combination? The frame is a Bianchi Pista and not drilled for a mounting a caliper-style brake--any advice here?
Refitting a Fixed Gear as Single Speed
Wed, 07/28/2004 - 7:19pm
Wed, 07/28/2004 - 7:40pm
#1
Yes, you probably want a rear brake
I would go for a rear brake if, for no other reason, your front brake should fail, ie cable snap etc. I guess it is theoretically possible to apply a front only brake so hard that you end up head over heels over the handlebars.
Also if you are carrying any weight on you commuter bike, you might need the extra braking power that two brakes will give you, especially when a pedestrian crosses in front of you without looking, or a car cuts you up and turns right in front of you - everyday potential hazards in NYC. Have fun!
Wed, 07/28/2004 - 8:28pm
#2
Go here: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html#track
He suggests as Anthony, if you have a freewheel you should have 2 handbrakes.
Thu, 07/29/2004 - 6:24am
#3
Is there any style of brake that I can use as the mount on the frame looks too narrow to drill a hole for a caliper style brake?
Thu, 07/29/2004 - 6:48am
#4
If you don't mind having a torque arm, you could fit a coaster brake hub. This is really your only option.
I think the Pista has 120mm rear spacing (it should!), so your best bet in a coaster brake hub is probably a Fichtel & Sachs Torpedo. The Sturmey-Archer coaster brake hubs have a pretty bad reputation.
The Sachs Torpedo were available in 1sp-2sp-3sp, in freewheel and coaster variations.
Best bet to find a Sachs Torpedo is probably Emey's or Bikeworks. Or the internet.
- Christian
Thu, 07/29/2004 - 10:53am
#5
Tough one...
If you're going to coast, you NEED 2 brakes.
The Pista's not ideal for this. One, as you've discovered, you can't mount a rear caliper - the bridge isn't drilled, and too slim to be drilled. Two, the frame has very tight wheel clearances - no room for chubbier tires or fenders - fine for the velodrome, but not for commuting in less-than-perfect weather on our lumpy streets.
So... You can have a frame shop braze on a newer, stouter, drilled rear bridge - not a huge job (want cable guides with that?), or try and swap the frame for something a little more versatile.
Thu, 07/29/2004 - 11:04am
#6
Along those lines, if it were me, I'd sell it and get a IRO Jamie Roy. It even has room for fenders.
Thu, 07/29/2004 - 1:54pm
#7
commuting
"Paul,
I have an old road bike that I had adapted to a fixed gear years ago. I recently changed the rear wheel to a wheel with a ""flip-flop hub"", fixed on one side and single free cog the other. I only have a front brake, and even have one of those skinny zefal fenders on the rear. It's perfect!"
Thu, 07/29/2004 - 3:12pm
#8
Keep it fixed
Out of curiosity, why not keep it fixed? They make great commuter bikes.
And as long as you have the front brake, if you keep it fixed, you won't have to worry about a rear brake.
Chris
Thu, 07/29/2004 - 8:19pm
#9
I went single speed free when I added a steel quick release to my rear wheel (in case of flat while commuting it would make for a quick change). After speaking with some people, as long as I had a steel quick release I can keep it fixed - which is what I'll do and not have to worry about the rear brake.
Fri, 07/30/2004 - 7:13am
#10
Yup, a good internal-cam quick-release will hold a wheel much tighter than track nuts.
So keeping it fixed is no prob.
- Christian
Fri, 07/30/2004 - 9:25am
#11
Thanks!
All this info has been a great help! Hope that others find it useful - kudos to the nycc message board community!
