How to Brake on a Fixie?
You might have heard that stopping a fixed gear cycle is pretty tricky. Well, regardless of whether you are new or experienced in the fixie game, halting the bicycle is reasonably hard. And if you do not know how to brake on a fixie, it will be pretty impossible for you to safely ride the bike around.
So, how do you actually stop a fixed gear bike? Well, even though the process is a bit challenging, it is not impossible to master. And if you follow the right ways, getting the hang of the technique will feel like a child’s play. Wondering where you will learn the correct method? You already did! This guide will walk you through it.
How Do You Stop a Fixie Bike?
As we have mentioned before, in terms of stopping a fixed-gear bike, it is all about following the correct process. And when we are referring to the proper technique, we refer to these methods:
Method 1: Start Braking the Rear Wheel Way Before You Have to Stop
Fixie bikes do not stop instantaneously. You might already know that if you have ridden these bicycles for a while. For that reason, you should initiate the brakes earlier. That will make the bike gradually slow down and eventually get to a complete stop.
On that note, if you stop abruptly, you will face something that is known as a wipeout. Instead, you should look in front and try to anticipate the stops. In other words, you must initiate the brake yards before the actual stopping position. And when you want to halt the brake, apply a little pressure on the brakes.
Method 2: Stop Pedaling
After you initiate the brake, you should get the pressure off the pedal. When you stop putting forward momentum, the bicycle will eventually slow down. But the thing is, the pedals will still rotate. So, instead of just getting the feet off the pedal, you will need to relax the muscles and lower the forward momentum.
Method 3: Use the Front Wheel Brake
One of the easiest ways to get the bike to a complete halt is by using the front brake. However, you should consider that not all of the fixies will come with a handle brake. So, if you do not find one on your bicycle, do not be worried. You can easily get one installed through a bike shop.
Nonetheless, you should not squeeze the handle brake with full force to make the fixie stop. That can make the bike crash, and you might eventually injure yourself. Instead, you need to gradually press the brake and slowly make the bicycle get to a complete stop.
Method 4: Put Pressure Backward on the Pedals
Another crucial thing you need to consider for stopping a fixed-gear bike is the pedal action. To make the fixie get to a complete stop, you should put backward pressure on the pedals. And the best way to execute this technique is to estimate the time it will require to get to a complete stop.
Talking of which, you can get better with this technique only through practice. So, if you really want to master the method of stopping the bike through pedals, you need to carry out training sessions on a free road.
Alongside that, it would be better to rely on the brakes along with pushing the pedals back. That will ensure a safe and proper stop. And the chances of any accidents occurring will be considerably low.
Read About How to Cut Bicycle Brake Cable
Final Words
Are you still wondering how to brake on a fixie? Well, as you can see, you have four different methods to work with. Now, instead of sticking with just one of them, we recommend combining a couple of the methods at once, for example, methods 3 and 1. By doing so, you will enhance the braking power.