Brakeless Bikes - Irresponsible or Fun?

[@IAWishome]

How I envy you having all the variety of locations in which to cycle. Living in Stratford Ontario is very pleasant but not exactly great cycling country. Because it's so flat I have a 16:50 ratio on my fixed gear and my eighty year old legs have problems stopping the bike therefore I have brakes. I could easily get away with just a front brake and still be legal but I think one brake looks oddly unbalanced so I've kept both. If I lowered the gearing I could stop the bike more easily without brakes but then If I wanted to go fast my cadence would be uncomfortably high. (These eighty year old legs again) Recently was told about Dolan track bikes and I see they have models with drilled front forks suitable for road cycling. Good specs at a very reasonable price. Have you had any experience with Dolan Cycles? I think you and Amy should do the new bike build. Lots of repartee!!

[@malcontent_1]

Bring on the unboxing _and_ the build

[@DaveNoakes]

Whoop! Incoming!

[@leenevi]

That paint job is dope!

[@bubblesezblonde]

3:58~I love how you put Kiddo first in your life, even in front of your bicycles. No it is NOT bad to putter around a small village sans brakes since A) you know the trails B) a Greggs addiction MUST be fullfilled. Dads need adventures too methinks. As long as Munchkin supervises the unboxing I would vote that route. Oh and please let Kiddo pick the bar tape.

[@adunnthing]

I love your views and thoughts on track bikes and having listened to LITP podcast earlier which featured Alec Briggs I can understand the appeal. Not a huge fan of unboxing, but definitely interested in a full build and don’t feel you have to apologise for being sent stuff… it’s your job 😀 Last thoughts…. You’re a very naughty boy (delivered in a Life of Brian way)

[@DaveNoakes]

Thanks Ash, appreciate that. I need to check out that podcast.

[@kevinlyon9501]

Riding without a brake you'll get a right telling off. 20 years riding fixie for you no problem. Someone not used to riding a fixie, fit a front brake, don't have to use it, when you're confident enough can always remove it. Not fussed about the unboxing unless you get Munchkin to do it.😁👍

[@paulettew1525]

Thought of you today when I walked past Greggs in Exeter.

[@DaveNoakes]

Aw thanks 😂

[@buck197]

Your coffee stop at Fuelled by Caffeine is the dogs dooberrys 🧁🧁🧁🧁

[@DaveNoakes]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@kidkarbon4775]

Track bikes are bad arse, I absolutely love my track bike they are so much fun. It's a completely different experience you feel so connected to the bike, it's a pure cycling experience nothing comes close.

[@DaveNoakes]

facts! I'll always love riding fixed.

[@pierrehenri2297]

Love the track bike- been desperate to try one and never had the opportunity! Happy without the brake, enjoy!! Yes to the unboxing and putting together of the Stayer! 🤘🏼

[@ddcycleman]

Just built up an all city thunderdome track bike. You are to blame sir (and terry ) brakeless . Keep it up Dave, love the content. From another Dave 🤙

[@DaveNoakes]

Such a lush frame! Enjoy Dave!!!

[@anthonybaxendale887]

Yeah go on Dave let's have an unboxing & can we have some close ups of the frame before it's hidden with components ☺

[@DaveNoakes]

It just arrived!!!!

[@A_AAA232]

nice vlog Dave, bacon, coffee, cake and cows! - flat bar fixie is so cool - you know what youre doing so no brakes is fine...but like you said, not for everyone - irresponsible fun mate! Unbox and build in one with munchkin supervising - all your bikes are great, nice to see you using them- be good to see the new stayer built up, enjoy!

[@steelisreal]

No unboxing, but I can always skip past. I run a brake on my fixed gear for bunch riding and “just in case”. Doesn’t get used on much but good in the wet in a Scottish winter. Brakeless off-road is good fun.

[@fast.biking_freddy]

It's just like the discussion of if helmets should be required. Some people argue that if they wear a helmet they're getting a false sense of security, and you ride slower and safer without one. The same goes for brakeless. I personally ride with both but the choice is ambiguous enough that it should be up to personal preference.

[@amsTECHandGAMING]

I used to not wear a helmet, but being riding fixed here in NYC is unpredictable. Or in any city really. Never crashed. But never know. Even a small fall and you could hit your head. So it’s more better safe than sorry.

[@turn1210]

I agree on the looks, nothing looks as cool as a track bike in my opinion.

[@DaveNoakes]

So clean!

[@simon1976au]

Unboxing and build straight after

[@DaveNoakes]

Cool beans.

[@Fred_Nice]

I am glad there are some law breakers out there. Ride on!!

[@DaveNoakes]

Ssshhh 😂

[@leebridgwater]

Fun✓ scary✓ fast✓ welcome to the fixed gear world. So different but so similar to an ebike, it's all about the cadence

[@shelleyshell1150]

Would love to see the “build up” of your bike!

[@markjthomson]

I really enjoy riding my fixed gear (Dently... after a high speed dismount from rollers left a mark on the downtube)... I have a front brake because drivers are idiots... (and there is no brake bridge on the chain stays) so just in case, but I really don't like using it... I haven't had an overspeed problem yet. I love the level of control you have. You also need to think about slowing down earlier because you don't have the brakes and while skidding is fun it isn't the fastest way to stop. I have no issues with fixed gears without brakes... it's not as if they have no way of stopping - which most people seem to think its the case. Vive la fixie! Great way to train. Will make you a smoother rider with better bike handling skills and they are just downright fun!

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

🎵 breaking the law, breaking the law 🎵 I know what you mean about the look they always look brilliant simplicity is understated. I think in the terms of being illegal I think there are worse things you could be doing 🤣 I had a fixie to get to work and back, always felt like it could kill me at any given moment you have to really concentrate on them very fun though.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Dave...did you check the rotation on the new shoe ? AND.....not the " Death Pedals " ??? Large yarbles mate ! Peace

[@rachelbrodie7932]

Dave my hart was in my mouth knowing you have no brakes on that bike 😳😬 also I have followed you for some time now and your looking bufffffffff!

[@juanpecan7089]

And with fixed gear you're always "covering the brakes." Whats your average pace on it?

[@DaveNoakes]

Not very fast when I’m just chilling about…maybe 15/16mph

[@MsLizzylaw]

Just a note my friend was involved in a collision with a pedestrian and the police took his bike away to check its “road worthiness “. the pedestrian unfortunately was in a bad way but had stepped out at set of lights on green. fortunately the bike had brakes and the Garmin was able to prove he was not riding too fast for the conditions. it’s just worth noting 👍

[@DaveNoakes]

How would the police know if the bike is roadworthy off it’s been crashed? Was it the crash that made it unroadworthy or was it before?

[@jamesrogerson5023]

@@DaveNoakes crashes make the brake components disappear! Honest.

[@johny5ive85]

Irresponsibly fun!!!!

[@underthepeachtree88]

More track bike content pls!

[@DaveNoakes]

Sure thing ✌🏼

[@edwardharris5981]

More fixed gear content please dave!

[@chazphot]

Dave any reason you use toe clips over straps? I've always ridden SPD's on my fixed gear bikes but looking to pick up some platforms + straps for casual rides where I'm going somewhere, hadn't really considered toe clips as an alternative.

[@illegally7]

I want more fixed gear video's

[@DaveNoakes]

Me too!

[@idrismotilal709]

More track bike videos

[@DaveNoakes]

Well you for that!

[@stephenelliott-wright3230]

Full build 👍🏻

[@DaveNoakes]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

Two years ago, both my bikes had mechanical problems and were off the road. So one Sunday afternoon I used my girlfriends "one gear" pedal backwards for brakes city bike !!!! OMFG Never again, apart from a few lumps its pretty flat where i live in Poland (Gravel heaven) We rode 20 km for a 74m rise, the girlfriend on her MTB and me on the city bike, and my knees were f............................... smashed, i was actually angry at the thought of "What brain dead engineer could invent such a useless f.......... contraption"?? What on earth is the attraction of a bike with "NO" gears . As you can tell I'm still angry and flabbergasted that such machines actually exist, and that was 2 years ago! PS thanks to b.....shit covid, I'm still waiting for my new MTB with a 10- 51 cassette to arrive. Great film tho Dave!

[@321bytor]

Would like to see it unboxed and then built up 👍

[@anggihlistya4690]

Bro, please make vid about fixed gear again.

[@MsLizzylaw]

Just a heads up if you are involved in a collision the police will take your bike away and check it’s road worthiness. Any third party liability insurance you may have might not cover you on a track bike with no brakes on the road and any half decent PI lawyer will be all over it like a rash. why is any different to driving a car without brakes?

[@DaveNoakes]

Bikes and cars are very different. Also there’s a back brake. Comparing to cars doesn’t work as they weigh 1000kg are solid metal and can kill at a very low speed. I get your point but riding a track bike is nothing like driving a car without brakes.

[@johnclement4781]

Track bikes are great on the track... I think they just cause the rest of us more anger from the "anti" brigade.....when on the road....just my view...

[@DaveNoakes]

Inclined to agree with you, but some people will grumble no matter what.

[@ddcycleman]

I think most of the “YoU NEeD BrEakS “ comments are coming from people who don’t ride fixed

[@DaveNoakes]

Facts, truth is they are probably right but not sure it’ll make me put one on 😂

[@jeffreycohen8511]

unboxing please

[@chasc301]

I vote for more cows

[@DaveNoakes]

Hell yes!!!

[@kuku9484]

Eyyyy

[@DaveNoakes]

Eyyyyyaaaa

[@samalsteinberg4335]

Do the unboxing and bike building in ONE video, than... move on :3

[@DaveNoakes]

Quite a good idea! 😂

[@samalsteinberg4335]

And more bike rides :3

[@ljm4319]

fun

[@txlangster6276]

Please, no unboxing.

[@DaveNoakes]

ok...we will see...but a huge box did just turn up 😂

[@danielbum912]

'S ILLEGAL

[@danielbum912]

2:40 That cow certainly didn't think you were being overly irresponsible!

[@paulwilliams4990]

I think it’s in the name “track bike”. No brakes = stupid.

[@FattyOn2Wheels]

It is your fault legally you could be done for murder if you knowingly go out without breaks

[@DaveNoakes]

Half true….my fault legally. Murder…nope…manslaughter more likely. It’s not like you’re going out with the intention of murdering someone when riding a fixed gear. That said…it’s still not good really. Honestly I think there’s bigger issues on our roads that needed the attention.

[@fisharefriends598]

Bikes need brakes

[@markb9571]

Breaks from brakes?

[@fisharefriends598]

@@markb9571 both

[@bubblesezblonde]

yes my mechanics tend to agree with you