Should you ride brakeless? | Fixed Gear Q&A

For lightweight, top-tier steel bikes, check out Wabi Cycles:
wabicycles.com/
Get exclusive behind the scenes access by becoming a Super Subscrider on Patreon: / zachgallardo
Cycling gear mentioned:
1. Koss Porta Pro Wireless Headphones: amzn.to/2MlXGES
2. Chrome Citizen Messenger Bag: amzn.to/2MlTRzO
3. SKREAM Bikes: skreambikes.com/
Questions answered in this fixed gear Q&A:
1. What do you think about brake laws?
2. How often do you ride off-road? Thoughts on fixed gravel?
3. Can a good fixed gear bike frame withstand bad road conditions?
4. Thoughts on conversions?
5. 26.0 vs. 31.8 mm bars and stems? Why is 31.8mm becoming more popular?
6. Have you ever had someone road rage at you while you were riding your bike?
7. How do you get rid of anxiety while riding in the road?
8. Earphones or portable speaker for riding?
9. What are some bike jobs for teenagers?
10. What's your gear setup as you travel through Asia?
11.Gloves or no gloves?
12. What do you think about SKREAM Bikes?
Fixie Famous Shoutout:
StanStrong108
Evan Clement
Joey Rapalo
Marek Dravecky
thecyclr.com
Patreon Singlespeed Shoutout:
Michael Rector
Austin Fowler
nicodache
@ffnivas
Pat Bateman
Connect with me:
/ strava
/ strava
/ zachygallardo
*DISCLAIMER: This description contains some affiliate links. I'll get a small commission from anything you buy from those links to help run the channel at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
**Availability through the eBay links will vary by date and location. If it's not on the link, you can find it with a quick Google search
#brakeless #brakelessfixedgear #bikecommuting

[@peterbaskind9872]

I look at the brakeless question very simply: I cannot imagine someone finishing a ride and saying, “Wow. I sure wish I hadn’t had those brakes on this ride.” But the opposite is surely true.

[@clacclackerson3678]

I love bikes and cycling but am not into fixed gear stuff. I just figured out why I like watching your vids. It's because of you. Smart, level-headed and sane. I wish you all the best, Zach Gallardo.

[@clacclackerson3678]

And keep sticking it to the wankers.

[@bullishbryan4457]

I've been watching you for a while now and just realized how little subscribers you have, with the passion and quality in which you make your videos you deserve way more..

[@encodedd3335]

another problem is his views to subscriber ratio, 8k views with 49k subs

[@mindciller]

I'm not subbed but still tune in. Bikes in general aren't for views and money if you do it correctly

[@BluesBroken]

Gloves help if you are gonna crash. Hands always hit the deck. Talking from experience 🖐🖐🖐

[@AndrewMalcolmson]

Also, gloves protect your hands from UV rays. Matters if you bike a lot.

[@JHZYHD]

Also, makes it more comfortable to skitch cars or push yourself off of walls or cars whien riding

[@hughesj]

I walked into a shop when I was 14, asked if the guy needed a hand, and started working for minimum wage helping customers and cleaning the shop. Within a month I was handling a large portion of the repairs. Didn’t know him before I started working there. Didn’t have any prove-able experience. Just hit up all your small local shops and be persistent.

[@elicrawford3447]

Nice video! I'm 14 and I recently got a job in a bike shop and I can really relate to this video. It started with me going in every now and again and talking to the people who worked there, and then one day I just went in and asked for a job and they said yeah. I've been working after school 3 days a week and on Saturdays and I'm really happy that you addressed this topic. BTW: I'm aware no one really cares but I felt i could share it anyway.

[@uglyfb9133]

Still with the shop??

[@nova-jo1649]

I carry a steel seat post just in case of road ragers😄

[@mikemann2692]

Jovan Hernandez word lol I’m about for nyc

[@officialclownbusiness7788]

I just catch up at a red light, kick a dent in their door, and bolt down an alley too narrow for their car.

[@daltonbedore8396]

i always get excited about riding from your videos! Thanks Zach

[@swingingkris]

The point of cycling gloves if to protect your hands in case of an accident. If you fall off your bike, your hands are often the first part that touches the ground and they could be the only part that gets injured.

[@flawlessbutdysfunctional7787]

Christian Sugarev I scraped my palm and it healed in I think 3 weeks and I was so happy all the skin grew back and it wasn’t painful so I went out on my bmx bike and started hopping over stuff and I got too greedy and I fell again and scraped my freshly healed palm and had to wait 2 more weeks lmao

[@jamesowen418]

Exactly. In a crash you instinctively put your hands out to break your fall (and not break your face). If you ever had to ride home with bloody palms then you'll know the pain of trying to hold the bars, and you'll vow to always wear gloves in future.

[@DarioCast2]

RIP Hub and spokes 🥺😭 The bike shop closed about a year ago or so. It is dearly missed

[@justineaves1977]

Also I've always been on the fence about whether I like you or not but after hearing your analysis of skream bikes I'm positive we would get along👊

[@emmanuelmontes4191]

Got a ticket a year ago for riding brakeless in riverside CA

[@Not_Sure_]

Is it a fix it ticket ? If not, I would Fight it, based on how good of a fixed rider you are. See if the cop shows up for the trial. If he shows up then you can change your plea.

[@Not_Sure_]

@@Ahnundin . . He has 2 brakes, right leg and a left leg.

[@emmanuelmontes4191]

Yea it's a fix it ticket. They took pics of my whip so I didnt bother fighting it. Still riding brakeless tho lmao

[@ohhi5237]

@@Not_Sure_ you cannot fight it, fool

[@xWiggleDeezRoots]

I did too, in downtown riverside lmao funny thing is I took off the break the night before too

[@vahanara]

Owner of Csepel Royal Frisco here. May soon flip from freewheel to a fixed cog. 20 inch wheeled and bit heavy.

[@ryansugimoto3851]

Do it! It's the cost of a cog and lockring, and so easy to switch between

[@vahanara]

First, to change 1/50 wide tires to 1/10. See, this not a bmx or folder. Don't know what it is. Looong seat tube, one size-fits-all frame, horizontal dropouts, flip-flop hub.. Got long stem and eggbeaters so far. There's a vid on yt of very same. Mine's orange too.

[@vahanara]

Done. Kicks like mule. *°**#º* Ez.

[@ryansugimoto3851]

Most of the cons of aluminum/carbon frames on the road can be solved with a wide road or CX wheelset. A rim with an internal width of 19mm+ opens the profile of the tire and the improved ride quality is undeniable. 25mm tires feel like 28mm/30mm without the extra weight. Worth looking into.

[@229273103000]

Oh no - I just bought a Bianchi Super Pista, alum frame carbon fork. The looks - Oh yes !

[@229273103000]

@BeboSaab" well that's life, cant have it all".

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Agree, there are some brakeless riders out there that scare the shit outta me. How they're still alive I don't know. Absolutely no business going brakeless.

[@mrkringlan]

Rode brakeless (with helmet!) for a good bit until I got hit by a car (honestly, not my fault). I was fine, the bike was destroyed. The kind of accident that happens because drivers don't have enough respect for cyclist.... Now I ride single speed with disc brakes (plenty practical). From time to time I miss my brakeless fixie. Would I buy another fixie? Yes. Would I decide to ride it brakeless? Yes. Why? Because it is so much fun and forces you to think ahead.

[@jamesowen418]

You may think ahead, but some drivers don't.

[@robotjonjoe]

@BeboSaab brakeless in traffic is hella fun. I love biking through downtown during rush hour traffic

[@InMemoWeTrust]

I dont see the fun part of not having at least front break on youre bike, its dangerus for you and others, better think ahead and put a break on youre bike

[@Cube_Ernator1077]

'Road Rager's'. Yes, ignoring them is fine and avoiding them is better. Persistent ones became even more angry when they return to the parking lot and find all 4 tyres deflated.

[@milesthomas1075]

I wear gloves because my hands got blisters even with bartape. Also they look dope

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

To the person asking about fixed gears on rough roads; You can convert an old steel mtb to fixed gear. Wider tyre clearances! 26x2.30(57mm) And less aggressive angles, but they ride great and are cheap 👌 There’s a bolt on cog(that bolts to a disc braked hub)and you’ll need horizontal or semi horizontal rear dropouts(lots of early 90s/80s mtb have them).

[@limbolegs]

Just have a brake on you bike but try to not use it as much as possible. I still put on a brake if I’m doing a long ride in a hilly area, no shame in brakes!

[@rainbowhiker]

No on earphones or music of any kind. Stay sharp and alert. Zen says no as well. Being one with the bike is hearing only the bike, wind, and cars 🙂

[@teddyr7901]

Well for tough roads you can build a fixie with 700 wide tires like the ones they have on mountain bikes build it to work for the condition you're in and talking about people slide swiping you back in the 80s I have Road over a couple of hoods sideswiped a couple of times I've lost count it comes with the territory

[@ohhi5237]

go hard or get a mtb lace some 26 rims to your hubs and rock mtb wheels on your fixie

[@troymanning8985]

Zach give a heads up in a video the next time you're planning on coming through Osaka Japan. We'd love to ride with you (fixed and geared folks)

[@rwirtz77]

I run a front brake, i don't use it muchvbut if your blasting at 25mph and have to stop it's def needed, Skiding doesnt stop you very good and bombing a hill one time a car pulled out so i jammed my foot in the rear tire and it burnt through my entire shoe almost.

[@Anjuroo]

More city mashing chest mount type videos Zach! Taiwan looks dope to ride

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

I second this! Love seeing other places from that point of view 👌

[@TheYz250fmf]

I was hiking at Yosemite last summer and someone was hiking with a portable speaker sooooo loud... it was horrible.

[@feketetv]

The wind noise is crazy with the PortaPros. You have to turn the volume waaaay up.

[@dennissantiago9525]

Gloves are protection for when you go down!

[@Zaratium]

I want to see a day in the life of you just riding your bike around your city (:

[@christiandrescher6609]

I ride with brass knuckles. I don't hit windows cause there may be kids. But I'm never afraid to punch the hood or a light. I take a breath when I'm far away.

[@UenoLocker54]

Most people can't even ride right with brakes.

[@ohhi5237]

right

[@UenoLocker54]

@@ohhi5237 Correct.

[@johndent8813]

I have converted my Voodoo Hoodoo mountain bike to a single speed which is great fun riding gravel and flattish trails with it's front suspension and knobby tyres.... :-)

[@InMemoWeTrust]

Simple awnser, put a break on you're bike, if you wanna crash, what ever sail youre boat, but dont put in danger other people just becuz you wanna feel "closer" to your bike...

[@griffbarton4544]

No brakes! No brains! No other way I’d ride!

[@coreythiel504]

I ride brakeless. Safely. The difference is in the reasons for riding a fixie. In my teens, skids, speed and ripping through cars was awesome. At 31, I just enjoy riding a brakeless fixie for the sake of riding a brakeless fixie. I no longer wish to die, only partially.

[@AvgeekRPLL]

Tbh if id ever use a fixie to skid, i would make sure to put a front brake whenever i use a high gear ratio, low gear ratio not much i think the bike can stop itself

[@bryansammis998]

Zach; With all your traveling about Asia, I’m surprised Wabi hasn’t sent you a prototype folding bike for you to test??🤔

[@remarleepelayo8090]

@3:18 thats my bike :D hope you're well!

[@Justin-kg4st]

Just went biking today, was sunny outside 70 degreaser and it starts hailing halfway...

[@mindciller]

Or you could just put brakes on. Still reasonably dangerous

[@simondr70]

Zach you should join don't be shy, it would be a privilege , thanks .

[@joeyv.7360]

Re: gloves. There's some good comments about gloves being made here. My 2¢: I consider gloves as safety equipment, on the same level as a helmet. It's not everything, but it will protect against palm scrapes and skin loss in an accident. Just try before you buy, it's worth the LBS markup. The only downside: losing them.

[@sandydennylives1392]

Can't take a fixed, like a good glide and stress free descents too much.

[@lassea]

2019: Got thrown by toilet paper. 2020: Winner winner chicken dinner.

[@johndent8813]

Gloves or no gloves? Easy for you to say 'no gloves' when you live so far towards the tropics. Up here in Northern Europe we have one very compelling argument for using gloves - it can get bloody cold without them!

[@nice.9102]

Yee koss porta zac knows his music

[@boyardeez6901]

Can you do a review on engine 11 bikes

[@ohhi5237]

general trash?

[@bayuadjicw]

What do you think about borneotrack? Local indonesian handmade frame

[@estabanloya1430]

How do I send you pictures of my bike so I can get Dem fixie points son

[@danielcarvajalblanco3476]

Hello Zach. In my opinion, i use and recommend gloves all the time. You wrists will gonna thank you, and you hands not will feel " sleeping hands" as usual with not gloves. And using gloves, you handlebar grips and tape, will stay in good condition for longer time

[@FreeUpTheWeed]

If you have issues with hand pain or discomfort then you should dial in your bike fit! Gloves are a bandaid solution to a bigger problem. Change bar height, angle, sweep etc. They do protect from scrapes and the cold, and keep your stuff in good condition for longer.

[@danielcarvajalblanco3476]

@@FreeUpTheWeed that's another reasons why i always use gloves. I can't ride with no gloves like as without helmet.

[@jakobmeixner7671]

Hey Zach! I bought my first fixed gear 1 1/2 years ago. I am 6 feet tall. Over time I have noticed that my frame is too small for me(54cm frame). I have 622mm*21 tires. Is it possible to switch out the frame to a 58cm without getting new tires? Love your videos! Jakob from Germany (sorry didn't know when to use the different scale systems)

[@mom_im_losing_it]

Yes

[@roswel7845]

hah zach only packs the essentials! Fat tire only

[@combatLaCarie]

is a carbon fork really weaker? I've seen more life time warrenties on carbon than steal.

[@blackfox1514]

Some cops in California do check if you ride brakeless I've gotten stopped twice one at a red light the other when I was riding at the beach they didn't give me a hard time they just asked why I ride brakeless

[@emzee4742]

They only care about a backlight at night and sometimes care about a brake

[@armanmecaller3782]

Good One

[@johnagra4913]

What do you think about Moose Bicycle from Canada?

[@gerardoblancas5823]

What do you think of solé bikes

[@dart318swinger]

Preach! 🙌

[@willybeerington3049]

Is there a video where you help what size frame you should get depending how tall you are? Or anyone know a video?

[@justineaves1977]

Once every two weeks man, once every two weeks. That's so so so true😄😐😄

[@matthewevans4086]

Zach, l’m in Australia and can’t get a Wabi fixed gear cycle. Can you recommend an equivalent fixed gear bike available in Australia?

[@whxtewish2979]

Dosnoventa while running Japan got a ticket for not brakes😂

[@mikadobenny]

hey, I'm new to bikes. I just bought a bike for commuting to work. it's less than 5 miles. do I need cycling shorts? it seems like overkill. how far do you have to ride to justify cycling shorts?

[@noelyap7141]

is he in Singapore?

[@coopkeks458]

I can't even cross a road to my school, people won't even stop in a red light

[@markjthomson]

Gloves... for wiping the drip off the end of your nose! :)

[@Sicaoisdead]

Singlespeed brakeless all the way. Safe and efficient.

[@TheReenSan]

Thumbs up, shure

[@timboha8191]

The imagined confrontation with road ragers is always worse than the actual one. Just get out there, it’s almost never as bad as you think it’s gonna be. But some people are just flat out assholes.

[@simondr70]

Conversions get good feedback on Steel Fixed Gear group on Facebook ; )

[@christiandrescher6609]

My basket only holds bologna.

[@nowaymangoshtomuchna]

Brakeless here are my advices... just dont.

[@ohhi5237]

dont even!

[@nowaymangoshtomuchna]

@@ohhi5237 oh yes i will

[@ohhi5237]

@@nowaymangoshtomuchna just dont

[@nowaymangoshtomuchna]

@@ohhi5237 how about no ?

[@ohhi5237]

@@nowaymangoshtomuchna V....3 you dropped your icecream

[@valenciaetc]

Hey @Zach, how's the scene in NorCal? I'm in LA and just bought a mataro so I wanna have an idea of what to expect in CA

[@airwilliam24]

In the south bay, I haven't seen any fixed gear riders. Mostly road bikes and people commuting on hybrids.

[@valenciaetc]

@BeboSaab lol why mention they're Mexican?

[@emzee4742]

You gotta be careful for drivers in LA,i got hit by a van on my fixed gear. There's no scene,too. If there were to be it would probably only be hipsters riding around DTLA all day exploring craft breweries and artisan cafés lol

[@oasisd347]

people who lives in philippines: What the fuck is a bike lane

[@diegopacheco1483]

Are you ok man. You seem depressed??

[@jessa.4529]

He has said he has depression so yeah probably

[@simondr70]

Skream bikes dudes pics riding a A2 , lol !

[@Marcoco0]

in Malaysia they didn’t give a sh*t about brakeless

[@shortyenjoi]

“I don’t really do off road rides” 🤣🤣 what do you actually do? Ride your pristine clean bike in khakis and a button down with penny loafers is what I’m guessing.

[@dindinbalanza9891]

Zach are u half filipino?

[@mileswood3824]

So when are you gonna just slap a Wabi add at the midpoint of your videos too? not sure you're getting the point across with just the two massive "wabi is amazing blah blah blah" segments, id go for a third for maximum profit.

[@codycody792]

Mmbop!

[@ohhi5237]

8:40 bullshit, people LOVE overqualified people on min wage!

[@tennesseeoiler8899]

My hands sweat like a mofo...so I wear gloves when I ride. Otherwise I wouldn't wear them.

[@ohhi5237]

if you rub my shoulder while riding, you will walk home.

[@TheMeatKing]

Are you really gonna drink all that beer? LOL

[@joachimmacdonald2702]

Only non-messengers call messenger bags messenger bags

[@jeremoe1]

What do messengers call them?

[@joachimmacdonald2702]

Najja Foluke bag

[@deltoidsforaltoids]

so uh. 99.9999999 percent of people.

[@dawsdep]

don't bike messengers typically use bags that were made specifically for bike messengers? Seems kinda silly to call those bags something other than a "messenger bag"

[@joachimmacdonald2702]

Dawson DePretis yeah but when you and everyone in your community uses the same type of bag all the time there’s no point specifying because to you it’s just a bag and everyone knows what you mean - not saying couriers don’t ever call it a messenger bag, it’s just funny to me that Zach calls it that literally every time he mentions it

[@darrenren]

ricegum is tat u

[@S550Sheed]

Dude are you good . You look so dam sad now .

[@BobbyHorror]

I love how pretentious he is when he talks about other peoples pretentiousness

[@ghostysmoka]

:)

[@northsideripridahs2043]

No way ima ride with breaks in japan

[@ohhi5237]

"safely" just stop the bs and stop pretning using your feet is ANYTHING CLOSE TO USING BRAKES stop this childish bullshit NOW

[@queertales]

I'm visiting Tokyo now and have seen a number of fixed and/or single speed bikes, and all of them have had front and rear breaks. So you just confirmed my suspicious as to why? That said, Tokyo seems like a nice place to ride around in. Despite its huge size, there is surprisingly few cars and orderly traffic. Much easier than Taipei. I would just have to get used to riding on the wrong side of the road. ;)