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ndgo
Lv 4
ndgo asked in SportsCycling · 3 years ago

I have a coaster brake bike. It looks like a track bike but everyone hates it. Why?

The multigear people hate it because they say I can’t go long distance and I can’t go up hills. The Fixie people hate it because they say I’m a faker who wants to look like them but I have secret brakes or something. The singlespeed people hate me because they say I’m not gonna be able to stop because my brakes are gonna fail.

5 Answers

Relevance
  • 3 years ago

    I grew up riding single-speeds with coaster brakes. Yes, they're limited compared to a multi-speed bike (*so are fixies) but if if fits your needs it doesn't matter what other people think.

  • 3 years ago

    Here's things you should know about coaster brakes. My biggest dislike with a coaster only braking system is if your chain breaks or comes loose you have no way of stopping other than dragging your feet.

    https://www.sheldonbrown.com/coaster-brakes.html

    Source(s): Motorized bicycle owner and builder.
  • David
    Lv 6
    3 years ago

    The multi-gear people have a slight point, in that a bike with only one gear is a poorer choice for efficient riding in varying conditions.

    But ”hating” is over-reacting.

    It’s no concern of mine if you want to spend more effort than needed while riding.

    The single-speed people have a stronger point.

    Any bike w/o a front brake have about a 30% longer braking distance during hard braking than a bike with a working front brake.

    Doesn’t take much imagination to think of a situation where 30% longer braking distance would mean the difference between stopping in time or hitting something or someone - like another road user.

    Would you accept driving in traffic with a car with a 30% longer stopping distance?

    I’d get seriously annoyed if someone w/o a functional front brake collided with me.

    The fixie people don’t have any functional reasons, only aesthetic ones.

    And any brakeless fixie rider will have an even longer braking distance than you. They don’t have much say in the matter.

  • 3 years ago

    A track bike has drop down style handlebars. Probably looks like a street fixie. But the bottom line is...do you like it? If so, who gives a rat's @ss what other people think?

    Some people wonder why I LUV my touring bike. It's heavier & slower than a lot of other bikes. But it rides smooooooth.

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  • 3 years ago

    Who cares what they say? If you like your bike, use it and ignore what the jerks and snobs say.

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