I don't get it, how do you guys stop without hand brakes? It takes me about 1/4 mile to stop w/o'em. Today in the rain on a slippery patch of pavement I managed a little skid but it was lame. Do you unweight the bike a little or what? I wanna skid!

Betcha there are tons of previous threads on this (search).

But to answer the question, yes, 'hop' a little bit and resist the rotation of the pedals (hard). If you're skidding to stop you may try 'skipping' or just backpedaling (resisting). If you're skidding for show you need to put almost all your weight on the front wheel. I'm not much for show, so I've never really tried to skid as far as possible...if I'm skidding I need to stop in a hurry. I've found a front brake is always a better stopper, though.

I've found a front brake is always a better stopper, though.Cheaper too. New rear tire = $30.00. Pair of new brake shoes = $9.00. And you get a lot more stopping from a pair of brake shoes than from a skidding tire.

Go to Youtube.com and search fixed gear. There are plenty of videos of guys skidding. Watch their technique. Even the ones that do if for show, will give you the technique. There is a great video of messengers in New York City that just fly through traffic and there are a few quick slow downs (not stops). Maybe with some of the advice you get here and watching the videos, it will happen.

But your crotch against the stem

But your crotch against the stem
Beautifully put.

OK, got it, I'm goin' skidding tomorrow, thanks :)

You can stop pretty fast without brakes or skidding as well. You can haus the pedals slower; you can move your body against the weight of the pedals and absorb the upstroke of the pedals with your joints; and you can carve.

These skills, especially the first two, come with time and practice. They're hard to explain.

skidding doesn't really stop you that well. skip stops and resisting are better. a front brake works extremely well. I ride brakeless and i've found that a slightly lower gear helps, not too low or you'll spin out.

skidding doesn't really stop you that well. skip stops and resisting are better. a front brake works extremely well. I ride brakeless and i've found that a slightly lower gear helps, not too low or you'll spin out.

How low is low? I'm running a 39X15 now.

Mess around with: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

You're at 70.2 inches, which is on lower side. I ride a 48 x 16, which is 81 inches and on the upper side.

It's all preference though.

Hopping is needed to unweight the wheel, as others have mentioned. For practice, I tried skidding in my garage as it's much smoother. Less resistance to get the wheel stopped and I could get the timing down without too much pain in my knees. Once you have the confidence, it's pretty easy. On the street, I'm still using the brakes, but it is fun once in awhile :)

Mark

I wanna skid!
Get a nice hickory hammer handle and insert it through the spokes just before the seat stays when moving. Skidding is absolutely guaranteed. For a more violent and much shorter skid, insert the shaft just before the fork crown.

70.2 inches is what i would consider slightly low. I've found 44x17 or 16 is a very managable, sensible gear. really depends on you though.

Get a nice hickory hammer handle and insert it through the spokes just before the seat stays when moving. Skidding is absolutely guaranteed. For a more violent and much shorter skid, insert the shaft just before the fork crown.
over here the more staunch bikers use their hands.