Comments on: Rod Brakes Are the New Fixed Gear

By: Open Bicycle » Roadsterama!

Open Bicycle » Roadsterama! — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:52:59 +0000

[...] seems my earlier prognosis about rod brakes has come true. Yielding to the demands of the times, Open is clearing its stock [...]

By: Ray

Ray — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:01:11 +0000

I love a rod-braked roadster, but not in rain, I’d like to also have a fixed wheel in that case.

@Velouria: Leaning your body back brakes in what manner, friction?
I don’t understand.

By: Dottie

Dottie — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:13:20 +0000

Enjoy the rod brake craze while it lasts – I heard roller brakes are the new rod brakes

By: Selectism | Around the Web | Selectism.com

Selectism | Around the Web | Selectism.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:48:20 +0000

[...] “I have it under good authority that rod brakes are the new fixed gear. Just wait and see: This time next year, any cyclist worth their salt will be riding proudly upon one of these hi-ten steel beauties – cottered cranks glistening in the Autumn light and brakes mooing soothingly at intersections. What, you doubt me?” (openbicycleblog) [...]

By: FlyFixie

FlyFixie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:20:11 +0000

Wow… i love setting a trend. So I guess I’d better finish up my fixie with the rod brake on the front!

By: Velouria

Velouria — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:42:35 +0000

For the record, well adjusted rod brakes work just fine when it is not raining. Some will make that gentle mooing sound – but it’s quite nice really. In the rain though, the stopping power is %&/( … but you can learn to brake by leaning your body back. And who doesn’t like to learn new skills?

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:45:01 +0000

Velouria, you’re full of it, but dream on!

There aren’t enough DL-1’s of any type to go around, much less become a “craze”. You bask in the exclusivity of the Roadster, you are one of the “lucky ones”. The Sportsters, the 26″ 3-speeders, are the mass of wanna-be’s who must be content with 2″ less.

I have recently been restoring an India-built Hercules roadster from the 50’s or 60’s, which came to me with 26″ wheels and a coaster brake. Only after stripping and repainting, then trying to figure out what wheels and gear to mount, have come to realize what it originally was. This will be a speedster compared to yours, as it will have 27″ alloy wheels.

I will be looking forward to your posts here.

By: Eric S.

Eric S. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:05:35 +0000

I think you’re right.

And for those concerned with the lack of braking-power, most of the converts won’t have any brakes on their current bikes to begin with.