How to keep safe on a fixed-gear bike?
A few years ago, the news that “Zhejiang female college students fell from cliffs and died on ‘fixed gear’. The owner and the bike shop were sentenced to a total compensation of 660000” became the common focus inside and outside the cycling circle. In a moment when the life of the flowering season is fading away, the “fixed gear” bicycle, which has been highly concerned and criticized by people, has once again been pushed to the forefront of public opinion.
Whether compensated or not, the loss of life is irreversible. In order to avoid the recurrence of such a tragedy, today, we will introduce the relevant knowledge of the fixed-gear bicycle, the precautions for selection, and the correct use methods for readers.
Fixed gear, is characterized by that the rear flywheel does not have the clutch structure of an ordinary bicycle, but is only a gear with an independent structure. This shows that as long as the fixed-gear bike moves in any direction, its tooth disc will rotate in the corresponding direction with the rolling power of the rear wheel. That is unless the speed is 0, the rider’s feet will never be stationary, but will always be in the state of pedaling.
Rear flower drum and flywheel structure of fixed gear bike
It originated from track bike, that is, in professional competitions such as the Olympic Games, racers ride a kind of bike designed entirely for speed and chasing at high speed in a circular closed bicycle track. This kind of fixed gear bicycles used in professional competitions will not be equipped with brake devices during competition. Because of the particularity of its transmission structure, riders usually rely on their feet to generate force in the opposite direction of the transmission system to decelerate.
On around 2004, fixed gear bike was introduced into China as a trend culture. Its fresh appearance and positive cultural background were quickly accepted by young people, and became a necessary “play thing” for trendy men and women. However, many young people are too eager for appearance and speed, imitate the simple brake free configuration of professional track bikes, and go into some mistakes in vehicle assembly and technical training, resulting in numerous accidents caused by this kind of bikes.
How to select vehicles and parts correctly?
The simplicity of “Death Fly” is the focus of attention and the culprit of danger. When choosing a car, please do not neglect the following two points:
1. Frame size:
Please be sure to choose a frame that fits your size. If the height is 155cm, please select a frame with 49cm upper tube length. With this as the standard, the corresponding upper tube length of the frame will increase by 1cm for every 5cm increase in height. For example, riders with a height of 175-180cm can choose a frame with 53cm upper tube.
It’s OK if the frame is a little small. An oversized frame will reduce the cyclist’s ability to control the car and its stability when his feet touch the ground to a certain extent. Therefore, you must choose a frame size that is suitable for your height to ensure this safety.
2. Necessity of braking:
Many people believe that the beauty of “Dead Fly” comes from its simplicity without a brake system. That’s right, but remember that cities are not competition venues, and cyclists have to face complicated road conditions and various traffic emergencies! Although the “dead flying” car can rely on both feet for deceleration and emergency stop, without the installation of brakes, only the rear wheels can be braked. Even if the technology is skilled, the braking force is far less practical than that with the brakes. Therefore, in order to ensure safety, please install at least one front brake on the Dyke!
Please at least install the front brake to ensure that cyclists can brake the front and rear wheels together.
Skilled movements and standardized riding
1. Practice braking:
Many people have a question: how does the “dead fly” transmission system effectively brake? Indeed, if you do not cooperate with the brake system, you can only brake by foot action, and the effect is completely incomparable with that of a normal mechanical brake system. Since “dead flight” is selected, basic braking actions must be mastered:
(1) Normal deceleration:
When riding at a low or moderate speed, most of the “dead flying” riders can use their feet to naturally exert force backward to control the stepping frequency, thus reducing the speed. However, please master their strength before actually riding on the road.
(2) Learn Skid Action:
When doing this, lean forward slightly, leave the seat slightly, pull the front foot up (with “dog mouth cover”), and step on the back foot. This action will cause the rear wheel to lock directly and stop rotating. It is mainly used for braking when riding at a high speed. Skid action is more effective when braking in an emergency, and it is also a skill that every “dead flying” rider should master. When Skid is skilled, he can lock the rear wheels without using too much force.
Skid movement is a necessary skill for every “dead flying” rider
But even if you master the braking skills skillfully, you can only lock the rear wheels by controlling the braking with your feet, and you cannot reduce the speed in a very short time. Therefore, please be sure to install the brake and cooperate with the foot action to conduct the brake operation to fully ensure safety!
2. Control the riding speed:
This will not be detailed. The urban road is not a closed track, and the safety of Dead Flight is far lower than that of other kinds of bicycles. Please control your speed when you ride!
3. Select a proper riding road:
Please choose a relatively flat road section when riding the “dead fly”. “Dead Flying” is not suitable for steep downhills. Zhejiang girls cause accidents because they cannot effectively control their speed when going downhill. And even if the brake is installed, please do not go to mountain areas and other places to ride the fixed-gear bike!
4. Wear a helmet:
Needless to say, the function of the helmet. The driver of the “Dead Fly” should wear a helmet at all times when riding, not afraid of ten thousand, just in case!
Helmet protection is more important for “dead flying” riders.
The news of the unexpected departure of a blooming girl made every cyclist feel sad and heavy. While feeling sorry for the girl, I hope that every friend who has chosen or is going to choose “Dead Fly” can remember the precautions, assemble and operate the fixed-gear bicycle correctly and safely, and not let this tragedy happen again.
The news of the unexpected departure of a blooming girl made every cyclist feel sad and heavy. While feeling sorry for the girl, I hope that every friend who has chosen or is going to choose “Dead Fly” can remember the precautions, assemble and operate the fixed gear bicycle correctly and safely, and do not let this tragedy happen again.
