Why build your bike?

Step 13 Brakes

A fixed-gear bike does not necessarily need brakes, although you may want rear and front brakes for safety.
First put the main brake screw through the fork. Then adjust the pad so that when they are closed they clamp on the rim of the wheel. Use a brake clamp to make sure the brake remains tight on the rim.
Place brake lever in a comfortable, easy to reach spot on the handlebars (typically, left is front brake, right is rear brake) and tighten.

With cable housing, measure the length between the brake and lever with a slight curve in the housing and cut with heavy duty wire snips. Place the cable housing into the lever and brake.

Cut a slightly longer piece of wire and feed it through the cable housing with the plugged end on the lever side and the bare end through the brake. After feeding it, pull hard on the wire and cut about 1½" from the clamp, tighten the clamp with an allen key and put an end cap on the wire with needle-nosed pliers. Take off what you are using to tighten the brakes and adjust the clamp and wheel as necessary to make sure the brakes are perfectly centered.

Comments

[rsybuchanan]

Personally, I find having only the drivetrain to slow/stop from speed isn't great when real stopping power is required. The rear wheel is as apt to skid as it is to stop you suddenly. A front brake excels at emergency stopping, though, so the extra weight and work is definitely worth it in those cases.

[backyardwrench]

I agree, a brakeless fixie is a safety concern, as it cannot make an effective panic stop. A skid stop is nowhere near as short as one done with a brake within the tire's traction limit. That extra 5 feet of stopping distance can keep you out of real danger. A front brake is adequate, as it does about 85% of the work anyway.