One brake... Front or Back?

Question

I'm a minimalist, and I've gotten into cycling as a hobby. My newest creation revolves around a free steel frame I found all dusty and rusty.

It's now a decent singlespeed but I want to lose a brake for less weight and just less hassle.

A few friends of mine are big bikers too and they've gone with a front brake, taking off the back. With that I'm afraid of braking too hard and flipping forward. That would suck lol

In your experience have you had better braking power and safety with the front or back brake?

Thanks everyone and happy biking!

Answer 1

As the above post said, You do have more braking power up front.  But if your not experienced you could endo. Its takes practice just keep your weight back to help prevent you from doing a endo.  If you do rear your rear tire as bigger chance of slidding around on you and also cause premature wear on your tire.  

In your case its a personal pref, try both and see what you like then take the other off.

Answer 2

Front brake.  See link.

Answer 3

I'm with csu. you are not ready yet. ss riders with front brake only, are typically riding fixies. slowing your pedal stroke slows the back, but you still need your front brake. going with just a rear brake is dangerous, because it causes your back end to slide out from under you. just a brake on the front can cause you to endo..

Answer 4

ive been safe and get faster stops with a back brake

Answer 5

Are you guys idiots? The front brake will give you more stopping power, but only having one brake on a SS will be fatal.

Go fixed instead - You will also be able to stop by slowing down your pedal cycles

Answer 6

Well, i ride bmx and rear brakes only is basically the norm.  A front brake will slow you down quicker but you also have a greater potential to endo. (flip over the bars).  So i would say rear would be best bet.

Answer 7

For saftey you should just keep the back brakes

but always be careful cause you could fishtale.

Answer 8

I can't emphasize this enough...

If you have to ask this question you are not experienced enough to take a brake off.  It's a really really bad idea.

There's a good discussion of bicycle braking here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_and...