Front Brake only
#1
Front Brake only
Hello, I'm going to renovate an old folding bicycle with 20" wheels soon. It only has a front brake, the rear was rusty and scrapped. As it's just going to be an occasional use bike, folded up in a car trunk, and I'm not going for restoration I was wondering if I could get away with having only a front brake. As well as a "cleaner" custom look, It's a bit less weight and less cable and levers etc. to get in the way when folding. I'm not fitting mudguards either. I was wondering if anyone here has only a front brake on their bike. I'm a six foot chap and not light so I doubt I would be thrown over the handlebars if I braked hard, but maybe I'm fooling myself and I really should have front and rear no matter.
#2
Junior Member
I built a fixed gear bike a while ago with only a front brake. Some fixies are brakeless, but I wasn't about to go that route. I felt perfectly safe and was able to stop just about as fast as if there was a rear brake since it's possible to have enough weight transfer to the front wheel that the rear wheel is not doing any braking at all.
The only time I would really miss a rear brake would be downhill on a sketchy surface where inadvertently locking the rear wouldn't be nearly as unstable as locking the front. This was never an issue on my fixie, but it could be on my regular road bike.
The only time I would really miss a rear brake would be downhill on a sketchy surface where inadvertently locking the rear wouldn't be nearly as unstable as locking the front. This was never an issue on my fixie, but it could be on my regular road bike.
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#5
Senior Member
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On my shopping folder I have a front brake and a coaster brake hub on the rear. Mostly I use the front brake but sometimes the hub brake is useful, especially when loaded or some oik tries to pull out in front of me.
#6
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I built a fixed gear bike a while ago with only a front brake. Some fixies are brakeless, but I wasn't about to go that route. I felt perfectly safe and was able to stop just about as fast as if there was a rear brake since it's possible to have enough weight transfer to the front wheel that the rear wheel is not doing any braking at all.
The only time I would really miss a rear brake would be downhill on a sketchy surface where inadvertently locking the rear wouldn't be nearly as unstable as locking the front. This was never an issue on my fixie, but it could be on my regular road bike.
The only time I would really miss a rear brake would be downhill on a sketchy surface where inadvertently locking the rear wouldn't be nearly as unstable as locking the front. This was never an issue on my fixie, but it could be on my regular road bike.
#7
Senior Member
Hello, I'm going to renovate an old folding bicycle with 20" wheels soon. It only has a front brake, the rear was rusty and scrapped. As it's just going to be an occasional use bike, folded up in a car trunk, and I'm not going for restoration I was wondering if I could get away with having only a front brake. As well as a "cleaner" custom look, It's a bit less weight and less cable and levers etc. to get in the way when folding. I'm not fitting mudguards either. I was wondering if anyone here has only a front brake on their bike. I'm a six foot chap and not light so I doubt I would be thrown over the handlebars if I braked hard, but maybe I'm fooling myself and I really should have front and rear no matter.
#11
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I used to have a fix / free that I only kept a front brake on. I mostly rode fixed and only needed the brake on downhills. It worked fine when using the freewheel, but I kept my speed reasonable on long hills just to be sure.
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#13
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: North Vancouver
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#14
Senior Member
If you have only a front brake you need to ride accordingly. You can use rear brakes when turning. With a front brake only, you need to do all of your braking before turns.
If it was me, I would be fitting a rear brake. Safety is very important. If you have an accident once, it is too often.
If it was me, I would be fitting a rear brake. Safety is very important. If you have an accident once, it is too often.