Unless you're riding with a track fork that won't allow a brake, I'd put one on there. Brakeless=skids and skipping (yea you can do it with out it but sometimes you gotta if you're riding fast and desperately need to scrub off speed) Tires=$$$. I finally threw a brake on after realizing that. I still hardly use it because I'm so used to using my legs, but its nice to know its there if **** goes wrong and living in Connecticut I can finally bomb those hills without worrying what will happen to me If the light turns red or a car pulls out in front of me...