Folding Bikes - question about brakes for dahon boardwalk

from the pix...the dahon boardwalk 2008 looks like it only have 1 brake for the front wheel. what about the back wheel? isn't it kinda dangerous just having a brake for the front wheel and not the back wheel. if anything i rather have brakes in the back wheel instead of the front. what do u guys think?

The Boardwalk has a coaster brake for the back wheel. Coaster brakes are engaged when you go backwards on the pedals.

--sam

Two things:

First, the boardwalk does have a rear brake - a coaster brake (just pedal backwards).

Second, developing the ability to brake well depends on being able to use your front brake properly. Under most conditions the front brake provides the vast majority of your braking power. On an upright folding bike this is slightly less of a factor than on other bikes, but it still holds.

Read: http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

That's not to say that you can't stop by using the rear brake primarily, but that if someday you need to stop on a dime due to an impending accident it would be good to know how to properly use your front brake.

cool...even better. thx.

Two things:

First, the boardwalk does have a rear brake - a coaster brake (just pedal backwards).

Second, developing the ability to brake well depends on being able to use your front brake properly. Under most conditions the front brake provides the vast majority of your braking power. On an upright folding bike this is slightly less of a factor than on other bikes, but it still holds.

Read: http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

That's not to say that you can't stop by using the rear brake primarily, but that if someday you need to stop on a dime due to an impending accident it would be good to know how to properly use your front brake.

i guess in most situation except when going downhill in full speed and then u need to stop quickly and then use only ur front brakes...guess what happen..u will flip over.

I removed the coaster brake /wheel on my boardwalk and went with a freewheel rim and only use the front brake.

i guess in most situation except when going downhill in full speed and then u need to stop quickly and then use only ur front brakes...guess what happen..u will flip over.

Only if you don't know what you're doing.

You need to redistribute your weight and stiffen your arms. It's not hard, but does require practice and familiarity with your brakes.

When going fast down hills, if you attempt to brake in an emergency only using your rear brakes you will take a much longer time to stop than you would using the front brake. You'll probably skid as well. The flipping over seems to be done by people who are not used to using their front brake properly who panic grab a whole lot of front brake and are not ready for it.

Again, read what Sheldon has to say on the matter.

On the Twenty I only use the front brake. I'm thinking about removing the rear altogether. I remember when I was a kid I hated using the front brake because I didn't know how to properly. If you're older than 12, and using the front brake (in a normal situation) causes you to flip over your bars, no more bike for you. Get a Razor.