Originally Posted by mihlbach

If you have a good front brake, the rear brake (no matter what type) is basically useless for an emergency stop. A rear brake is more useful for modulating speed or when conditions render use the front brake dangerous (loose gravel). I've ridden fixies with a front and rear brake and with only a front brake. I don't find the rear brake to be of much use. Backpedaling on a fixed gear is basically an appropriate surrogate for a rear caliper. I'll use the rear brake from time to time if I'm being lazy and don't feel like backpedaling to modulate speed, but I really don't feel that its necessary.