I try to minimize usage of the front brake on my fixed-gear just like I minimize usage of any brake on any bike: If I'm in traffic, parks or the likes, I should be going slowly enough not to have to brake - If I'm constantly braking, I should probably slow down anyway. There's always a finger on the lever, though, for emergencies.

If I'm going on a sportive ride, there's not much reason to brake other than to scrub off some speed - which, on a fixed gear, is just as easy to do by pedaling slower. If I'm training (likely on the fixed-gear, then), the added effort of resisting the pedals is a plus in my book.


As for "lift-off": Once your straps arrive, you'll learn to start from whatever position the pedals are. I sometimes lift my rear wheel to realign them ("parallel with the downtube"), but more often, I simply give a push with the foot on the ground, and use the strap to pull the pedal upwards.