Originally Posted by
solipsist716
Have your LBS toss on a rear brake when your freewheel is installed. Extra stopping power is a good thing. You wouldn't ride a regular road bike with just one brake, right? Just my two cents.
People say rear brakes are bad for riding fixed because any back-pressure from the pedals in combination with hand-braking will cause the wheel to lock into a skid very quickly and easily, in my experience. Lots of people ride with two brakes and like it, though.
Interesting. Maybe I'll dig through my parts bin and try the bike out with a rear brake before I add a a freewheel. It seems like that would be a good idea either way. I love the simplicity, speed and efficiency of the fixed gear, but it just feels a little less safe to me. Maybe with the addition of a rear brake I'd enjoy it a bit more.