Originally Posted by
Kapusta
Regarding the danger of “panic braking” with a front brake only bike.....
Why is this more of a danger on a bike with one brake on the front than on a bike with both front and rear brakes?
If someone is just going to grab all the brake they can, and they can do so enough to go OTB or wash out, it really does not matter whether there is a rear brake
So why is it a particular concern now?
exactly this. If you ‘panic’ Brake and end up locking up the front wheel without shifting your weight, it will be exactly the same as having only a front brake. Therefore, the best advice isn’t to say you need two brakes, but that you should be practiced in proper braking technique, so that in such a situation, you don’t do the wrong thing. By this measure, having both brakes can be helpful, if you avoid locking up the front, to stop marginally faster. But with proper technique, you greatly minimise the need for a rear brake. Without technique, your rear is as good as useless.