Originally Posted by treechunk
It really doesn't though. Coming to a complete stop faster is accomplished by slowing down faster. You can stop applying the braking forces at any time, but the process of decellerating is phyiscally faster with a brake. Therefore, if you are require to slow down the same amount in either situation, the brake will slow you down more quickly.
I finally understood what you are saying! You are right!
Let me sum it up:
There is nothing that a fixie with no handbrake can do that one with handbrake can't, but the one with the handbrake can stop faster which is an advantage at times. If there is a need for frequent fast stopping the handbraked one will win given equal riders. Of course if there is no need for stopping the brake won't help and the riders will tie. I was looking at it backwards.
Thanks for your patience and apologies for being so thick about this.