There is a need for brakes everywhere except a track. I cannot imagine any situation except on a track where not having brakes is better for actual riding. I have never been on a street and thought "yeah I wish I couldn't stop if needed in a controlled quick manner, that would suck" I get the cool factor of having knee and ankle problems when older and making brown streaks in the old white panties but in an unpredictable world I would much rather have the sure stopping power of a item designed to stop you rather than hoping some skidding will slow me down enough or my weaving skills will keep me alive. I mean no lies a brakeless bike looks nice but never have I ever not wanted to have them just to look better. My eeBrakes are sexy as hell and light as hell and stop really well so I get kind of nearly the best of everything or close enough.