This is the whole single-speed and (to a point) fixed gear appeal in a nutshell. Simplicity in this context takes away all those multi-gears and their attendent brifters and derailluers and leaves you with the basics, i.e. all you really need.

I still have brakes on my fixed gear bike, with plans to remove the rear brake as I become more skilled with "leg-braking" my fixie. Will probably leave the front brake on because, well . . . emergency stops happen .

Still, simplefication is good . Life is complicated, cycling doesn't need to be.

Rick / OCRR