Originally Posted by
devilshaircut
I believe a long time ago on Sheldon Brown's site (I forget where.) I read that a front brake can provide all the necessary braking force you need and that a rear brake will give you no stopping force if the front brake is being used as much as possible.
Withing reason and if you are a responsible rider.
Fronts brakes are usually 3 times a effective as rear brake. But certain situations require a bias to the rear. To maximise performance for all situations, you need something that's going to slow or stop the rear tire .. whether it's a rear brake or backpedaling.