Yeah its quite beefy but you get use to it...I opted to keep both brakes on due to such a big gear...but the more I ride it, the easier it is to slow/stop. I commuted on it as a 52t x16t ss last year and didnt wanna change out the chainring or go bigger on the back cog hence the 15t.

The best part is being able to leave all the lil hipsters riding 38t x 15t in my dust...might be hard to lay skids down but hammering up a hill is where I get my kicks