Originally Posted by avalanche325
He DOES NOT talk about real world, not always in a straight line other than smooth surface braking. (he didn't intend to) He did not talk about using BOTH brakes and a proper weight shift, which gets you even more braking power and this is usable on rough surfaces and in turns. He didn't do this because he was trying to prove a SIMPLE, ideal condition theoretical point.
Possibly sheldon's point is that far too many people believe that the front brake is dangerous to use. His theoretical example is effective, valid and, as it happens, true. If you start talking about going downhill, speaking of real-world examples, the rear brake becomes next to useless - even with weight shift. Without using the front brake, you won't stop. Frankly, the only surfaces on which the front brake is more dangerous than the rear are ice and wet steel. If you give me the option of a front or rear brake, I'll take the front every time.