commuting autumn, spring, winter - front brake?
 

I might not commute in the coldest winter period in Montreal but was thinking about late fall and early spring when there might occasionally be ice on the road.
Do you think just having a front brake only might make it more likely to slip?

Even with studded tires, I don't use my front brake at all when on ice or snow.

So, I should just back pedal in winter or put an extra brake on?

What king of brakes are you using now? Coaster?

Sheared the head off the pad retaining bolt on my bad weather bike's rear disc caliper,so I couldn't change the pads. So I would only use the the rear brake when absolutely necessary. Rode through Snowpocalypse and Snowmageddon up and down Mass Ave north of AU with basically just the front brake. No issues.

Keep your speed down and learn to properly use your brakes. Practice on gravel.

Front brake for me is a last resort if rear brake isn't gonna give me the stoppage that i need. You could try a coaster brake on rear, as they are sealed from the elements unlike rim & disc.

- Andy