Do I need a front brake?
 

New to cross, but not bikes. I rode BMX for a long time, but recently thought I would try racing cross.
I will be running single speed, I'm just not a big fan of running a geared bike.

I'm riding a Rob Roy frameset with Formula hubs laced to Mavic Open Pros.. (are these too heavy for racing)? I'm also going to use flat bars.. which I know many people don't favor, but I'd like to try a race with them before switching to drops or mustache bars. I thought flats would make me feel more comfortable since I'm coming from BMX.

I'm only running a rear v-brake. Only because, at first, I didn't have enough money to get a front brake setup. I've been riding the bike for over a month now on some mountain bike trails and kind of forgot about it. Is it necessary to have a front brake?

Only if you want be able to stop.

Only if you plan to stop. I don't have one. 'Haven't stopped moving since 1965. My legs are really tired, but my left hand isn't.

'Hope that helps.

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think USAC (assuming this is your governing body) requires freewheeled bicycles to have two functioning handbrakes. Rule 1J3 isn't complete specific, but 1J2 (equipment must be safe for all competing) might preclude your single-brakeness, depending on the official.

Yes.

If anything move the rear brake to the front.

Most of your stopping power comes from your front brake.

yes you need both brakes.

Agreed.
If you're only going to run one, you want it on the front, my friend.
But if you've only been running a rear brake thus far, then....pshh....I don't even know? do you need brakes at all? haha, I think you can best answer this question.

BMX isn't really biking though.

I don't believe they allow flat bars either. May want to look at some mustache bars.

YMMV, but I think the general consensus is that they aren't allowed in sanctioned races, but may be allowed in non-sanctioned races.

i think this needs to be a sticky. i answer this question in some form at least five times a season. the short answer is that they do allow flat bars in cyclocross races.

there are two governing bodies that set rules for cyclocross races. the USCF is the one that puts on most local races, and the UCI is the international body. UCI rules only apply to the elite category (cats 1 and maybe 2) of certain races. there are only one or two regular posters on here that need to even think about UCI rules.

for the beginner, USCF rules are the only ones that matter. USCF does allow flat bars.

this is wrong. flat bars are allowed in the lower categories of all sanctioned races.

it is not a matter of consensus, or opionion (although everybody seems to have a different one). USCF rules on road, track and cyclocross are clear about what's allowed and are available here:
http://www.usacycling.org/forms/RdTrkCx_rulebook.pdf