No front brake
- Thread starter Grego
- Start date
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
That would a big NEGATIVE.
Perhaps he isn't a DHer?
And if it was a fixie, the cranks could slow you down.
Perhaps he isn't a DHer?
And if it was a fixie, the cranks could slow you down.
DangerDirtyD
iMTB Hooligan
Only if needed to get off the mountain. Maybe that dude is bored with riding otherwise.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
...or rear!
Voodoo Tom
MTB Addict
He does when I ride in front of him.
tick
Well-Known Member
Old BMXer who doesn’t know what he doesn’t know?
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
Didn’t we recently have a heated conversation about riding with one brake? I recall razzing someone who thought that the front brake alone is a deadly proposition that would result in instant endos or front-tire wash outs. I think it was NC Greg (@BonsaiNut). Since that argument I have tried several descents with front brake only just for shits and giggles. No problems. I would still prefer the rear if I only had one brake, but front brake is essential for actually stopping - and it’s not an instant endo unless you have no clue how to modulate the brake and/or shift your weight back a little.
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Cornholio
iMTB Rockstah
As someone who lost their rear brake just before reaching the top of Santiago Peak during Counting Coup 2017, I can argue that having rear brake only would be better than front brake only. I believe @mtnbikej saw me overshoot a turn or two on my way down Holy Jim that day trying to get down with no rear brakes.
The steep moon crater like terrain from the peak down to Holy Jim was actually the worst part. I would have way rather had just a rear brake there.
“By 1:30 the last racers had come through Bear Springs and Jason and I swept the course, following them down Holy Jim and back down Trabuco Wash to the finish line. One hardly soul, undaunted by having only the front brake, made it all the way down Holy Jim in one piece. Following him down the trail, I was impressed with his impressive efforts.”
Grego
iMTB Addict
I was really hoping for some "you'ld be crazy to mtb with only one brake" comments, then show him the thread. It is Vince riding around now with only one brake. 
I'm totally against this as I feel you need two brakes just in case... especially the way he rides... but he wont listen to me.
As a parent, I worry. I guess he'll learn his lesson when the time comes. I just hope the insurance will cover it.
I'm totally against this as I feel you need two brakes just in case... especially the way he rides... but he wont listen to me.
As a parent, I worry. I guess he'll learn his lesson when the time comes. I just hope the insurance will cover it.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
ScaryI was really hoping for some "you'ld be crazy to mtb with only one brake" comments, then show him the thread. It is Vince riding around now with only one brake.
I'm totally against this as I feel you need two brakes just in case... especially the way he rides... but he wont listen to me.
DangerDirtyD
iMTB Hooligan
Is it where the rear brake barely grabs (because that is a huge help)…or is a rear caliper/rotor and lever not even attached to the bike?I was really hoping for some "you'ld be crazy to mtb with only one brake" comments, then show him the thread. It is Vince riding around now with only one brake.
I'm totally against this as I feel you need two brakes just in case... especially the way he rides... but he wont listen to me.
Maybe for Floop it’s ok if he wants to putt around. But tell him he’ll be chasing me down Buena Vista from now on!
Grego
iMTB Addict
he took his front brake off
redwoods
Well-Known Member
I could imagine situations descending various trails where I might be able to make a rear-brake-only setup work. However, I’ll never try it for a couple reasons:
1) I’ve learned - deeply, instinctively - how to brake effectively after years of using both. I wouldn’t want to re-learn braking skills for little/no obvious benefit.
2) While I can imagine making it work on my trails, what I must also imagine are the situations that come up as surprises. For example, the hiker that didn’t hear my 95 dB cacophony as I approached not able to step aside in time (not that that’s what I expect, stay with me here), forcing me to make immediate high-consequence decisions to prevent tragedy. If I’ve deliberately made my bike less capable by, say, removing the front brake, then I’m more likely to a) cause a tragedy, and b) be legally vulnerable.
Non-starter (non-stopper?) from my perspective.
1) I’ve learned - deeply, instinctively - how to brake effectively after years of using both. I wouldn’t want to re-learn braking skills for little/no obvious benefit.
2) While I can imagine making it work on my trails, what I must also imagine are the situations that come up as surprises. For example, the hiker that didn’t hear my 95 dB cacophony as I approached not able to step aside in time (not that that’s what I expect, stay with me here), forcing me to make immediate high-consequence decisions to prevent tragedy. If I’ve deliberately made my bike less capable by, say, removing the front brake, then I’m more likely to a) cause a tragedy, and b) be legally vulnerable.
Non-starter (non-stopper?) from my perspective.
doublewide
iMTB Rockstah
Gotta get that front brake off if you wanna spin dem bars. 
evdog
iMTB Rockstah
Hard to nose wheelie down something steep with no front brake though. Priorities!Gotta get that front brake off if you wanna spin dem bars.
But seriously, not sure why anyone would think removing one brake voluntarily is a good idea. And the front brake at that. You might get away with it on some trails. But when you need it, you really need it.
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
I have to imagine that the number 42 fits into this formula somehow but so far, I cannot seem to figure it out.
Sidewalk
iMTB Rockstah
I always hesitate to use the "what do the pros do" because so often they do their sport so well that the average just can't compare.
But imagine telling any number of pro mountain bikers that you don't need a front brake. DH, Enduro, or XC. I'm sure every one would start with a blank, confused stare.
But imagine telling any number of pro mountain bikers that you don't need a front brake. DH, Enduro, or XC. I'm sure every one would start with a blank, confused stare.
Grego
iMTB Addict
DangerDirtyD
iMTB Hooligan
Vince! Nuggets! Let’s go ride!
It sounds like Vince wants to ride a Clunker.
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Voodoo Tom
MTB Addict
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Sidewalk
iMTB Rockstah
I thought about this thread just an hour ago. I was rolling down a steep rock slab that drops straight into a 90° right turn. My rear tire was floating over the rock as I was modulating my front brake. If he was following me he would either be forced to drop in slow to begin with to maintain control at the bottom, or just blow the corner and ride off the trail. Either scenario wouldn't ruin the ride per se, but I don't understand what would be enjoyable about it.
Hell, I've been considering upgrading my brakes for even better feel for a while. Listening to Remy Metailler talk about endoing his bike down rock slabs (like I did an hour ago, just, he does it better) is just not possible without the front brake.
Outside of doing bar spins (which, to be fair, is a legit reason NOT to run a front brake), why would you like to not run a brake? To intentionally ride slower, with less control? Grab a hardtail, if you want to be more hardcore make it an SS and/or rigid. But no front brake? Just seems absolutely silly.
I was riding at Skypark recently. After hitting the session jump at the bottom I was hitting the concrete section and using the front brake to go into a rolling endo. So much fun.
Hell, I've been considering upgrading my brakes for even better feel for a while. Listening to Remy Metailler talk about endoing his bike down rock slabs (like I did an hour ago, just, he does it better) is just not possible without the front brake.
Outside of doing bar spins (which, to be fair, is a legit reason NOT to run a front brake), why would you like to not run a brake? To intentionally ride slower, with less control? Grab a hardtail, if you want to be more hardcore make it an SS and/or rigid. But no front brake? Just seems absolutely silly.
I was riding at Skypark recently. After hitting the session jump at the bottom I was hitting the concrete section and using the front brake to go into a rolling endo. So much fun.