Front brakes , what are they good for ?

[RufusChucklebutty]

I was pondering the other day that in the last ten years I can't ever think of ever using my front brake, I've never even fitted a new brake pad, my rear brake stops me fine at any speed and if I used a front at any kind of speed I would go head first over the handle bars. The only use for it I can see on a normal commuting or leisure bike is if the rear brake cable snaps, something that has never happened to me. I can't speak for competitive mountain bike or stunt riders because I don't do that.

I have a 6 mile commute once a week along the flat canal towpath and the bike I use has no front brake ( or front mech ) I just don't need them.

Possibly doubling up the cable to the rear brake would give you a safety fall back and eliminate the front brake entirely ?

 

[IBarrett]

I need both my brakes when going downhill or my fat 'arris would be like a runaway truck heading to a disaster on most downhills.

 

[Drago]

Weight transfer makes the rear brake a poor performer when the brown stuff hits the bladed rotating object.

 

[Milkfloat]

I probably do about 80% of braking with my front brake, although I use both brakes pretty much every time I stop. About the only time I don't favour the front is on slippery surfaces.

 

[Twilkes]

The front brake will stop you more quickly.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

 

[ianrauk]

I'm always wearing out front brake pads far quicker then rear.

 

[Dogtrousers]

As above. I use my front brake most of the time. Rear for gradual speed reduction. Front/both for stopping. Front pads wear out first but I normally replace both together because if I'm going to faff around I may as well kill two birds with one stone.

 

[si_c]

I only favour my rear brake in icy conditions, and sometimes not even then - your front brake provides the majority of your braking performance.

Haven't been in danger of going over the handlebars since I was about ten.

 

[DCLane]

Ride only on the flat?
Go slowly?

Yes to one/both of the above and the rear is fine on it's own.

Me? I live in the hills and the front stops me much faster than the rear, as a result I wear the front pads more heavily than the rear.

 

[Illaveago]

As has been said above , the majority of the braking is done with the front brake . The weight transfer places more weight onto the front wheel under braking and lessens that on the rear wheel. The rear brake acts more as a steadying influence .

 

[Randy Butternubs]

If you brace against the handlebars you won't go over them unless you are doing extreme braking. You can shift your weight back behind the saddle to help if you are bombing down alpine descents or something.

 

[Twilkes]

As has been said above , the majority of the braking is done with the front brake . The weight transfer places more weight onto the front wheel under braking and lessens that on the rear wheel. The rear brake acts more as a steadying influence .

Front brake: 'Down with this sort of thing!'
Rear brake: 'Careful now.'

 

[fossyant]

Front brake for stopping, rear one controlling speed, or most importantly, when descending a steep tricky off road trail, 'don't use the front brake' - repeat...'don't use the front brake'.

 

[fossyant]

Obviously not near traffic either - I used three brakes - very effective (fixed gear leg braking and two brakes).

 

[Ajax Bay]

Front brakes are good for decelerating and allowing the rider to react to the unexpected actions of others, to the benefit of all.

the bike I use has no front brake

Riding a bike with a freewheeling capability, with only one operable brake is a completely unnecessary risk: to both the rider and third parties.