Back brake

Is it safe enough for me to take my back brake of my single speed and just ride with the front or is both recommended, thanks

You need both if riding single speed. For safety, common sense and you can get fined if without. Plus single brake on a single speed looks really crappy.

What about if it's a fixie?

If it's fixed you just need the front brake but both is nice too. Don't go brakeless unless you're really fucking good.

Thanks for the info

I've had two brake cables fail within a week of each other on the same bike. You need two brakes if you enjoy life and want to continue with it.

And you need to maintain your bike.

@Fawnsy - top right of this here window - make use of the search. Some of your questions have been discussed before, and you'll learn a lot about bikes and the forum.

How exactly did they fail?

I've never heard of a brake cable just snapping without visible degradation beforehand.

I've seen one where the cable frayed inside the cable housing on a bend that was a bit on the tight side. I've had one where the barrel end just popped off under heavy braking. No "visible" degredation on either although the rider with the former did say the brake was getting abit spongey beforehand.

TBF, neither happened on fixed wheel bikes so there's probably no risk to fixie skidderz.

Possible with a full length housing if water gets in. My motorcycle throttle cable snapped in this way, rusted away at a low point near the throttle body.

I've seen this on motorbikes, which seem prone to snapping clutch/throttle cables, just not on bikes. Thanks for the replies.