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@ftony
well i gotta admit that i was on a SS with a single brake until a week or so ago when i had to face up to the dangers the hard way. i bought the bike with only a front brake when i didn't really know much about bikes despite commuting for a few years.
i'm a very careful, perceptive and sensible cyclist and always thought i could get away with it "because other SS single brakers were clearly just morons and i was sensible". um, let's just say it didn't work out quite like that when i had to brake hard when a car pulled across me and i flew over my handlebars on the Bethnal Green Road. luckily i got away with grazes but it could have been a lot worse if it was busier.
So it was either get a rear brake or get a fixed wheel, and i opted for the latter because it's always been my plan but i never got round to it. i have now bought a track wheel and the bike is off-limits til i've attached it and i'm confident enough on a fixed for proper roads.
so there ya go. i learned the hard way, and i feel pretty silly for it tbh. my recommendation is don't bother with the hard way. (although peeling massive scabs off your elbow is a lot of fun.)