Wanted: bmx

http://www.lfgss.com/thread42270.html
250 quids

Bosh! thats an epic deal... think the frame alone would of cost more new... nice one.

As for brakes... do what you want, but bear in mind a few things -

(1) BMXers often go to some sketchy (am I using the right lingo?) places? When chased and trying to escape I would definitely go faster if I knew I could slow down again if a car pulled out in front of me.
(2) It is a trend, brakeless. The trend is 'go fast, go high, go big, do the same 3 tricks as every other cunt out there. simple and light is best, therefore no brakes'.
(3) The technical end of BMX is more interesting (not better, more interesting), and many tech riders use 2 brakes. There was even an event / DVD called 'front brake revolution' - the trends in BMX were (are) so anti-brake that to have an event for tech riders who used brakes was 'revolutionary'.
(4) It is safer and more legal on the street to ride with brakes.

I do literally know nothing about BMX so take the above with a large pinch of salt.

1) Not all BMXers are 14 years old, if an estate or area is too rough common sense prevails and it's given the berth, and no one over the age of 14 runs from the police.
2) Trend, evolution, progression, bent, all just words, it's a different way of riding...
3) My friends who ride brakless are amongst the techest of the group, backwards forwards wobble spin... all of that. people moved away from front brakes in the same way they moved away from 6 sets of pegs and bashguards.
4) Fair point...

Have fun with your new purchase, go watch Anthem II for some inspiration... (trailer online atm dvd out in a few weeks, finally!)

http://bicycleunion.com/2010/11/02/anthem-ii-trailer/