Yep , they do break (in contrast to what George says later). In fact they
probably break at somewhere near the frequency that chains break although
current brake cables are less likely to break than in the past. In contrast
modern chains are more likely to break than old 5 speed chains. Failure of
a brake is a reason to have 2 brakes on a freewheel bike. Since a fixed
gear has another way to stop it only needs one brake to give you sufficient
redundancy and that should be on the front. A coaster brake bike will be at
similar risk to a fixed gear if the chain breaks but they are only put on
bikes not designed to go very fast. In fact, is a full size adult on a
large wheel bike can melt a coaster brake on a decent descent:

http://www.bicyclesource.com/bike/choosing/brakes-paper.shtml

It seems clear to me that if a coaster brake alone is legal then a fixed
gear alone should also be legal, although I would not suggest it (not that I
did not do it when I was young and stupid.).

Mike Murray

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Becky and Nikos
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 21:51 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Multnomah County Judge's Ruling: Fixed-gearBikes

Don't brake cables break?

Seriously, aren't the risks similar?

Nikos

----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Austin"
To: ; "J.Michael Manning"
Cc: ;
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 1:57 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Multnomah County Judge's Ruling: Fixed-gearBikes

> Sometimes chains brake.
>
> Sometimes chains break.
>
> If the latter happens, and I have no brakes, I might end up with
> several breaks.
>
> Craig

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