Fixie bikes have different functions from the road, mountain, and other category bikes, fixie bikes do not need rear brakes for stopping the bike, because the pedals of these bikes perform well and are good for decreasing bike speed. installing rear brakes on a fixie bike totally depends on the rider, because most pro and experienced riders do not install rear brakes, pedals of fixie bikes require a lot of power and energy to stop the bike, old and unfit riders who usually commute on the terrains mostly install rear brakes on a fixie bike for making their bikes most comfortable, because their feet, knees, and toe of both legs do not support to stop bikes on the trails, but those riders which are easy and comfortable without rear brakes do not install rear brakes on their fixie bikes.
50% of fixie bike rides have rear brakes installed on their bikes because there is no disadvantage or any negative cons of rear brakes on fixie bikes, Riders have to make decisions on this issue depending on the trails and their riding style. both front and rear brakes would not cause any issue or problem on fixie bikes, most of the time when you are pedaling your fixie bike at higher speeds than it is normal if the chain length or default cogs and cassette of fixie start creating small issues, due to which chain of your bike starts skipping and slips from the teeth of the cog, in these circumstances when chain skips from the crankset or wheel then it is not possible to stop your bike with both of the pedals, these problems happen suddenly, if you are riding on slacked angle downhill terrains, there are more chances of accidents or crashes with the lack of front or rear brakes on a fixie.
Cables Of Rear Brakes On A Fixie Bike:
Frames and tubes of fixie bikes do not have any proper place or holes for inserting cables of rear brakes. you can drill small cable-sized holes in the tubes of the frame, but if your bike is new and you avoid drilling then you also have another option: buy a few zips tie straps and tighten the cables with the frame with the help of zip ties. tracking and making a clear way for brake cables on a fixed bike can easily be solved by bringing your bike to the LBS mechanic shop, he can give you proper advice and can easily fit cables of rear brakes on a fixed bike.
Uphill and Downhill Trails :
If you are using your fixie bike for uphill and downhill terrains then it is a must to install both front and rear brakes on your bike, brakes are necessary when the bike is descending at higher speeds, you have to decrease the time of the spinning of the front and rear wheels to control the speed and prevent sudden accidents or crashes, on the other hand when you are ascending with your fixie bike, brakes levers of both front and rear brakes on the handlebar of your fixie bike would lay a major role in giving a better grip to the rider and bike and also you can easily pedal your bike in standing position on the saddle, but if your bike does not contains brakes then it is not possible to pedal your fixie bike in a standing position from the saddle.
Front and Rear Brakes on a Fixie Bike:
Front brakes are usually used to decrease the speed of a fixie bike, while rear brakes are simply used for skidding and skipping rear tires, which means front brakes are more important than the rear brakes, and also rear brakes lock your rear wheel when you are riding at higher speeds, but also rear brake of fixie bikes have an advantage, these brakes do not cause sudden decreasing in the speed of bike as compared to pedal braking of fixie bike.
Disadvantages Of Rear Brakes On a Fixie Bike:
The calipers of the rear brakes would cause damage and problem in the case when you start pedaling in the backward direction, because the rear wheel of a fixie bike is fitted with the working capacity of both pedals, there are more chances of falling because the wheel completely locks up, if front brakes are installed in your bike, then you can also stop the rear wheel of your fixie bike by applying force on both pedals, when you are riding hard and aggressive terrains and suddenly you have found a big tree in front of you, then front brakes and pedal brakes of fixie bike would help you a lot as compared to rear brakes.
Advantages of Rear Brakes on a Fixie Bike:
When you are riding on steep downhill terrains or at crossing points from any traffic vehicle or riders, and you want to decrease your bike speed to a small level then rear brakes would help you a lot as compared to front brakes, and also when you have tired too much from pedal braking, and your legs and knees do not support further force to apply for stopping of the rear wheel then simply you can pull the levers of your rear brakes to increase the spinning time of your wheel. in cases when your front brakes have stopped working due to any issue or cable breaking then you need rear brakes, and also if you are co0ntinously using your front brakes on a fixie bike, then within a few months brake pads or rubber seals will totally expire, and ruin, and further you have to replace your front brakes, to avoid these conditions a little bit using of rear brakes would be a better decision to install in your rear wheel.
Conclusion:
Fixie bikes are those bikes that have been manufactured and made for high-speed racing because when you pedal much harder these bikes do not run but these will fly on roads and trails, there are pro riders who use these bikes just for long mileage racing, rear brakes would increase the weight on fixie bikes, increase bike weight would decrease bike speed, due to which riders are avoiding rear brakes on fixie bikes, but if you are using your fixie bike for daily chores or for commuting and touring purposes then it is better to have rear brakes installed on your bike.