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When it comes to bicycle design, every component has its champions. Some riders swear by drop bars, others won’t ride without suspension forks, and plenty of people will fight tooth and chainring for their favorite saddle. But one feature that sparks consistent debate is the coaster brake, the back-pedal brake found on many cruiser bikes, kids’ bikes, and city bikes across Europe.
We get it. Coaster brakes are simple, clean, and intuitive. But since Brooklyn Bicycle Co. started building bikes back in 2011, we’ve been hyper-focused on safety. And for us, coaster brakes represent a dealbreaker: a single point of failure that’s too big to ignore.
The Case for Coaster Brakes
Before we air our grievances, let’s give coaster brakes their due. They’re popular for a reason.
1. Simplicity
No cables, no levers, no exposed hardware. Just pedal backward, and the bike slows down. This makes coaster brakes especially appealing for children’s bikes, rental fleets, and casual riders.
2. Low Maintenance
Because the mechanism is sealed inside the rear hub, there’s little to worry about when it comes to dirt, rain, or rust. Riders in cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen often choose coaster brakes for exactly this reason, less fuss in wet, salty, or grimy conditions.
3. Accessibility
Coaster brakes are intuitive for beginners who may not be comfortable managing two separate hand levers. The learning curve is short: pedal forward to go, pedal back to stop.
So yes, we understand their utility. But we’ve never been able to overlook what we consider a fundamental flaw.
The Problem: A Single Point of Failure
Here’s the catch: coaster brakes depend entirely on the chain. If the chain slips or snaps, the rider instantly loses the ability to stop the bike with their only brake.
At best, that means an anxious scramble to drag your feet along the pavement. At worst, it can cause an accident that was entirely preventable. For a company like ours, one that has built its reputation on safety, reliability, and rider peace of mind, this risk is unacceptable.
Our braking philosophy? Two hands, two brakes, zero single-point failures.
Why We Prioritize Hand Brakes Instead
Our bikes are designed with dual hand-operated rim or disc brakes, because redundancy matters. Here’s why:
1. Two Brakes Are Better Than One
Hand brakes give riders independent control of both the front and rear wheels. That means if one brake malfunctions, the other is still available. Safety systems need backups, and bicycles are no exception.
2. More Stopping Power
Front brakes, when used correctly, provide the majority of a bike’s stopping power. Coaster brakes, locked to the rear wheel, simply can’t match the braking efficiency of a well-designed hand brake system.
3. Better Modulation
Ever tried to gently ease to a stop with a coaster brake? It’s not easy. Hand brakes allow for far more finesse, you can feather them for a controlled slowdown or squeeze hard in an emergency.
4. Chain Independence
Most importantly, hand brakes don’t depend on the chain. A snapped chain might end your ride, but it won’t end your ability to stop safely.
But What About Tradition?
We know what some riders might say: “Coaster brakes have been around for over a century, they can’t be that bad.” And it’s true. Millions of people ride them every day without incident. In parts of Europe, coaster brakes are practically a cultural fixture.
But for us, the question isn’t whether coaster brakes are functional. It’s whether they’re the safest option for riders navigating modern city streets. With traffic, unpredictable drivers, and plenty of obstacles, we’d rather eliminate the single point of failure and give our riders more control, not less.
The Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Approach
When we set out to design our bikes, we weren’t chasing nostalgia, we were chasing confidence. We want our riders to feel secure in every situation, whether they’re rolling to the farmers market on a Sunday morning or commuting through Midtown traffic at rush hour.
That’s why every Brooklyn Bicycle Co. model comes with dual hand brakes, professionally assembled by a local mechanic before it ever reaches your hands. Because your bicycle shouldn’t just look good, it should be something you trust completely.
Final Thoughts
Coaster brakes will always have their fans, and we respect their place in cycling history. They’re simple, practical, and well-suited to certain riding environments. But for us, the tradeoff in safety isn’t worth it.
We choose hand brakes for every bike we design- not because it’s trendy, not because it’s cheaper (it isn’t), but because it’s safer. And when it comes to the people who ride our bikes, we’ll always choose safety first.
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We build bikes for vivid lives—for taking adventures, reconnecting with old friends, discovering new neighborhoods and exploring hidden gems. Inspired by the streets of Brooklyn, our bikes are built for style, comfort, and durability. Made with top quality parts, crafted with care, and sold at an affordable price, your bike is yours for life. We scrutinize every component for maximum sustainability and performance, and every millimeter of the frame for ultimate comfort and style. We take pride in our process, in our products, and in the people who sell them.
