> Where is all this love for coaster brakes coming from?! Nowhere. They have pretty much disappeared from bikes for adults. Even the bicycle-shaped objects. Th

> Where is all this love for coaster brakes coming from?! Nowhere. They have pretty much disappeared from bikes for adults. Even the bicycle-shaped objects. The article mentions Shimano internal gear hubs with coaster brakes, but I think the popular versions of those hubs have a cable operated hub brake mechanism, not one that is operated by backward pedaling. The principle of operation may be similar, just not of activation. In the USA, a federal law requires them on sidewalk bikes for small kids. I believe that the coaster brake is better than any other brake that would be found on a kids' bike that retails for $80 or less. Can you imagine such a bike with disc brakes; what garbage they would be. As the article says, coaster brakes should be combined with a front brake. The front wheel provides more stopping power due to weight transfer to the front, and there should be redundant brakes in case one fails. Maintenance? Most people don't know how to do bike maintenance and don't bother. Coaster brakes don't require maintenance, unless you count rebuild with new grease after 60 years. That's pretty amazing. Brakes that require maintenance are dangerous in the hands of consumers who are not bike nerds, and who can't afford or don't bother to have their stuff serviced at the LBS.