Youngsters listen up: As it was a long time ago, this discussion has reminded me - and brought a grimace to my countenance - of the time when we had no brakes and used two leather-gloved hands and two awesomely strong legs to slow our bikes. Or was that just a practical joke played on me (constantly a gullible novice) by the seller of my old Olmo. Then, other than five fingers (each) grabbing the tires, the only applied friction was from the tire-savers!
JB Froke
Pebble Beach, CA