Brake even is what we need when we’ve got to stop that bicycle. We’d be in big trouble without brakes, wouldn’t we?

What little bicycle riding I did as a kid involved coaster brakes; the type that you operate by pedaling backwards. The kind I’m familiar with now is the rim brake, which has brake pads that contact the wheels’ rims.

My adult tricycle had front-wheel rim brakes only. Contrary to expectations, the tricycle’s brakes gripped harder when wet! Most of the time that wasn’t a problem. There was just once, on a misty morning, when I had trouble. I was approaching a stop sign, and not even going all that fast. I started to brake; and next thing I knew I was on the ground with the trike on top of me. Just what I needed, a temperamental tricycle!

Both my hybrid and road bike have rim brakes. During wet rides, when I know I have a stop coming up, I lightly hold the brakes for a few pedal strokes, to help get the worst of the moisture off of the wheels’ rims. Even so, it takes longer to stop than it would when I’m riding in dry conditions.

Disc brakes? I’ve never tried them. Here’s a pro and con discussion of rim vs disc brakes. If the latter are heavier, I’m probably better off with rim brakes.

Whatever kind of brakes you have, be sure they’re in good working order. You don’t want to break a leg if they don’t work. That’s not what brake even is about.