General points:
The brake, located above the rear wheel, allows the rider to control the speed of the back wheel. This can be reducing it (applying on-and-off pressure) for Manuals or stopping the wheel entirely for Tyre-taps.
There is a wide range of different brakes, depending on the brand. They are rarely compatible with decks other than the one they were made for, through some cross-compatibility can occur either by coincidence or with slight modification.
Materials:
Brakes are usually made of steel or aluminum.
Aluminum brakes are light, and less likely to overheat than steel brakes. However, they will wear out pretty fast due to the wheel’s friction caused by contact.
Steel brakes often have a ‘flex-fender’ shape. They are more likely to overheat than aluminum brakes but are more durable. Depending on their thickness, they can be pretty heavy, and if they are flat, they can deform the wheel’s profile and make it flat.
Brakeless :
Brakeless is also an option now used in scootering, just like in BMX. When you acquire level and experience, you’ll use the brake less and less, as you have more control of your movement and speed without the need for it.
Knowing that every trick is also do-able without brake, it’s totally possible to not rely on it. The result is a slightly lighter deck at the back and a better rotation. However, great control would be necessary in order to ride that way, and many riders like the security of having a brake to avoid wearing the wheel down with their shoes.
That said, we still predict that it’s a habit that will becoming more common in the future.