Some love their brakes and some don’t, I think it partly depends on the terrain you usually ride on - if it’s in Florida (too flat for brakes) or if you are in really good shape and not used to having them, then brakes are not much use. I think if you use brakes on trails without the Coker, then you’ll probably like them (even more) on a Coker. I found I like mine (but then, I’m a wimp on New England roads) after I put brakes on my Coker and posted this thread about them. Still, I’m planning a trip to the C&O canal and believe that I will remove them prior to the trip - after all, the C&O has only 600 feet of elevation in 184 miles - to save the weight.
I find that I actually go faster
down any hill with the brakes because I have more control.