Very good questions. The smoking loon (I know, strange name for a bike) has motorcycle disc brakes. They stop the bike very well. The smoking loon bicycle was built by Nirve for the Smoking Loon Wine Company. AGK altered the geometry of the frame for engine figment, chain alignment and tire issues in such a way that the frame is very strong, and he told me that he spent more than $400 dollars for a bike shop to build the wheels. I removed the rear wheel a couple weeks ago and the bearings and spokes are in excellent condition. This is not a cheaply built bicycle. It was properly built: by a person who is honest, knows what he is doing, has many years of full time on the job experience and to run in the 212cc spec class motorized bicycle races in Southern California few years ago. Please check close the YouTube video: smoking loon 212cc Predator build by affordable go karts. An average person cannot build a properly built 212cc motorized bicycle, they require skill and tools.