Think Rowan's the perfect example of not needing stupidly good brakes to be an awesome rider. I guess good brakes will allow an average rider to keep stuff that probably they really shouldn't be able to, but a good rider can get past poor brakes while still making things. I like to have a solid brake that I know where it's going to bite, but I haven't had a harsh grind for years and hate loud magura's. The rear brake on my Inspired is really quite pants (Onza citrus pads on a very very worn grind) but I can still go up to back on stuff 50 odd inches high without a problem... Edit: However, as Muel said, on natural it definitely helps to have a good, strong brake which you know will work in all conditions. Hence why I use double disc on my Monty