[mhd]

The pictures are a bit blurry and I'm not up to date on my hipster brake technology, but he seems to have hand brakes. With enough clearance, this shouldn't be a big problem.

[maximilianburke]

I think the other poster he meant disc brakes vs. centre pull/cantilever cable-actuated brakes.

[TimMontague]

Ah yes, disc brakes would explain it.