Front only most of the time. Back for additional stopping power or control, or if conditions are slippery or loose, or if right hand is occupied with signalling.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Braking technique
(44 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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That reminds me: I put the brake lever on the left on both my fixies. If I'm downhill and turning right, I want the burly brake to be accessible without making signalling impossible. I don't mind the inferior braking for left turns because Unpredictable Stuff happens much less on them, and if something does, it's a safe option to bail on the turn, overshoot and walk back to it.
I really cannot remember whether I ripped off Dave's reasoning on this matter or didn't differ with the fool. Either way, I think it's madness to have left/rear, right/front on UK roads.
Posted 11 years ago # -
For a while I tried to get used to euro brake setup on my other bikes, but it didn't work (critically, you can't really ride a mountain bike safely if you can't remember which brake does what and grab the wrong one). So I just went back to normal brakes on everything with two levers, and left hand only on the ones with front brake only.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Depends on road conditions, I would go for back and then both to avoid the chance of coming off if it's slippy. Most of the time I use my front to slow me down a wee bit before using both to fully stop.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Front on Fuego as BB7. Even lifted back wheel but not so easy to go over bars on a recliner. As soon as you apply heavy braking most weight goes to front.
I do use both on longer slowing up situations.Race recumbents (ideally) put disc front and rim on back. Rim brake often just cleans rim, slows, and won't lock up. (long cable on these bikes).
On a Helios tandem same thing really although cornering and braking in slippy conditions can result in a drop with a disc (as people have found out).
Posted 11 years ago # -
Mostly front with a bit of back to steady things down. On the motorised bicycle about 75% front 25% rear, though on the big silly one it's a linked system anyway!
Posted 11 years ago # -
@smudge
VFR rider?
Like most motorbicylists on a pedal cycle I brake first on the front to throw the weight forward and load up the front tyre, then get on the back, assuming there's a pressing need to stop. And I always cable my bikes American style - front brake on the left, so that I can signal a right turn on Dundas Street and slow down at the same time.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Like others above, the answer tends to depend on surface, speed, gradient, weather, and how much of an emergency is involved. On a good surface, in a straight line, mostly front only.
A club mate very kindly lent me his carbon road bike a couple of years ago for a long hilly sportive. Which was great except that he wires his brakes up the foreign way. I do get the logic of this for right turn signals downhill (though the countries that wire their brakes this way would have the same problem with left turns!), but when you're used to the 'normal' orientation it can be pretty scary. Especially when you're on a road you've never ridden before, with an awful surface, a steep downhill gradient, and a series of 90 degree bends. I think overall the descents actually tired me out more than the climbs due to the amount of concentration required!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Depends on too many factors to say. Overall, I use both or either but the front is clearly going to dissipate the vast majority of speed in most cases.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Front mainly unless conditions dictate otherwise.
No one uses their feet these days? (I did try using my helmet and shoulder last year but it wasn't very effective)
Posted 11 years ago # -
I did try using my helmet and shoulder last year but it wasn't very effective
I wouldn't say that. You did stop, after all!
Posted 11 years ago # -
I used the rear coaster brake on a hire bike last week in torrential rain. Great back wheel slides made me feel twelve years old again.
It was about the only thing the coaster brake was good for.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I wouldn't say that. You did stop, after all!
I would include in the definition of a successful stop the ability to start again within a reasonable interval of time.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Great back wheel slides made me feel twelve years old again."
That sounds like fun (if a little expensive)
Posted 11 years ago #
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