Why would my bike shop do this?

I just picked up my bike from the shop where I dropped it off for a tune-up. I got there just in time before they closed. I took the bike onto the road and headed home. A couple of blocks later I noticed that the breaking was funny. I have ALWAYS (for the last 5 yrs) had my bike set up so that the right hand controls the front brake. I know that it isn't "supposed" to be like that (here in the U.S.) but I prefer the front brake and want it controlled by my (dominant) right hand. But presumably because it was "wrong" the shop switched it without telling me. Since they are closed now, and I have no tools at home, I will have to make it through my ride tomorrow morning with my brakes backwards. I am upset, because I don't think this is safe and think that the shop should have consulted with me first before making that change. I guess I am just venting, but I do think this is a safety issue that they should have thought about.

I think you should hear their explanation before getting angry. Maybe there is a logical explanation (like, it was a mistake). If they did it intentionally, and then didn't mention it, you may want to find another shop.

I agree with Red. I would assume that it was a mistake and ask them about it. They should not have changed it without your input but I would still give them a chance to explain themselves.

I once told a mechanic quite clearly that I wanted them to change my chain. When I picked up my bike they didn't do it. Their explanation was that they measured the chain slack and decided that it didn't need to be changed. I politely told them that I knew how much mileage was on that chain and regardless of the measurement they took, I wanted it changed. Sometimes the wrenches don't think we know what we want, but if you make yourself clear, they usually listen. That's what happened in my case anyway.

+1 They probably thought it was unsafe to be backwards...

I also agree with Red. Assuming it was something that they would have had to remove the brakes for the mechanic could have just been on autopilot re-installing them, etc. I'd certainly ask them about it, have them fix it, and be sure to be clear that you want them "backwards" in the future.

If they had no reason to remove the brakes then I certainly agree they most definitely should have consulted with you before taking the initiative to "fix" it. How they responded when I brought it back in would determine whether or not they ever touched my bike again at that point.

I think bikes set up here in Aust are the same way as your bike. I purchased my bikes in the USA and so they are the other way around. I can tell you I would not be happy if they decided to change them around without consulting me. I like them just they way they are and because it is what I know I feel it is safer to keep it that way even if it is different from the norm here in Australia.

http://www.bv.com.au/bikes-&-riding/11156/

I'll give you that you should go into the shop with a clear mind and let them explain, but personally I'd be furious.

We're talking about your ability to stop which could cause a fatal accident! I had the bike shop change over all my bikes to have the front brake on the right hand and they didn't want to but they did it after my explaining why. It's more natural to me, it was after an accident and I didn't have full strength in my left arm, etc. If they felt it was a safety issue they should have spoken to you before changing it. This shows complete disregard for your safety and disrespect (in my opinion). I ride with my son attached with a tag-a-long and that puts multiple people at risk. I shudder to think...

I'd like to hear their reasoning. And I'm sure I'd give them a respectable piece of my mind.....

+1 on it likely being a mistake.

"Tune-up" can mean a lot of things in a lot of shops, but an annual service likely means replacing the cables and housings, and if they did that, then it's also likely that they pulled out all the old cables and housings, didn't pay attention to the backwards routing, and then installed the new ones the "normal" way without even realizing they'd made a change.

I think if it were me I'd have mentioned it when I brought the bike in, to make sure they were aware of it.

That said - I replaced my levers way back in I think February, and because the LBS offered me a great price including installation, I went ahead and let them do it. Should've done it myself, because they didn't put the levers back where they were. :mad::mad: And they did such a pretty job of taping the ergo bars, whereas I'm such a klutz about it, that I haven't wanted to move the levers back, so I've been riding for the last 2700 miles with levers in an uncomfortable position. :rolleyes:

I have always run my brakes like a motorcycle, i.e. backwards for most cyclists. The reason for this was that my husband was a motorcyclist and he changed all his bikes over cause that was what he was used to; so when I started riding he did this for me too. I'm used to it. Whenever I take my bike into the shop, I always give them a heads up that I want my brakes backwards - and they will be in trouble if they change it. I also have to warn people before they ride one of my bikes that it is backwards and to watch how they pull the brakes. It is not so much a big deal on the road bike since I more often than not brake both brakes at a time, unless I am pedaling against the brake in a peloton.

On the mountain bike, I do have to be cognizant of which brake I am using for certain situations. So, if someone were to change my brakes, I would be in big trouble! I don't want to be hitting front brake going down a drop off or something! Yikes!

It is no safer one way or another, it is just what you get used to.

spoke

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Originally Posted by MartianDestiny

I also agree with Red. Assuming it was something that they would have had to remove the brakes for the mechanic could have just been on autopilot re-installing them, etc. I'd certainly ask them about it, have them fix it, and be sure to be clear that you want them "backwards" in the future.

If they had no reason to remove the brakes then I certainly agree they most definitely should have consulted with you before taking the initiative to "fix" it. How they responded when I brought it back in would determine whether or not they ever touched my bike again at that point.

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Well said. I think they were just used to the "standard" configuration and put them back that way without thinking. Hopefully they will be willing to switch it back for you--if not, that is an indication to find a different shop! Incidentally, I have one bike with each brake configuration--the hybrid (which I started with) has the standard US setup while the touring bike I just got came with the front brake lever on the right. I wasn't too sure about that setup when I realized they were "backwards" but decided to give it a chance and found that I'm OK with it. Now if I could just do something about the levers--they're a little hard for my small hands to grab strongly.

I agree that they probably replaced the cables and didn't remember you had it switched. Frustrating but I bet there is a logical explanation and they will feel really bad for putting you in the situation. If not, I would move along to another shop!

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Originally Posted by Trekhawk

I think bikes set up here in Aust are the same way as your bike. I purchased my bikes in the USA and so they are the other way around. I can tell you I would not be happy if they decided to change them around without consulting me. I like them just they way they are and because it is what I know I feel it is safer to keep it that way even if it is different from the norm here in Australia.

http://www.bv.com.au/bikes-&-riding/11156/

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Exactly. There is nothing unsafe about having the right hand control the front brake. In fact, I think it's highly irresponsible and unsafe of the shop to switch out the controls without telling you.

I'd be really, really irritated and demand they switch it back first thing. I would not for one second listen to their lame explanations. It is completely safe to set it up the way you had it.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

+1 They probably thought it was unsafe to be backwards...

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Yeah, before you get really irritated, just ask them. As a rider, always check your bike before you go winging off, to make sure there isn't a brake open or a quick release undone.
Our police mtb association (mtbs on the road as patrol bikes) addressed this problem once...some officers were sniping because they wanted the front brake in this or the other hand. The point the association made is that if you grab a brake, you want to grab the back one first (and I am sure I don't need to explain why). If every bike is set up the same way every time, then everyone gets used to proper and safe braking techniques on whatever bike they are on, no matter which hand is dominant, etc. etc. etc. Having said that, it is your bike and if the right hand works for you, rock on. But I would ask the shop to fix it asap. But since most bikes are set up (for a reason) the opposite way, you might have to check it...or make sure to note it on the work order.

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Originally Posted by spokewench

I have always run my brakes like a motorcycle, i.e. backwards for most cyclists. The reason for this was that my husband was a motorcyclist and he changed all his bikes over cause that was what he was used to; so when I started riding he did this for me too. I'm used to it. Whenever I take my bike into the shop, I always give them a heads up that I want my brakes backwards - and they will be in trouble if they change it. I also have to warn people before they ride one of my bikes that it is backwards and to watch how they pull the brakes. It is not so much a big deal on the road bike since I more often than not brake both brakes at a time, unless I am pedaling against the brake in a peloton.
...
spoke

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That's funny.

Coming back to the bici from the moto, I found it very effective to leave the bici brakes stock. Because on the moto, the first thing I reach for to slow myself gradually is to feather the clutch only - which translates to the left hand feathering the front brake on the bici. A little bit harder means feathering both levers. And hard braking means pulling them both hard, still emphasizing the left over the right, since pulling the clutch is the equivalent of "stop pedaling when you want to stop!"

As I ride more, I've been able to refine my bici braking technique, but as a returner, I had no trouble.

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Originally Posted by kenyonchris

Yeah, before you get really irritated, just ask them. As a rider, always check your bike before you go winging off, to make sure there isn't a brake open or a quick release undone.
Our police mtb association (mtbs on the road as patrol bikes) addressed this problem once...some officers were sniping because they wanted the front brake in this or the other hand. The point the association made is that if you grab a brake, you want to grab the back one first (and I am sure I don't need to explain why). If every bike is set up the same way every time, then everyone gets used to proper and safe braking techniques on whatever bike they are on, no matter which hand is dominant, etc. etc. etc. Having said that, it is your bike and if the right hand works for you, rock on. But I would ask the shop to fix it asap. But since most bikes are set up (for a reason) the opposite way, you might have to check it...or make sure to note it on the work order.

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Why the back one? I would have thought the front one?

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Originally Posted by deepakvrao

Why the back one? I would have thought the front one?

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I am here to tell you (by painful experience) that if you grab the front brake only and lock it up, you are going to find out what the ground directly in front of your tire looks like. Back brake first.
We do an exercise in our bike school with emergency brake procedures. You pedal, pedal, pedal (we do it down a hill to get enough speed) then enter a cone box and lock the brakes up and come to a stop (track stand). Inevitably, someone comes down and forgets back brake. Ugly.

Pitching over the handlebars can be easily avoided by proper weighting/locking your arms when you use your front brake. People who advocate using the back brake only/first in an emergency have apparently never experienced the pleasure of a back brake skid and associated fishtailing, which is not nearly as easy to prevent as an endo. Fun stuff. If you have steady nerves you can usually get out of it and avoid a crash, but for a newbie or someone who is prone to freaking out, it can certainly cause loss of control.

So I say front brake is the one to reach for in an emergency. But of course, you still need to know which is which.

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Originally Posted by liza

Pitching over the handlebars can be easily avoided by proper weighting/locking your arms when you use your front brake. People who advocate using the back brake only/first in an emergency have apparently never experienced the pleasure of a back brake skid and associated fishtailing, which is not nearly as easy to prevent as an endo. Fun stuff. If you have steady nerves you can usually get out of it and avoid a crash, but for a newbie or someone who is prone to freaking out, it can certainly cause loss of control.

So I say front brake is the one to reach for in an emergency. But of course, you still need to know which is which.

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But if you ONLY reach for the front one in an emergency you are GOING to crash (that is, if your brakes are set up to actually stop your bike in reasonable time). Sorry, if it's an "emergency" then I'm going fast enough that no amount of locking my arms is going to compensate for locking the front wheel up and I'm not likely to have time to lock my body out behind the seat (and if you have that much skill and time you are going to be grabbing both brakes anyway!). You MIGHT crash if you grab just the rear. Also the crash resulting from a fishtail is much less painful than an endo the majority of the time (I'd rather slide out and get some road rash any day if the alternative is flipping over the bars onto my collarbone or head...)

Of course the answer is to grab both and learn not to lock the wheels down (if you manage that you won't fishtail or endo). I tend to grab my rear a fraction of a second sooner, just to be sure.

And that's coming from someone who routinely uses just the front brake as appropriate for non-emergency slowing and stopping. I rarely if ever use just the rear. So I'm plenty comfortable with my front brake. No way in heck I'm "slamming on the brakes" with just the front though.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, Martiandestiny :p.

I am not really advocating using only the front brake in an emergency stop, but I definitely use MORE front brake than rear (and engage the front first), and I have made many emergency stops (never at super crazy speeds, but probably from 30 before) and have never endoed. I think at those super crazy speeds, if you really need to stop immediately to avoid a hazard, you're probably going down no matter which brake you grab first.

To each his or her own, I suppose.

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Originally Posted by MartianDestiny

But if you ONLY reach for the front one in an emergency you are GOING to crash (that is, if your brakes are set up to actually stop your bike in reasonable time). Sorry, if it's an "emergency" then I'm going fast enough that no amount of locking my arms is going to compensate for locking the front wheel up and I'm not likely to have time to lock my body out behind the seat (and if you have that much skill and time you are going to be grabbing both brakes anyway!). You MIGHT crash if you grab just the rear. Also the crash resulting from a fishtail is much less painful than an endo the majority of the time (I'd rather slide out and get some road rash any day if the alternative is flipping over the bars onto my collarbone or head...)

Of course the answer is to grab both and learn not to lock the wheels down (if you manage that you won't fishtail or endo). I tend to grab my rear a fraction of a second sooner, just to be sure.

And that's coming from someone who routinely uses just the front brake as appropriate for non-emergency slowing and stopping. I rarely if ever use just the rear. So I'm plenty comfortable with my front brake. No way in heck I'm "slamming on the brakes" with just the front though.

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Yeah, this is right. Of course, it is a balance of both brakes that works best...and if it works for whomever to use the front brake, I guess you got the skills. But as an instructor, it is taught that back brake is the safe way to execute an emergency stop, and back brake is what you want in a steep or dangerous descent if you must (keeping the tires rolling is better). Yes, if you just lock up your back brake, you are going to slide, but this is not a tragic scenario as an endo is (and a road bike or cantilever brake scenario is not as tragic as disc brakes on a mountain bike which tend to be sharper). We do a skid and run exercise involving the deliberate lock of the back brake. A prime example is one guy in a class who chickened out at the top of a steep staircase we were practicing on...he grabbed BOTH brakes, but used too much front and, although his weight was back, the momentum carried him over the front end and down the stairs. Ouch.

Anyhow, it is important to know which is which and know what will produce what. I hope I never hop on someone's bike whose brakes are reversed!! I could survive on the road bike, where I almost always use both or front because most often I am not in an "Oh, crap" moment, but on the Mountain bike, where I often leap before I look, I'd be in trouble.

My only major crash happened when my daughter swerved in front of me as I was going about 13mph and I slammed on the front break. Talk about the sacrificial mom, that was me. The next thing I remember - vaguely - is the sensation of flying/flipping, landing on my left arm and the feeling of my helmet hitting my inner elbow. Next thing was my husband telling me to lie still while he lifted my bike off me. I had some pretty major injuries, not the least of which was a damaged tendon in my shoulder that required months of therapy.

I hadn't had KenyonChris's bike safety training, obviously. Today I rarely use the front break at all.

I've also had to stop suddenly to avoid people on the bike path. This one girl was walking in the middle of a narrowed part of the path (her mom, or an older woman, was walking to her right) talking on her cell phone, coming up on a curve. I yelled out, "On your left!" and she didn't hear me, or didn't think I was talking to her, so I went to go around her to the left and a couple on skates with dogs on leashes were coming toward us at a pretty fast clip. I back-braked and skidded to a halt right behind that girl on the phone. No one was hurt.

Having done both, I'd rather skid that flip any day.

Roxy

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Originally Posted by chicagogal

I just picked up my bike from the shop where I dropped it off for a tune-up. I got there just in time before they closed. I took the bike onto the road and headed home. A couple of blocks later I noticed that the breaking was funny. I have ALWAYS (for the last 5 yrs) had my bike set up so that the right hand controls the front brake. I know that it isn't "supposed" to be like that (here in the U.S.) but I prefer the front brake and want it controlled by my (dominant) right hand. But presumably because it was "wrong" the shop switched it without telling me. Since they are closed now, and I have no tools at home, I will have to make it through my ride tomorrow morning with my brakes backwards. I am upset, because I don't think this is safe and think that the shop should have consulted with me first before making that change. I guess I am just venting, but I do think this is a safety issue that they should have thought about.

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My old 3 speed was set up this way, just the way they put it together. Like you said, they have swapped so I actually swapped mine to match the other bikes which are left(front)-right(rear). I would take it back to the shop and politely make them change it, and to ask you before they make major changes to your equipment. They making a change actually could have casued an accident when you weren't aware of it in a panic stop. Jenn

So just out of curiosity, did you have a chance to talk to the bike store about why they switched the brakes?

I'd be annoyed if it were me.

I have one bike with the front brake on the right side. As I handed it to the mechanic at the LBS he asked me if I knew the brakes were reversed and if I wanted it kept that way.

Yeah, I'm dying to know what their explanation is!

Karen

Bump. How did this work out Chicagogal?

Sorry for not posting in a while. I just got back from vacation. I took the bike back to the shop and they put my brakes back to how they were. I asked them why they changed them, but I didn't get much of an answer. The guy who worked on my bike wasn't there, but the guy who was apologized on his behalf. I still don't know if I am going back there (there are a lot of bike shops in my area, I don't HAVE to use that one). However, the following day I was out for a ride, pulling away from a coffee shop that doubles as a cyclist hangout/rest stop on sat mornings and the guy from the shop had just arrived, recognized me (in helmet, sunglasses, etc) and said hi. I don't think I would have recognized him . . . and I like a place where I am not totally anonymous . . .