Hi Lauren. Sounds like you've already got the basic concept.

I recommend practicing emergency stops every single time you ride. I try to do five of them each ride. This helps the skill become inate so you don't have to think about it when you need it.

The faster you go, and the quicker you need to stop, the further back you need to move your body weight.

Your front brake is your power brake -- it provides the stopping action. Your rear brake stabilizes the bike. If you use too much front brake you could endo. If you use too much rear brake you could skid out/fishtail.

  • Apply both brakes evenly at the same time. Keep your arms as relaxed as possible.
  • Look ahead, not down at the bike.
  • Keep your feet parallel (9:00 and 3:00 position). You don't want your weight on the pedals because this will engage the bottom bracket and can cause you to turn.
  • Move your body weight back. For very fast stops, this might mean behind the saddle. By moving your weight back, you counter the "over the bars" action of the front brake. BTW, one of the biggest mistakes I see is folks moving their body weight up (floating over the saddle) instead of back (behind the saddle). I recommend having a friend watch you until you are sure you're doing it correctly, because it's tough to feel the difference.
  • Once the bike has come to a stop, step down with the foot you don't unclip, unclip the other foot at the top of the pedal stroke, and step down.
  • Remember that the bike has brakes -- your body doesn't. Your body will continue to move forward through space so this will feel kinda akward.


Here's a little drill I use to help people learn how to move behind the saddle. Ride around a big open space (vacant parking lot) with enough speed that you can coast. Move your body forward and sit on the top tube. Move your body to either side. Then move your body behind the saddle and place your chest on the saddle (hands in the drops -- takes good hamstring flexibility). It's amazing how far you can move behind the saddle without ever losing stability.