Brake usage

[jane]

I have always used both front and rear brakes together but I have been told that I should mainly use the front brake. I am frightened of going over the handlebars if I mainly use the front brake. Any advice will be appreciated.

[Veronica]

Mountain or road?

The front brake does provide much more braking power than the rear.

If you're happy with how you're braking currently, why change, just because "somebody told you to."

Veronica

[spazzdog]

If you "feather" the back as you are squeezing the front, you'll be good... at least on the road. No sure what the technique is off-road.

The same technique is used on motorcycles, because if you "lock up" your back wheel, i.e. you clamp the brake... the bike is more likely to fishtail and go down.

spazz

[SadieKate]

If you "feather" the back as you are squeezing the front, you'll be good... at least on the road. No sure what the technique is off-road.

Pretty much the same. The back brake slows you down, the front brakes stops you. So, they need to be used together and each feathered based on the terrain and speed. I'm surprised anyone told you to mainly use the front brakes. If you use today's linear V-brakes, you could defintely take a tumbler by only using the front brake.

Go out to the park or low traffic area and use each brake independently to see how they behave. If you have much speed, the back brake will slow you down but you can't stop quickly. The front brake can stop you easily but has to be feathered very gently for speed control.

[Bike Goddess]

Re front brake usage- I suggest you read Sheldon Brown on the subject. He explains the principles of why to use which brake when. I'd give you my opinion here, but I think it best for someone of his stature to explain. You can find him on the web by just typing in Sheldon Brown and then look under cycling articles. Hope that helps!

[LBTC]

when working on riding steeps on the mountain bike, I was being watched by a whole schwack of guys, including one with tons of experience. he saw my back wheel locking up and getting sideways and gave me the coolest advice (yes, by then I would realize I should use *less* brake in the rear, however, I was scared completely to do that ) He said "more front brake". and it worked!! it's great to practice on steeps in a safe environment - people you know and like, a hill that's not terribly long - a bowl is even better - and to practice getting down the hill in as much control as possible, both fast and slow. it's a great way to learn the braking techniques that will help you with all sorts of riding! it worked for me!

(but if you're talking about road, well, I can't say I get it. I haven't crashed yet (knock wood) but I have no idea if I do anything right out there!)

Namaste,
~T~

[Irulan]

LBTC - one of the drill we work on at camp is front braking. She ( she being Cindy Devine, world mtb hall of famer) has us go down these steep slopes using the front brake only. And she has us do slow races, using the front brake only.

and boy, if there' any rear wheel skidding,we get reamed inside and out...

irulan

[Fiona]

I also use both front and rear brakes together and apply equal pressure to each brake. I use my bicycle on the road and the only time I experience the rear wheel locking is if I make an emergency stop or try to stop when descending a very steep hill. I ease off the pressure on the rear brake slightly to unlock the wheel.
I don't feel safe if I only use the front brake.

[CorsairMac]

Mountain or road?

The front brake does provide much more braking power than the rear.

If you're happy with how you're braking currently, why change, just because "somebody told you to."

Veronica

I'm with V on this one - if you're happy with your current braking situation, does it matter what someone else thinks you should do? You're the one on the bike and you're the one that has to stop it, go with what has been working for you!

[SadieKate]

Not necessarily, Corsair. On the dirt, it can make a HUGE difference. Go have a few sessions with snow on some steep loose stuff. Yowee!

[Veronica]

On the dirt, it can make a HUGE difference. Go have a few sessions with snow on some steep loose stuff. Yowee!

Yep, that's why I was wondering if it was road or mountain. My answer really only applies to road.

V.

[SadieKate]

My own experience - when I learned to brake properly on dirt, I rode much faster.

[CorsairMac]

well I have stayed outta this one for the most part - coz I Only use the front brake EXCEPT on dirt. It comes from riding motorcycles where you just don't wanna use the back brake except as a backup (and even then I don't use it). The front brake is the primary and pretty much the only means of stopping so I just translated that to my bicycles. I even have the brakes switched so the front is on the right hand side, where it would be on the Harley.
and yes, when I was riding with Snow I realized the back brake was the better choice for MTBng and had no problems making that switch. V is right - the question is what application is she riding in although I know a lot of ppl that use the back or both on the road. My concern would be: if you're not used to using the front brake - you could go over the handlebars because of the unfamiliarity with the stopping power. I'd rather see someone stick with what they know and are familiar with especially in a clutch situation than try to switch coz someone said they should. Unless it's mashing vs spinning!

[Veronica]

Personally, I prefer to just not use the brakes at all.

V.

[CorsairMac]

Personally, I prefer to just not use the brakes at all.

V.

ROFLMAO......and I wanna be Just like you when I grow up!!!