Anybody else *always* get things backwards?

[Lise]

I have no idea which side of my brain I work out of. I love words, speak Spanish easily, and must have a visual in my head before I can do anything properly. Today, when riding, I caught a glimpse of my shadow, and my back didn't look straight. I thought, "I need to see someone riding with a good straight back, then I could imitate it." I recently read an article on good running form, but what really helped me was the picture of Deeva Kastor's elbows going far back with every stride. And the paragraph that pointed out why that helps. So. There you have it. Both sides of brain engaged!

[DirtDiva]

I'm a righty of the "see it, do it, get it" persuasion. The more pictures the better! I always read my magazines backwards too. I do like words, but I often feel as though the one I want just hasn't been invented yet.

[gringa loca]

I'm a lefty and I switched my brake cables too. I'm MUCH stronger with my left hand. My experienced biker friend told me that in Europe, that's how the bikes are cabled.

[MomOnBike]

I'm a righty but my left hand is stronger than my right. Years of playing string instruments (including bass) will do that to a girl.

I haven't switched my brakes, I just haven't seen the need.

I work with words, but boy, am I visual. I need a mental picture of where things are and what they look like to do anything. Telling me how to do something simply does not work. This can create problems...

[DirtDiva]

Back brakes are on the left and front on the right in countries that drive on the left. If I bought a bike somewhere else I'd have to get 'em changed over - would do my head in having them the opposite way around after all this time.

[DebW]

Back brakes are on the left and front on the right in countries that drive on the left. If I bought a bike somewhere else I'd have to get 'em changed over - would do my head in having them the opposite way around after all this time.

Is there a rational reason why those two things should be correlated? Which side is the rear shifter on? The rear shifter ought to be on the same side as the rear derailleur (or did for downtube shifters). Putting the rear derailleur on the left would require the derailleur hanger on the left dropout, crank on the left side, crank arm pedal threads the opposite way, freewheel freewheeling the opposite way. I'm not sure if the BB fixed cup would have to move to the other side. I can't see manufacturers and framebuilders making those kinds of changes.

[bikerbarb]

I never advocated changing the shifting, just the brakes. I've had it that way for 30 years now, so I'm really used to it.

[SnappyPix]

Is there a rational reason why those two things should be correlated? Which side is the rear shifter on? The rear shifter ought to be on the same side as the rear derailleur (or did for downtube shifters). Putting the rear derailleur on the left would require the derailleur hanger on the left dropout, crank on the left side, crank arm pedal threads the opposite way, freewheel freewheeling the opposite way. I'm not sure if the BB fixed cup would have to move to the other side. I can't see manufacturers and framebuilders making those kinds of changes.

In answer to your question Deb, I do believe there is - they're the opposite on countries that drive on the left for signalling purposes:
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3804

I was chuckling at this thread a while back, until I got my bike back from the workshop today, after having had the cassette replaced.
Apparently I'd managed to fit my rear brake blocks, not only back-to-front, but also upside down! I simply followed the instructions on the packet - how did that happen?!
Luckily my mechanic is a lovable guy and not at all into putting anyone down, it just tickled him - and he was more worried about my reduced braking power than reducing my ego.
Kinda embarrassing, all the same!

[DebW]

I'm a lefty and I switched my brake cables too. I'm MUCH stronger with my left hand. My experienced biker friend told me that in Europe, that's how the bikes are cabled.

It really makes more sense to put the front brake in the stronger hand. Not that I'm suggesting anyone change their brakes away from the way they are used to. But the front brake has the most stopping power and the rear brake just has to exert some drag. Braking with 2 hands is always best, but too much force on the rear brake locks the wheel.

[bikerbarb]

Well, that was my point. If people who are left handed exert too much pressure on the front brake with their left hand, they go over the handlebars. I know more than one to whom it has happened. For me, I did a lot of what's now called self contained touring 'back in the day' and most gear weight was in the back of the bike (I've read that it's recommended to be in the front now since body weight is in the back.) So I needed good rear wheel stopping power and I wanted my dominant hand strength. I never had a locking problem.

[Geonz]

Gosh, I just use both hands, though right now the rear brakes are screamin' at me, so I have started using the front more (with the Xtracycle and it's long back, I"m not too likely to go over the handlebars). Looking forward to getting the rest of the disk brake put on the rear.