Anybody else *always* get things backwards?

[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.

[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]

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!

Thanks, Snappy. It's always good to know that the world is a rational place.

There was a time when putting your brake blocks on backwards meant that, when you squeezed the brakes, the pads came flying out. The metal pad-holder on Weinneman brakes was open on one end to make it easier to replace the pads (you could buy just the rubber pads or the brake block with pad and holder). It was more obvious which end went forwards, but dangerous if you got it wrong. Glad you suffered from nothing worse than embarassment, Snappy. Not sure I would necessarily know which end of a brake pad goes forward anymore (and it may not matter for some).

[SnappyPix]

There was a time when putting your brake blocks on backwards meant that, when you squeezed the brakes, the pads came flying out. The metal pad-holder on Weinneman brakes was open on one end to make it easier to replace the pads (you could buy just the rubber pads or the brake block with pad and holder). It was more obvious which end went forwards, but dangerous if you got it wrong. Glad you suffered from nothing worse than embarassment, Snappy. Not sure I would necessarily know which end of a brake pad goes forward anymore (and it may not matter for some).

Erm, funny you should say that, as mine were exactly that type (not same make though) and the mechanic mentioned something about the possibility of them having shot out and me trying to brake without any pads ...

As I've started concentrating on hill-training, it also means I've been doing some pretty steep descents ... OMG!!!
I've got a lycra-clad guardian angel up there somewhere!

At least now I know I'm not to be trusted with even the simpliest of things!