what did I do wrong?

[archibella]

I started the same way-- really only using my rear brake because I was afraid of an endo, plus I think on the road bike you naturally plan ahead more often for stopping distances, etc. I just recently started trail riding and also realized how absolutely necessary the front brake is!! and how important where you put your weight on the bike is! It also makes me laugh at myself because where I was worried before on the road bike, now I think how the trails are so much tougher for me, and the road seems so much safer! I find the worst habit I have when trailriding is to glue my butt to the saddle when something freaks me out, when I should be standing, butt out of the saddle, limbs ready to absorb shock, and ready to move my weight wherever it needs to go! I stood once while trying a rocky climb, didn't get enough weight on the rear wheel, and didn't go anywhere, lol! Friends tell me that's what I get for starting out roadie, but honestly, I like the road... lol

[CorsairMac]

I actually had my brakes switched on all my bikes so my front brake is on the right hand side. I use both when I REALLY have to stop, but I hardly ever touch the back brake. No matter which one you use - panic grabbing can cause no end of problems but the more you work with the front brake - the more you'll learn just how far you need to pull to stop. You'll be surprised, you'll stop faster with less pull then using the back. and yes - during one of those OMG I HAVE TO STOP moments even without going downhill, I actually slide backwards off the seat so my weight is over the backtire (just in case).

[velogirl]

I actually had my brakes switched on all my bikes so my front brake is on the right hand side.

Did you switch because you're right-handed?

I've got my brakes switched, but only because of cyclocross (where it's standard to put your rear brake on the left). After my first season of cross, I switched the brakes on my mtn bike too (because I kept messing up and forgetting which was where). I'm just about at the point where I need to swap my road bikes too -- I'm too old to remember all that!

[CorsairMac]

Did you switch because you're right-handed?

I've got my brakes switched, but only because of cyclocross (where it's standard to put your rear brake on the left). After my first season of cross, I switched the brakes on my mtn bike too (because I kept messing up and forgetting which was where). I'm just about at the point where I need to swap my road bikes too -- I'm too old to remember all that!

actually I switched them because I came to biking from motorcycles and the front brake on a motorcycle is on the right hand side. I knew about using front brake over back from motorcycle classes and I didn't want to get in the habit of relying on the back brake on my bicycles.

Switching out the brakes is the first thing I do when I get a new bike so I Don't have to try and remember which brake is where. Plus this way I can move from bicycles to motorcycles and back without any problems. It makes borrowing someone elses bike very interesting - and I don't loan my bikes out without warning the loaner first!

[Kano]

Thank you so much for this thread!

It motivated me to start practicing with MY front brakes too!

Karen in Boise

[kiwi girl]

Its interesting that, as noted in the Sheldon Brown link different countries set it up different ways. All my bikes came with the front brake on the right and, I guess because I am right handed, it is natural for me to use the front brake more

[Geonz]

Part of my effective cycling course was practicing those "throw your butt back, brace your arms and slam on the brakes" stops (as well as looking back without weaving and the "lean right to turn left" to get around an obstacle move) in a big parking lot. Everybody in the class was an experienced rider, but it still didn't hurt to practice.
My bike's big rear end is not likely to go up into the air without extreme provocation, but it can fishtail if it's wet. My current rear brake is so noisy that it inspires me to hit the front first unless I'm in town and want to be sure to announce my presence at any intersection with a pig-like squeal. Interesting that SHeldon Brown says I need to use those back ones anyway.