Switching Front Brake to Right Hand

[mtbdarby]

I had my follow up visit with the orthopedic dr today. My hand/wrist is still swollen and painful and he said it's the tendons so he has referred me to PT. If it's not better in 5 more weeks I'm supposed to see him again and he says "maybe we'll amputate it!" Funny little man.

Anyway, in my despiration to at least still be able to ride my road bike, I'd like to switch my front brake over to my right hand so I can - oh, I don't know - stop. Has anyone done this and what are your thoughts? I called the bike store and they said no problem and will do it tomorrow for me. I'm not a big front brake user and I've been meaning to master it so I thought this would be a good time. I read an article where the front brake is on the right hand on bikes in Europe but not the US. If all goes well I would also switch my mtb (which I'm not anticipating I'll be able to ride any time soon).

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Adventure Girl]

If it's not better in 5 more weeks I'm supposed to see him again and he says "maybe we'll amputate it!" Funny little man.

What a hoot!

I have right hand front brakes on all my bikes. I'm kind of uncoordinated in general, but my left side is especially bad! So I wanted to use my right hand for my front brake because I have more control. My left hand can pretty much just be "ON" or "OFF". I can't feather or modulate it very well. But my right hand does a little better.

There's really nothing wrong with switching brakes. But I would suggest having it consistant on all your bikes. It should be second nature to you to just know which is front and rear.

Also, if other people ride your bikes, be sure you them the brakes are switched!