Matuka Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 This is probably a stupid question but in SA what is the general consensus on which side the back break should be and which side the front should be? I've just bought a second hand road bike and the back break is on the left. Is this generally the norm? Thanks!
Gonduir Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 My back brake is on the right. Front is on the left. All depends on what you prefer.
Martin PJ Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 Back brake on the right, as most people are right handed. The back brake does not slow down the bike as much as the front when pulled hard. So better for braking in a race bunch situation when you are just making small adjustments to speed. You may panic and pull harder than usual in a race, don't want to have the bike stopping too quick. I suppose if you are left handed, then put the back one on the left. I have ridden with both ways, you get used to however it is set up. On my son's bike I set it up wrong, said I would change it the next time. Now he is used to it.
Matuka Posted October 14, 2016 Author Posted October 14, 2016 Thanks for the replies. I'm right handed so would probably prefer it on the right, only problem is I've become so used to it on the left now...
dave303e Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 I have been lambasted for my following comment but I will make it again.1: alomost all motorcycles have front brake on the right, 2: Front brake has the most stopping power so the hand with the best fine motor control should be using it, which for most people is the right. But each to his own. I started on motorcycles before cycling and I know that right hand on front brake is better(for me) so that is how I set it up...
PeterF Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 Thanks for the replies. I'm right handed so would probably prefer it on the right, only problem is I've become so used to it on the left now...Fairly easy to swop the cables around. I have all of my bikes (road and mtb) setup with back brake on the left and front brake on the right.
ricochet_rabbit Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 here's another thought...which hand do you use to drink? If you use your right hand then which brake would you prefer to have your left hand close to whilst drinking.....different strokes for different folks.
cfcjim Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 If you've ever ridden or ride a motorbike, front right. Otherwise you may break your back if you brake using the wrong brake.
NotSoBigBen Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 What broke?Touche! Sent from my LG-D958 using Tapatalk
dirtypot Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 I have been lambasted for my following comment but I will make it again.1: alomost all motorcycles have front brake on the right, 2: Front brake has the most stopping power so the hand with the best fine motor control should be using it, which for most people is the right. But each to his own. I started on motorcycles before cycling and I know that right hand on front brake is better(for me) so that is how I set it up... I 100% agree.
Martin PJ Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 I have been lambasted for my following comment but I will make it again.1: alomost all motorcycles have front brake on the right, 2: Front brake has the most stopping power so the hand with the best fine motor control should be using it, which for most people is the right. But each to his own. I started on motorcycles before cycling and I know that right hand on front brake is better(for me) so that is how I set it up... The main difference is that you don't ride in bunch on motorbikes. In a road race you would not want to stop very quickly most of the time. However, when you do, the panic factor will easily make both hands strong enough. With this brake story I don't think one way is miles better than the other, just slightly. So it ends up a matter of personal preference. If the first bike you owned was set up one way, you would probably like to keep it that way on your subsequent bikes, as you have found out with the motorbike.
bikebloke Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 road racing bike - L rear the motorbike thing is nonsensemotorbikes have a hand throttle and a clutch .. its a whole diff set of hand skills etc
Velouria Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 There are actually rules for this from that country that has rules for everything - Australia: Australian Standard AS1927 – 1998 Pedal Bicycles – Safety Requirements, page 16 Section 2.14 Braking System 2.14.2.1 states the following: Handbrake lever location: The brake lever for a front brake shall be positioned on the right-hand side of the handlebar, and that for a rear brake on the left-hand side. http://cyclingtips.com/2009/05/why-do-brakes-differ/ The correct answer appears to be - it depends on which side of the road you ride on, which explains the differences between British and European brake setups.
usxorf Posted October 14, 2016 Posted October 14, 2016 My hardtail is front-left, full suspension is front-right. Haven't seen my gat yet, no close calls, niks.
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