Braking coming down hills

[rugibiker]

Hi all,i have a dahon boardwalk which i like for short jaunts on local cyclepaths.I am going to go a bit further afield over here soon in Scotland and i was wondering how the bike handles coming down a steep hills.Any info welcome.

[folderster]

I go down some steep hills in San Francisco on Dahons. The balance on the bikes is pretty far back weight-wise so the handling feels fine to me. Number one concern is to make sure your brakes are adjusted and working properly before each ride (really, do this) and if you are riding a lot of hills over time, you might think about upgrading your brakes.

[stevegor]

Descending steep hills or mountains is one of the most enjoyable aspects of cycling, IMHO, but many cyclists panic as the speed increases, especially if there are windy curves, but if you learn the correct techniques you will be surprised at how little braking is needed.

These are some of my rules for braking on steep hills or mountains:

1: Don't PANIC...in other words, never brake suddenly if you feel you are going too quickly, know the road and your ability and don't get into the position where you are going too fast.

2: Feather the brakes....if you are approaching a curve at speed and you're not confident at taking it without braking, make sure you brake BEFORE you get there, (but gently and progressively), NOT AS YOU GO AROUND IT, unless you are very experienced...most cyclists are not! Even then it's not advisable.

3: Don't ride the brakes!!! Most pads will wear out very quickly as they and the rims can overheat and in the worst case scenario...fail. Use the best quality pads you can get.

4: Learn to lean, learn to pick the right line....Most descents can be done with minimal braking, with practise you can lean into corners, follow the correct line out and continue with little or no braking or loss of speed....but it does take practise, start slowly and build up your confidence, skill and speed.

5: If the down hill is relatively straight...GUN IT....unless you are touring with heavy panniers/trailer, again that depends on your skill level.

6: If riding a mountain or steep hills in the rain, be very careful, as your brakes will not be as effective. I have climbed and descended mountains in heavy rain, fog, high winds and freezing temps and I was safe because I took my time coming down, gently braking at the correct times.

7: Above all....have fun.

Stevegor

[My Dad]

Why don't you just simply ride down a hill and you tell us? Jesus.

[stevegor]

Why don't you just simply ride down a hill and you tell us? Jesus.

Maybe they're not a confident rider and are asking for advice?
I have to ask, are you one of those guys whose ego is bigger than their ability and belittle others who seem beneath them?...just asking, no offence meant. ;)

[LittlePixel]

Why don't you just simply ride down a hill and you tell us? Jesus.

You know - maybe the original poster doesn't want to travel a long way to somewhere remote only to find that the bike's not appropriate for the job?

This is a forum, [at least last time I looked it was]. The idea of a forum is to share knowledge.
The folding-bikes sub-forum seems to have a pretty good reputation as a place for friendly and supportive behaviour—so as a regular here I'm pretty disappointed by your cheap shot at the original poster.

Participants deserve respect and good treatment—however trivial or slight their question may seem to you. That's the beauty right there - one can ask pretty much anything without prejudice, whether it's about the best way to mend a flat tyre right up to queries on how to rebuild from the frame up; the point being it's all fair game however simple or complex the input. I don't recall reading an 'Only serious questions from seasoned bike-heads will be tolerated' rule when I signed up...

Simply put: I resent this sort of impatient and condescending tone—there really wasn't any call for it.
Bambi's mum had it right - if someone's query about downhill braking on an unfamiliar bike sends your blood boiling - you could choose not to read it... Or maybe, if you absolutely have to read it, could you resist the urge to bang off another thoughtless reply, unless it's something that will actually bring something to the table.

[invisiblehand]

You know - maybe the original poster doesn't want to travel a long way to somewhere remote only to find that the bike's not appropriate for the job?

:thumb:

[stevegor]

Well said L.P. :thumb:
...must be from the roadie forum.

[CaptainSpalding]

Nice going, LP.

[My Dad]

You know - maybe the original poster doesn't want to travel a long way to somewhere remote only to find that the bike's not appropriate for the job?


Nonesense, The bike has 2 brakes, a coaster and a V. If the brakes are in normal working condition then they will lock the wheels at any speed or angle (even at 90 degrees.) The only thing that matters is the condition of the road, the weather and whether the guy knows how to ride a bike or not.

[jur]

The only thing that matters is the condition of the road, the weather and whether the guy knows how to ride a bike or not.No, there is also the ability of a folding bike's geometry - it could give rise to speed wobbles more easily than big-wheeled bikes. Or it could have bad tracking and be unstable on downhills.

And it would be nice not to offend by using the Lord's name in vain. :)

back to the OP, I don't have a Boardwalk so can't say specifically, but I do have a rebadged Dahon Yeah, like a helios, and it is fine on downhills. I would caution that you learn excatly how the handlepost hinge works and keep it in top condition all the time to prevent inadvertent folding.

:trainwreck: