Mountain Biking - Suggestions on number of fingers on brake lever?

Okay, I just started XC racing last year and plan to enter my local series again this year with an aim to be a bit more competitive than last. Here's my question, I've read numerous suggestions to go to a one finger grip on the brake levers. What do you guys use/suggest, and why? Have you noticed considerably more control and ability for your hands to not get knocked/slip off w/ a one fingered grip on your brake levers?

Depends on the bike and the hill, hahaha. I'm usually "1-fingering" it with my index.

Index finger only here. Move the perches inboard so leverage is maximized and less effort is required. You don't want your finger in the dogleg bend that some levers have, you want it just inside the very tip of the lever.

I use just my middle finger. seriously... it freaks people out, but that's how I roll

if i'm on a bike with disc brakes, index finger. if i'm on with v-brakes, two finger.

One finger . . . but only if your brakes are powerful enough. And out of habit, anytime I'm decending I'm 'covering' the lever.

5 fingers here. All the time, son.

4 with the pinkie raised.

2 fingers for any brake

one finger for well adjusted hair trigger hydraulic discs

I always use 2 because over the past however many years I've got used to rubbish brakes, and the habit has stuck, may find myself automatically starting to use just one after a while, dunno.

it's always just the middle finger on the brake. like someone else said it freaks people out but i find it the most comfortable and controlled.

Enough to pull the lever when needed and not too many so there's none left to hold on to the grip.

Depends. I'm running really crappy brakes out back, with some good ones up front, so it kinda depends. Usually two fingers when I'm braking for a turn, but one finger when I'm not braking.

i use 2 in the front 1 for the back

Usually 2.

Or 4 on the bike with cantis...

Index fingers only - unless fatigue or panic set in - then two fingers on each lever.

What's the logic on one finger? Does it really assist in preventing you from losing your grip on the bar and eating it when it gets hairy?

What's the logic on one finger? Does it really assist in preventing you from losing your grip on the bar and eating it when it gets hairy?

Comfort. If you're holding onto the bars with 3 fingers per hand, fatigue *might* set in faster. My guess anyway. It works for me.

What's the logic on one finger? Does it really assist in preventing you from losing your grip on the bar and eating it when it gets hairy?

If you only need 1 finger, why use 2?

Middle fingers all the way!

:roflmao2:
i use 2 in the front 1 for the back

Index finger only here.

I use just my middle finger. seriously... it freaks people out, but that's how I roll

+1, Like the middle finger. When I'm pissed I can just flip my hand, it saves time.

it's always just the middle finger on the brake. like someone else said it freaks people out but i find it the most comfortable and controlled.

I do the same thing, the race series photographer has gotten as many birds from me as the drivers in my fair city.


i use 2 in the front 1 for the back

:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:....in a different sport perhaps!!!

2 fingers, index and middle fingers... when I intend to stop.

1 finger, index... when I'm just scrubbing off some speed.

I actually don't know how or when my hands make the transition, it just happens... :)

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