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hand brakes dangerous in traffic?

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Old 03-06-08, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Abneycat
Awesome.
I'd better install that handlebar airbag

OK, now I really have to go.
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Old 03-06-08, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
A good grip is not necessarily a tight grip. A good grip is an unobstructed grip that allows you to apply the right amount of force for the situation. Putting brake levers between your hands and the handlebars hinders that. It might even force you to use too tight a grip (for example, lightening your grip might prevent you from squeezing the levers with enough force to skillfully engage the brake).
Which is exactly why it's a bad idea to either commit your hands to braking by putting them over the brake levers or commit them to steering by putting them under the brake levers. Using different extremities for braking and steering allows you to switch between the two more quickly, but if you are stuck being committed to one and can't switch fast enough then you might be tempted to do both simultaneously because you can't do either one with the necessary precision..
I don't think your really looking for an answer, but you don't put your hands on the brake levers its 2 fingers. Leaving your palm and 3 fingers to keep hold of the bars so switching as you call it shouldn't be an issue.
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Old 03-07-08, 12:29 AM
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Originally Posted by chipcom
Holy crap, are you trying out for the HH Wall of Words competition?
holy sht chipcom, have you never seen a makeinu post?!?

This is par for le tet de cours!
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Old 03-07-08, 01:58 AM
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Yes, I can steer and brake at the same 'cause I have skills beyond mere mortals. I can also stand and pedal at the same time without falling off, -even with platform pedals. You don't always have to grip something to move it, hence you can steer without having a death grip. My thumbs/palms do most of the steering, leaving my fingers to do the braking.

JTGraphics' post also applies to me with road bikes. I only have two fingers on the lever. On a mountain bike, I have all 4 fingers on the lever and my thumb on the bar, but if I look at where my fingers land, it's only the outside fingers for the most part that actuate the lever. The inside fingers mostly grip.
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Old 03-07-08, 09:12 AM
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To the OP's credit, it is one of the more entertaining threads I've seen in a while.
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Old 03-07-08, 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by modernjess
To the OP's credit, it is one of the more entertaining threads I've seen in a while.
Yes, like a giant train wreck, I can't seem to stay away. I just wonder what bizarre opinion will pop up next-seats are over-rated? Wheels too round? Who knows? That's the excitement.
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Old 03-07-08, 10:47 AM
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Hmmm, he hasn't posted in awhile. Perhaps he has been shamed or adjusted his handlebars. Just maybe, in a long shot, he feared becoming the next makeinu, merton, or R600durace. Be afraid, be very afraid young skywalker.
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Old 03-07-08, 11:06 AM
  #83  
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Originally Posted by Paul L.
Hmmm, he hasn't posted in awhile. Perhaps he has been shamed or adjusted his handlebars. Just maybe, in a long shot, he feared becoming the next makeinu, merton, or R600durace. Be afraid, be very afraid young skywalker.
Uh... the OP IS makeinu.
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Old 03-07-08, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by BikEthan
Uh... the OP IS makeinu.
Oops. Sorry, Too early in the morning. I am shamed!

Although now my comment about the lifted handlebars in relation to his chain tool thread makes perfect sense.
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Old 03-07-08, 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by tjspiel
JTGraphics' post also applies to me with road bikes. I only have two fingers on the lever. On a mountain bike, I have all 4 fingers on the lever and my thumb on the bar, but if I look at where my fingers land, it's only the outside fingers for the most part that actuate the lever. The inside fingers mostly grip.
It dont matter road or MB you should be using 2 fingers your pointing and middle fingers are the ones that should be used on the lever not the 2 outside fingers. Which is why your having problems. Old habits will be hard to brake. As an old motorcycle racer this is how its done, ask any rider and you'll get the same answer. You shouldn't be using the outside fingers for the lever.
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Old 03-07-08, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by BikEthan
Uh... the OP IS makeinu.
This thread has officially reached hall of fame status.
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Old 03-07-08, 12:33 PM
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You may be happy to hear that I am working out the bugs on a braking system that doesn't require the use of hands or feet. It is a collection of small face sensors that can detect when you smile, and then send an electronic signal to a modified disc brake unit. It applies braking force in relation to how big your grin is. I figure this way when I see a hot chick (and pretty much lose control of my hands and feet) my bike will automatically stop so I can talk to her. In extreme cases of beauty it may launch me over the handlebars, but either way I think she'll be impressed.
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Old 03-07-08, 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by AlmostTrick
You may be happy to hear that I am working out the bugs on a braking system that doesn't require the use of hands or feet. It is a collection of small face sensors that can detect when you smile, and then send an electronic signal to a modified disc brake unit. It applies braking force in relation to how big your grin is. I figure this way when I see a hot chick (and pretty much lose control of my hands and feet) my bike will automatically stop so I can talk to her. In extreme cases of beauty it may launch me over the handlebars, but either way I think she'll be impressed.
Does it compensate for say someone with a tick, or perhaps the creepy guy who always smiles?
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Old 03-07-08, 12:50 PM
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That chain thread was epic. Funniest thing I've read on BF since Nathan Fabian.
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Old 03-07-08, 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Paul L.
Oops. Sorry, Too early in the morning. I am shamed!

Although now my comment about the lifted handlebars in relation to his chain tool thread makes perfect sense.
Meh... no worries. We all have our moments.
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Old 03-07-08, 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by makeinu
Considering the fact that I didn't mention any experience, I'm quite surprised at how many folks find that their experience differs. What exactly is your experience different from?
I was thinking you probably didn't mention what you didn't have. Don't get me wrong -- I'm in favor of challenging traditions. People used to think the world is flat. However, I can't see how anyone who has ridden much at all could possibly think what you think about braking except....

Originally Posted by Paul L.
Ok guys, I think I understand him now. Picture a road bike, the normal curve handlebars have been rotated up so the curves stare you in the face and the brakes are now towards you and not pointed down the road. This sounds like the situation our OP is in. I see lots of these guys around (they do it to incorrectly to get a more upright position). I say this half in jest, but it makes all of the above arguments sound sensible if this is the dangerous handbrakes he is talking about.
If this is the case, you have not only messed up your braking, but you have completely destroyed the handling characteristics of your bike. While it gives some indication as to where you got your ideas, it's not the fault of the brakes if you screw up your bike and render it unsafe.
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Old 03-07-08, 04:13 PM
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i ride a track bike for commuting, what would i know about brakes?
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Old 03-07-08, 04:22 PM
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just thought I'd add to the flavor of the......uh.......discussion

break



brake

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Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
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Old 03-07-08, 04:56 PM
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markhr,

You will be forgiven for breaking my screen w/ your massive images only because the desired effect is funny.
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Old 03-07-08, 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Severian
markhr,

You will be forgiven for breaking my screen w/ your massive images only because the desired effect is funny.
thanks
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Old 03-07-08, 05:04 PM
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Day-ummm. That brake looks big enough for a Fatboy Harley.
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Old 03-07-08, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by markhr
thanks
Except, if you wanted to make a visual joke it would have been more direct and grotesque if you'd found an image of someone's broken leg.
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Old 03-07-08, 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by markhr
thanks
Took me forever to figure out what was wrong with my browser. I kept hitting the back button and the previous page was fine. Finally realized I had to scroll down further.

What can I say... it's Friday and been a long week. I need a nap.

Hilarious.
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Old 03-07-08, 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Severian
Except, if you wanted to make a visual joke it would have been more direct and grotesque if you'd found an image of someone's broken leg.
"These are Mr. Doe's brains."

"These of Mr. Doe's brains on pavement."

"Any questions?"
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Old 03-07-08, 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Paul L.
Does it compensate for say someone with a tick, or perhaps the creepy guy who always smiles?
Not quite yet. But my "Smile-n-Skid" brakiing system is already much safer than those dangerous hand levers.
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