View Poll Results: which finger do you use to pull brake levers?
index finger
12
13.19%
middle finger
6
6.59%
index & middle fingers
68
74.73%
middle & ring fingers
5
5.49%
Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll
How do you STOP???
03-09-06, 05:53 PM
#26
Old School Rad
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I grab the lever with my teeth and bite hard. It's kinda hard on the levers though.
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03-09-06, 06:16 PM
#28
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Index only as it's more comfortable for me and more simple. On my old V-brakes my hands/forearms would get worked on long descents, now with disc brakes, tis a breeze.
03-09-06, 06:49 PM
#29
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Originally Posted by powpow
Index only as it's more comfortable for me and more simple. On my old V-brakes my hands/forearms would get worked on long descents, now with disc brakes, tis a breeze.
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03-09-06, 08:38 PM
#30
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This is a 'depends' type of answer. When I used V's I used index and middle - had to. Since switching to hydro disks, only index required - even at full power.
03-09-06, 10:54 PM
#31
Lost in the Black Hills
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Originally Posted by Sonic_Molson
... I'm surprised some do it with just one finger.
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03-10-06, 12:49 AM
#32
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I put my index and middle fingers on the brake lever, when I want to slow down I will pull using my middle fingers but If I want instant slow down I will use 2 fingers cause more pressure
03-10-06, 12:53 AM
#33
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I am using AvidSD7 Levers and AvidSD7 Brakes and I have found it is very improved modulation and pull power. I used to pull with 2 -3 fingers on Shimano, now I pull with one, (the middle finger since it is the longest i guess). However sometimes when i need my brakes most I will slip the index finger on aswell 
.
.
Last edited by blue_neon; 03-10-06 at 12:59 AM.
03-10-06, 12:56 AM
#34
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same thing here, im using AvidSD7 brakes but not the levers though but one thing im sure is that this brake is sure much better then Shimano, if I use 1 finger to brake the bike will slow down but sometimes i want the bike to slow down quickly so i use 2 fingers
03-10-06, 12:40 PM
#36
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Use whichever finger you are comfortable with. There is not right way to do it. If you are comfortable you will make fewer errors.
I also dislike how slippery brake levers can be. I use electrical friction tape around the levers to increase the grip. Just a couple of wraps does it. It is slightly tacky, and has a texture that works great. I think it is also called contact tape.
Happy riding,
GF
I also dislike how slippery brake levers can be. I use electrical friction tape around the levers to increase the grip. Just a couple of wraps does it. It is slightly tacky, and has a texture that works great. I think it is also called contact tape.
Happy riding,
GF
03-10-06, 02:33 PM
#39
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For XC my index and thumb are always around the grip and my middle and ring are resting on the break, unless I am shifting to a larger ring or cog then I push with my thumb. My DH bike has grip shifters so my thumb and index never leave the grip and my index and ring only leave in the rare event that I need to break. For steep climbing I tend to hold the grips in my thumb and three fingertips so that I can shift my weight for maximum traction and feel when the front wheel is about to come off the trail.
This is the way I ride but you should ride the way it is most comfortable for you. Because there is such a variety of lever styles and pad spacing setups there is no one right way.
This is the way I ride but you should ride the way it is most comfortable for you. Because there is such a variety of lever styles and pad spacing setups there is no one right way.
03-10-06, 10:25 PM
#40
Ride bike or bike ride?
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I use a combo of middle, and index. If it is an easy section I will have the middle finger over the brakes and if it is light, for harder and more finicky braking I use my index finger. This technique helps to stop arm pump, my tracks not a problem but when I was at Thredbo Iwould have died only index braking.
03-10-06, 11:46 PM
#41
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I use the first three depends on how hard I need to hold on if I realy need to stop I do #3 if I need to hang on I go #2 and if I'm just crusieng I do #1
depends on how hard I need to hold on if I realy need to stop I do #3 if I need to hang on I go #2 and if I'm just crusieng I do #1
03-11-06, 12:46 AM
#42
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Originally Posted by WorldWind
For XC my index and thumb are always around the grip and my middle and ring are resting on the break
.
03-11-06, 12:55 AM
#43
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With my MX-2's I use my index and middle finger. I guess if I had more powerful brakes I would just use my index finger. It kind of feels weird using just my middle finger.
