How to brake while holding the hoods
06-18-09, 08:48 AM
#1
Mrs. DataJunkie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,527
Bikes: Asama "Luddite" and Kuwahara MTB from the 90s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How to brake while holding the hoods
I've been all over Google images etc trying to figure out how to brake while holding the "hoods." I'm not even entirely sure of the correct hand position. I know, it's so basic but I've never ridden a true road bike except for 20 minutes a few days ago. 
06-18-09, 08:54 AM
#3
serious cyclist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin
Posts: 21,147
Bikes: S1, R2, P2
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9334 Post(s)
Liked 3,679 Times
in
2,026 Posts
That's what seemed natural to me, but apparently I need to get my thumb muscles stronger. They were sore after not too long.
Maybe I need to get back on the XBox.
Maybe I need to get back on the XBox.
06-18-09, 08:54 AM
#4
Go Buckeyes!
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Columbus, Ohio. Powell.
Posts: 548
Bikes: Fuji road bike and a totally crap MTB that I use(d) for gnarly trail riding.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yep... just reach down with your fingers and pull. The hoods should fit, well, kinda like a gun in your hand, and it should be completely natural to reach and be touching the brakes when you're on the hoods.
__________________
No matter what happens now
You shouldn't be afraid
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen.
- Videotape
You shouldn't be afraid
Because I know today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen.
- Videotape
R A D I O H E A D
06-18-09, 09:03 AM
#5
Junk Mile Junkie
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Webster, NY
Posts: 6,465
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I had the same issue after riding a road bike the first times. More in the web area. After awhile, it just goes away, or at least did for me.
06-18-09, 09:05 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 2,751
Bikes: Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 126 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times
in
34 Posts
What kid of system are you using? Shimano, Campy, Scram? I, being a Campy user, find the slightly older Shimano to be weird feeling for braking from the hoods vs the way Scram or Campy levers/hoods feel. Anyway, you place your hand on the tops of the hood with the part of your hand between the thumb and fingers on the hood. Your fingers should naturally now be dangling down over the face of the brake lever. Then act like you are making a fist and you will be pulling the brake lever closed. Note that the speed of the bike should decrease...
This is an odd question you asked.
This is an odd question you asked.
06-18-09, 09:07 AM
#7
.....
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island
Posts: 4,816
Bikes: 2006 Cannondale CAAD8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
what kid of system are you using? Shimano, campy, scram? i, being a campy user, find the slightly older shimano to be weird feeling for braking from the hoods vs the way scram or campy levers/hoods feel. Anyway, you place your hand on the tops of the hood with the part of your hand between the thumb and fingers on the hood. Your fingers should naturally now be dangling down over the face of the brake lever. Then act like you are making a fist and you will be pulling the brake lever closed. Note that the speed of the bike should decrease...
This is an odd question you asked.
This is an odd question you asked.
06-18-09, 09:18 AM
#9
Two wheels, two skis...
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Dudley, MA
Posts: 647
Bikes: Tarmac SL4, Lemond Victoire, Titus Motolite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Split some firewood next winter with an 8 lb maul. It will improve you grip strength. It's what I do.
Great core workout too. Especially Elm.
Great core workout too. Especially Elm.
06-18-09, 09:23 AM
#11
Mrs. DataJunkie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,527
Bikes: Asama "Luddite" and Kuwahara MTB from the 90s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a Miyata 912:
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/...fa3c0bb3_b.jpg
Is it easy to steer the bike while holding the hoods? It seems very awkward to me. Thanks for the help on the hand position, I guess I'll just have to practice and get used to using the handlebars etc.
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/...fa3c0bb3_b.jpg
Is it easy to steer the bike while holding the hoods? It seems very awkward to me. Thanks for the help on the hand position, I guess I'll just have to practice and get used to using the handlebars etc.
06-18-09, 09:31 AM
#14
I don't even own a cat...
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 424
Bikes: 2008 LG sonix 6.4, 2002 KHS Flite 500, 1999 Big Sur Gary Fisher
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
get used to riding on the hoods. Remember steering more of leaning into a turn than turns with a steering wheel. It will become natural real quick. I'm assuming that you like to ride in the drops more (the curved part of the handlebars) where you are really bent over? Hood are a great comfortable medium from being in the drops and being on the flats or tops of the bars.
06-18-09, 09:32 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Toronto area
Posts: 1,124
Bikes: Cervelo, Pinarello, Specialized
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
06-18-09, 09:34 AM
#16
Mrs. DataJunkie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,527
Bikes: Asama "Luddite" and Kuwahara MTB from the 90s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm not sure what my favourite position is yet, I'm assuming the one that gives me the most control. I've only gotten back into cycling this past month and already have a hybrid. I'm getting the bar tape replaced and they're going to cushion the hoods with bar tape since the rubber 24 year old hoods are disintegrating and not exactly replaceable. I can't wait to start practicing. 
06-18-09, 09:44 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cyclist hide away
Posts: 723
Bikes: Beach crusier, Specialized FSR mt., retro Raleigh rebuild. Trek Madone 4.5, Schwinn steel frame Frankinstein. BMX rebuild, Specialized rock hopper,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
06-18-09, 10:00 AM
#18
Senior Member
06-18-09, 10:02 AM
#19
Burning Matches.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 9,714
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4077 Post(s)
Liked 1,002 Times
in
676 Posts
I don't understand the question.
__________________
ElJamoquio didn't hate the world, per se; he was just constantly disappointed by humanity.
06-18-09, 10:05 AM
#20
Mrs. DataJunkie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,527
Bikes: Asama "Luddite" and Kuwahara MTB from the 90s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's kind of a multi level question, how to hold the "hoods" and brake while doing so.
From the pic (thanks for that BTW!) it looks like if you brake you're going to squish your thumb.
I hate being a n0ob. This reminds me of the ******** questions I had to ask about my DSLR when I got it.
From the pic (thanks for that BTW!) it looks like if you brake you're going to squish your thumb.
I hate being a n0ob. This reminds me of the ******** questions I had to ask about my DSLR when I got it.
06-18-09, 10:07 AM
#21
Embracing my inner Fred
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Pretty far west of Alpe d'Huez
Posts: 360
Bikes: Early 90s Specialized Epic Pro carbon/DA
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
06-18-09, 10:12 AM
#22
It's ALL base...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,716
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Not so easy with old style brakes, compared to newer style combined shifter/brake levers:
That being said, have the LBS guys show y ou what to do with those brakes.
Enjoy riding!
That being said, have the LBS guys show y ou what to do with those brakes.
Enjoy riding!
06-18-09, 10:16 AM
#23
Senior Member
It's kind of a multi level question, how to hold the "hoods" and brake while doing so.
From the pic (thanks for that BTW!) it looks like if you brake you're going to squish your thumb.
I hate being a n0ob. This reminds me of the ******** questions I had to ask about my DSLR when I got it.
From the pic (thanks for that BTW!) it looks like if you brake you're going to squish your thumb.
I hate being a n0ob. This reminds me of the ******** questions I had to ask about my DSLR when I got it.
It's hard to see but I'm using two fingers.
06-18-09, 10:21 AM
#24
Mrs. DataJunkie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,527
Bikes: Asama "Luddite" and Kuwahara MTB from the 90s
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, I'm feeling impatient to get my bike back from the shop now!
It's gonna be a b!@@$ getting used to the downtube shifters. Even my BF who has some engineering schooling was having trouble with it. Totally worth figuring it out, though.
It's gonna be a b!@@$ getting used to the downtube shifters. Even my BF who has some engineering schooling was having trouble with it. Totally worth figuring it out, though.
06-18-09, 11:23 AM
#25
Two wheels, two skis...
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Dudley, MA
Posts: 647
Bikes: Tarmac SL4, Lemond Victoire, Titus Motolite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
