According to Sheldon:
"In the U.S.A., de-facto government regulation has made left-front [brakes] all but compulsory for new bikes to be sold."

Really? My 90's era Trek 1100 and my De Rosa Idol both came to me with Right-Rear arrangement. I thought this was a universal setup, but maybe I'm actually in the minority. Certainly, this something important to specify when having a bike built.

POLL: What is your brakes setup?