Originally Posted by
Sixty Fiver
I own quite a number of bicycles that do not have a rear brake and can generate enough stopping power to lift the rear wheel with all my weight thrown back and my stopping distance is about half of those who are only using a rear brake and skidding. I am able to pull off a nearly 1g stop while those using a rear brake can only manage a .5g stop.
This is physics.
Yes, it is physics. But I've not seen anyone here suggest using only the rear brake. The 0.5g deceleration number I posted is for a normal rider sitting in a normal position using
both brakes or even using only the front brake. If you are using only the rear brake, the deceleration is, of course, going to be lower. You don't approach 1g of deceleration until you shift the center of gravity back and down.
I would also suggest that Andy_K work on his braking technique rather than try to add more brakes to the bike. You really don't want to skid the front wheel, Andy. A locked up front wheel is a recipe for disaster. The best place to learn braking technique...and bike handling skills in general...is on a mountain bike off-road. If you can handle a bike in the bad conditions you experience on dirt, think of how much easier good conditions will be.