Originally Posted by Oldhead

Front brakes are the way to go. I use the back a lot because most of my two wheel time is on my street bike and the front brake is on the right, so that is the handle i squeeze 1st when on my hybrid. Main thing to keep in mind is don't use the front brake on things like sand, wet manhole covers, wet painted lines and basically things that will make the tire lock and slide. Other than that if you do what everyone else said and squeeze progressively you will be surprised at how much pressure you can put on them.