Originally Posted by sreten

Hi,

That is the half-baked USA thinking, however the European system would make a lot
more sense in a land full of rear coaster brakes. Precisely because the front can stop
you twice as quick as the rear, and used badly out of the saddle can throw you over
the bars, the dominant hand with most feel should control the front brake.

The USA seems to have an aversion to front brakes, especially on kids bikes,
so any brake lever fitted for the rear goes on the right, leaving the left for front.

It is a safety thing, allegedly. But there are very good reasons why many motorbikes
are now fitted with link systems where the rear brake cannot be applied on its own.

rgds, sreten.

Being a lefty in Europe I tend to use the rear brake far too much.
I can't get out of the habit of using it for slow stops, I imagine
that also applies to righties with a right rear brake too.

However I have adjusted both my bikes for longer rear lever travel,
and with the longer cables the rear is noticeably more spongy than
the front, so any real braking always involves the front brake.