Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 0
From: North Queensferry Scotland and London (and France)
Bikes: Custom (Colin Laing) 531c fast tourer/audax, 1964 Flying Scot Continental, 1995 Cinelli Supercorsa, Holdsworth Mistral single speed, Dahon Speed 6 (folder), Micmo Sirocco and a few more
Hmmmm.
In the UK the tradition is for the front to be right brake, left rear. In France the front tends to be left, back is right (at least as far as I know).
I think it's just traditional, but with sidepulls, the front/left set up tends to mean less tight cable runs, though I suppose that depends which side the cable stop is on..
I swapped my French bike back to right front as I couldn't get used to the other way and was continually locking up the rear. I agree with the comments re finer motor control, and the front brake does do most of the braking, so it makes sense to me to use your stronger hand.
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plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1