I know this is a topic where people disagree or where the answer is "do it the way you prefer".
I'm restoring my old bike (see my stupid questions on several mechanical issues
)
Among other things I'm removing the mechanical disc brakes and install new hydraulic brakes. The mechanical brakes were set up front-left rear-right (typical US way) I already have the front brake and actually ordered one with lever on right side. Since the cable brakes were not strong anyway, it didn't really matter. I doubt the mechanical brakes could have thrown me off. I also didn't bike a lot (I'm planning to bike much more). So before now this was a moot point. but with the strong hydraulic brakes this becomes critical.
Based on what Sheldon recommends (more control etc.), but also based on:
1. Coaster brake bikes would have front brake on the right, so this makes sense to not switch (i did that for my 5 year old daughter's bike)
2. I don't ride a motorbike, but from my old moped days this is my primary brake.
3. As far as I remember my old bikes in Germany used to have front brake on the right as well (bikes with 2 handbrakes)
4. I don't care where the tradition of left-front came from. The fact car drivers signaled out of the left window for left and right before they had blinkers has no meaning to me. Also for right and left turns and braking to me this is a wash since left and right turns are as frequent. Typically I don't have emergency brakes when I have a planned turn that I signal for. I also avoid streets as much as possible.
5. I'm in full support that the front brake is the primary brake regardless of where the lever is located. Simple physics.
6. For cable brakes the argument is that routing is better with front-left. This has no meaning to my hydraulic brakes. On the contrary, my front rotor is on the left, so a lever on the right would even be better. But again, hydraulic lines likely don't care as cable brakes.
Now I was researching to support my argument and found in Germany there is no law describing where the brakes are as long as 2 independent brakes exist (unlike the US where front-left is required at sale). But I saw most new bikes in Germany are sole with the US setup nowadays. Same controversy as here and people switch it as they like.
Now I'm doubting my decision to go front-right a bit.
1. What I read is downshifting is harder since when you brake the shift lever would be at the same right hand as my primary brake.
2. When I sell this bike I probably have to switch it back for legal and liability reasons.
3. When I borrow a bike or, or pass this bike down to my wife, this will be confusing when using other bikes
4. It definitely is harder to come by hydraulic brakes for the front-right setup. At least in the US. I actually ordered my brakes from an Irish store that offer that option. So committing on non-standard setup has its challenges.
I have searched, but didn't find some of the above addressed. Switching also isn't as easy as with cable brakes. I still have to shorten my hydraulic lines (the brakes come with 1 m brake line). That would be the time to switch back to the US standards (front-left), but obviously I don't want to switch forth and back to try out. So once I get my rear brake and ready to shorten the lines this is my one-time shot to get it right.
I apologize if this is one of the threads that deserves the "search, this has been discussed 1000 times" response. I did research without conclusion. I'm looking for some actually helpful advice or opinion to help me decide to keep the way I started, or to switch.