Originally Posted by dirtyphotons
nice, i'm always glad to see some other nerds on here. i think you might be oversimplifying a bit. the MAXIMUM force due to static friction is the coffecient mu_s times the normal force (the force with which your tire is pressing on the pavement, or as defined, the force with which the pavement is pushing back up on the tire). the actual force is just the equal and opposite of the force being applied (that's why we don't go flying backwards every time we get on our bikes) i'd venture a guess that none of us here applies that maximum amount of force *uniformly* through two or more revolutions of the pedals. doing so would require some serious strength and pedaling technique.
also the force due to kinetic friction is the coefficient mu_k times the NORMAL force. when you skip it's like doing a very little bunny hop, your center of gravity goes up (here's where you begin the skid, while the normal force is low) and then goes down (the normal force is much higher than it was when we were just sitting on the bike). higher normal force means higher friction means stopping sooner. come on out to a pirate ride for a demo! (seriously, come on out)
uhhhh where to begin pointing out the errors in this.
1. Your average normal force cannot exceed that of your wiegth.
2. The inability to apply force smoothly throughout the pedal rotation is another reason why brakes will stop you better then back force.
3. Your normal force when riding is divided between the two wheel. When you are stoping it is mainly on the front wheel therefore only a front brake will stop you almost as fast is two brakes but only a rear will stop you much slower.
4. It soundly like most people exagerate this by leaning forward while skipping or skidding since they aren't strong enough to lock up the back wheel while leaning back.
All of this combines to make skidding your rear wheel much much slower then carefully modulated braking.