got brakes?
09-28-04, 03:22 PM
#1
natural born loser
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got brakes?
Ok, im a 16 year old boy, who commutes to school every day,and does the occasional centry with my dad.A couple days ago, I did alot of work on my bike, including swaping the brakes so rear is on the left, front is on the right, for cyclocross.I also installed brand new orange kool stop brake pads.Please note, it is realy not a good idea to do both of these at the same time.Today at school,I went to slam on my back brake (dont worry, I am in tire abusers anoynomis),grabbing the front brake extreamly hard.I fliped over the front of the bike without any hesitation,and slammed my left side into the ground.I am at home now, trying to mend a bruised rib.The realy funny thing is, yesterday, my best friend made the same mistake on my bike,busting his chin open, and needing ten stiches.After this interesting couple of days, Ive decided to swap the brakes back for a while.On the other hand, kool stop brake pads REALY get the job done.Got brakes?
09-28-04, 03:27 PM
#2
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Bikes: 1973 Schwinn Traveler - Upright Conversion. 2003 Redline Conquest - Cyclocross. 19?? Villager Tricycle. 3 Swedish Bikes - Crescents. Plus lots of other random junkers.
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Wow!
Hope your'e ok, you may possibly have cracked your rib. I was planning on setting the brakes up like that on my new build. I'll have to wear hockey pads the first few rides.
Hope your'e ok, you may possibly have cracked your rib. I was planning on setting the brakes up like that on my new build. I'll have to wear hockey pads the first few rides.
09-29-04, 07:39 AM
#3
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Hope the bruises cure well.
One of the ideas about linking the right lever to the front brake is that you will/should practice with the front brake in normal situations, like slowing down or stopping at intersections.
If you wantsome help, install a rear rack and put a few bricks on it. It will slow you down, make your braking less effective and counteract (to a point) the tendency to flip over.
One of the ideas about linking the right lever to the front brake is that you will/should practice with the front brake in normal situations, like slowing down or stopping at intersections.
If you wantsome help, install a rear rack and put a few bricks on it. It will slow you down, make your braking less effective and counteract (to a point) the tendency to flip over.
09-29-04, 08:42 AM
#4
Tiocfáidh ár Lá
I'm sure your friend thought it was reall funny too 
Well sometimes it takes something like that to get used to it so I would just leave them right front left rear. I just did mine that way to and so far no problems but I am not one to really hit the brakes hard. The reason for the left being the rear is so that when you dismount on the left as you approach a fence or some such object you have your left hand on the bar and your right on the top tube. So if you need to brake then you will brake the rear and not the front which may cause the bike to lift up.
Well sometimes it takes something like that to get used to it so I would just leave them right front left rear. I just did mine that way to and so far no problems but I am not one to really hit the brakes hard. The reason for the left being the rear is so that when you dismount on the left as you approach a fence or some such object you have your left hand on the bar and your right on the top tube. So if you need to brake then you will brake the rear and not the front which may cause the bike to lift up.
09-29-04, 03:40 PM
#5
Cranky Ol' Curmudgeon
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Man, stuff like that is precisely why all my bikes are run the same way. I don't want to have to think "which one is front!??" in a panic situation.
Just get good enough at barriers that you don't NEED to scrub speed before hopping off.
Just get good enough at barriers that you don't NEED to scrub speed before hopping off.
09-29-04, 05:57 PM
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Indeed, if only I could just programm my brain to accept the new brakes I wouldnt have this problem.And remember,the key to winning is simple,GO FASTER!Oh, and dont crash, cuz it hurts.This reminds me of burning my mouth on my dinner and my mom saying"its hott".Thanks for the tips guys.
Gravityhatesme
Gravityhatesme
09-29-04, 09:39 PM
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Hmm, I just attended a cyclocross clinic and discovered I can bunnyhop barrers(althought I cant for the life of me spell it)so I guess It wont be to much of a problem,unless I come up against 4 barrers in a row, in which case Ill cry and assume the fetal position.
Gravityhatesme
Gravityhatesme
09-30-04, 08:07 AM
#8
Tiocfáidh ár Lá
I've seen guy’s bunny hop fences but then I've seen guys run past guy’s bunny hoping fences. So each there own I guess. Personally I get off and run cause I cant bunny hop that high and would be way to afraid to in a race. It is really cool to watch someone do it though.
