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-   -   Front Brake to Left or Right Lever? (https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/197612-front-brake-left-right-lever.html)

John E 05-23-06 04:19 PM


Originally Posted by Big Paulie
I think that the specific laws in each state aren't an issue at all, but rather, will drivers instantly recognize and understand a hand signal from a cyclist.

I absolutely concur. A horizontally outstretched right arm is an unambiguous signal for a right turn, and it is much more stable for the cyclist than an uplifted left arm, which younger motorists may not even recognize. The outstretched right arm is the only way to go when signalling a right merge, as when traffic enters to your right.

no motor? 05-24-06 07:04 AM


Originally Posted by Bearbig
After riding a motorcycle for 30+ years I always have front/right. I'm too old to rewire my grey matter
when I need to stop NOW I grab a fistfull of right. BTW I have never had an incident caused by too much front. Is that an old wives tale, or is it due to the fact that I'm a clyde?

The first thing I did when I bought my mountain bike was to switch the brake levers so the right lever worked the front brake just like on a motorcycle. I didn't want to worry about losing valuable braking time wondering which hand to use while breaking while riding, and have been modulating the brake and throtle for so long that modulating the front brake on the bicycle isn't any big deal. I also find that I use the front brake most often on the bicycle, just like on the bike.

will dehne 05-24-06 08:10 AM

Here is what I learned on a 3000 mile cross country tour.
The front wheel indeed does most of the braking if both brakes are applied. So much so that I had soon wear patterns in the front rim. In an ideal world, I should have installed new wheel and brakes. That was not an option. So, I mostly used the rear brake and the front only if absolutely needed. That worked for the whole trip and on very fast declines above 35 MPH (I am 190+++ lbs). BTW, road debris such as sand got into the brake pads also. Yes we cleaned that often but it was an issue on my front wheel.
The back wheel brakes much less effective however I never worried about lock up.
Regarding hand signals: We were told to bike Vehicular Correct and we did. Hand signal for right turn was right arm point to the right. There was no confusion there. A big concern is signaling to cars so they do not cut you off if you go straight and they go right. This was done by going in the proper lanes instead of always far to the right. We had no accidents and few close calls.
Signaling right turn with the right arm while slowing down for a right turn is a safety issue if also going down hill. I found that to be very dangerous and found no good solution except a rather quick gesture pointing to the right and immediately get my hands back on the brakes.
BTW, cross country road surface quality is terrible in places. Taking a hand off the bars is not safe under those conditions. Really no fun.
Hope this helps.

sauerwald 05-24-06 09:19 AM

It has been very enlightening reading all of these posts!
I have always had my front brake lever on the right, and it is my primary brake.
I have not applied a lot of analysis to it, I learned to ride on a bike that came setup that way (1972 Raleigh, made in Britain, not as an export model), and each new bike since then has been set up to match what I was used too. My brain is too old to learn new stuff now, so I just keep using the same configuration. - A few observations after reading this thread -
1) I always signal turns with my left hand.
2) I always enter turns with my right hand on the brake lever, often applying some braking force, but rarely a lot.
3) When braking hard, I tend to apply front brake, with some rear, and shift my weight rearward. My bike usually has rear panniers on the back, so there is weight back there anyway.

Pompiere 05-24-06 09:29 PM

I've have never given much thought about which lever goes to which brake. All my bikes are setup the traditional way, but I normally just squeeze them both the same amount. Being left handed in a right handed world, I am somewhat ambidexterous, so I have never had a problem controlling either brake.

John E 05-25-06 03:52 PM

For routine stops, and in fact under most conditions, hitting both brakes evenly works well. In a panic stop, it is advantageous to know which brake is which, for safest possible modulation. For most people, it probably doesn't matter which hand controls which brake, but consistency from one bike to another is potentially a big safety enhancer.

WorldWind 05-26-06 09:04 AM

After reading through this thread it has struck me that apparently many people have an issue with reprogramming for different configurations or what ever you want to call the condition of different controls being in different places and it has made me curious as to the true nature of this.

I have driven all types of rigs from a wind powered tricycle to a hang glider and an Abrams to a skip loader. Things that steer with my feet and some that steer with throttle and break. Beyond the first few minutes of learning curve I don’t seem to have any problem keeping it all straight. I do notice that unlike most people I cant hold a decent conversation when I drive unless it’s just small talk. If someone is asking me questions I will pull over to talk to them. But I can jump off my mtn bike with standard brake set up and jump right onto my Boxter and have no problem thinking that the clutch is a brake I think my mind remembers the feel of the grip and lever and that plays into it but I just don’t know.

Now I know there are people that when in an unfamiliar car will slam on the break with their left foot because they are use to having a clutch there but I never really thought about it being such a universally normal thing.

Is their any one out there that can shed some light on this? Research papers or articles etc.


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