Using Only the Front Brake
 

Anyone else trying to master the art of stopping with only the front brake? I am. And I'm having fun doing it. Consistency is key. I want that rear wheel to come up off the ground a good 8-12 inches.

:speedy:

If you're comfortable riding a unicycle, have at it. Personally, I prefer keeping the rubber on the road, and if I made a habit of using front brake only, I would probably flip the darn thing on some down grades.

Yes, but I haven't had the nerve to try too many stoppies like you're talking about. I have occasionally considered removing the rear brake on my mountain bike to save the weight, as I almost never use it on the trail.

Coming from motorcycle racing, it is what feels natural. Hardly ever touch the rear brake.

A maximum stopping, the rear brake contributes exactly zero percent.

I rode an old 80's motobecane road bike for about 7 hrs that only had a front brake.. when i got it both brakes were in such bad shaoe that i was only able to get one brake working without buying anything...rode it to work in Boston's rush hour traffic!

Front brake pretty exclusively for me, unless I'm eating, for which I use the left hand. On the MTB, you have to slide the rear wheel occasionally, though, so I use the rear more there.

I teach all new or inexperienced riders to depend heavily on the front brake.

Growing up in the late 60s/early 70s there were some neighborhood kids who rode Schwinn Orange Crates and the like (Orange, Apple, Cotton Picker/Peak Picker). These were original Sting-Ray style bikes with high-rise handle bars and banana seats, plus a much smaller front wheel with an old-fashioned mono-shock front fork. The front wheel had an internal drum brake which apparently made it easy to do "fronties".

Pretty much the only time I use rear brake is when I'm signaling for a left turn. That, and during winter of course.

--J

If you want the rear wheel to come off the ground, lean forward while braking.

Why?

I use the front brake simply because I want to perform a stoppie. I'm usually riding on pavement, and the rear brake is boring.

I'm guessing because that is the only one you can actually depend on for stopping you.

Braking and Turning Your Bicycle

--J

I do all my signalling with my left hand. Part of the reason, I control my front brake with my right lever.

When I first joined the Forums it took me quite some time to understand somewhere in the world it's OK to indicate a right turn with your left hand (or vice versa). It's literally unheard of where I ride and I've never seen it in practice.

Maybe Finland isn't as car-centric a culture then because that was something my dad taught me from an early age. Not sure that everyone knows it, but there are a lot of driving laws here (changing lanes in intersections or over solid lines for example) that people here don't know. For those that do know it, I feel it's more obvious and visible, and, for those that don't, not seeing it is not likely to cause an accident unless they are trying to pass me on the inside (something very unlikely given how I ride).

Punctuation? Forget about punctuation. :-) This says more about the value of choosing the right words than anything else. How about "I helped my Uncle Jack dismount a horse" or "I helped my Uncle Jack put down a horse." Not to mention - When you're talking about your Uncle Jack you should probably avoid using the word "off". Haha!

Your signature line did make me laugh quite a bit though. That's hilarious! I don't know what it has to do with bicycling, but it's hilarious!

I don't understand. My rear brake works great. And has plenty of stopping power. What's up with yours?

That was a very informative read. Thanks! As I said at the start of this thread, I'm using the front brakes for the fun of it. But now, I see that fun can be practical and functional!

I agree with Nermal. I think it's like playing with fire. Doing it a few times for fun could be ok, but to try to make a habit out of it - I think that's just asking for an accident. Something I can't [read: don't want to] afford :)

The front brake is critical. I live in a hilly town and try actively to reverse the fear and encourage getting comfortable with the front brake. If you're flying downhill toward a stop sign and a car is crossing the intersection, your rear brake won't save you. No need to hit the front brake so hard that you lift the rear end, but at least get comfortable using it, because that's where the real stopping power lies.

I often ride only using my front brake. THe rear brake has far inferior stopping ability.

a balanced use of Both (is part of how I got this Old) :50:

Having ridden and raced bicycles and motorcycles, I know that three-fourths or more of the stopping power comes from the front brake, but the rear brake contributes to stopping, and I always use both. Nothing like grabbing a handful of front brake and then having the front tire hit a slippery spot on the road, locking up the front wheel. This can result in interesting acrobatic movements, or instant contact with the pavement if you are in the midst of a turn.

starting in '95...

brake = front

lever = right

concussion = one.