Front Brake
07-31-07 | 05:26 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
That's a really good point. And perhaps I am putting too much effort into the look of it. What I meant about last resort, though, is that eventually I'd like to be able to rely entirely on leg power. For a lot of people that's why they ride a fixed gear in the first place, to be as close to the road as possible, as one with the bike. But to use as close an example as can be used, having a break is like having training wheels for me until I have the confidence I need.
As numerous people have already pointed out, braking quickly and effectively with a handbrake requires skill, practice, and confidence; especially if you aren't used to dealing solely with a front brake. The only way to acquire these traits is by using your brake on a regular basis -- it's no good if the excrement impacts the air-conditioning (to borrow someone's excellent phrasing) and you ham-fist the brake and fly over your handlebars into whatever you were trying to avoid.
So while being able to stop without using the brake is a very useful and effective skill, being able to effectively use the brake is in itself a useful skill as well.
Last edited by xsdg; 08-01-07 at 03:43 AM. Reason: minor spelling mistake
07-31-07 | 05:49 PM
#27
Utilitarian Boy
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 5
From: Bronx, NY
Bikes: Check the sig to find out
I started riding fixed brakeless (mainly because my original fork wasn't drilled for a recessed brake nut), and am definitely more comfortable riding with a brake. To respond to your point, yes, I do enjoy riding fixed in part because of the simplicity, but I also enjoy riding fixed because of the control of and connection to my bike.
As numerous people have already pointed out, braking quickly and effectively with a handbrake requires skill, practice, and confidence; especially if you aren't used to dealing solely with a front brake. The only way to acquire these traits is by using your brake on a regular basis -- it's no good if the excrement impacts the air-conditioning (too borrow someone's excellent phrasing) and you ham-fist the brake and fly over your handlebars into whatever you were trying to avoid.
So while being able to stop without using the brake is a very useful and effective skill, being able to effectively use the brake is in itself a useful skill as well.
As numerous people have already pointed out, braking quickly and effectively with a handbrake requires skill, practice, and confidence; especially if you aren't used to dealing solely with a front brake. The only way to acquire these traits is by using your brake on a regular basis -- it's no good if the excrement impacts the air-conditioning (too borrow someone's excellent phrasing) and you ham-fist the brake and fly over your handlebars into whatever you were trying to avoid.
So while being able to stop without using the brake is a very useful and effective skill, being able to effectively use the brake is in itself a useful skill as well.
08-11-07 | 06:26 PM
#29
o harro buttercup
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Detroitish
Bikes: Bianchi Pista, Sting Ray Deluxe
Yeah you could use those levers. It's just a TT lever that's put in the end of a straight/riser bar but I'd think it'd be strange when the lever hits your pinky and ring fingers when you go to brake w/your middle/index fingers.
08-11-07 | 06:51 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
From: Van BC
Sheldon says how to measure reach in his glossary article, and there's a nice photo. Just get a ruler and very carefully figure out how much space there is between the very centre of your brake mounting hole and the very centre of your rim (either side), in mm. You should then get a caliper that goes a mm or two farther than that at least and it'll be adjustable vertically to fine tune your setup as the pads wear..
