Originally Posted by wearyourtruth

i understand how a coaster brake works. i've disassembled and repaired them before. i understand the concept of foot goes back - pressure turns screw (driver) - screw drives cone (clutch) - cone pushes shoes outwards onto hub.

i see what ryan is saying about mechanical advantage and i understand that a mechanical advantage is happening, i was just curious as to more explanation as to what exactly this mechanical advantage is and why it works so well.

i also understand the basic concept of mechanical advantage (i think). i understand that, for instance with a lever, with the pivot in the middle, to lift weight (or counteract force) 'x' you need to apply force 'x' to the other side. if you extend the lever out farther on your side, you can apply a force less than 'x' to lift the same weight, compensated by the mechanical advantage of the lever. i understand a lever, i understand a screw, i understand a pulley. i'm not yet understanding a coaster brake (which is obviously more complex)