asforme

After reading Sheldon Browns article on breaking and learning to use the front break properly I decided to follow in his footsteps and change the front break to the right hand and the rear to the left.

However I was in such a rush to follow in his footsteps that I forgot what I had read earlier in the article:
Now after a week of riding like this and many scary situations in the road I'm switching it back. Signaling with my left hand and attempting to brake with my right, I forgot that to brake with the front brake I needed both hands to brace myself. While the front brake is the primary brake for effective stopping, the rear brake is the only brake safe to use one handed.

Has anyone else tried switching brake positions? Did you keep it that way or switch back?

Sprocket Man

Yes

No, not necessarily.

asforme

How do you do it? I would love to have the stopping power of the front brake one handed without my upper body being thrown forward or inadvertently steering left because I'm attempting to brace myself with only my right arm.

hobkirk

I was also fascinated by those comments by Sheldon. I'm too much of a novice to try it, however. I usually use both brakes and usually don't even think about which hand is doing the front and my back tire often locks up at the very end of a stop. I'm learning, but it takes time for it to become instinctive. I absolutely love how powerful modern brakes are - more than one finger on the brake requires being very careful. Hopefully there will be other responses.

FL_MarkD

When I built up my bike last year I set it up with right hand front brake. It was the natural way for me after riding a motorcycle for many years. I haven't had any problems. It is also a bit safer when I have a water bottle in my right hand while pacelining, any need to touch the brakes (although infrequent) will have me using the rear brake and avoiding anything too scary.

Mark

DScott

Don't break "brake."

Sprocket Man

Scoot back on your saddle to get more of your weight over the rear wheel and gently apply pressure to the brake lever. I drink and eat with my right hand, so braking with only the left is something that I have to do from time to time. It's not that difficult.

andrewluke

A fast stop with good brakes is not exactly safe one-handed. General easy braking, yes, but if I hit my 6700 front brake hard, all the weight shifted to the one arm would make the bars jerk sideways

thirdgenbird

ive got my brakes set up traditionally and use my front MUCH more than the rear. one handed braking has never been an issue. (though i wouldnt want to panic stop one handed)

practicing your balance will help a lot. ive found the control i have gained from good balance has been hugely beneficial to my riding and has made longer rides more enjoyable. eating, drinking, and even taking pictures at speed becomes very easy. (track standing is nice as well)

madpogue 

Varies widely with the bike. My semi-'bent has a 20" front wheel; yes, it def. does more of the braking than the rear, but when I'm rear-loaded (heavy panniers), or it's raining, and I grab only the front brake, even moderately, and try to steer at the same time, the front wheel locks up and skids. No endo risk with a semi-'bent, but the momentary loss of steering control is . So yeah, I'll stick with the right lever pulling the rear brake, thanks.

pigmode

Either brake positioning is valid--you get used to it. Its called adaptation.