Elderberry

So, I'd done a bit of reading and Sheldon said he put his front brake lever on the right, as it's his strongest hand. I'd also seen quite a few fixed riders running their lever on the right side as well, probably for similar reasons. I'm right-handed, so I thought I'd give this a try.

I took it around the block to make sure it didn't feel unbelievably foreign, then took off to work. I got there fine, but it did feel a bit weird, so I was already thinking about switching it back when I got home.

Then, on the way home, I received even more confirmation that a switch back was in order. A not-so-attentive driver cut me off hard taking a right, so I put down heavy pedal resistance and put a death grip on the lever, probably because of my old rear brake skidding days on a BMX, but obviously, the lever was connected to the front and only brake.

You can guess where I ended up. O'er the bars, smacking my head (w/ helmet, but it still hurt), rashing up my left shoulder and hip. Thankfully, no major injuries were sustained to myself or the bike and there was a friendly fellow who directed me to the keys that had flown out of my pocket in the incident. But the driver must not have even seen me, as he/she just kept right on.

Needless to say, the brake lever's back on the left side, where I'm more familiar with it. Anybody else had similar experiences?

dirtyphotons

nope

sp00ki

sheldon (rip) did some pretty "off" things to some of his bikes. odd saddle angles, weird configurations...
when you look at some of his machines, you immediately realized that status quo meant nothing to him.

Metricoclock

i run mine on the right, and switch it to left for polo.
I've never had a problem.

crushkilldstroy

You should really think about getting rid of that brake. Those things cause accidents and people die.

Velocità

just dont squeeze hard

acoldspoon

I run the front brake on the right on both my fixed gear track bike and my road bikes. Been doing this for many years. I've always thought British brake cable routing made more sense.

lz4005

All my bikes with front brakes have the lever on the right to match the setup on my motorcycle. I get confused otherwise.

bexley

I run my single lever on the left. It's habitual from the larger # of miles I've done on my road bike.

Also, when doing small things while riding like adjusting a bag or scratching balls, one usually uses their dominant hand (the right, for most ppl), so at moments like that I'm glad my remaining hand has a lever to grab on to in case someone walks in front of me while I'm scratching said balls.

LóFarkas

I'm used to the left-front setup so my lonely front brake is hooked to the left on the fix. However, the arguments for right-hand braking are reasonable, so for those who aren't otherwise programmed, it may be better. I know a guy who uses the right-front setup.

BTW, this way my right hand is free for other stuff. Switching songs, texting etc.

SSarah

It absolutely makes more sense, as does left-side driving... However, I think my braking habits are far too embedded to ever change. I'd be afraid of the frontsie flipsie too.

Peedtm

I'm left handed so I win.

barba

If you are motorcycle rider or English, you will want it on the right. You tend to have better dexterity with your dominate hand, and that can be nice with the front brake.

Flimflam

Agreed. Having being born and raised in the UK, I'm used to right-front left-rear setups anyway - but when interchanging between motorbikes, etc. it's especially useful IMO.

Hobartlemagne 

Whatever you do, make it the same way for all your bikes and leave it that way.
You shouldnt have to think about which side to use for an emergency stop.

ryansexton

I ride with it on the left. It makes more sense to me, because I would probably end up making the same mistake this dude did. Also, if I had to carry something, I'd want to carry it in my right hand, and I'm regular footed, so I have better balance on my left side.

ianjk

Or if you ride an English Motorcycle

Elderberry

Well put. And this totally makes sense.

metaljim

SAME

helloamerican

just curious, why did you set up your front brake hard enough to flip you? my thought on it is especially if your running a back brake the front needs to be thought to go along with slowing with your feet, i.e. not mtb disc brake style lockage.

sorry you went over the bars though, and glad your heads ok.

Dumpstergrub@gm

weight back next time

ornmnt

I switched my brake over to the right because I would take my dog out on the bike, and preferred to have my dominant hand on the bars. I'm totally used to it now, and actually like it a lot better. I think if you were to ride (carefully) with that setup for a little while longer you wouldn't have to think twice.

Elderberry

My rims are new, and much grabbier than the well-worn ones on it before... I'm thinking that had something to do with it.

The brake is loosened now.

LóFarkas

effing up your brake adjustment is totally putting the cart before the horse.

It has to be as fowerful as you can get it be, and you have to be able to modulate it so you don't do the "newbie flip".
When it's raining or you're going down a hill at 40mph, you're carrying something heavy or your hand is tired or any combination of the above, you'll appreciate a good brake.

dirtyphotons

as is changing the side its on to accomodate your weaker hand.

do what you want, if you like your brake on one side or the other that's great.

but please, don't **** with your brake adjustment. just practice some emergency stops, it's really something you should know how to do without flipping yourself over the bars.