tonyg

I recently bought a Firmstrong Bruiser singlespeed, which I'm really enjoying. However, at 70, I figure it's been nearly 60 years I've ridden a bike with a coaster brake. And so for sixty years of riding, I've dismounted by applying the handbrakes, and swinging my right leg over to the left side of the bike at a complete stop. Also: all this time I've gotten quite used to (when stopping at a stop sign), being able to back pedal into a good startup position. Of course, now that's all changed. I love the bikes simplicity, including the coaster brake, but was just seeking some advice getting re-used to coaster brakes after all these years. I'm doing ok, but all is not smooth nor instinctive just yet. thanks........tony

SquidPuppet

Welcome Tony.

I'm 58. As a life long coaster brake user, my advice is simply keep riding. Either it will all come back to you in short order, or you will find a new style that works for you.

Personally, I've reached a point (many years ago) where I am as comfortable braking with my left foot as I am with my right. Also I am comfortable braking at any clock position, not just at 9:00 o clock. That said, when I approach a red light my feet just automatically apply the brake in a position that will leave the other pedal in an up and forward position, well suited for my start. I don't think about it, my feet just do it on their own.

I say just keep riding and your legs and feet will figure it out on their own, if you let them. Have fun.

tonyg

yeah......you're probably both right. I mean, I didn't give it much thought when I was a kid. I seem to brake with my left foot at about 5 o'clock. Only thing is, then I seem to instinctively put my right foot down, leaning the bike to the right as well. So now when I start off again I need to tip the bike back in the opposite direction (to the left) to use the right pedal, which is around 11 o-clock, which seems sorta inefficient. But like you said, it work itself out.

SquidPuppet

Plenty of time to kill while waiting for the green.

tonyg

good point. I mean, I am retired. I'd still like to see if it's possible to train my brain to put the same foot down that I brake with (left), and be good-to-go with my right foot when the light changes. It really is a fun bike though.

Rapidrob

I'm in my late 60's. I try to stop with the pedals at 10 and 4 o'clock. I'm braking at 4 and powering off at 10. I've been doing this since I was a paper boy in the 60's riding a bike with coaster brakes.

tonyg

It would be helpful to me to know which foot you are braking with, and then which side you are leaning toward when at a complete stop. Also, do you then lean to the opposite side when you 'power off'? thanks a lot. (I seem to have to lean to the opposite side I brake with, and then have to shift to the opposite side when I start off again.)

SquidPuppet

Can you balance for a second or two or three before putting a foot down? That's kinds what I do. I come to a complete stop and let the bike fall to the side that I was braking with.

tonyg

what you're doing makes sense to me. I'll work on it.

tonyg

One last (maybe) question: when you put your foot down, are you still on the saddle? If so, I'm gonna have to lower mine somewhat. thanks.

SquidPuppet

I cannot reach the ground while on the saddle. That's why I described it as 'let the bike fall'. I have to lean my bikes FAR over to get a foot down because I adjust my cruiser saddle height the same way I would if they were road bikes. Maximum leg extension. It feels more efficient when pedaling to me. Do what works best for your comfort and your type of riding.

tonyg

I tried lowering my seat to where I could touch the ground from the saddle, but it was ridiculously low and uncomfortable, so I put it back up. I'm not comfortable yet "letting the bike fall", but I get it, and will keep working on it. thanks.......by the way, nice bike.....what is it?

SquidPuppet

Thank you. It's an old Schwinn Heavy Duti. Not Chicago built though.

Beasty_Artemis

I can't imagine trying to climb a seat seat that high. I must be a lot shorter than you are! Nice looking bike. I'm still getting used to my coaster brakes after not riding a bicycle in 8+ years and I'm 31.

xrayzebra 

I ride with my seat pretty high. I must have put thousands of miles on my cb bikes as a kid and paperboy. My route bike was a cb but I had a freewheel 5 speed for collections. (I subscribed to the theory that everybody should have at least 3 bikes at an early age, the third was, of course, a homemade stingray type bike that ran a long chopper fork most of the time.) As an adult. I've mostly had freewheel bikes. I don't think I ever got into the habit of backpedaling the freewheel to get to the right position for taking off. Now that I am, years later, mainly riding igh cb bikes. Upon converting back to cbs, it has never once occurred to me that I needed to back the pedals.

Maybe it's because some people who ride freewheel bikes develop a habit of standing on one pedal in the full down position when they stop, to stand on one pedal and put the other foot on the ground, making it always necessary to rotate the pedals back a little when starting out? Maybe cb riders who have this problem are coming to a nearly full stop, then rotating the pedals forward so they can stand on one pedal? It doesn't happen to me, but not because I'm planning it, it's just habit to stop with the pedals ready to go.

I always see this criticism for cbs, "You can't back pedal to get your pedals into the right starting position." No offense intended, but if that's a problem, there's operator error involved. You can stop with the pedals in the right position very easily.

Feather the brakes a little to come to a near stop, and then rotate the pedals forward to where you want them to be, and then apply brakes again for full stop.

I think the secret is developing a habit of braking with the rear pedal down at maybe 45 degrees, but I don't consciously do this. My pedals are nearly always at the right position when I'm ready to go, or I just push forward on the ground one step and push the top pedal forward as I do it. There's no reason for the pedals to not be in the right position when you stop, unless you're trying to brake with the back pedal very high so the front pedal is too far down to get a down stroke. Maybe you fear not getting enough braking power, so you habitually brake with the back pedal high, feeling like you have a longer back stroke available in case you need "more brakes?" So, practice braking with your rear foot down to see how much backstroke it takes to reach maximum braking. You might find that you can brake from a much lower pedal position than you think, leaving your front pedal ready for a real full down stroke.

I'm guessing. When I ride tomorrow, I'll see if I can figure it out.