CargoDane

Well, if you're willing to learn, the rest might not be

Joearch

I have always used my rear brake 80% of the time. I guess over concern aboit going over the front wheel.

MyRedTrek

We must grown up in the same neighborhood. I was told the same thing. Folks here say it ain't so. I think the guy who advised me was one of the smart, older kids who was into cycling. I remember being impressed because his bike was what he called an English racer. He's an attorney now.

cxwrench

Your front brake provides 70% or more of your total braking power. You should be able to tell by feel what happens when you brake...weight is transferred forward. You can use the front brake harder but for less time because it works better. If you can brake with the rear and not skid you should be able to brake w/ the front w/o throwing yourself over the bars. You wouldn't just nail the lever to the bars knowing the potential for going OTB is there, right? Controlling brake force isn't rocket surgery.

MyRedTrek

That's actually not a good analogy - the mechanics of running is nothing like that of cycling. With running you're constantly driving off one leg, stopping yourself from falling with the other then driving off of it, over and over, you only have at most one leg on the ground at any given time, you're airborne during part of the stride. You begin to stop with whatever leg is in contact with the ground and resist the forward momentum, probably bring your other leg around to continue bleeding off the energy until you're stopped.
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Bill Kapaun

You need to practice "panic stops" before you need to make one.
Slide your butt back off the seat so you can lock your arms and you can use a LOT more front brake, while using just enough rear brake to not skid the rear.
It doesn't take long to learn and become "more natural" for when you actually need it.