Zelensexual t1_iu3h8r1 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 7:50 AM

Reply to comment by deepoctarine in TIL bicycle brakes in the UK are reversed from the US and Europe by UlisKromwell

Hell no. The right brake is the main one you use. You have to be much more careful and lighter with the front brake, otherwise you'll go flying.

neongecko12 t1_iu3jobk wrote on October 28, 2022 at 8:25 AM

About 70% of the stopping power comes from the front brake. It's why higher end bikes generally use bigger front rotors compared with the back. Same thing with motorbikes, they usually use a pair of large front disks.

The rear brake really only slows you down, it's the front brake that stops you. You just need to shift your weight back as you stop, otherwise you will fly off the front, it's a simple fact of physics.

Zelensexual t1_iu3jr4t wrote on October 28, 2022 at 8:26 AM

I don't even have a front brake on my bike.

deepoctarine t1_iu3jzlf wrote on October 28, 2022 at 8:30 AM

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

objective_opinions t1_iu4i8bs wrote on October 28, 2022 at 2:20 PM

That’s crazy. I only have a front brake on my bike. Your stopping distance is significantly compromised without a front brake

GaijinFoot t1_iu4rgro wrote on October 28, 2022 at 3:24 PM

I'm a decently well seasoned cyclist but no, you do not smash the front brake, you will go flying. It stops you faster but you don't want it to lock up. Your stat is more relevant to motorbikes, not bicycles

deepoctarine t1_iu3jyq3 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 8:30 AM

Don't believe me, from the master:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

teh_maxh t1_iu4enn1 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 1:55 PM

> You have to be much more careful and lighter with the front brake

Which is why — assuming you're right-handed — it should be on the right.