Bicycling

sir pball

(4,946 posts) Fri Sep 6, 2019, 03:01 PM Sep 2019

Anyone else run "reversed" brakes, right hand front?

Tangential to my last post, and a discussion on Reddit..

I ride a motorcycle as well as a bicycle; my muscle memory and mental response is definitely 100% moto so I reversed the brakes on my cycle for my own sanity.

I've found that even for no reason, it's better all-round - I can not only brake harder with my right paw on the front, but also modulate and control better. I routinely speed into turns faster than my pack and usually don't even slow down as much through the bend. Understanding weight transfer and steering dynamics helps too, but having the control over the main brake is the factor.

Anyone else doing this?

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Anyone else run "reversed" brakes, right hand front? (Original Post) sir pball Sep 2019 OP

I used to do that.... Boxerfan Sep 2019 #1

Fair answer sir pball Sep 2019 #2

I did this on my cyclocross bike. Tom Traubert Jun 2020 #3

That's interesting. I never thought about it, but it makes good sense for both reasons. marble falls Jun 2020 #4

welcome to DU gopiscrap Jun 2020 #5

Boxerfan

(2,533 posts)

1. I used to do that....

Reply to sir pball (Original post)

Fri Sep 6, 2019, 04:28 PM

Sep 2019

I raced Formula Singles in the 80's. I also rode downhill MB and I reversed the front brake-as you said muscle memory.

I recently took up riding a bicycle for exercise but I don't get into critical braking situations that much .

I gave up MC racing and all MC's after a broken neck at Sears Point '86.

sir pball

(4,946 posts)

2. Fair answer

Reply to Boxerfan (Reply #1)

Fri Sep 6, 2019, 04:34 PM

Sep 2019

Sorry you had to quit motos, they are fun.

Routinely riding both, I just like consistency - when I panic brake on my bike my left toe involuntarily dips down. I figure it's better to grab the left hard (clutch) and blindly modulate the right...

Tom Traubert

(117 posts)

3. I did this on my cyclocross bike.

Reply to sir pball (Original post)

Wed Jun 10, 2020, 09:44 AM

Jun 2020

Not because I rode an MC, but because it’s easier to dismount on the left side of the bike and run with the bike while feathering the rear brake with the left hand. I reversed the brakes when my racing days ended.

marble falls

(62,521 posts)

4. That's interesting. I never thought about it, but it makes good sense for both reasons.

Reply to Tom Traubert (Reply #3)

Wed Jun 10, 2020, 10:12 AM

Jun 2020

gopiscrap

(24,219 posts)

5. welcome to DU

Reply to Tom Traubert (Reply #3)

Thu Jun 11, 2020, 04:13 PM

Jun 2020

Reply to this discussion