Brake layout..
- Thread starter IDB1
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From the Sheldon Brown site which at least makes sence to me:
Which Brake Which Side?
There is considerable disagreement as to which brake should be connected to which lever:
•Some cyclists say it is best to have the stronger right hand (presuming a right-handed cyclist) operate the rear brake.
•Motorcycles always have the right hand control the front brake, so cyclists who are also motorcyclists often prefer this setup.
There are also observable national trends:
•In countries where vehicles drive on the right, it is common to set the brakes up so that the front brake is operated by the left lever.
•In countries where vehicles drive on the left, it is common to set the brakes up so that the front brake is operated by the right lever.
The theory that seems most probable to me is that these national standards arose from a concern that the cyclist be able to make hand signals, and still be able to reach the primary brake. This logical idea is, unfortunately, accompanied by the incorrect premise that the rear brake is the primary brake.
For this reason, I set my own bikes up so that the right hand controls the front brake, which is not the norm in the U.S.
I also do this because I'm right handed, and wish to have my more skillful hand operate the more critical brake.
Also look at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html#bikeculture
Which Brake Which Side?
There is considerable disagreement as to which brake should be connected to which lever:
•Some cyclists say it is best to have the stronger right hand (presuming a right-handed cyclist) operate the rear brake.
•Motorcycles always have the right hand control the front brake, so cyclists who are also motorcyclists often prefer this setup.
There are also observable national trends:
•In countries where vehicles drive on the right, it is common to set the brakes up so that the front brake is operated by the left lever.
•In countries where vehicles drive on the left, it is common to set the brakes up so that the front brake is operated by the right lever.
The theory that seems most probable to me is that these national standards arose from a concern that the cyclist be able to make hand signals, and still be able to reach the primary brake. This logical idea is, unfortunately, accompanied by the incorrect premise that the rear brake is the primary brake.
For this reason, I set my own bikes up so that the right hand controls the front brake, which is not the norm in the U.S.
I also do this because I'm right handed, and wish to have my more skillful hand operate the more critical brake.
Also look at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html#bikeculture
Makes sense..
It just looked really awkward routed that way while I sorted it.. maybe a 135 degree noodle will help..
I'm not about to swap them over, not only is my left hand considerably weaker than my right, I am also an ex-biker with close to 20 years 'under my belt'.. reckon re-learning the brakes could be troublesome, or painful
It just looked really awkward routed that way while I sorted it.. maybe a 135 degree noodle will help..
I'm not about to swap them over, not only is my left hand considerably weaker than my right, I am also an ex-biker with close to 20 years 'under my belt'.. reckon re-learning the brakes could be troublesome, or painful
Steve Kish
Senior Retro Guru
I have the front/left on my road bike.
The best reason I can think of is the one that was told to me by our club coach in the 1960s (when gears were on the downtube); that you could brake and change down at the same time going into a corner.
The best reason I can think of is the one that was told to me by our club coach in the 1960s (when gears were on the downtube); that you could brake and change down at the same time going into a corner.
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Steve Kish":qf4o2ssx said:
That would depend on which side your gears where set though ?
Steve Kish
Senior Retro Guru
This shifting / braking worked for me, as I had Simplex Retrofriction levers, before indexing was around.
MikeD
Senior Retro Guru
Cable routing on US bikes of the vintage in which we're interested in can be a bit ropy for front-right brakes. My 'dale forces a slight double bend in the housing from the left lever to the front cable stop on the top tube as it's positioned for a cable looping around the head tube and off to the right.
A 135 noodle will be lots nicer for the front brake, yes
A 135 noodle will be lots nicer for the front brake, yes
im a right hand/front person. i think this is the english way as my german friend has left hand/front although my other mate got his bike from certini in saltash and that shipped with left hand/front :?
i have heard that the front brake is the main one though hence why people have biggers rotors up front sometimes. i guess if you know how to setup brakes then its just preference nowadays
i have heard that the front brake is the main one though hence why people have biggers rotors up front sometimes. i guess if you know how to setup brakes then its just preference nowadays
