Braking US style.

[the other Steve Dennis]

Ok so I forgot one small detail when I ordered my new bike a couple of weeks ago.
I have finally been out on the new bike - you won't believe the deal, I'll get my act together with photos soon.
Anyhow I have ridden it a couple of times and noticed that either the SRAM brakes are really good or the tyres are really slick as I have skidded whilst braking.

Then I realised that in the US the left hand operates the front brake and this is how this bike is set up.
Even when using both brakes it became apparent that I am applying more force unconsciously to my right hand, which means the rear wheel skids.
Sheldon Brown has a simple explanation of braking forces etc: [url]http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html[/url]

So I figure I could get used to it - become Americanised further.
But actually I am going to swap it back - reckon even if I get used to it whilst riding, there will be moments that rely on instinct and reactions in racing etc and it will be so hard to retrain those reflexes and therefore more dangerous.

Just sharing this spot of wisdom, because I have never really thought about it much..

[Sylv]

It's even more obvious with mtb brakes, discs furthermore (they are so powerful). When I first got discs they were set up uk style and I thought I'd try and get used to them instead of having to bleed them to swap the hoses, but it was horrible, I kept having to think "do the opposite of what you are thinking" like in those psychotechnic tests when your left hand operates the right cursor - not good when downhilling in the Alps!! So I swapped them back to continental/us style soon enough.

[Andrew G]

[quote]become Americanised further.

[Mike I]

I have my brakes set up American style - or, as I think of it, Italian style . Because the cable attaches to the right of the front caliper, having the front brake on the left gives a smoother cable run.

[Jon H]

Marco, there's a good reason for setting up a cross bike with the front brake operated by the left lever. The theory is that it helps with shouldering the bike for the running bits; you dismount the bike on the left, then as you land you whack the front brake on which flips the back end of the bike up so you can get it onto your right shoulder easier.

Might save a fraction of a second, but then again it's more likely that if the rest of your bikes are set up the other way you'd forget and either lock up the back end of flip yourself over the bars.