Back brake on the right?

aztecboy
aztecboy Posts: 384
edited September 2007 in Workshop
In Germany last week I went for a secret ride on my boss's new Cannondale and was shocked when I found that the brakes were wired back right / front left.

Having checked a number of my own bikes back home, both the position of the rear brake cable stops on the top tube and the cable entry into the front brake leads me to believe that back right / left front is what the makers actually intended.

Maybe this is common knowledge but it is new to me and sorry if it has been covered before.

Anyone shed any light on why we wire brakes up differently in the UK?
aztecboy

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    old road traffic act. you will find where people drive on the road like the UK the bike brakes are right front left rear. europe and the US the other way.

    some people ride whichever way they want though.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Isnt it something to do with when we indicate to go right - we brake the back wheel, so you're not likely to go over the handlebars ?
  • Steven Martin
    Steven Martin Posts: 280
    I recommend using the continental way here, and using the British way there.

    Reason is the if you are turning right here when you indicate you have to let go of the front brake. Turning right is the dangerous turn, so control of the front brake seems apt (try braking on a downhill in wet conditions with the rear only). Similarly, on the continent, the left is the issue and they have to let go of their front brake too.

    Daft eh?

    Funnily enough my good bike has the front brake on the left, and my Winter has the front brake on the right. I shall remedy this on the new Winter bike as it makes for some 'interesting' times when I am not thinking straight!
  • robbie the roadie
    robbie the roadie Posts: 423
    I ised to have left front brake and back right brake. When racing it made it really easy to slow down using the front brake and change gear at the back at the same time.
    Cycling - The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    I'd put the best brake (front) in the best hand (right, for me)

    nothing to do with turning and arm-waving. Just to do with control.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • graemetherunner
    graemetherunner Posts: 239
    do which ever you prefer, but bike shops should always set up left hand / rear brake.
    if you set yours up differently & decide to sell it tell the person you sell it to :lol:

    re the cable routing have a look at some of the pictures on burls for a different way & in my experiance a good way, esp on very small and compact road frames

Categories