Coaster Brakes

Philip Davis

I've just been riding around my new 'town' bike (Swobo Otis) for a week now - it uses a cable operated disk brake and a rear coaster brake.

I have to say I'm really impressed with the coaster brake, it seem simple, reliable, keeps a 'clean' rear wheel and all weather performance. With the front disk I feel i have a lot of control over the bike under all conditions.

I'm wondering why they aren't more commonly used - on touring bikes, audax bikes or even mtb's, for example,

I know there is an issue with overheating on very big descents, but this seems to apply to most kinds of brake anyway.

Is there any reason they are not more widely used? I'm wondering if I'm missing something about them.

nicklouse

i hate them with a passion. but i also want to build a bike with one.

they are very common in mainland europe. and they are considered the norm for many people.

the strangest bike i have ridden had V,s front and rear and a coaster brake! WTF.

generally i find i am appling the brake when i dont mean to!

you can also get geared coaster hubs.

redddraggon

I don't even know what coaster brakes are!!!

But I'm guessing that when you coast there's some sort of braking mechanism.....am I right?

nicklouse

back pedal brakes is another term.

Philip Davis

Yes, basically to brake you pedal backwards.... the harder you push back, the harder it brakes. When you get used to it (I have a 3 speed SRAM coaster hub):

http://www.swobo.com/product_b.aspx?l=0 ... p=SBB08001

Now I'm used to it, i find there is a surprising amount of modulation... while with a hard kick back I can skid the back wheel. But mostly i use the front disk brake for normal use.

The only think that I don't like about it is that you can't backpedal when standing to get the right position for starting - you start off by giving the bike a little push, rather than standing on the pedals like with a 'normal' bike. But thats no different than riding a fixie.

I'm curious about this because i'm hoping to rebuild my touring bike soon and I'm intrigued by the idea of one of these brakes. There would seem to be a lot of advantages of it on a touring bike (no rim wear, nothing in the way of a rack and bags, no disk to distort), but as I've never seen a touring bike with one, i'm obviously missing something.

nicklouse

The only think that I don't like about it is that you can't backpedal when standing to get the right position for starting

and stopping.

there is also a hand lever operated version.