Brake level position (1 finger breaking)

Fenred

Northwind wrote:

bluechair84 wrote:

Had Tektros on an old Avalanche, I wouldn't really say they were one finger worthy - just because you can move your cockpit around to use your brakes with one finger doens't mean you should. The Tektros are great brakes for the money, but they don't have the modulation and power of brakes that are classed as having 'one finger braking power'.

Don't agree with this at all, the enormous lever does make them a wee bit unsubtle for single finger but they work fine 1-fingered, not as good as my Oros but still more than adequate (I was running one bike with an Oro on the front and an Auriga on teh back for a while, both 1-finger, bit odd but no problems.

Fenred wrote:

Your index finger should ALWAYS be covering the brake lever...Always.

When anticipating braking, sure, cover it but why on earth would you do it when know you've got no reason to brake?

It's the way I was shown to ride whilst out in Canada.and I adopted the techniquo ever since.Index finger resting lightly on the brake levers so its there ready. I found it works well for me as Ioften need to scrub off a little speed if I screw my line up or barrelling too fast into a corner or a dog/squirel/child decides to dart out in front of me Think about it, it's more efficient Lots of enduro and MX riders use this as part of their technique and lets face it, what we do is just a slower version of exactly that.

Only time I dont is when Im climbing and really need to drop my elbows etc.

Perhaps I shouldnt have shouted the "ALWAYS" but like I say, its how I was shown and it works for me, and others I recommended it too.

Anonymous

I'm covering my brakes right now. I'm a good little boy.

Fenred

yeehaamcgee wrote:

I'm covering my brakes right now. I'm a good little boy.

There's a good boy...Would you like a lolly?

Anonymous

Yes please, mister. I'm not sure how to hold a lolly whilst covering my brakes though.
I'll just let go of them so i can hold i... AAAAAAAAAARGH!

Fenred

Walked straight into that one didn't I...

Northwind

Fenred wrote:

Only time I dont is when Im climbing and really need to drop my elbows etc.

Perhaps I shouldnt have shouted the "ALWAYS" but like I say, its how I was shown and it works for me, and others I recommended it too.

That makes more sense, ta, I always have them covered in interesting riding, basically if I think "I might be braking at some point" it's a good idea to be ready I agree.

earls

Almost identical problem on my rockhopper. I eventually swapped my shifters for lx shifters, whipped off the windows and bingo, job done.
And the auriga brakes are worth getting in a good position for one finger breaking.

j4mesj4mes

Interesting idea, how much did you spend on the shifters? Just had a quick look and they seem quite pricey. And the windows just comes off that easily?

earls

Second hand fellas off ebay. Cost me about 25 quid all in.

earls

A right hand slx just went for less than a tenner.
The windows have two little screws, easily accessible and you get a cover to close up the hole.

bluechair84

Fenred wrote:

Northwind wrote:

bluechair84 wrote:

Had Tektros on an old Avalanche, I wouldn't really say they were one finger worthy - just because you can move your cockpit around to use your brakes with one finger doens't mean you should. The Tektros are great brakes for the money, but they don't have the modulation and power of brakes that are classed as having 'one finger braking power'.

Don't agree with this at all, the enormous lever does make them a wee bit unsubtle for single finger but they work fine 1-fingered, not as good as my Oros but still more than adequate (I was running one bike with an Oro on the front and an Auriga on teh back for a while, both 1-finger, bit odd but no problems.

Fenred wrote:

Your index finger should ALWAYS be covering the brake lever...Always.

When anticipating braking, sure, cover it but why on earth would you do it when know you've got no reason to brake?

It's the way I was shown to ride whilst out in Canada.and I adopted the techniquo ever since.Index finger resting lightly on the brake levers so its there ready. I found it works well for me as Ioften need to scrub off a little speed if I screw my line up or barrelling too fast into a corner or a dog/squirel/child decides to dart out in front of me Think about it, it's more efficient Lots of enduro and MX riders use this as part of their technique and lets face it, what we do is just a slower version of exactly that.

Only time I dont is when Im climbing and really need to drop my elbows etc.

Perhaps I shouldnt have shouted the "ALWAYS" but like I say, its how I was shown and it works for me, and others I recommended it too.

Agreed with some of this – and with Northwind. Without going back through the thread I’m sure I mentioned having more fingers around the bars is best for control so one finger braking is the way forward if your brakes can handle it or if you’re comfortable with them set up that way. Happy with the Aurigas? Go for it.

I think that feathering your brakes through technical stuff isn’t always necessary though as you’ve more control with all your fingers wrapped around the bar. If you are comfortable with the speed you’re going at, you can muscle your way through better with fingers off the brakes. Feathering is a good learning curve, but you don’t hit jumps, drops or rock gardens feathering – you scrub your speed on entry and grip on for control and stability, unless it’s a long speed-gathering section.

Deputy Dawg

nicklouse wrote:

Fenred wrote:

Your index finger should ALWAYS be covering the brake lever...Always.

why? I never was possible until Sram brought about the thumb activated trigger shifters

You mean it wouldn't work with a set of these much older shimano shifters? :shock:

Admittedly the quality of the brakes back then made it a bit inadvisable.

omegas

I find 2 fingers covering the brake, 2 fingers and thumb around the grip gives a more relaxed feel but stronger grip. Try it and see how it feels.

mac_man

omegas wrote:

I find 2 fingers covering the brake, 2 fingers and thumb around the grip gives a more relaxed feel but stronger grip. Try it and see how it feels.

Nope... not for me anyways. I prefer single finger braking as I get more grip on the bars. Problem I have is I need new brakes/or shifters as I can't get my current set-up arranged 'just so'. Brakes should be inboard so that the index finger can get good leverage on the end of the brake lever.

Fenred

mac man wrote:

omegas wrote:

I find 2 fingers covering the brake, 2 fingers and thumb around the grip gives a more relaxed feel but stronger grip. Try it and see how it feels.

Nope... not for me anyways. I prefer single finger braking as I get more grip on the bars. Problem I have is I need new brakes/or shifters as I can't get my current set-up arranged 'just so'. Brakes should be inboard so that the index finger can get good leverage on the end of the brake lever.

Why is that a 'Nope'??

If it works for him, it works for him...But I agree with the rest of your post

cooldad

mac man wrote:

omegas wrote:

I find 2 fingers covering the brake, 2 fingers and thumb around the grip gives a more relaxed feel but stronger grip. Try it and see how it feels.

Nope... not for me anyways. I prefer single finger braking as I get more grip on the bars. Problem I have is I need new brakes/or shifters as I can't get my current set-up arranged 'just so'. Brakes should be inboard so that the index finger can get good leverage on the end of the brake lever.

So it's really a personal thing and none are right or wrong.
I just use my middle finger, leaving thumb and forefinger for the gears.

Fenred

cooldad wrote:

mac man wrote:

omegas wrote:

I find 2 fingers covering the brake, 2 fingers and thumb around the grip gives a more relaxed feel but stronger grip. Try it and see how it feels.

Nope... not for me anyways. I prefer single finger braking as I get more grip on the bars. Problem I have is I need new brakes/or shifters as I can't get my current set-up arranged 'just so'. Brakes should be inboard so that the index finger can get good leverage on the end of the brake lever.

So it's really a personal thing and none are right or wrong.
I just use my middle finger, leaving thumb and forefinger for the gears.

Endorsed....But whatever you use your middle finger for is your business...And as for the thumb and forefingers....I's all 'tweaking'!

cooldad

I must just be lucky. Mine fit perfectly with brakes outboard and up against the grips. But I do have delicate little girly hands.

omegas

cooldad wrote:

mac man wrote:

omegas wrote:

I find 2 fingers covering the brake, 2 fingers and thumb around the grip gives a more relaxed feel but stronger grip. Try it and see how it feels.

Nope... not for me anyways. I prefer single finger braking as I get more grip on the bars. Problem I have is I need new brakes/or shifters as I can't get my current set-up arranged 'just so'. Brakes should be inboard so that the index finger can get good leverage on the end of the brake lever.

I just use my middle finger, leaving thumb and forefinger for the gears.

As most modern brake levers now have a hooked inwards pattern to them only one finger is probably applying the pressure.

Covering the brake lever with index and middle finger you often find that you are only using one finger breaking (the middle finger) as this is doing the work and the index finger is just following.

bluechair84

omegas wrote:

Covering the brake lever with index and middle finger you often find that you are only using one finger breaking (the middle finger) as this is doing the work and the index finger is just following.

I've never found this. I'd argue that hardly anyone who covers the levers with two fingers, squeezes with one. Why would you have a trailing finger over the brakes when it could give you more control of the bars?

And braking with your middle, whislt shifting with your fore is just weird. It's like people who can cross their eyes or curl their tongue (of which I can do neither)..... you're all just weird :shock:

Fenred

bluechair84 wrote:

omegas wrote:

Covering the brake lever with index and middle finger you often find that you are only using one finger breaking (the middle finger) as this is doing the work and the index finger is just following.

I've never found this. I'd argue that hardly anyone who covers the levers with two fingers, squeezes with one. Why would you have a trailing finger over the brakes when it could give you more control of the bars?

And braking with your middle, whislt shifting with your fore is just weird. It's like people who can cross their eyes or curl their tongue (of which I can do neither)..... you're all just weird :shock:

Sitting here bored at work and just discovered I can cross my eyes AND curl my tongue simultaneously!! :shock:

bluechair84

I'll work your tongue in a minute.









Crap, the joke backfires!

Fenred

tobydickenson

Richtea70 wrote:

Swap the brake and gear levers around? I.e have the gear shifters closet to your grips.

Good suggestion. I'm not sure why it wasn't obvious before your post, but this has made a big improvement for my large hands.

suzyb

Whoever suggest using the middle finger to brake whilst keeping the rest gripping the bars, thanks

I tried that last night, felt a lot more secure than having index and middle finger off the bars yet still felt I was getting a proper grip to pull the brake (unlike when just using my index finger to pull it).

cooldad

I cannot take all the credit, but accept your gratitude.

Daz555

I cover the brakes when I feel the need. Same as I do on my motorcycle.

I also feel that I have better feeling for braking when I use my middle finger rather than just my index. Having hands like shovels helps as I do not feel I lose any grip when I cover the brakes with two fingers.