Brake lever setup - left/right

h34e0f

I had a play with a bike recently owned by a Canadian guy, and the levers were 'backwards' and it got me intrigued, which countries use which sides? i.e. in the UK it's generally Left for rear, right for front, and I know it's usually the other way around in France...

team47b

you generally want to be using your back brake with your free hand when signaling to turn across the oncoming traffic, we drive on the right here so indicating when turning left my other hand is on the back brake which is preferable when trying to stop than only using the front brake, opposite in countries that drive on the left (or wrong side as we call it!)

this conveniently puts the front change and front brake on the same side too.

estampida

yeah the connection is to left hand drive countries

before indicators or even earlier trafficators people used their hand, and you use the hand that would be in the middle of the road so traffic both ways can see your intended direction

therefore left hand drive motorcycles have the throttle on the wrong side and clutch is under the right hand (indian bikes for example with a gear stick...), but once your used to pulling stoppies with your right hand this will cause an accident in any other country......

I really slammed on a rental bike in spain 35 feet from the rental shop...... and I knew they were the wrong way round.......

rolf_f

team47b wrote:

you generally want to be using your back brake with your free hand when signaling to turn across the oncoming traffic, we drive on the right here so indicating when turning left my other hand is on the back brake which is preferable when trying to stop than only using the front brake, opposite in countries that drive on the left (or wrong side as we call it!)

this conveniently puts the front change and front brake on the same side too.

I use left front braking in the UK. TBH, I don't think there is much advantage or disadvantage either way. But when stopping, I'd rather be using front brake only as that actually has stopping power!

In my case, I reckon I would be better off right front braking simply because at the end of each day I come down a steep hill towards my house at some speed and need to turn left. Because I left front brake, I have to signal before I brake. If I was turning right, then I'd be able to left front brake and signal at the same time. If I tried to brake rear only I wouldn't lose anywhere near enough speed without braking massively early.

Front change and brake on the same side probably doesn't add convenience either. It is nice - it somehow seems correct but I don't think that braking eg on the left front is having any benefit or otherwise on my gear shifting.

I don't think there are any convincing reasons why it should matter one way or the other. The fairly trivial reason I decided to go left front was that you get neater, less tight cable runs onto the callipers.

team47b

Doesn't really make any difference as long as all your bikes are the same :shock:

rolf_f

team47b wrote:

Doesn't really make any difference as long as all your bikes are the same :shock:

Funnily enough, it was only very recently that I managed to convert the MTB to left front (by means of replacing the brakes with a new set of SLX sourced from Germany) and my Raleigh Record Ace is still right front because somehow or other the cables don't seem to sit happily if I swap them round.

It doesn't bother me. I don't have any problem swapping from one to the other. I know it ought to but it doesn't!

mattjevans

R is for right, R is for rear. Brakes and derailleurs both. Right hand front has never made sense to me but that's just me

h34e0f

mattjevans wrote:

R is for right, R is for rear. Brakes and derailleurs both. Right hand front has never made sense to me but that's just me

It's mostly down to what you're used to. Never ridden a bike with left hand for front, think I'd end up with no face!

farrina

Rolf F wrote:

I use left front braking in the UK. TBH, I don't think there is much advantage or disadvantage either way. But when stopping, I'd rather be using front brake only as that actually has stopping power!

+1 from me as well.

If descending a reasonably steep hill and turning right, rear brake (if on left) I don't trust to be powerful enough. Turning left as I am not crossing traffic I am not so bothered about signalling and can use both brakes.

Regards

Alan

Velonutter

A few years ago I switched all my bikes to right rear and would never go back, all my mates who have tried it now have the same setup...why you may ask?

Well if you are right handed you can be prone to grabbing a larger handful of the front brake, thus losing control, I find grabbing a larger handful of the rear brake might cause a skid but leave you in more control, especially when cornering or riding in the wet.

I find with the front brake on the left means that I am much more in control.

The cable run is much tidier and smoother.

I haven't noticed any adverse effect when turning either.

Just my view, doesn't mean it's right but those that have tried it and are right handed won't go back to the normal way.

BTW if you have a number of bikes it means new cable and outers for the brakes.

rolf_f

Velonutter wrote:

BTW if you have a number of bikes it means new cable and outers for the brakes.

Only one cable and outer per bike needed though - for the rear.

Velonutter

Rolf F wrote:

Velonutter wrote:

BTW if you have a number of bikes it means new cable and outers for the brakes.

Only one cable and outer per bike needed though - for the rear.

Yep sorry Rolf, I did it at a time when all my cables were due changing, if your cables and outers are in good nick, then you can switch your rear outer and cable for use on the front as it does need to be longer as well.

h34e0f

I doubt I will be changing, my mind is trained. Was literally just interested as to where uses what to be honest.

team47b

different subject I know but...If you've ever tried left foot braking, rally style, in a car, (not actually recommending you try this!) initially your left foot only knows how to use a clutch and stamps fully on the brake :shock:

Leeuw

I use front brake on the left for the smoother cable line into the brake calipers - as others have mentioned. It looks a lot neater, and removing any excessive cable bends may help (I have no proof on this, but the logic kind of makes sense - the less bends in the cables the better).

And on the smooth cable lines topic... I cross my gear cables too - rear mech shift cable goes round left side of head tube, front shifter to the right of the head tube - and then cross under down tube to return to "normal" as they head of to the mechs. Again, this gives a smoother cable line and (possibly) smoother shifting.

And I've done this on my road and MTB bikes.

Leeuw

team47b wrote:

different subject I know but...If you've ever tried left foot braking, rally style, in a car, (not actually recommending you try this!) initially your left foot only knows how to use a clutch and stamps fully on the brake :shock:

Yes, and it was pretty hairy!! Back in the days of my old Mk3 Escort with loads of extra spot lights (yes I liked rally driving!) - locked up big time as I "clutched" the brakes!! Looked easy from the in-car footage of McRae!!!