Skidding

mathematics

Hi

Advice please.

Just been out first time on my first roadie. It was a bit alien at first and very stiff but I enjoyed it, even clipping in and out - no falls to report....yet!!

My problem was hard braking and Rear wheel skids. What am I doing wrong? Should I just be avoiding hard braking?

Thanks

Chris

diamonddog

Yes

chrisaonabike

Don't brake so hard with the rear brake. If you need to stop quickly, brake a lot harder with the front brake.

With most of the braking from the front wheel, the CG moves forward so you get more weight on the front wheel, so it's less likely to skid.

Don't brake so hard you go over the bars. And don't brake hard on corners.

As you've probably found, a rear wheel skid is often no big deal. A front wheel skid (very difficult in a straight line) is very hard to control.

Mikey41

Don't brake much with the rear, use the front more for hard braking. Road bikes put more of your weight over the front wheel, especially when in the drops, so you can really haul that front brake without it locking up.

mathematics

Thanks guys

I'm also thinking my brakes will need a little breaking in too, is that right?

thistle_

You can control a rear wheel skid quite easily, but if you've done it a few times check your tyres are OK.

I just happened to notice a large bald patch on my tyre a few weeks ago. Either it was serious quality problem with the tyre (unlikely) or it was me locking the rear wheel during an emergency stop the week before.

Mikey41

mathematics wrote:

Thanks guys

I'm also thinking my brakes will need a little breaking in too, is that right?

If they are brand new, then yes they will get a bit more powerful after a couple of decent rides.

diamonddog

Try and anticipate your stopping point and then you can apply the brakes gently to avoid skidding. I apply the front brake ever so slightly before the rear and luckily I have yet to have a rear wheel skid.

skyd0g

You should use your FRONT brake to stop. (mostly)
Read here: http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

rolf_f

In dry weather, if you are braking to stop, there is no reason to use the rear brake at all because it won't have any effect. There should be that little weight over the back wheel in those conditions that any significant brake force will just lock the rear wheel anyway.

If the rear brake is helping you slow, then you aren't exerting as much pressure on the front as you can.

andrewjoseph

This might be useful:

http://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/08/2 ... ment-12433

Mad_Malx

+1 for front brake, but move your weight (arse) back on the saddle while descending.

iamcami

wait, so if the front brake is to stop and we shouldn't use the rear, what's it for? why do they make them? just for slowing speed slightly?

andrewjoseph

iamcami wrote:

wait, so if the front brake is to stop and we shouldn't use the rear, what's it for? why do they make them? just for slowing speed slightly?

Pretty much, yes. Rear to modulate / control speed, front to slow/stop.

kajjal

andrewjoseph wrote:

iamcami wrote:

wait, so if the front brake is to stop and we shouldn't use the rear, what's it for? why do they make them? just for slowing speed slightly?

Pretty much, yes. Rear to modulate / control speed, front to slow/stop.

Coming from a mountain biking background from experience the front brake is the best at stopping you unless you are going round a tight corner or on a loose surface. Even then you can use the front brake to help slow you. As mentioned the rear is more to adjust how you are braking rather than stop the bike.

iamcami

learn something new everyday