Which side does front brake lever go on?

richard@halligan.co.uk · May 2007

Honestly - I have ridden for years - I am just about to fit a set of juicy Ultimate disc brakes as an upgrade from V's. I have always carefully selected components and built my own bikes - using right hand for front brake, left hand for rear brake. Using the same logic, on the handle bar, my Ultimate levers have pad contact circlip adjusters on top of the levers (I would have thought the circlip would sit on the underside leaving the anodised jewelery on top). This makes me think that I have for years been wrong about left and right. Can someone seriously answer - 'Which side should front brake lever be on, which side should rear brake lever be on?'. I am serious. I doubt everything I have ever done at this point! Try googling for correct lever positioning! Not easy. LOL.

joshleb · May 2007

Europeans have it the other way round. So if you go on a french persons bike you better remember that.
All bikes sold in UK have Front brake on the right, and rear on the left

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nicklouse · May 2007

just swap the adjusters to the top if you want them there. or leave them below so they dont get damaged.

if you read the instructions it does mention this and also about making sure the arrows are pointing up on the clamps.

nick
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richard@halligan.co.uk · May 2007

Thanks Joshleb, Nicklouse. That helped. I just got one of those panic moments before final install! I even forgot whether I was left or right handed! Cheers for speedy response.

richard@halligan.co.uk · May 2007

Nicklouse,
Having read the manual I see your all your points point under section 5a (Moto style). Thanks!

nicklouse · May 2007

no probs. i know exactly what was going through your mind. every time someone want to try my bike out here i have to ask them if they ride moto style.

just a note if a bike is used on the UK public highway the front brake has to be on the right. so went signalling to cross traffic you are covering the safe brake (rear).

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richard@halligan.co.uk · June 2007

My bike in all its glory ....

It's nearly finished for this phase of upgrade! I am just awaiting UST fire tyres and rear HOPE hose guides (front already fitted but not shown in photos).
I ride this bike to work and back every day also. So it's an XC and commute bike

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=173542

I guess Z's due a clean and polish about now!

Anonymous · June 2007

Is that why Yanks, Europeans, Canadians etc have the front brake on the left? to enable you to signal to cross traffic?
I'd always wondered about that.

What about motornikes? I assume they're the same worldwide, right? clutch on left lever, front brake on right lever, footbrake on right foot, gears on left foot?

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KeelKlein · June 2007

Unless you have a classic Brit, classic Yank and some old EU ones are "very" different! To be honest i've been riding motorbikes for so long now i'd have to have the front brake on the cycle the same as the motorbike. Though i have pulled in the clutch when riding the motorbike off road thinking it was the rear brake, which made life "interesting".

Alex · June 2007

I like to have my important brake on my clever hand. The other hand is a bit spamfisted.

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Mike Skinner · June 2007

the flaw being my roady only has one brake, the front, and it's on the right, so if i signal accross traffic, i have no brakes.. (in the eyes of the law at least)

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Which side does front brake lever go on?

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