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> Skilled cyclists use the front brake alone probably 95% of the time I am skeptical about this claim. Here’s a recent video by a former pro on the subject of

> Skilled cyclists use the front brake alone probably 95% of the time I am skeptical about this claim. Here’s a recent video by a former pro on the subject of braking, for example, and he is squeezing on both brakes at the same time in most of the shots. [1] He does say that the front brake can be squeezed a lot harder, though, and is source of most of your braking power. Even in the places where Brown says you should use the rear/both brakes comprise much more than 5% of my total brake usage: bumpy roads, slippery roads, long descents, breaking during a turn, etc. But I’ll also use both breaks to come to a stop pretty much any time I’m coming up to a traffic light or other non-emergency stop. [1] https://youtu.be/wX4tFn4RzrU https://youtu.be/wX4tFn4RzrU

heavenlyblue 4y ago
> I am skeptical about this claim. Here’s a recent video by a former pro on the subject of braking, for example, and he is squeezing on both brakes at the same time in most of the shots. [1] He does say that the front brake can be squeezed a lot harder, though, and is source of most of your braking power. Note that he's stopping with both brakes and also moves his hips behind the seat, which makes tumble-forwards situation less likely. If you have enough strength you can go so low in that position that you will also slide on the front wheel as well on the back wheel.
- freetime2 4y ago
  Yup, after watching that video, I think I need to go out and practice that technique - hopefully it will become muscle memory in the event of a true emergency stop!
ho_schi 4y ago
Thank you! You're right with the critique. The number is wrong and an exaggeration. To be fair, Brown did focus on emergency breaking and the paragraph lists situations for the rear break. The video is good and states that the front brakes matters most for emergency breaking. Breaking well planed before a turn, because breaking in turn can lead to loose of traction and result in skidding. Brown mentions this also as situation for gently breaking with front- and back break together to avoid skidding. I think most important is the rule to break gently in regular situations. As you I'm breaking often with the rear break only, on bumpy roads or when I need little deceleration. And often with both! Sometimes also in change during step descents (allow cool down of front break). I once didn't notice the bumpy surface (asphalt looked well) before a turn on a step decent and used only the front break, it was horrible because lack of deceleration and every bump was a hit into the handlebar.

heavenlyblue 4y ago

> I am skeptical about this claim. Here’s a recent video by a former pro on the subject of braking, for example, and he is squeezing on both brakes at the same time in most of the shots. [1] He does say that the front brake can be squeezed a lot harder, though, and is source of most of your braking power. Note that he's stopping with both brakes and also moves his hips behind the seat, which makes tumble-forwards situation less likely. If you have enough strength you can go so low in that position that you will also slide on the front wheel as well on the back wheel.

freetime2 4y ago
Yup, after watching that video, I think I need to go out and practice that technique - hopefully it will become muscle memory in the event of a true emergency stop!

ho_schi 4y ago

Thank you! You're right with the critique. The number is wrong and an exaggeration. To be fair, Brown did focus on emergency breaking and the paragraph lists situations for the rear break. The video is good and states that the front brakes matters most for emergency breaking. Breaking well planed before a turn, because breaking in turn can lead to loose of traction and result in skidding. Brown mentions this also as situation for gently breaking with front- and back break together to avoid skidding. I think most important is the rule to break gently in regular situations. As you I'm breaking often with the rear break only, on bumpy roads or when I need little deceleration. And often with both! Sometimes also in change during step descents (allow cool down of front break). I once didn't notice the bumpy surface (asphalt looked well) before a turn on a step decent and used only the front break, it was horrible because lack of deceleration and every bump was a hit into the handlebar.