newb Q: i want my front brake on the right

[kdeleon]

folks, i just need your quick info on how i can get my brake levers reversed. Just a bit of background, i ride a motorcycle and having the front brakes at the right feels really natural to me. It would be really nice if my bike works the same also.

The easiest i could think off is just switching the cables but looking at the cables and how they are routed, this may cause some binding. BTW, it's a V-brake (stock Specialized Hardrock). So has anyone successfully done this? Are kits available to do this conversion? Am i smoking crack :etard:??

great site btw!!!

[bigwheel]

folks, i just need your quick info on how i can get my brake levers reversed. Just a bit of background, i ride a motorcycle and having the front brakes at the right feels really natural to me. It would be really nice if my bike works the same also.

The easiest i could think off is just switching the cables but looking at the cables and how they are routed, this may cause some binding. BTW, it's a V-brake (stock Specialized Hardrock). So has anyone successfully done this? Are kits available to do this conversion? Am i smoking crack :etard:??

great site btw!!!


Hey Ken,

Are you the motocross guy that I rode the leb lap with a month ago? (I'm the old guy on the red 29er)

Anyway, I would think you should be able to swap the cables. Your back brake should be a no-brainer. However, you may have some problems with your front brake, because the v-brake is normally set up to point toward the right side. You can probably compensate for this by using a longer front brake cable so that it can make a more graceful turn. Cables are sold as inner/outer, and can be cut to any length.

If this doesn't work, Avid sells a gadget that hooks to your brake, and replaces the bent part of the cable where it connects to the brake.. It's similar to the derailleur gadget they call the "rollmajig" , but has a different name, and is specifically for brakes.

[manual63]

It's super easy to just switch the cables. But you will want someone to do it if you are not familiar with doing it. The main thing is to route the cables well so they don't interfere with the steering or other cables. But no mods need to be done for this.

Once you make the switch, make absolutely sure you let anyone else who rides your bike know about the switch. A guy let me ride his bike once and I started doing a wheelie. I use the back brake to keep from flipping back, but he had them switched. Next thing I knew....I was on my @ss and the bike was doing cartwheels down the lot. It was a $3000 plus bike, I think an American at the time. He was a bit upset that I did that and I was a bit upset he didn't warn me about his brakes. I learned my lesson after that. I always check the setup before I do anything stupid.....:crazy:

[Trevize1138]

And, once you do get it done, WARN your friends that the brakes are "reversed" if they say "Hey, can I try out your bike?" :hit:

:)

[kdeleon]

thanks for the quick response!

Bob, no wasn't me, i'm more of a road course, kneedragging type. Although i hope to get into trail riding on a dirt bike pretty soon, but MTB is something that's definitely healthier and a sport i can do with my girlfriend!

I'm gonna check the bikeshop for some long cables and play with 'em. Otherwise i'm gonna take a look at this Avid part.

[dave t]

If this doesn't work, Avid sells a gadget that hooks to your brake, and replaces the bent part of the cable where it connects to the brake.. It's similar to the derailleur gadget they call the "rollmajig" , but has a different name, and is specifically for brakes.

The Avid roller is the "Travel Agent" and can also be used to adjust the lever ratio for standard levers to V-brakes.

I also run my brakes the "right" way and it has always worked for me to run the housing pretty short.

You can also bend the "noodle" a bit to point the cable into a more natural arc.

When I switched to disks, the routing became exactly like my MX bikes but I had to employ the art of bleeding to get the hose length that I wanted.

[redwood]

folks, i just need your quick info on how i can get my brake levers reversed. Just a bit of background, i ride a motorcycle and having the front brakes at the right feels really natural to me. It would be really nice if my bike works the same also.

The easiest i could think off is just switching the cables but looking at the cables and how they are routed, this may cause some binding. BTW, it's a V-brake (stock Specialized Hardrock). So has anyone successfully done this? Are kits available to do this conversion? Am i smoking crack :etard:??

great site btw!!!

I think front brake on the right is the way to go. I haven't switched yet but I may. I got turned on to the idea in a Sheldron Brown column (Harris Cyclery).

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

Using the front brake means more stopping power and less skidding, so why not control it with (for most of us) the stronger and more controlled hand? Additionally, if you're in traffic signaling with the Left hand, you can still use the front brake with the right, allowing you to stop quickly. For this last reason, in fact, there is a rule in the European Union that all new bikes sold must have the front brake controlled by the right hand.

[stoneage]

This is common practice in cyclocross. As you dismount for an obstacle, you can still feather the rear brake as you stand on the left pedal getting ready to step down with your right to leap over barricades. Otherwise, you could get the saddle or top tube in the back of the head. I switched all my bikes to 'cross braking years ago. It just makes sense. I always tell people that I'm crossed if they take my bikes for a spin.

[Danimal]

Has anyone installed a coaster brake on their rig? Just wondering what ever happened to those, it seems they got lost at age 8.

[Hans Staben]

Has anyone installed a coaster brake on their rig? Just wondering what ever happened to those, it seems they got lost at age 8.

you mean those things operated via reverse turning the cranks?

they don´t work
- if the chain is broken or off of the chain ring /sprocket
- on long steep descends, due to overheating problems, they could melt your rear hub (remember where "repack" comes from? those days before MTBs where introduced, when Fisher and others used clunkers for downhills...)
- on multispeed deraileur systems

they are heavy - esp. if you keep in mind their performance

they are usefull for low speed operation in flat land, small kids, older people and semi-handicapped persons

[bigwheel]

you mean those things operated via reverse turning the cranks?

they don´t work
- if the chain is broken or off of the chain ring /sprocket
- on long steep descends, due to overheating problems, they could melt your rear hub (remember where "repack" comes from? those days before MTBs where introduced, when Fisher and others used clunkers for downhills...)
- on multispeed deraileur systems

they are heavy - esp. if you keep in mind their performance

they are usefull for low speed operation in flat land, small kids, older people and semi-handicapped persons

Yeah, but they were awesome for skidding :crazy:

[bolmsted]

Has anyone installed a coaster brake on their rig? Just wondering what ever happened to those, it seems they got lost at age 8.


I have a restored Hiawatha Gambler with a Sturmey Archer sc-1 coaster brake. It's a total bad a$$ ride and is my fav to toodle on in the neighborhood. ...right down to the handlebar streamers and the brown leather brooks saddle with chrome springs. Rock on!

[manual63]

Has anyone installed a coaster brake on their rig? Just wondering what ever happened to those, it seems they got lost at age 8.

Once you are above 100 pounds, they start losing their effectiveness and heat up too easily. Besides, ever try to bunnyhop BMX style with one. Really tough to do without triggering the brake.

[TML]

Has anyone installed a coaster brake on their rig? Just wondering what ever happened to those, it seems they got lost at age 8.

Got one on my 50's Rollfast cruiser. Like Bolmsted, it's my toolin' around the neighborhood bike.

[soupboy]

what? What the heck is semi-handicapped? You are or you aren't.

Also, please don't bring those silly European rim brakes back...

and semi-handicapped persons

[Aaroneous]

I have a restored Hiawatha Gambler with a Sturmey Archer sc-1 coaster brake. It's a total bad a$$ ride and is my fav to toodle on in the neighborhood. ...right down to the handlebar streamers and the brown leather brooks saddle with chrome springs. Rock on!

Dood! That sounds killer! You got a pic?

[soupboy]

preference.

This doesn't make sense though in the context of a panic stop. Grabbing a fistful of front brake, regardless of side, with one arm on the bar is a recipe for disaster.

Additionally, if you're in traffic signaling with the Left hand, you can still use the front brake with the right, allowing you to stop quickly. For this last reason, in fact, there is a rule in the European Union that all new bikes sold must have the front brake controlled by the right hand.

[bolmsted]

Dood! That sounds killer! You got a pic?

I don't actually. Sorry.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a pimped out lowrider or anything...but it is definitely tidy, dorky, and old school. ...and red. It's very red with whitewall tires and chrome fenders and such.

It rides the best down mild hills with your legs off the pedals and stiffly hanging out to the sides.

[gordanfreeman]

Yeah, but they were awesome for skidding :crazy:

true that :crazy2:

[Wheels]

This is common practice in cyclocross. As you dismount for an obstacle, you can still feather the rear brake as you stand on the left pedal getting ready to step down with your right to leap over barricades. Otherwise, you could get the saddle or top tube in the back of the head. I switched all my bikes to 'cross braking years ago. It just makes sense. I always tell people that I'm crossed if they take my bikes for a spin.

"Always"?? Good thing I know how to manual, or my chiropractor would have gotten some more of my $$ after my last ride on your bike :)

[stoneage]

I'm old. Sometimes I forget.

[Hans Staben]

what? What the heck is semi-handicapped? You are or you aren't.

Also, please don't bring those silly European rim brakes back...

well, actually in my definition there are 2 sorts of semi-handicapped:
those without any handicapp beeing scared by their thoughts aka cowards

And there are people who are handicapped and try to ignore it. I´ve seen a man cycling -his left arm was amputated.
There are cranks available for people with one stiff knee..

There´s one thing on rim brakes that isn´t possible: switch from road bike to MTB with one frame. One company offers such a thing :D, no need for connecting a MTB to a Bob or Yakima (posted by Trevice1138 "New bike rack"), just put in the other set of wheels