Questions tagged [brakes]
Disc/rim/drum/coaster brakes; braking technique, maintaining brakes, anything else about stopping a bike.
1,233
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Why are disc brakes rare on road bikes? (circa 2010) [closed]
Window shopping for road bikes, I can't see many that have disc brakes. What are the reasons for this?
- 2,913
70
votes
19
answers
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Do skilled cyclists really "use the front brake alone probably 95% of the time"?
Sheldon Brown's Braking and Turning Your Bicycle page states that:
Skilled cyclists use the front brake alone probably 95% of the time
and
"Generally I advise against using both brakes at the ...
- 7,125
58
votes
18
answers
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What is the practical advantage of disk brakes over rim brakes?
Disk brakes are becomming more popular on bikes now, and I was just wondering what the advantage is of this type of brake over the older rim brakes.
- 683
54
votes
16
answers
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Safest way to slow down a bike quickly if both sets of brakes fail
This may sound like a crazy question, however today in the wet my rear brakes decided to stop working effectively. It has been pouring rain here which makes the problem more apparent.
I managed to ...
- 1,509
52
votes
8
answers
76k
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Why don't brakes come with 'Safety Levers' any more?
It used to be very common to see bikes with dual pull brake levers (if that's even the right name) as shown below. However now it seems almost impossible to find brakes like this. Even finding a ...
- 21.9k
45
votes
6
answers
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How do I make my rim brakes stop squealing?
My rear rim brakes are squeaking loudly. I don't know what the problem is, but I am sure it has nothing to do with rain because it happens all the time even if it is dry.
Anybody have an idea what ...
- 553
44
votes
10
answers
38k
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Why is the front brake lever on the right if you 'drive' on the left and vice-versa?
I live in the UK and I expect my front brake lever to be operated by my right hand. However, I recently went on a friend's bike that had the brakes 'back to front', which would be the 'right way round'...
- 17.2k
40
votes
15
answers
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When should I not use my front brake?
I have only been riding for a short time and I remember when I was a child there was a belief that if you used your front brakes going downhill that you would fly over your handlebars.
However, my ...
- 1,509
40
votes
6
answers
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Why are regenerative brakes uncommon on e-bikes?
Few electric bicycles have regenerative braking. Most quality e-bikes seem to be settling on mid-drive, which even makes regenerative braking impossible because there is a freewheel between the wheel ...
- 20k
37
votes
10
answers
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Why don't road bikes use v-brakes?
In my experience, linear pull brakes (v-brakes) have more stopping power than other types of cantilever brakes (let the flames start ;). Modern road bikes always come fitted with dual pivot brakes. ...
- 871
35
votes
1
answer
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What is the difference between I.S., post, and flat mount disc brake mounting standards?
What is the difference between "I.S." (international standard), "P.M." (post mount), and flat mount disc brake mounting standards?
Does one have a clear advantage over the other and is there a ...
- 29.3k
34
votes
8
answers
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Can your rims wear down from too much braking?
I have a question about rims based on information in another question. The person asking states that he doesn't want his rims wearing down. Is this really a problem? Assuming you don't wear the ...
- 21.9k
32
votes
7
answers
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What is best for your brakes when stopping at the bottom of the hill?
You are at the top of a hill and want to stop at the bottom. What is best for your brakes so you don't wear them down:
brake continuously; or
brake when you reach the bottom?
- 717
31
votes
7
answers
6k
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Why do the front and rear brakes work independently?
Why do bicycles have two individual brake levers that work independently to brake each wheel? I've always used my right brake lever because it is more comfortable to do so and I haven't noticed any ...
- 2,564
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15
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Braking one-handed to signal down steep traffic-heavy slope
I've just recently picked up biking and will be cycling to work when I start in a few weeks. One thing that's really bothering me on my route is a very steep hill that gets very busy during rush hour. ...
- 319