Bicycles Stack Exchange
Bicycles Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [brakes]

Disc/rim/drum/coaster brakes; braking technique, maintaining brakes, anything else about stopping a bike.

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Finally, allows for an entirely different kind of braking.

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8 answers

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 picture to post was hard. It seems like it would be…
Kibbee
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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' for people in Europe, North America and…
ʍǝɥʇɐɯ
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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 friend who is a long time rider said I should use my…
going
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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. There isn't a massive difference in weight…
ninjaPixel
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2 answers

What does "modulate" mean when referring to brakes?

Often in a review of brakes, or an article talking about braking the author will use the term "modulate." E.g. "The brake modulates well" or "Modulate your front brake." What exactly does this term refer to?
Darth Egregious
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5 answers

How does the SureStop braking system work?

There's a new braking system put out by a company named SureStop that controls both front and rear cantilever (side-pull) brake systems with a single brake lever. They seem to be mainly appealing to the safety / children / new bike owner's…
RoboKaren
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Alternating brakes on descents: is it really useful?

I heard from many sources (some of them on this site, e.g. on answers to this question here) that you should be alternating the use of your front and rear brakes. Most people give as a reason that the brakes can cool better that way. I have been…
fgysin
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Are there devices to moderate speed on mountain descents without braking?

In my neck of the woods there are some mountain descents that are pretty substantial: say 600 meters vertically averaging 7% grade, with lots of curves and other obstacles like potholes. Typically the surface is reasonable-quality asphalt; I have a…
Reid
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3 answers

Do cyclocross/interrupter/touring brake levers reduce brake performance?

I have bullhorn bars, with a Tektro cyclocross lever and a TT style bar end lever as well, operating rim brakes. The calipers are Tektro dual pivot. The pads are cartridge style pads (I don't have the exact make and model with me right now). This is…
Mac
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3 answers

What is the purpose of the little wings on caliper brake pads

I noticed that caliper brake pads (holders) have little wings on the bottom that aren't present on v-brake pads. What is the purpose of these little wings? Photo by RoboKaren. Released to Creative Commons by-sa. This other photograph on Wikimedia…
RoboKaren
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2 answers

How do I know whether my bike can use disk brakes?

I have a Gary Fisher bike (wahoo I believe). I think it's considered the entry level Fisher mountain bike. Could I put on disc brakes as opposed to using the standard brakes on this bike? Standard brakes are the rim brakes. Thanks Carlos
Carlos
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Cooling down brakes and rims

I recently rode my bike on some steep hills. After descending on a 4 km road with some sections at 21% slope, I realized my rims were pretty hot not only where the brake pads operate, but even up to the sprokes connection. Though I realize that…
L.Dutch
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Rolling backwards while pedaling forward on a Freecoaster

Can anyone tell me what happens when rolling backwards while pedaling forward on a freecoaster bike? I mean does it gradually slow it down, or does it come to an abrupt hault? I have not tried it yet.
kevin
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Can I replace my self-energizing brakes with regular cantilevers?

I recently bought a used tandem and am going to be tuning it up over the winter. It's a Yakota Twin Peaks (i.e. 20 years old) and it has Scott-Peterson Self-Energizing brakes. I haven't taken them apart yet, but all the descriptions online say the…
Ward - Trying Codidact
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When do I know the drum brake is at the end of life and needs replacement?

I have a city bicycle with a drum brake. Since the braking parts of the system are inside the drum I can't see if it is worn out or not. Are there any indicators that give that information or at least an hint? (e.g.: squeaking sound, some marker on…
nsn
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