Earlier today my cycling club ran a women’s coaching session to help women become more confident on a road bike and one of the topics we covered was the correct technique for braking on a road bike. So, I thought it would be helpful if I shared some of what I have learnt this morning and from my own research.
When I first started riding, I had no idea that there was actually a technique involved in braking. If I wanted to slow down I just grabbed either or both of the brake levers and it seemed to work. I had no notion that the front and back brakes have different roles and that there was a technique involved in using them. I, like so many newbie cyclists, used my brakes far too much, particularly when cornering.
In Australia and some other countries (those that drive on the left side of the road), the brake lever for the front brake is on the right-hand side of the handlebars and the rear brake is on the left-hand side. Unless you’ve bought your bike overseas or had your brakes altered, then this will be the standard setup.
When braking, your front brake is there to stop you and the back brake is there to shave off speed. Roughly 70 to 80 per cent of your stopping power comes from the front brake. Leaving 20 to 30 per cent for the back brake. Try…
