Andy in Germany
Guru
I'm running cables from drop brakes, which come from the top of the brake, so they don't run under the bar tape. Do the cables loop over the handlebars or under, or is it dependent on what looks best?
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By no means the only way, but in 1969, this was the height of fashion
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I'd forgotton that in those days, my brakes were cabled up "flemish" style, with the front brake on the left!
I'd go with whichever gives the smoothest run although I doubt there's much in it.I'm running cables from drop brakes, which come from the top of the brake, so they don't run under the bar tape. Do the cables loop over the handlebars or under, or is it dependent on what looks best?
Many thanks. Germans insist on putting brakes that way around too. The argument is that it's 'safer' because most people's right hand is stronger so having the front brake on the right is asking to be thrown over the handlebars which is apparently certain death.
However, if riding fixed, with only a front brake, the tradition in the UK, is to have the lever on the left. When turning right and hand signalling, back pedaling will slow and steady the rider and the front brake available as well.
The Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations 2010 said:Supply of assembled bicycles
4.—
(4) Where the bicycle is fitted with brakes which are intended to be hand operated—
(a)the brake lever intended to be operated by the right hand must operate the front brake; and
(b)the brake lever intended to be operated by the left hand must operate the rear brake.
As the law mandates the front brake to be operated by the right hand (when supplied new), presumably new fixies do not maintain this tradition?
The laws on brakes require that for bikes used on the road, there must be two braking "systems", which can be two hand operated brakes, or one hand operated brake for the front wheel and a coaster brake on the rear, or a fixed gear.Interesting observation.
I think the law refers to exceptions, but I don't know what applies to a fixed gear bike with only one brake. Most non track bikes are sold as flip/flop bikes and sold with two brakes, so would follow the rules above.
Track bikes have different rules, and are excepted in that regultaion.Pure track bikes nowadays are sold without any brakes and also not drilled for a brake.
The argument that the right hand is the strongest and therefore should be the front brake is flawed. If it was relevant, all left handed riders would be advised to install the front brake on the left.
Here's one rider who had her only brake on the left...
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My front brake was always on the left. It made for a smoother cable run, especially with the cables running under the bar tape.
Re the UK law on having the front brake on the right, this is only at the point of sale on a new bicycle. As all but the cheapest machines are sold without pedals they sre classed mas components rather than bicycles. Same applies to the fitting of reflectors.
Partially right.
In the UK (opposite in Germany), when turning right and making a hand signal at the same time, only the left brake is available and as you say, this could be very fierce and send you over the bars. A rear brake with the left lever will slow and steady the rider. Therefore the safer option.
However, if riding fixed, with only a front brake, the tradition in the UK, is to have the lever on the left. When turning right and hand signalling, back pedaling will slow and steady the rider and the front brake available as well.
My front brake was always on the left. It made for a smoother cable run, especially with the cables running under the bar tape.
Re the UK law on having the front brake on the right, this is only at the point of sale on a new bicycle. As all but the cheapest machines are sold without pedals they sre classed mas components rather than bicycles. Same applies to the fitting of reflectors.
I'd go with whichever gives the smoothest run although I doubt there's much in it.