Brake Levers, which side ?

[J4CKO]

I had always assumed that the right lever always actuated the front wheel, left the rear, was tearing up and down an empty Decathlon store on a B-twin racer my mate was thinking of buying and anchored on with the right hand and didn an undignified squealy skid past the huge plastic horse and nearly crashed, was expecting right hand to give me some solid front braking.

Wont be buying a Decathlon bike !

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I'd always thought that too!

As an ex-motorbiker, I had trouble in my early days with locking up the back wheel as my left hand tried to pull (what would be) the clutch lever (on a motorbike) all the way back to the bar.

 

[CotterPin]

I think US and mainland European bikes are the other way round? Someone who knows more will be along shortly...

 

[HLaB]

It might just be us that's different, I think its quite common on the continent/ in the states. I've been on a few holidays with Irish Cycling Safari's and all their bikes are like that, its not the Irish standards but some of the customers come fron Europe/ USA and they consider its safer to confuse us rather than American's.

 

[Flyingfox]

I have a Kona (Canadian bike) and my front brake is on the left. Took me a little while to get used to it, but am fine now.

 

[Landslide]

Largely to do with which side of the road you ride on. The idea being that if you need to signal that you're moving across traffic, you can signal with the relevant hand, whilst the hand that remains on the controls can activate the rear brake (less risk of sending you over the bars).

e.g. In Britain, we ride on the LHS, therefore if we signal to turn right (across traffic) we use our right hand, whilst the left hand can use the rear brake.

As Decathlon are a French brand (used to riding on the RHS), their bikes are set up with the rear brake on the RHS (as they use their left hands to signal whilst moving across traffic).

I've always ridden with front/right, rear/left, but I've ridden with friends who prefer the opposite arrangement. In practice, any retailer worth their salt should sort the bike out whichever way you prefer before you head out the door with your new steed.

 

[fossyant]

We Brits do it different...my mate always had the continental set up as 'that was propper'.....

 

[Bromptonaut]

According to Nottingham Trading Standards right front/left rear is mandatory at the point of sale http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/large-static/tradingstandards/tsinfosheet57.pdf

 

[bikie]

I like the left lever to work the front brake and vice versa, don't know why, just prefere it

 

[J4CKO]

I was thinking that most people are right handed and therefore have a stronger right hand (oo er) which can usually exert more force, the front brake will stand more force without locking hence why I thought it seemed natrual for the right hand lever would operate the front brake.

 

[Bromptonaut]

I was thinking that most people are right handed and therefore have a stronger right hand (oo er) which can usually exert more force, the front brake will stand more force without locking hence why I thought it seemed natrual for the right hand lever would operate the front brake.

Double edged sword. If you do lock the front wheel you'll go over the bars.

 

[Arch]

A tip. Before tearing about on a strange bike, give the levers a squeeze to check which way round they are....

 

[Nigeyy]

Yes, that is correct -in the States you'll find the front brake on the left lever.

Course, it doesn't stop you from changing them over -I could have, but just never bothered. I'm now used to riding a bike with front brake on the left lever. I'm sure I could get used riding with brakes the other way round though.

I think US and mainland European bikes are the other way round? Someone who knows more will be along shortly...

 

[Arch]

Yes, that is correct -in the States you'll find the front brake on the left lever.

Course, it doesn't stop you from changing them over -I could have, but just never bothered. I'm now used to riding a bike with front brake on the left lever. I'm sure I could get used riding with brakes the other way round though.

I can't even remember if all my bikes are set up the same!

 

[redjedi]

According to Nottingham Trading Standards right front/left rear is mandatory at the point of sale http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/large-static/tradingstandards/tsinfosheet57.pdf

I'm sure I read that too before buying my bike.

Which is why my Italian Bianchi has the front brake on the right.