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Post by norbadoods on Apr 3, 2005 19:25:12 GMT 8
Braking is the most important piece of the mountain biking puzzle. The better you are at braking, the faster you can go. You can use brakes to change direction, increase your speed, jump better, get through turns faster and glide through some of the trickiest sections of the trail. Your ability to brake will not develop overnight. It will take practice, patience and an understanding of braking concepts.
SETTING YOURSELF UP BEFORE YOU RIDE
Obviously, it is important that your brakes work properly. Good brakes should slow the bike down during their initial application. Wheels should only lock up and skid under hard braking. If your wheels lock up too soon, you will not be able to control your bike when approaching a turn or other obstacle.
LEVER POSITION
Lever position is a key factor in your ability to brake. Both levers should be at 45- to 50-degree angles (four or five o’clock position). Another key lever factor is the “throw,” the distance between the lever and the handlebars. The brake should start slowing the bike down when the lever is about one quarter of the way into the throw, and apply 60 percent of its potential when the lever is parallel with the bars. The last 40 percent of your braking potential should come into play during the last half of the throw. This will minimize hand and finger fatigue, especially on those long downhills.
SLOWING DOWN
When we begin riding, most of us use the rear brake for slowing down. However, the front brake is actually more efficient. You just need to be careful, because too much front brake can be disastrous. As you apply the front brake, you must lean back to keep the rear wheel down. The harder you’re braking, the more you must lean back. If you distribute your weight properly, you can use your front brake until the bike starts to skid. At that point, though, straighten out. You will be in trouble if you have even a slight angle to the front wheel of the bike.
Of course, the rear brake will slow you down, too, but it should be used in addition to the front brake. The rear brake is used more specifically to vector your bike in the desired direction. If you can control your momentum in any direction, you will have braking concepts down.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Different terrain will play a part in how much you use the above information. The best rule of thumb is this: the more slippery the ground, the less likely you will be able to control your momentum. You may want to practice sliding the bike on closed courses. Sliding the bike or pushing it to the edge as race car drivers do is the fastest possible way you can ride. No one can do it 100 percent of the time. Get the front wheel to slow you down as you lean, and with the help of the rear brake you can slide the rear wheel. Sliding the bike will allow you phenomenal direction changes. When you get to this level, you will enjoy the art of riding as never before.
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weenie
All-Mountain Rider
Weenie the Pooh
Posts: 174
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Post by weenie on Apr 3, 2005 22:07:32 GMT 8
Do you guys use middle finger, index finger, or both?
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Post by basti on Apr 4, 2005 8:14:13 GMT 8
well, as for me... i use only my index finger.  i got more control on my brakes and i can modulate better my speed especially on downhill tracks... ;D |
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Post by gulliver on Apr 4, 2005 9:18:38 GMT 8
nice tip doods...did you write this yourself or did you pick it up somewhere else?
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Post by xctofi on Apr 4, 2005 10:31:29 GMT 8
i think he got it out of mbaction.com,i remember reading about this one there ;D
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Post by puregutz on Apr 4, 2005 13:29:09 GMT 8
My tip:
Buy Shimano XT hydro brakes... (if you still dont have one)
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Post by clutchshooter on Apr 4, 2005 14:30:16 GMT 8
nice tip doods...did you write this yourself or did you pick it up somewhere else? Amazing what some careless snipping can highlight... Hmmm... I sense... plagiarism here... Didn't even bother posting the source...  Give some acknowledgment. I hope it's not the case though... Cheers! `Kai |
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Post by norbadoods on Apr 4, 2005 14:54:35 GMT 8
my bad forgot to mention i got it from mbaction site........
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Post by Ben Dover on Apr 4, 2005 15:25:20 GMT 8
my bad forgot to mention i got it from mbaction site........ no problem brad, i dont think anyone who really knows you wud say that its intensional..just be carefull next time.. and always remember...copy it from one author, they call it plagiarism. copy it from from many authors, they call it research..hehe! hay naku!  cheers! ;D |
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Post by grnhrnt on Apr 4, 2005 16:04:07 GMT 8
would just like to add, in the "slowing down" paragraph which was quoted from Mbaction (o ayan ha? di na plagerism) That a more descriptive way of putting "lean back" is to stick your butt out off the back of your saddle and straighten your arms. This will lower the front part of your body to the top bar effectively lowering your center of gravity. I find this method most effective for me. Using both front & back brakes together, and in case I "over-brake" if there is such a term, both tires lock up but there is no feeling of the bike "endo-ing" because your weight was transferred to the rear and since you arms are straightened out you also don't lunge forward either. Of course I don't mean that you should hold this hard braking all through out but it really slows the bike down. Then proper pulsing of either the front and or the rear as needed.
That's it, in my own words....Peace!
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Post by alien_scream on Apr 4, 2005 16:25:33 GMT 8
My tip: Buy Shimano XT hydro brakes... (if you still dont have one) IMO hayes, avids or maguras are better hydrolic brakes than shimano!!!!! |
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Post by puregutz on Apr 4, 2005 19:20:35 GMT 8
IMO hayes, avids or maguras are better hydrolic brakes than shimano!!!!! Havent really tried Magura and Avids but Shimano XT is definitely better than the Hayes in terms of performance... ;D The XT's have superb modulation and feel. |
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Post by donbautist on Apr 4, 2005 19:49:45 GMT 8
Xt - great modulation. You can even adjust the travel of the brake lever to customize the feel. Specially if you have small hands.
Hayes El Camino is also good. Yun lang.
What I wanna try are the IRD dual bangers......mechanical but performs at par with hydros daw. Problem is they are so darn expensive. If im not mistaken $200 a set. No levers included.
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Post by donbautist on Apr 4, 2005 20:02:25 GMT 8
Do you guys use middle finger, index finger, or both? My friends usually see my middle finger after a crash. Specially if they're laughing at my misfortune....hehehe. But seriously speaking braking is an art. The only way to learn it properly is by experimenting. Braking differs specially on the condition of the track....hardpack, steep descent, over ruts, wet conditions, fast turns, loose soil etc. Knowing the when to or when not to use the brakes can only be learned through experience. Also remember, your tires will play an effective role when braking. ;D |
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rab
Free Rider
Posts: 202
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Post by rab on Apr 4, 2005 20:44:54 GMT 8
tire pressure, tire compound and tread pattern can also affect braking.
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Post by gulliver on Apr 4, 2005 22:27:46 GMT 8
ah, mtbaction pala source nyan, ok. teka, don't we have a thread containing a copy of this article already??? anyway, i especially liked the part about the front brake being more important for stopping...but its important to point out that when you're faced with a rock while braking...let go of that front brake and roll, pull up, or jump over the darn thing. "brake on the smooth, roll on the rough" as the saying goes  |
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Post by puregutz on Apr 5, 2005 7:46:19 GMT 8
Do you guys use middle finger, index finger, or both? Had the same problem when I started mtbiking... I used to use both my index and middle to brake. But for long technical descents sometimes I use the middle finger to relax my arms and have firmer grip on the handle bars. It was a real hassle and takes out my concentration on the track. What I did was I upgraded to a more powerful stopper (Avid) then practiced using only my index finger for braking... |
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Post by Great Teacher Ulysses on Apr 5, 2005 9:22:42 GMT 8
Don't go too fast if you can't countrol your bike...
Don't go too fast if your brakes can't stop the bike....
if you're going too fast specialy on trails, be alert. find a nice track to follow. so that you'll don't get surprised by the 3R's (ruts, roots, & rocks).
Try to hit your brakes a little for you to go a little bit slower if the speed is too much for you to bear.
you can reflect on these:
"If you can't , its ok. but someday you will"
"practice makes you better"
other tips:
"Ride and get advices from an Expert or a Professional"
"Read some MTB Magazines and Watch some Videos"
"Check your vision, you may need an eyeglasse"
"Ride a Rollercoaster so that you'll get a little used to Speed"
"scout the trail if it's your first time to ride it and ask some question about the trail and the path from people / riders whos been there before."
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Post by wcoastbo on Apr 10, 2005 1:22:05 GMT 8
Practice and lots of time on the trail. It takes repetition to create the muscle memory and "feel" for aggressive braking. My formative years was during my early teen years when I did some BMX racing. The all out sprint before a turn, then hard front brake and minimal rear in order to be first into a turn took practice to get the modulation perfect. (or course hard front brake only while going straight)
Racers know the terrain of the track and trail riders encounter changing conditions, so I'm not as aggressive now that I'm an old mtber. It would help to practice the same secton of trail and progressively get more aggressive to find out the limits.
any other ex-bmxers with additional advice? I've forgotten some of the techniques since I'm mostly a casual rider.
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Post by puregutz on Apr 15, 2005 15:06:23 GMT 8
any other ex-bmxers with additional advice? I've forgotten some of the techniques since I'm mostly a casual rider. I used to ride BMX but had no experience racing or any BMX track. Dont even know how to wheelie or bunnyhop. Was a flatlander. Only thing a got from BMX is handling. Learned everything while MTBiking.  |
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Post by REDNEB on Mar 22, 2006 11:10:33 GMT 8
OMG!........... pulsating?.....  aggressive braking??... the brakes are their for show............ ;D You start squeezing it ur gna get into trouble.......... ;D You just fondle it......giv it light taps and fiddle it!........dont squeeze.........thats cruel! ;D anything hydraulic is well worth............. if u get probs w em cheapo hydros........just find one of our local brake bonding shops and get em to replace the pad with the asbestos type they use on heavy trucks! Im pretty sure thats gna stop! ;D if u can control ur rig u wont need them brakes!.......enjoy the speed..........feel the wind...................feed ur buddies some dirt........hav fun ............. |
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hance
Free Rider
My personal tattoo artist.
Posts: 389
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Post by hance on Mar 23, 2006 0:50:19 GMT 8
Do you guys use middle finger, index finger, or both? I still think the safest is using the index finger only. This way your three outer fingers give more control on your handlebar. |
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Post by REDNEB on Apr 2, 2006 2:03:20 GMT 8
u keep all ur fingers on them brake levers all the time ....if u crash ur bound to get those fingers "Pretzelized"... ;D the more u keep it on ur levers the more u expose it... these brake levers were designed to protect ur fingers when in relaxed position on your handlegrips...........  mmmm............ with hydraulics most o the time they use the index........... but it hink avid cables are kinda soft too...... just my 2 cents.......... guys dnt break em fingers .....theres a lot more u can do with it if u just harness ur inner beasts. loler baller ;D |
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Post by donbautist on Apr 3, 2006 19:10:53 GMT 8
u keep all ur fingers on them brake levers all the time ....if u crash ur bound to get those fingers "Pretzelized"... ;D the more u keep it on ur levers the more u expose it... these brake levers were designed to protect ur fingers when in relaxed position on your handlegrips........... mmmm............ with hydraulics most o the time they use the index........... but it hink avid cables are kinda soft too...... just my 2 cents.......... guys dnt break em fingers .....theres a lot more u can do with it if u just harness ur inner beasts. loler baller ;D AMEN If I may add properly breaking in your breaks is important too. MBaction has a nice article about that. Can't remember the month though. |
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xc
Urban Assaulter
maytowsmaynismayshowldermayhed
Posts: 90
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Post by xc on Jul 12, 2006 21:51:49 GMT 8
makes sure brakes are broken in and set properly before a ride. that is if you have new brakes. + make youre bike friends aware
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ewik
Free Rider
Posts: 345
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Post by ewik on Aug 10, 2006 11:47:55 GMT 8
mechanical dbrakes: 2 fingers for the front brake, 1 on the rear brake. sometimes i forget to modulate my brakes, i just roll the wheels upto my limits and brake later  |
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Post by puregutz on Aug 11, 2006 13:36:56 GMT 8
For DH racing, identify areas where you will brake during practice, so during the race no matter what happened if its not a pre-identified braking area, DONT BRAKE!
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Post by REDNEB on Aug 12, 2006 6:48:20 GMT 8
yep pure....perfectly said kapatid.......... its like eating... after every 2-3 spoonfulls u drink water or until u feel that ur gonna choke..then drink some more water.......eheheheheh...
memorize ur line...... if u leave ur fingers too long on the brake levers... your hands will tire out early and cramp thus lessening your handling capabilities...... use ur brakes on the proper areas.....
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Post by <eVs10nacious< on Aug 14, 2006 10:44:40 GMT 8
still using 4piston xt hydros both 8" rotor.......only index finger when braking......nothing less ;D
feel the speed kapuso! ;D......pump thru out down! ;D
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Post by bongjumper on Aug 24, 2006 17:07:22 GMT 8
Tips for Better braking only need two things: First is your equipment - buy a better brake set. like six pistons is more better than four pistons, or hydro DB is better than mecha DB Second is your riding skill - proper training and more ride experience. Experience rider don't mind using their brakes, it's a rider reflexes to use their brakes... So the first move is to buy a better equipment then train yourself to to improve your riding skills... |
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i got more control on my brakes and i can modulate better my speed especially on downhill tracks... ;D
Give some acknowledgment.
aggressive braking??... 
