forteh Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Having watched various videos posted on here Ive noticed more and more that people leave their front brake once on the back wheel and leave it spinning. Is this just personal preference or are there any benefits to be gained from it? Gyroscopic balancing perhaps?Personally I keep the wheel locked, maybe Ill try releasing it and see what happens. Anyone got any thoughts on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeperson45 Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I suppose you get more grip on the handlebars. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo-Scott Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I find it just feels better for some reason. You also get more grip on the bars which is a plus side I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcinnes Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I used to hold the front brake for near enough everything i did, then i began to sidehop to two and never held the front brake ( seamed to help ). Since then i have only used a front brake for front gaps and natty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted May 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 So when your front brake isnt on youre not covering the lever? Ive only ever held onto my bars with 3 fingers and a thumb Will try it later on tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo-Scott Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 So when your front brake isnt on youre not covering the lever? If your covering the lever you might aswel just have the brake on, so to answer your question. No, your not acctully covering the brake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted May 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 If your covering the lever you might aswel just have the brake on, so to answer your question. No, your not acctully covering the brake I know that I meant you dont cover the front brake when youre not using it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo-Scott Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I meant you dont cover the front brake when youre not using it?No, I don't cover front brake when not using it :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Can help reduce fatigue and arm pump in comps, but adds that "Ooh, look at his front wheel" style on da streetz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex-Mitchinson Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I used to hold onto the front brake but I just naturally stopped a while ago. Can't really see it giving any advantages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bionic Balls Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 adds that "Ooh, look at his front wheel" style on da streetzi love that...and i also like it when people gap and don't pull the back brake till the last second- can hear the pawls clicking through the air...ooo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusevelt Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 i love that...and i also like it when people gap and don't pull the back brake till the last second- can hear the pawls clicking through the air...oooWhen Neil Tunnicliffe gaps, his loud chris king hub sounds like a wasp flying past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I found that when i started on the back wheel i held my front brake cuz i was really tense. But no that backwheeling has become second nature im alot more relaxed and dont really do it as much.As for helping with certain moves, im not really sure because most moves you land to the front wheel you have the front brake on to start with so...??Either way its just a lil easier to relax with no front brake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Dark Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 i love that...and i also like it when people gap and don't pull the back brake till the last second- can hear the pawls clicking through the air...oooi love that noise..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Wood Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 I always cover my front brake, but usually just have my finger on the lever not pulling it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalf the Yellow Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 i cover my brakes all the time, depends what im doing really, if i try to put more 'style' to my riding then i let go of the brake, if im concentrating really hard then i think i just hold onto both brakes..steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 i cover my brakes all the time, depends what im doing really, if i try to put more 'style' to my riding then i let go of the brake, if im concentrating really hard then i think i just hold onto both brakes..steveThat would be the same for me.I find that I have more grip over the bars when not pressing the front brake (master hand on rear brake)This thread really clarifies my doubts cos I wanted to ask this question too.However, I got another question. During hook ups, must the front brake be locked? What I mean is that when you jump up to the obstacle, the front brake is already locked? Cos I noticed that if the front brake isn't locked, the front wheel can't hook properly and it'll slip. I have yet to try hook ups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bionic Balls Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 i personally can't imagine landing in a hook with the front brake off..i don't think i'd get anywhere! Most people do pull it I think, but i remember ben travis (i think) saying that he didn't pull it, then realising he did, then thinking he shouldn't...something like that...pull it i say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Ok, thanks!I'll try the hook up when I gather some balls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben John-Hynes Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Gyroscopic balance is helped by the front wheel spinning, but only when spinning past a certain speed,And if it's spinning and you turn the bars, it's harder to keep on the back wheel.But usually I just cover the front lever without pulling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan6061 Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 I always have my index fingers over the levers. Feels weird when I don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex-Mitchinson Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 When I do a hook I hit the object with the front brake on, but once I start to bring the back wheel up I feather the front brake. It also depends if you want to do a wheel swap after getting your back up, 'cos then I imagine you would need to keep the front wheel locked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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