Sideways skidding when rear breaking

Garlic Suplmnt

Twice on the way into work today the rear wheel of my bike begun to skid to the left when the rear brake was applied. The skid threshold was lower than normal, I expect on account of greasy morning roads.

I am more worried about the sideways motion as there's that horrible sensation of not being in control of the bike, coupled with the close proximity to traffic on the commute in.

Mr Skeffington indicated that it looks like I could use some new rear brake pads the other week, is this likely the cause of this or are there other considerations to be taken?

Thanks in advance for any help!

blorg

No, it's not the brake pads. If you are skidding that means you have locked the wheel and so your brake pads are doing their job well. It is probably just the road conditions. Your tyre could come into it but it is probably just road conditions.

Normally you should be stopping primarily with your front brake but in slippy conditions you are better off with the back- you can generally control the rear wheel skidding easily enough while if the front skids you will probably crash.

ednwireland

lots of grit and gravel from the snow making the roads more slippy ?

The rear always skids pretty easily in the wet.
Here's a good explanation:
http://sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html

victorcarrera

Garlic Suplmnt wrote: »

...Mr Skeffington indicated that it looks like I could use some new rear brake pads the other week, is this likely the cause of this or are there other considerations to be taken?
Thanks in advance for any help!

According to traffic reports there was lots of ice this morning .
If the brake lever travel was adjusted to compensate for the worn pads you may have to adjust to the different "feel".
Note also that a buckled wheel will tend to lock easier than a true one.

Gavin

Just point the front wheel in the right direction and as long as it doesn't skid, you'll be fine. It's impressive how far around a rear wheel can slide but the bike still remain balanced.

Canis Lupus

I think it looks awesome to slide up to a stopped car sideways.

My pants don't always agree depending on how suddenly said car stopped though :P

trad

Seeing as you are skidding to the left it could be the camber of the road.

paddyduc

Happens the best of them.Just keep a cool head and you'll be fine.

Garlic Suplmnt

Thanks for the replies - homage to you all!!