backwards brakes

stecleary

Picked up my new bike today ( lapierre ) and only when setting the saddle and changing pedals I noticed the breaks were backwards as in the front is on the left and the back on the right.
I'm going to drop it into my lbs to have swapped around before I go head firs over the bars but just wondering if it's just a case of re routing the cables or will new cables be needed. I'm guessing the tape is going to have to be changed too or can it be reused?

endacl

stecleary wrote: »

Picked up my new bike today ( lapierre ) and only when setting the saddle and changing pedals I noticed the breaks were backwards as in the front is on the left and the back on the right.
I'm going to drop it into my lbs to have swapped around before I go head firs over the bars but just wondering if it's just a case of re routing the cables or will new cables be needed. I'm guessing the tape is going to have to be changed too or can it be reused?

Would you not drop it back to where you bought it, and get them to sort it?

stecleary

It's 2nd hand... sorry should have put that in

stecleary

Sorry should have mentioned it's 2nd hand.

Cee-Jay-Cee

My two bikes have opposite set ups. TBH it doesn't really make much difference to me as I brake using front and rear in emergency/sudden stops and for light braking it doesn't really matter (to me at least) which brake I use.

If you only have one bike then you'll get used to it quick enough.

Wishbone Ash

CJC999 wrote: »

..TBH it doesn't really make much difference to me as I brake using front and rear in emergency/sudden stops....

I think you've missed the point. In an emergency, where one uses different bikes, with different set ups, how can you guarantee that you won't utilise the wrong brake first?

Would you be comfortable driving motorised vehicles with the brake pedal on a different foot position?

route66

stecleary wrote: »

Picked up my new bike today ( lapierre ) and only when setting the saddle and changing pedals I noticed the breaks were backwards as in the front is on the left and the back on the right.
I'm going to drop it into my lbs to have swapped around before I go head firs over the bars but just wondering if it's just a case of re routing the cables or will new cables be needed. I'm guessing the tape is going to have to be changed too or can it be reused?

I did this on a Tiagra bike recently. New bar tape will probably be required and cable-ends. I reused the cables.

Senecio

You get used to it pretty quick, I wouldn't bother to be honest.

letape

I wouldn't change it either. Think it's better set up as it is.

Cape Clear

stecleary wrote: »

Picked up my new bike today ( lapierre ) and only when setting the saddle and changing pedals I noticed the breaks were backwards as in the front is on the left and the back on the right.
I'm going to drop it into my lbs to have swapped around before I go head firs over the bars but just wondering if it's just a case of re routing the cables or will new cables be needed. I'm guessing the tape is going to have to be changed too or can it be reused?

Have a Lapierre myself with the same setup. can't say I've had any issue with it over the last 2 to 3 years. I tend to pull both breaks together less skidding. It's personal choice really.

BadCharlie

I use both breaks every time all the time. I used to be only back breaking and never used the front. Using both breaks as I do now my stoping power has improved.

Tenzor07

LaPierre = French so the brakes are setup European style!

One thing is if it's a mountain bike with disc brakes and you're used to the brakes being the other(english) way around then just swap the levers over yourself as the Shimano's are reversible... Otherwise you may just grab a handful of "back" brake and end up over the bars when the front brake engages...

happytramp

Much prefer that set up. Stick with it. One week from now it's be completely normal.

doozerie

Swapping the cables is straightforward, and you can usually re-use the handlebar tape if it is reasonable condition to start with and you are careful. If the inner cable ends were not originally cut cleanly though (i.e. if they are unravelling) then you may have difficulty feeding the inner cable through the levers, outers, frame bosses, and calipers, in which case you’ll have to either cut the inners shorter (if there is enough slack) or replace them. If you opt to replace them then the longer/rear inner cable can be cut to length to act as the shorter/front cable so you only have to buy a single new inner cable for the rear brake.

Or you could just use them as they are. That’s my preferred setup but it’s very much personal choice.

Or you could simply shirk all convention and ride the bike backwards and suddenly your front brake is your back, and vice versa. Convention is boring, it should be shirked at every opportunity.

ZiabR

stecleary wrote: »

Picked up my new bike today ( lapierre ) and only when setting the saddle and changing pedals I noticed the breaks were backwards as in the front is on the left and the back on the right.
I'm going to drop it into my lbs to have swapped around before I go head firs over the bars but just wondering if it's just a case of re routing the cables or will new cables be needed. I'm guessing the tape is going to have to be changed too or can it be reused?

I have bought two bikes from new, both from new and both from Trek. Both of these bikes came from the factory with the Rear brake on the right and the Front brake on the left.

There is no right or wrong way for brakes. It is whatever you are used to. As mentioned, if you only have one bike you will get used to it.

Lumen

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I think you've missed the point. In an emergency, where one uses different bikes, with different set ups, how can you guarantee that you won't utilise the wrong brake first?

It doesn't matter.

In an emergency straight line braking situation weight transfer will unload the rear to the point where it skids. The rear skidding is of no consequence to control, since you don't steer with the rear wheel.

So you just pull both levers to the point where you're almost going over the bars and forget about what's happening behind you.

kuro_man

Rear brake first is for children.
In a emergency pull both brakes at the same time, with your weight back - i.e. get your bum behind the saddle as much as possible. It takes a lot of power to lift an adult over the handlebars from that position (when it does happen, its probably before you get the chance to brake).

droidus

Yep. Everyone here is correct. Having grown up with the back brake on the left it took me a while to get used to the other way round when I got a new bike, but its pretty much standard.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I think you've missed the point. In an emergency, where one uses different bikes, with different set ups, how can you guarantee that you won't utilise the wrong brake first?

Would you be comfortable driving motorised vehicles with the brake pedal on a different foot position?

How have I missed the point? I said that I brake using both front and rear brakes (at the same time) in emergencies or sudden stops so it's irrelevant which lever controls which brake as they're both being pulled at the same time. In situations when just slowing down gradually it's also irrelevant as both brakes will effectively do the same thing.

Your point regarding pedals being in different positions in a car is hardly relevant as you brake using one foot and have one brake pedal in a car. On a bike you have two brakes and two hands. Apples and oranges.

stecleary

Cycled into work today and actually didn't notice much difference.
Think I'll be able to get used to it handy enough.

el tel

Take the back and front brakes off and swap them around. Simple!