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CX left/right brake swap

  • 06-10-2014 7:32pm
    #1
    Harrybelafonte
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,450 ✭✭✭


    CX bike I picked up has left lever for front and right lever for back. Reverse of the normal bike set up. Are there advantages to this? I'm used to the system from the cargo bike which is set up continental style so it's not a game ender but if there are any major disadvantages to it I'd like to know. Thanks guys.


Comments

  • #2
    nak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,538 ✭✭✭nak


    Harrybelafonte wrote: »
    CX bike I picked up has left lever for front and right lever for back. Reverse of the normal bike set up. Are there advantages to this? I'm used to the system from the cargo bike which is set up continental style so it's not a game ender but if there are any major disadvantages to it I'd like to know. Thanks guys.

    Nope, only personal preference.


  • #3
    Idleater
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,236 ✭✭✭Idleater


    Harrybelafonte wrote: »
    CX bike I picked up has left lever for front and right lever for back. Reverse of the normal bike set up. Are there advantages to this? I'm used to the system from the cargo bike which is set up continental style so it's not a game ender but if there are any major disadvantages to it I'd like to know. Thanks guys.

    Hmm imo your other bikes are set up "wrong" and the new and cargo are correct :-)
    There's some logic behind the wrong way to do with indicating and braking but my own logic of rear brake and rear gears front brake and front gears seems plausible to me.
    In short, unless you are likely to injure yourself or others through confusion, swap or don't makes little difference functionally.


  • #4
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    I have heard one thread that it can be better to have the front brake on the left so that you can module it as you dismount, assuming that you dismount on the left. I don't know how widespread that is here. In Euroland bikes all come with the front brake on the left side anyway.


  • #5
    enas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 585 ✭✭✭enas


    Raam wrote: »
    I have heard one thread that it can be better to have the front brake on the left so that you can module it as you dismount, assuming that you dismount on the left. I don't know how widespread that is here. In Euroland bikes all come with the front brake on the left side anyway.

    I've never encountered a Dutch bike that has the front brake on the left. Must mean something. Also, with a dominant right hand, it gives a better feeling of control to use the stronger front brake with the stronger hand. Also, front on the right is consistent with motorbikes. For those reasons, I always find it odd to have front on left. But surely enough, you get used quite quickly to either setup.


  • #6
    rp
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭rp


    Raam wrote: »
    Euroland bikes all come with the front brake on the left side anyway.
    In Germany, bikes are required to have front brake on the right, by law.


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  • #7
    Harrybelafonte
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,450 ✭✭✭Harrybelafonte


    rp wrote: »
    In Germany, bikes are required to have front brake on the right, by law.

    Link?


  • #8
    Taltos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,830 ✭✭✭✭Taltos


    Last two bikes I got the first thing I did was swap the brakes so the front was on the right. No idea why they are coming in the reverse but I grew up with the brake on the right, just seems more comfortable to me as I'm right handed.


  • #9
    Harrybelafonte
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,450 ✭✭✭Harrybelafonte


    http://cyclingtips.com.au/2009/05/why-do-brakes-differ/


  • #10
    enas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 585 ✭✭✭enas


    rp wrote: »
    In Germany, bikes are required to have front brake on the right, by law.

    Sheldon even claims that this is European standard. Now I know that since Sheldon said it, it counts as gospel, but I couldn't find any confirmation for this.

    In fairness I believe that many of those explanations (standards, driving of the left/right, etc.) are a bit bullsh1te, and it's just an arbitrary choice, reinforced by cultural traditions.

    Having said that, front on the right is the only correct way to go.


  • #11
    Harrybelafonte
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,450 ✭✭✭Harrybelafonte


    enas wrote: »
    Sheldon even claims that this is European standard. Now I know that since Sheldon said it, it counts as gospel, but I couldn't find any confirmation for this.

    In fairness I believe that many of those explanations (standards, driving of the left/right, etc.) are a bit bullsh1te, and it's just an arbitrary choice, reinforced by cultural traditions.

    Having said that, front on the right is the only correct way to go.

    Thanks for the opinion. I'll leave mine "swapped".


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  • #12
    t5pwr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 256 ✭✭t5pwr


    I grew up with my front brake on the right and all my bikes have to have it on the right.
    I use my front brake as my primary stopping brake so I get a shock when I ride a bike with them opposite as the back wheel just locks up and you don't stop quite as quick :rolleyes:


  • #13
    Harrybelafonte
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,450 ✭✭✭Harrybelafonte


    My original question was specific to CX so thanks for all the opinions on the "correct" way but question is answered now thanks.


  • #14
    rp
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1,227 ✭✭✭rp


    enas wrote: »
    Sheldon even claims that this is European standard. Now I know that since Sheldon said it, it counts as gospel

    On trying to dig up a link to this, it seems that the right/front requirement was removed from the DIN 79100 regulations for bicycle construction in 1997, and replaced with a comment making it 'advisory'.


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