Flipping over handle bars?

Question

Do you use your front brake as your primary brake? If so, have you ever flipped over your handle bars because of it?

Answer 1

I don't know what genre of cycling you're talking about, but the principles are the same.

Your front brakes provide the majority of your braking force... as weight is shifted forward while slowing, the effectiveness of the rear brakes lessen. Eventually you reach the point, assuming you maintain front wheel traction, where the rear end entirely leaves the ground, at which point the rear brakes are worthless.

Of course, you have to realize your limitations. On an off-road descent, using your front brakes with any force may send you end over end. Then the rear brake may be a more useful tool. The rear brake is also a useful tool for not necessarily stopping the bike, but for steering it (rear end steering - stepping the rear end out). So I would practice becoming proficient with both.

I come from a motorcycling background (though I've done alot of cycling as well), and one problem alot of people have is fear of using the front brake to it's potential. Personally, I think everyone should practice hard front end braking to the point where they can both lock up and slide the front wheel & regain it (asphalt), and/or endoe the bike with confidence. The learning curve is going to involve a few falls, so wear your gear! But knowing the limits of your front brake is important.

Answer 2

When your going down a steep hill (I'm talking about mountain biking) you put your weight back towards the back of the bike. the steeper the descent the further back you sit, so when you brake there is less chance of going over the bars. when I put the brakes on I put the rear brake on a fraction before the front brakes. it also helps to have good quality brakes because shoddy brakes tend to be grab which flips you over the bars were as more expensive brakes will stop you faster but with more control (like Shimano XTR or XT).

I've had a few hairy moments when i was younger but i haven't gone over the bars.

Answer 3

On mountain bikes, you do need to use the front brake to stop. If done properly, it's very hard to do an unexpected dismount (flipping over the handlebars). What you need to consider is that the brake is not an on/off switch, but that you have modulation. So you don't press as hard as you can whenever you want to stop, rather you have to plan ahead and start slowing down before that spot you want.

The rear brake is only to make sure the back doesn't slid sideways, it has very little power when braking (this applies to cars as well, the front disc rotor is larger than the rear).

The only time to use only the rear brake is when your front wheel is airborne, as you don't want to have your wheel hit the ground locked.

I don't know about road cycling or confort bikes.

Answer 4

I am a skateboarder, and I don't ride much. I always used both breaks together, untill my accident. I was riding my friends brand new 10 speed. I also played football at the time, and was pretty fast. I had a beach cruiser, we swapped bikes and I showed him how fast his bike could go. I sprinted for a block or 2. I was at top speed, and came to an intersection at the same time as a car. I squeezed both breaks and flipped over the handle bars. I was at least 15 feet in the air. I did a flip, and landed on the back of my left shoulder. I thought I was okay, until my girlfriend tried to pick me up. My body was off the ground, and my shoulder wasn't. I broke my collar bone, clean break. I was pretty upset, my friends all laughed. I was unable to play for almost the whole season. I only played in the last game.

Answer 5

I use my front brake as my primary brake and have never flipped over the handlebars.

Just remember that if you feel like you're going over the bars, then let go of the front brake. However, it takes a lot to actually go over.

A general rule is that if you keep your weight back then you're probably safe. Use your arms to keep your body from moving forward when you brake.

The only real way to answer this question is to have you go outside and try it for yourself. Try using the front brake, but softly at first. Then gradually apply it harder & harder. You'll start to get a feel for the bike and its capabilities.

Answer 6

Motorcycles use the front brake as the main brake. Ive never went over the handle bars from using the brakes, the only time I did was when I jumped off a curb and the forks bent, pushing the wheel against the frame and locking it up.

Answer 7

I have never flipped over the handle bars, but I have perfected the "stoppie". I make it a habit to always use both brakes. The stoppie is usually the result of a rude driver who cuts me off, or runs a stop sign. I can stop very quickly and safely if I need to. I would say that actually flipping over is pretty unlikely unless you are going downhill or hit a fixed object.

Answer 8

You have to try to brake evenly if possible.
The front brakes apply equal force but they are the first to feel the effects as the mass of the bike and you are behind them. It is more the fact that you are normally situated over the handlebars that causes you to 'tip forward'.

I have 'flipped over the handlebars" but not due to the brakes.
My tire was caught in a drainage grating that I had not been able to avoid. The bike stopped immediately and I was thrown forward onto the pavement. I hit the ground in a roll and came up on my feet running somehow (years of athletics I guess).

No injures and the bike was fine, I got on and pedaled away.
Two guys topped to help me and were amazed that I was untouched by the accident.

Answer 9

yea, but only a few times. i am an experience rider and i can modulate properly between the front an rear brakes. i never squeeze the lever that hard and i always throw my weight back if i need to stop that quick. i do recall several times flipping over in puddles of mud though- thats always a fun experience.

Answer 10

You should not use your front brake for hard stopping, unless you use your rear brake too. For slowing down or coming to a light stop, the front brake is fine.

I have flipped over the handlebars, not because of the breaking, but because I ran into a small object. It wasn't very fun.