How to brake correctly for novices?

2021-11-08 09:50:32

How to properly brake on a bicycle is probably the most basic riding skill.

Of course, you may think that just by squeezing the brake lever, the brake pads squeeze the rim (or disc brake discs in many cases), the bicycle slows down and stops. But if you have ever experienced fishtail braking, brake failure, skidding or turning, you will know that the meaning of braking is much more than that.

In this article, let's talk: how to use the brakes correctly and how the brakes work.

1. The center of gravity shifts back

When you brake, move your body's center of gravity back and keep your center of gravity on the rear wheels. This will balance the braking force. If you have to brake strongly at high speeds, this can also prevent you from a front flip. The faster you brake, the more your center of gravity should move back. When you put your butt behind the seat cushion and your belly is on the seat cushion, doing so will give you a huge improvement in braking power and car control.

2. Climb down, don't pinch the brakes when cornering

Ideally, you want to maintain enough speed before turning so that you don't have to pinch the brakes while turning. When approaching a curve, place your fingers on the brake lever to keep the center of gravity sinking and improve your control of the bike. Then move your center of gravity back and maintain a controllable speed when turning.

If you enter the corner too fast, you need to reduce your entry speed and press the brake lever slowly and evenly. Braking too hard while cornering can cause an out of control and hurriedly hit the ground. First of all, pulling the brakes abruptly will make your body stiff and your muscles tense, which is the last thing you want to happen in a curve. Worse, it can also cause your bike to lose its grip.

Never hit the front brake when turning. When you turn, you are approaching the traction limit of your tires. Therefore, when you increase the braking force, you will be closer to breaking the limit, and the tires will slip. The rear brake is easier to grasp than the front brake. Slowly decelerate the rear brake as needed.

3. Stay relaxed

If your arms and shoulders are tense, when you squeeze the brakes, your body cannot absorb any stopping power. The tense muscles and nerves make you subconsciously brake harder than expected, thus making you completely lose the bicycle. control. Keep your shoulders relaxed, elbows bent, and your grip on the brake levers relaxed. This will allow you to flexibly adjust your speed to bypass obstacles and maintain control.

4. Stay calm on wet and slippery roads

The time required to stop on wet roads is three times as long as on dry roads. Tires have less grip on wet roads, so you need lighter braking force when you brake. Because it is difficult to slow down and stop, many people eventually brake too hard, which may lock the wheels, make you slip, or even crash.

Please slowly press the brake lever to reduce the speed. If it is very slippery, you need to apply more pressure, even if you make a mistake on the rear brake, don’t make a mistake on the front brake. You may just make a mistake on the rear brake as a rear roller skate-you can even put one foot down to control it. Live-but once the front wheel locks up, a crash is inevitable.

5. Use high-quality tires with good grip

If you use high-quality tires with good grip, you will be able to brake better. It is better to choose larger tires than to over-inflate them, as this will reduce the grip.


If you are looking for a good brake power rim brake bike carbon rims, welcome to purchase our grooved 3k twill brake track carbon rims. The grooved track helps to evacuate trapped moisture between the brake pad and carbon rim under wet conditions and brings more resistance under dry conditions, so a smaller force needs to be applied to the lever.