Author Topic: REAR BRAKE LEVER ON WHAT SIDE..? Definitive answer required pls (Read 3129 times)

leehunt1 · « **on:** March 20, 2013, 11:05 AM »

I have been told off for putting my rear lever on the right on my powelite
this to me is the correct side
all the powerlites on google images seem to be the same

I read on one forum that US bikes on right and UK on left..?

pickle · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:17 AM »

On whatever side feels right for you

SaMAlex · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:17 AM »

for bikes being cycled on the road, in the UK they have the rear brake on the left. This is so if you are turning right, and are in the middle of the road with your right arm singling right, you can still pull the rear brake. (its a bit twitchy if you pull the front brake when you only have one hand on the bars). In the USA, and other places where you drive on the other side of the road, this is reversed.
This is the ONLY reason to have a brake on a particular side. Other than that ..... put it where YOU want it

pickle · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:28 AM »

that's great logic Alex, I'd never thought of it like that

GavinDavis · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:34 AM »

Quote from: leehunt1 on March 20, 2013, 11:05 AM

I have been told off for putting my rear lever on the right on my powelite

NAUGHTY BOY!!!!!

I only said it because your cable guides on the top tube are fitted in such a way that the lever was designed to be on the left you great big fluffy bear

SaMAlex · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:38 AM »

Quote from: pickle on March 20, 2013, 11:28 AM

that's great logic Alex, I'd never thought of it like that

I didnt work in a bike shop for 20 years for nothing!
It was for £1 an hour! *

*It really was. My first Saturday job when I was 14.

Taipan · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2013, 11:57 AM »

I think Alex's answer is the most right logical explanation

Personally If I'm running 2 brakes I'll have LHS Lever for rear and RHS Lever for front

If running single rear brake I'll have it on the right hand side

that just my view

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:06 PM »

Alex's answer is actually spot on. That was one of the things they explained to you when doing your cycling proficiency bitd

Every complete bike I ever bought from a shop came that way too.

It's always felt right to me having the rear brake on the left even when only ever using just the one so that's where I have it

pickle · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:10 PM »

i tend to run mine the same as Bullseye

nosepickben · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:23 PM »

My first bmx came with the back brake on the right and ive stuck with that ever since. I have my mtb set up the same way, it was a bit of a faff changing the hydraulics over though. I never thought about the road safety aspect, nice to know that though alex.

ED209 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2013, 12:28 PM »

get rid of the brake and jam ya foot in like 'da yoot'

KeithyT · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2013, 01:14 PM »

Quote from: Londonhellboy on March 20, 2013, 12:06 PM

It's always felt right to me having the rear brake on the left even when only ever using just the one so that's where I have it

This is my preference too. It just feels right and natural to me. Right hand slam to fly over the handlebars, left hand to do a skid (it's ingrained in me brain

)

My new school Haro Pro XL plus has a left/rear only and that has been that way since I bought it (and the previous owner hadnp;t changed it either).

m1ke · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2013, 01:27 PM »

Quote from: ED209 on March 20, 2013, 12:28 PM

get rid of the brake and jam ya foot in like 'da yoot'

CustardLips · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2013, 01:35 PM »

Left or right, makes no odds to me !
Both my hands work the same.

Peter J · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2013, 01:38 PM »

I'm a confused man

I'm right handed but brake with my left hand

I'm left footed but kick turn (bikes and boards) right footed

Mattdub · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2013, 01:59 PM »

Right .

fugazi · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2013, 02:18 PM »

I'm Left handed but My rear brake is on the Right on a Front/Rear brake setup, if I only run a Rear brake it can be on either side!

leehunt1 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2013, 04:43 PM »

"you great big fluffy bear " ??

er ok gavin

That Swan Guy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2013, 05:26 PM »

Right was the way we raced in the day. I guess it stems from most people being predominanty right handed and with only one brake it would make sense to have the two together. Additionally, in the US the standard bike shop set up is right rear, left front. The opposite of the UK.

leehunt1 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2013, 05:31 PM »

Quote from: nickswan1 on March 20, 2013, 05:26 PM

Right was the way we raced in the day. I guess it stems from most people being predominanty right handed and with only one brake it would make sense to have the two together. Additionally, in the US the standard bike shop set up is right rear, left front. The opposite of the UK.

Cheers Nick..

Jaan · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2013, 05:42 PM »

I never knew there was a logic to why shops set up the way they did, always nice to learn something new

My rear levers were always on the left as i'm left handed

hunterdubber · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2013, 06:07 PM »

I've always set up my riders and race bike ,,the proper way

the UK way

,,,left hand rear

j

But I have occasionally set up show bikes with a right hand rear , only if it's been a USA build .

Do what suits you

but bear in mind

Rear brakes with right hand levers is for gay boys

leehunt1 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2013, 06:16 PM »

Quote from: Hunterdubber on March 20, 2013, 06:07 PM

I've always set up my riders and race bike ,,the proper way the UK way ,,,left hand rear j

But I have occasionally set up show bikes with a right hand rear , only if it's been a USA build .

Do what suits you

but bear in mind

Rear brakes with right hand levers is for gay boys