Backwards - Moto style brake config

[radsmd]

Just picked up the bike hire/rental here in Sydney Australia and in addition to driving on the wrong side of the road, they have the bike brakes set up moto style, with the left lever controlling the rear and right lever controlling the front brake.

The shifting however is just like I have it on my bikes, left front and right rear derailleur. Hope I don't kill myself with muscle memory...

Looking forward to seeing more of Sydney on the bike.

[Llewellyn]

Hehe.

I have all of my bikes (except the one with disc brakes) set up with the left lever controlling the front brake and the right for the rear brake. Apparently that's illegal but I don't care - it works best for me and I doubt that the cops would even care.

Enjoy Sydney - it's a great city (but Melbourne's better )

[radsmd]

Originally Posted by Llewellyn

Hehe.

I have all of my bikes (except the one with disc brakes) set up with the left lever controlling the front brake and the right for the rear brake. Apparently that's illegal but I don't care - it works best for me and I doubt that the cops would even care.

Enjoy Sydney - it's a great city (but Melbourne's better )

I did not know that is actually the law. They are also very serious about always having a helmet while riding.

The people here in the pub respectfully disagree about Melbourne being better. I will just need to visit sometime and decide for myself.

Cheers.

[Llewellyn]

Originally Posted by radsmd

I did not know that is actually the law. They are also very serious about always having a helmet while riding.

The people here in the pub respectfully disagree about Melbourne being better. I will just need to visit sometime and decide for myself.

Cheers.

The rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne is fierce and legendary (and not always friendly).

The only reason our capital city Canberra is half way between Melbourne and Sydney is because the politicians in both cities couldn't agree on which one of Melbourne or Sydney should be the capital. So they built it in the middle of a sheep paddock in a valley.

[ANAO]

That's how I have my brakes routed as well. And I live in the US.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by radsmd

Just picked up the bike hire/rental here in Sydney Australia and in addition to driving on the wrong side of the road, they have the bike brakes set up moto style, with the left lever controlling the rear and right lever controlling the front brake.

The shifting however is just like I have it on my bikes, left front and right rear derailleur. Hope I don't kill myself with muscle memory...

Looking forward to seeing more of Sydney on the bike.

I've been 'goofy footed' for years...allows you to brake(rear) when either grabbing a mussette bag or shifting rear while braking....I know, oldfartedness.

[zennmotion]

All my bikes are set up that way, starting back when I was racing CX (where there's a real reason- rear braking only while dismounting), and not wanting to re-wire my brain between my CX and other bikes. The only downside is when people occasionally borrow one of my bikes, that and sometimes cables need to be routed a little differently (crossover) for alternative optimal smooth braking or avoiding cable rub. I'm thinking that someday a thief might find themselves flying over my handlebar during a fast getaway... that would be sweet.

[NHAero]

My bikes are moto style, dating from when I was riding motos too! Easier to keep it all consistent. Trickier to switch hydraulics, whic I did when I bought my Pivot MTB.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by Llewellyn

I have all of my bikes (except the one with disc brakes) set up with the left lever controlling the front brake and the right for the rear brake. Apparently that's illegal but I don't care - it works best for me and I doubt that the cops would even care.

As it turns out, you are not the "outlaw" that you might think you are. The CPSC (which regulates bicycle safety standards in the US) says that right/rear left/front brake routing is the default, but that it may be swapped if desired. The actual wording from the CPSC bicycle regulations is (bolding added for emphasis):

(b) Hand levers have to be on the handlebars and readily usable. The distance between middle of a hand lever and the handlebar may be no wider than 3 ½ inches (3 inches for levers on sidewalk bicycles). Unless a customer specifies otherwise, the hand lever that operates the rear brake must be on the right handlebar. The lever that operates the front brake must be on the left handlebar. A lever that operates both brakes may be on either handlebar. Please note that, if a bicycle has hand lever extensions, all tests are conducted with the extensions in place.

[cadence90]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

As it turns out, you are not the "outlaw" that you might think you are. The CPSC (which regulates bicycle safety standards in the US) says that right/rear left/front brake routing is the default, but that it may be swapped if desired. The actual wording from the CPSC bicycle regulations is (bolding added for emphasis):

Why would CPSC affect Llewellyn?

In any case, I (I am in the US) have always set up:
Right = front brake, rear der
Left = rear brake, front der
mainly because I find this set-up more comfortable and immediate, being right-handed. It is second nature at this point.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by cadence90

Why would CPSC affect Llewellyn?

Ooops! I didn't notice his location.

I guess the right/left orientation varies by country.

Another case is which seat an aircraft is piloted from. A fixed wing aircraft is generally piloted from the left seat, whereas a rotary wing aircraft is generally piloted from the wrong seat

[cadence90]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

Another case is which seat an aircraft is piloted from. A fixed wing aircraft is generally piloted from the left seat, whereas a rotary wing aircraft is generally piloted from the wrong seat

Interesting. I wonder what the reasons are.

Do UK pilots fly from the "other side"?

[Clancy]

I remember reading somewhere that the reasoning behind right = rear brakes for U.S. is that most people are right handed and the idea is a newer rider in a panic would grab too much brake, and the right hand being stronger, if used for the front, would cause too many face plants.

Have no idea if this is actual fact, but sounds reasonable.

[weiwentg]

Originally Posted by Clancy

I remember reading somewhere that the reasoning behind right = rear brakes for U.S. is that most people are right handed and the idea is a newer rider in a panic would grab too much brake, and the right hand being stronger, if used for the front, would cause too many face plants.

Have no idea if this is actual fact, but sounds reasonable.

Maybe Sheldon Brown? Have to scroll to middle of the page, Which Brake Which Side?

[witcombusa]

Originally Posted by radsmd

Just picked up the bike hire/rental here in Sydney Australia and in addition to driving on the wrong side of the road, they have the bike brakes set up moto style, with the left lever controlling the rear and right lever controlling the front brake.
The shifting however is just like I have it on my bikes, left front and right rear derailleur. Hope I don't kill myself with muscle memory...

Looking forward to seeing more of Sydney on the bike.

The left lever is the clutch on a moto, not the rear brake...