When cycling outdoors, safety comes first. Whether you're riding mountain bikes, downhill (DH), or road bikes, brakes are absolutely crucial for you!
Using both front and rear brakes simultaneously can easily cause a "wheelie" or skid. If the rear wheel begins to slide while the front brake is still applied, the rear wheel may swing out past the front wheel because the deceleration force of the front wheel is greater than that of the rear wheel. Once the rear wheel starts to slide, it tends to skid sideways rather than forward. In this case, you must immediately reduce the force on the rear brake or fully release it to restore the normal movement of the rear wheel.
When cycling outdoors, safety comes first. Whether you're riding mountain bikes, downhill (DH), or road bikes, brakes are absolutely crucial for you!
I. Should You Use the Front or Rear Brake for Emergency Stops? —— The Powerful Role of the Front Brake!
Since your bike has two sets of brakes—one for the front wheel and one for the rear—you need to fully understand how to use them properly to stop safely.
A common piece of advice is to use both the front and rear brakes. This theory works well for beginners who are not yet skilled in riding, but if you remain stuck at this stage, you won't be able to develop the professional techniques needed for expert bike control.
The usual method to stop your bike in the shortest distance is to pull the front brake until the rear wheel is just about to lift off the ground. This is because the rider and the moving bike have forward momentum, combined with the downward force of gravity, both of which together create a forward and downward resultant force. The braking action relies on the friction between the tires and the ground to counteract the forward component of this force. The greater the pressure, the greater the friction, so most of the friction in this scenario comes from the front wheel. Since the rear wheel is lifted, the rear brake has no effect at all. On loose or slippery surfaces, or in the event of a front tire blowout, you should make full use of the rear brake. However, on generally dry and flat roads, both theoretically and practically, the front brake always provides the greatest braking efficiency. Once you learn to use the front brake correctly, you will be a safer rider.
You might be worried about flipping over forward. It’s possible, but only for those who haven’t yet mastered controlling the force of the front brake. As for riders who rely solely on the rear brake to stop, they often realize after an accident: when an emergency occurs, panic causes them to instinctively grip the unfamiliar front brake and increase braking force, often resulting in a forward somersault and injury.
Others believe the reason for “forward somersaults” isn’t excessive front brake force, but rather using the front brake forcefully without using arm strength to counteract deceleration. The bike stops, but the rider continues to move forward until their body “collides” with the handlebars, effectively making the bike “ride” the person. This doesn’t happen to those who only use the rear brake, because once the rear wheel lifts off the ground, it loses friction and braking power. However, the trade-off of using only the rear brake is that the stopping distance is twice as long compared to using the front brake. Therefore, for riders who frequently cycle at high speeds, relying solely on the rear brake is unsafe. Remember, during emergency braking, firmly brace your body with your arms to prevent flipping forward. The key is to push your hips back as far as possible (without staying glued to the saddle) and shift your center of gravity backward. This technique applies under all braking conditions, whether using just the front brake or both front and rear brakes.
Using both front and rear brakes simultaneously can easily cause a “wheelie” or skid. If the rear wheel begins to slide while the front brake is still applied, the rear wheel may swing out past the front wheel because the deceleration force of the front wheel is greater than that of the rear wheel. Once the rear wheel starts to slide, it tends to skid sideways rather than forward. In this case, you must immediately reduce the force on the rear brake or fully release it to restore the normal movement of the rear wheel.
In summer, on hot asphalt or concrete roads, the front brake is used more often than the rear, or even exclusively, with the rear brake serving as a supplement or not used at all. Some cyclists abroad strongly advocate for this approach.
Theoretically, the maximum braking effect is achieved when the front brake is applied until the rear wheel is just about to lift off the ground. At this point, even a slight application of the rear brake can cause the rear wheel to skid. To experience this, find a large open area, apply both front and rear brakes, but put most of the force on the front brake. Keep pedaling, and your feet will feel the rear wheel lifting. Start by slowly accelerating to get a feel for it, then gradually increase speed and practice emergency braking until you notice this phenomenon. This way, you’ll learn to find the critical point where the rear wheel is just about to lift.
II. The Powerful Role of the Rear Brake
If the front brake alone is enough, why do we even need a rear brake? The rear brake actually has significant uses and is essential in the following situations.
1. Slippery Surfaces: On dry roads, tires rarely slip, but on slippery surfaces, the situation is different. If the rear wheel slips here, it's relatively easy to regain balance. But if the front wheel slips, recovery is nearly impossible, so you must use the rear brake to stop the bike.
2. Loose Surfaces: Similar to slippery surfaces, the likelihood of tire slippage increases significantly. Again, the rear brake must be used to stop the bike, though the front brake can be used cautiously—as long as the front wheel does not slip.
3. Bumpy Surfaces: When riding on bumpy terrain, the wheels may leave the ground. In such cases, do not use the front brake. Applying the front brake while the front wheel is off the ground will cause it to lock up, and landing on a locked front wheel is very dangerous.
4. Front Tire Blowout: If your front tire blows out while riding, do not use the front brake. Using the front brake in this situation may cause the tire to come off the rim, potentially leading to the bike flipping over.
5. Front Brake Failure: If the front brake cable breaks, the brake pads are excessively worn, or any other issue renders the front brake unusable, you’ll have no choice but to use the rear brake.