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Ride In Joy

HOW TO BRAKE YOUR BIKE SAFETY?
2019-08-23 08:20:11 - 14467

We all get familiar to bicycle, to ride during school ages, to ride for exercise, or to ride to hang out with friends. But there is one question that still make you confused: Do you know how to brake safety? Riding bicycle is very simple, but braking is not easy. This skill requires your skillfulness.

Have you ever realized that there was something wrong during your riding bicycle career? Especially when you stop your bicycle suddenly. Here is the answer.

What happens when you braking your bicycle?

Same to motorbike, the front brake and rear brake working independently. The power of the front brake is fast and strong. It is weaker on the rear brake. According to Vietnam standard for bicycle that selling in Vietnam, the right brake lever is the rear brake, and the left brake lever is the front brake. This standard bases on the strength of hand and figure; the rear brake is set up at the stronger hand. If you are left-handed person, you can change it to fit with you.

To imagine how power is transmitted to the brake and effects the bicycle, you can do a small test by walking along beside your bicycle. Of course your hand position is same when you are riding.

First. Sudden stop your bicycle by front brake. Your bicycle stops immediately, but the rear wheel jumps up the ground a little bit.

Second. Sudden stop your bicycle by rear brake. You will see that the brake power is weaker, and when you stop, the rear wheel and your bicycle still slide forward.

Now you know. The result of inertia force made these effect, but when you do ride your bicycle, the consequence is more serious, along with your weight and speed. If you put all power to rear brake, the rear wheel will slide, then wear out and be damaged. But if you totally rely on the front brake, both you and your bicycle will spectacularly somersault over handlebar and land on the ground. Fun is gone.

So how to brake effectively without dangerous?

Always use both brakes. You have to divide your power to front and rear brake together. Normally, divide to 60-40 for front-rear is reasonable. When you ride on trails or down slopes, the rear brake will need more power. Let practice several time to feel it and find out the best combination.

Always put at least one finger on each brake lever.

Slowly apply and harden the brake. Try to keep your bicycle in straight position.

Never use front brake only, suddenly and hard.

Take notice of your speed and distance to make sure that you can observe the other commuters nearby or easily handle unexpected obstacles.

If the road is slippery by wet or has many sandy soil, the frictional force between your wheels and road is weak, let brake more softly to prevent the fall.

These tricks are very useful for you when commute by bicycle. However, when you use bicycle for training or racing, you have to practice the performance skill for each type of sport.