Hey, Guys. Looking for a little help with my first attempt at building a bike. I have visualized the whole thing 1000 times, but am having a hard time wrapping my head around what should be a fairly simple concept, I think.
Europeans put their brakes on the opposite side. You’re not crazy. Seems like you have it correct. I switched my tri bike, and just got used to it that way.
Different countries have different conventions for which brake lever (left/right) actuates which brake (front/back). Note: there is no “right” answer, it’s convention/preference. You can build it up either way.
Boardman is a UK brand so the bike is shown UK style.
You guys are quick. I had convinced myself that those crazy Europeans might do that, but just couldn’t bring myself to cut the housing without verifying.
Thanks and I am sure this is just the first of many posts during my build.
I grew up racing motocross so right hand was front brake and left was the clutch. All three of my bikes are setup with the front brake on the right out of habit.
Unless your left handed I can’t see any reason why you would want the front brake on the left. The front brake is your most important brake, it is the one you want the most control over. Move your front brake lever to the right.
That makes some sense, until your try to stop on loose surface, and you lock the front and face plant. I don’t give two hoots if the back locks, only concern is I might have to buy a new tire slightly sooner. I would rather pay a bike shop than a doctor. I’m actually same school as sdbanker, lots of motorbikes, so in that sense I also consider wrong to have the front on the left.
YMMV. Always had it on my left. Had no problems. My bikes have always been built Euro/Brit style with the front brake on the left.
Its more muscle memory and skill anyhow after riding for so long…
For your first build you picked, to me, a hard front to get set up correctly. I’ve built lots of bike before and also the Boardman you have. That Boardman front brake has to be by far the one I found the most difficult to get right.
Unless your left handed I can’t see any reason why you would want the front brake on the left. The front brake is your most important brake, it is the one you want the most control over. Move your front brake lever to the right.
Because you might tend to use you dominant right have to grab your water bottle and food, so i can grab a drink while coasting and put my bottle away and still cover my primary brake.
Because Right and Rear both start with the letter “R”.
because I rode motorcycle for a long time, between my 4 bikes, I have them set-up both ways. I adapt pretty quickly and am equally comfortable with each. Riding a motorcycle, you dominant hand because less of an issue and you need to learn to have good coordination on both. Though being right handed could be why learning the hand clutch takes longer than it should.
Unless your left handed I can’t see any reason why you would want the front brake on the left. The front brake is your most important brake, it is the one you want the most control over. Move your front brake lever to the right.
Because you might tend to use you dominant right have to grab your water bottle and food, so i can grab a drink while coasting and put my bottle away and still cover my primary brake.
Because Right and Rear both start with the letter “R”.
because I rode motorcycle for a long time, between my 4 bikes, I have them set-up both ways. I adapt pretty quickly and am equally comfortable with each. Riding a motorcycle, you dominant hand because less of an issue and you need to learn to have good coordination on both. Though being right handed could be why learning the hand clutch takes longer than it should.
