(This is the second secret of how to brake on a mountain bike just like the Pros. Find the first secret here and the third secret here)
Did you know you can learn how to go faster on a mountain bike with no extra effort? It’s true. You can go faster with basically no extra physical effort. You don’t always need stronger legs. Just a simple change in thinking will get you some free speed.
So how does this change in thinking happen?
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On Your Next Ride
Starting on your next ride change the way you think about braking so that once you have this mountain biking skill mastered…
…your front brake will be doing 65 to 70% of your total braking duties.
Sound crazy? Getting the front brake to do all the work? Won’t that make you crash all the time? No! Stick with me while I explain your new braking habit. It’s called…
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Front Braking
Use it!
Front braking is the mountain biking skill of using your front brake far more than your rear. And a front braker is a mountain biker who rides using the front braking method by default.
If you learn to front brake, you will be learning one of the best ways to keep speed and momentum. And the more speed and momentum you can keep, the faster you will go. Take your favorite trail for example. If you pedaled it no more than normal, but simply braked less, you would be guaranteed to go faster. But the true skill in front braking is to brake less while still keeping total control of your bike.
So, as well as using the front brake far more than the rear, by definition front braking is also about
- slowing only when you absolutely need to, and
- slowing quickly and in the shortest distance possible
…while always maintaining expert control of your bike.
Don’t Get Me Wrong
A front braker does use his rear brake. But he knows the advantages of being front brake focused.
So, has all this free speed hype got your attention? Cool. Then I’m going to assume you’re a rear braker. And to make the advantages of front braking clearer, let’s talk about the differences between the two styles a little more…
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Your Current Braking Style Goes Something Like This:
- You use your rear brake anytime you need to slow or stop
- You rarely use the front brake first or use it around corners, and
- You only use your front brake when the rear brake is already in use
And, if you’re a beginner mountain biker, you may even have a slight fear of using the front brake. A voice pops in your head when your bike gets out of control. ‘Whatever you do, don’t use the front brake’, it says.
Am I close?
If that sounds even a little like you then get ready. Your riding is about to change and…
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Become A Whole Lot Faster
To get this new-found speed start thinking of your brakes in this way:
The front brake is for slowing and stopping because
- it has more control over slowing your weight
- it helps you stop in much shorter distances
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The rear brake is for slowing, and
- If over-used it wastes speed and skids the wheel
- it’s your secondary brake
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And the rewards for your new way of thinking…
- Braking precision – less wasted braking
- More speed and momentum – from braking less, braking later and rolling more
- Better bike control under brakes – from increased awareness of balance and tire grip
Sounds good doesn’t it? You might even be asking yourself…
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Why Didn’t I Think Of This Before?
This might be why…
We all start as novice riders. And as a novice most of us lack a lot of skill and finesse. So when we need to brake we usually just grab more of whatever won’t put us over the handlebars. Which just happens to be the rear brake. And that bad habit lives on.
But this is what we need to change…
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Your Old Braking Style
The rear braker you approaching a sharp corner at speed
- at 90 feet you apply the rear brake
- you rear brake early because you need a lot of distance to slow down
- at 50 feet you brake harder because you think you haven’t slowed enough
- at 40 feet you apply the front brake feeling safe now that you won’t go over the bars
then…
- as the corner gets closer you’re still using both brakes, mainly the rear
- at 30 feet you realizes you’ve slowed enough
- you relax the brakes and take the corner slower than you need to
And on exiting the corner you say to yourself ‘I could’ve done that corner faster’.-
Now let’s see how your new braking skills handle the same corner. You’re approaching at the same speed and at ninety feet…
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You’re Still Pedaling
Front braking = More speed
- At 75 feet you stop pedaling and roll
- At 50 feet you apply the front brake before apply the rear
- you have more pressure on the front brake – twice as much as the rear
- 20 feet from the corner you use the rear brake a little more until at
- 5 feet you’ve reached your desired corner speed
…and
- you take the corner 10 miles per hour faster than the rear-braker!
So the question is:
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Where Does All Your Speed Come From?
Here’s where. You:
- pedaled further and then rolled before braking
- used the rolling as a deliberate leg rest
- braked much later because front-braking stops you quicker
- braked front first because
- you weren’t cornering hard and the front wheel won’t skid
and you
- shifted slightly rearward to counter-act the front braking
- applied the rear brake a touch more nearer the corner to help
- balance your weight over the bike and to help balance front to rear tire grip
…and on top of all that you resumed pedaling before the corner ended!
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But Wait There’s More
On top of all that you
- started pedaling again even before the corner ended
- found it easier to pick up speed again because you were still carrying a good amount of momentum
- were 45 feet ahead of where the old you rear braker was by the time he exited the corner!-
This is how the pros do it. Even when they’re on a social ride. But it doesn’t take anything special to get some free speed, just a change of habit. So there’s every reason why, with a bit of practice, you can do it too.
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And the third secret to Braking Just Like the Pros…
Optimal Brake and Shifter Set-up - learn how to set up your brake and shifter controls for one finger braking. Or, find some more free speed here.
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Don’t Forget Your Rubbers!
All the right intentions in the world won’t give you the gains you want if you’re riding on the wrong tires. Good tires are that important.
So, if you want to make the most of these Free Speed mountain biking tips, make sure you’re riding on the best mountain bike tires to suit your riding style and trail conditions.
