Unanswered Braking technique

[maker]

When braking hard I can either push my weight through my feet or hands, Which is best?

 

[flash]

Heels down. Weight back. That's what I'm thinking when braking hard. I suspect my weight is through my feet (but not all of it) to keep it low into the bike. If you push your weight into your hands you just make a nice high pivot point to help you fly over the bars.

Gordon

 

[Rosemount]

When braking hard I can either push my weight through my feet or hands, Which is best?

Generally follow the rule - light hands , heavy feet .

 

[Mikerb]

Through your feet for traction...........through your hands for acrobatics!

 

[Pigin]

The principle of friction will always rule and understanding its limits is key.

Any tyre be it car, motorbike or push iron, has a finite amount of grip. You can use it all for traction (acceleration or deceleration) or all for turning. What ever you use for traction you loose for grip and visa versa. Once you exceed the limit the tyre will skid.

The reason I mention the above is because there is no definitive way of answering the question the way it is proposed. There will be times when one will be better than the other and times when it’s the other way round. It all depends on what you want to achieve in any given situation.

Lowering your centre of gravity will give you stability and rotational forces will need to be greater in order to destabilise you. It’s the direction in which that force is applied that can have a greater or lesser effect. Thats why changing your braking force and your position on the bike relative to each other is something you need to learn through trial and error. At the point that the centre of gravity of you and the bike goes beyond where the wheels touch the ground you are most probably in error mode.

 

[Gyre]

Heavy feet weights both of your tires. Heavy hands puts extra weight on your front tire and tends to create "stiff arm" when you need your arms to help act as part of your front suspension.

 

[urastus]

I don't think people brake hard that often. If I want to brake hard I push my bum right back over the rear wheel and roll my feet back on the pedals - that's for steep country. On the flat I'd probably move back a bit, but not as much. Lots of weight on the rear - more than enough on the front when you start braking. I tend to only do this on a short sealed road section that I take to get home from the ride. It's very steep. Really, on the trail I don't brake that hard at all - I imagine this is the same for most people? It doesn't take much to lose traction.