How to use Mountain Bike Disc Brake - By: jasonborne

How to use Mountain Bike Disc Brake

Modern Disc brakes not only stops mountain bike but helps the riders to control the bike under various riding condition. It is considered to be the most important components and you need to learn how to apply such advanced disc brake when you move to ride latest full suspension mountain bikes. Proper braking can improve your riding skill and helps you to approach corner with confidence.

Normal Braking

Good use of brake would also help to control the balance of the bike and get more pleasure in riding on various technical terrains. Beginners commonly make mistake when using brakes and they often apply disc brakes than necessary and feel that they are in safer position. This riding style actually acts as an obstacle for wheels to move in free momentum and avoid the bike to tip over easily. You must learn to control the mountain bike when riding at great speed and this involves allowing the wheel to roll down on trail for better traction and balance them without applying unnecessary brakes.

Applying Front and Rear Brake

Normally applying both front and back brakes at the same time is a good advice given to beginners but you must also need to develop the skill to use front brake alone. Applying the front brake has great advantage because it provides maximum stopping power when the rear tyre goes out of traction. Many beginners fear to use front brake because unskilled front braking could cause over the bar crash. They normally use the rear brake and in unfamiliar situation they tend to panic and apply both the brakes. This result in rear wheel skid and it start to swing past the front tyre and it may also lead to over the bar crash.

Applying Front Brake alone

For normal driving rear brake is OK but when you move to full fledged hardtail or full suspension mountain bike then relying on rear brake alone would not make you safer rider. Front brake provides maximum stopping power and when applied harder the rear wheel would lift off and at this point if you apply rear brake the rear wheel would skid. Start practicing in a safe space or in a park, first apply both brakes but give more effort into front brake. Pedal the bike when applying the brakes and this way your legs can known when the rear wheel skid and take off. Practice hard braking every time in order to feel the stopping fast when the rear wheel lifts off. Different brakes have different stopping power and you need to test them when riding on various types of mountain bikes.

Practice Front Brake

When you feel confident in applying front brake then also practice for controlling the bike when you release the front brake immediately after you squeeze the lever. This process is actually to recover the control of the bike. When you ride the bike apply the front brake harder and you will realize the rear wheel lift off and immediately release the brake. When applying the front brake put your body weight in the rear position to control the mountain bike and avoid any unwanted rear wheel lift off.

Rear Brake Usage

There are few occasions in which rear braking is preferred such as slippery surface and in a turn where there is high risk of front wheel skid. Even in bumpy trail front braking is not advised and when recovering to a safe stop after front tyre blow off or broken cable only rear wheel braking is advised. Read mountain bike reviews to know more about different types of advanced disc brake used in modern mountain bikes and update your knowledge.

About the Author

I love mountain biking and other adventurous sports. For more information in mountain bikes please visit http://www.mountainbikereviews.org.uk.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/jasonborne/181899

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