Hard braking?

**nathanwhite** · 8th May 2012, 16:50

I got to wondering the other day, after I braked so hard my front started to lose traction (not telling why

and yes, I know its a rubbish tyre) how exactly does one brake?

Now to be clear, I don't mean what control to move, and I know all about progressive braking.

However while progressively braking, would it be better to Linearly increase, Exponentially increase or Incrementally increase the brake force? Over my vast and varied riding career I have been exposed to all three of these at some point.

or does it really not matter as long as you can smoothly transfer weight to the front wheel?

**tigertim20** · 8th May 2012, 17:56

you brake depending on the conditions. also pay attention to how you hold the lever, using two fingers gives you less squeezing power than using three, or four fingers, which can be a factor of varying importance depending on the bike, quality of its brake components, tyres, road surface weather and ambient temperature.

I Imagine that everyone has used all of those types of braking depending on the situation.
Im of the opinion that you should take your bike somewhere quiet and safe and practice emergency stops from a variety of speeds, to learn what your bikes, and your personal abilities are when it comes to braking.

its situational.

as long as you brake safely given the circumstances, it doesnt matter how you stop as long as you keep it upright and dont hit anything.

**p.dath** · 8th May 2012, 18:26

There is not one anser that is correct. It depends on a lot on the bike. Does the bike have ABS, integrated brakes, linked brakes, disc brakes, drum brakes, a short wheel base, a long wheel base, etc.

You need to try it for yourself on the bike concerned, measure the results, and then figure out what is best.

**FJRider** · 8th May 2012, 18:30

Heavy braking is best practiced on a borrowed bike. (thats what friends are for)

**bogan** · 8th May 2012, 18:37

Heaps untill you are about to exceed you known 'safe' braking force (which will be less in the wet), then much more care for slowing applied increase in force after that.

I'm assuming you're planning on doing this in controlled circumstances? An oh shit moment is not the best time to exceed your braking limits.

**DEATH_INC.** · 8th May 2012, 18:55

I'll stick my neck out and say an exponential increase is the most effective. It's just the initial loading that is usually the problem, once there is load through the tyre you should be able to haul on it pretty hard up to the point of slide/stoppie dependent on the bike/tyre/surface combo.

**Gremlin** · 8th May 2012, 19:27

As has been said, the best way to brake depends on the bike and it's features. I'd recommend anyone, either new to riding, or when getting a new bike, to take it somewhere quiet and practise emergency braking. Knowing how the bike responds (like how much weight shifts around and how it affects the bike) could save your life.

As a general approach, you want to brake as hard as possible to slow as quickly as possible, without exceeding the tyres' limits. The limit is reached through a combination of turning, leaning and braking and only has so much to give. If you're using a lot on leaning then you have less to use on braking. The skill is knowing how much you have for each purpose.

**jrandom** · 8th May 2012, 19:41

'kin ell folks, you can't teach someone how to brake properly with words on the internet.

Go do some trackdays, nathanwhite.

**nathanwhite** · 8th May 2012, 19:54

I sense some practice time coming up . . .

I have another question. If braking reduces fork compliance, and leaning the bike reduces available sticktion, is it theoretically possible to brake that much later into a corner, and release AS you are turning in, rather then release and then turn in?

Originally Posted by jrandom

Go do some trackdays, nathanwhite.

I plan to. However until then, I have the internet and the specifically general advice that I'm getting

**p.dath** · 8th May 2012, 20:03

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

I have another question. If braking reduces fork compliance, and leaning the bike reduces available sticktion, is it theoretically possible to brake that much later into a corner, and release AS you are turning in, rather then release and then turn in?

It's theorecticlally possible to have an off, but doesn't mean you should try.

You really want the bike settled for a corner, not unloading the suspension during the corner (and the front fork would still be recovering in this case).

**nathanwhite** · 8th May 2012, 20:08

Originally Posted by p.dath

It's theorecticlally possible to have an off, but doesn't mean you should try.

You really want the bike settled for a corner, not unloading the suspension during the corner (and the front fork would still be recovering in this case).

I knew there was a reason I hadn't tried it.

**jrandom** · 8th May 2012, 20:18

Originally Posted by nathanwhite

I have another question. If braking reduces fork compliance, and leaning the bike reduces available sticktion, is it theoretically possible to brake that much later into a corner, and release AS you are turning in, rather then release and then turn in?

Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to brake pretty hard with your knee already down. Turning and braking at the same time is an essential skill.

But don't just go out and try to do it now, or you'll fall off.

Trackdays trackdays...

(You've had the good sense to get a Scorpio, so you're already halfway to enlightenment.)

**nathanwhite** · 8th May 2012, 20:21

Originally Posted by jrandom

Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to brake pretty hard with your knee already down. Turning and braking at the same time is an essential skill.

But don't just go out and try to do it now, or you'll fall off.

Funny story actually, coming down Auckland's Scenic Drive, in the dark, by myself, came into a corner too hot.......