As a mountain biker, I can affirm that front brakes are stronger than rear ones.
Improper use of the bike’s front brake may lead to flipping. So many new riders do not even use their front brake; they may advise you not to use front brakes.
However, avoiding using your front brake is a big mistake when discussing control power. So, when to use the front brake on a mountain bike?
Scroll down for a detailed answer!
Table of Contents
When To Use The Front Brake On A Mountain Bike?
Front brakes contain 70% of the total braking force, while rear ones account for only about 30%. So you can use your bike’s front brake to stop.
Front brakes provide the most potent power on a mountain bike, accounting for more than 70% of the total braking force.
The reason is that the front of the bike is always heavier, resulting in more traction in the front tire.
Therefore, utilizing your bike’s rear brake is fine if you want to slow down a bit. But if you want to stop, using the front one is essential.
Using the front brake also helps slow down if you use it properly.
Your bike’s front brake will enable your bike to stop in much less time than the rear one. Moreover, using both brakes will let you stop even faster.
What Is the Correct Brake Position?
When you are at the attack position (out of your saddle, chest low, etc.), your wrists should be in line with your forearms, braking fingers, and brake levers.
Your wrist shouldn’t be an awkward bend. It should be a straight, natural line.
What Occurs When You Use Your Brakes?
Your bike will slow down when you only use the rear brake or the front one. It will slow your bike down but isn’t ideal for bringing you to a complete stop.
Since the front brake provides more braking force, it will bring your bike to a stop faster.
However, using only the front brake is not safe as it can lead to sliding or flipping, especially when you are driving at high speeds.
It is wise to use both front and rear brakes to stop your bike. Use rear brakes to slow your bike down before applying the front brake for a nice stop.
Should I Brake in the Corners?
It is a common mistake. Braking in corners reduces your bike’s controllability. So I recommend braking before corners, not while you’re in them.
As a result, you can navigate corners confidently without braking when you’re in the corner.
It allows you to focus on the cornering technique while giving the tires the maximum possible traction.
Avoid applying front brakes if you accidentally turn a corner at high speed.
If not, your front tire will slide, which is very challenging to control and recover from. Instead, utilizing the rear brake is best in this case.
Why Is Your Bike’s Front Brake More Powerful?
The front of the bike is heavier, resulting in more traction on your front tire.
This is why most downhill, enduro, and all-mountain bicycles feature a larger rotor in their front.
These rotors provide more leverage on front wheels for greater stopping power.
Your front brake should slow down more safely when appropriately utilized.
Most mountain bikes, especially downhill or enduro bicycles, will come with persistent, bigger tires with a more aggressive tread on their front.
There will provide more traction, leading to more stopping power.
FAQs
Is the Front Brake Important?
The rear brake is okay when your front tire blows or has poor traction. But the front brake provides the maximum stopping power, both in practice and theory.
If you take the time to learn to use your front brake correctly, you should be a safer rider.
How Do I Properly Use Brakes to Stop?
If you want to stop quickly and safely, it is wise to use the front and rear brakes simultaneously.
Avoid applying your front brake with too much force since it could flip your bike over the front wheel.
Should I Use Both Brakes on My Mountain Bike?
You should use both brakes for maximum stopping force.
The front brake provides the most potent braking force, but using only the front brake can lead to sliding and flipping.
How to Avoid Flipping When Squeezing My Bike’s Front Brake?
Before braking, you should shift your weight to the back of the saddle to reduce the weight of the front wheel and make a firm supporting grip on the bar.
You can use the front brake with greater force without worrying about flipping.
Also, avoid suddenly pulling the brake lever entirely. Instead, you should pull the brake lever slowly and nicely.
Which Brake Should You Use Before Cycling?
In most cases, you will need to use the rear brake to slow down while using the front brake to stop your bike.
You should squeeze the rear brake before using the front one for proper braking. That way, you will get better control.
Is It Safe to Cycle Without Brakes?
It is never safe to cycle without brakes. It is hazardous for both you and those around you. Even many states have made it illegal to cycle without brakes.
Is It Possible to Ride a Bike With Front Brake Only?
The short answer is yes. It is possible to cycle with only the front brake.
However, it will not be safe, especially when you ride at high speed. In addition, the rear brake helps slow down and corner.
Why Are My Mountain Bike Brakes Squealing?
The squeal of your bike’s brakes could be because it is worn out or contaminated with something, such as oil, resulting in a loss of grip on the brake pads.
The way to fix this problem is straightforward. All you need to do is:
- If your brake pads have worn out, replacing them is essential. If they are just dirty, cleaning them is okay.
- You may also have to clean your discs. If they are scratched, you need to polish them and finally replace the brake pads.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, by the end of the article, you’ve got the answer to “When to use the front brake on a mountain bike?”
The front brake provides more braking force, ideal for stopping the bike while using the rear one is alright to slow down.
However, you should apply both brakes to stop faster and safely. Applying each front brake can cause you to flip.
Ideally, use the rear brake to slow your bike down before squeezing your bike’s front brake to come to a complete stop.
Hopefully, this article was helpful to you! Thanks for stopping by!