Whether riding on a paved bike path or rugged off-road trail, using the brakes of your mountain bike properly will enable you to avoid any hazards in the riding path. While there are a variety of mountain bike brakes, the basic technique is the same. If your mountain bike features rim brakes, always check the alignment of the pads prior to the ride.
Braking Technique
Employing the proper braking technique will allow you to navigate the hairpin turns of a technical trail with ease. Novice mountain bikers often make the mistake of only engaging the front brake during downhill maneuvers. This may cause you to flip over the handlebars, resulting in painful injuries and possible bike damage. When approaching a tight turn at high speeds, squeeze the brake levers lightly to correct your speed. Never brake while in the middle of a turn as this may cause your back tire to slip out.
Left Brake Lever
Most intermediate-to-expert mountain bikes are equipped with a front and rear brake system. According to Mountain Bike Buzz, the left brake lever will engage the brake pads on the front wheel of the mountain bike. The front brake has more stopping power than the rear. While the most effective braking technique involves using the front and rear brake simultaneously, engaging the front brake by itself will quickly decrease the momentum of your mountain bike. When squeezing the left brake lever, shift your body weight toward the rear of the seat.
Right Brake Lever
The rear brake of the mountain bike is controlled by the lever fastened on the right side of your handlebars. Many novice riders make the mistake of engaging the rear brake by itself when attempting to slow down the rolling speed of the mountain bike. This improper braking technique will cause your back tire to skid across the trail, often resulting in a painful slide out. A skidding back tire can also cause trail damage by slowly eroding the terrain.
Rim Brakes vs. Disc Brakes
Mountain bikes for beginners are outfitted with a simplistic rim brake. Also defined as the V-brake, the rim brake features pads that squeeze on the chrome rim of the back tire. A dampened trail with a muddy terrain will impede the performance of the rim brake. Even with the proper technique, slipping brake pads can result in high-speed crashes. Downhill mountain bikes are equipped with a powerful hydraulic disc brake. According to ABC-of-Mountain Biking, the disc brake is located in the center of the wheel and is not affected by water or mud.
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