1 finger braking

[Justin Fox]

Because you don't need to generate much brake lever pressure to use hydraulic brakes (in comparisson to traditional cable/mechanical brakes) many have made the move to learn how to one finger brake instead of two finger brake.

I've always been a 2 finger braker and it was hard to get used to 1 finger braking, mainly because of habit. Initially it's almost as strange as trying to write with your other hand! I've managed to get used to it and I'm reaping the benefits which are:

- One less finger on the levers = one more finger around your grips/handlebar. That means more control.

Bikes come with shifters and brakes butt right up against your handlebar grips, this encourages 2 finger braking. The best way to get into 1 finger braking is to force yourself into it. To do that you'll have to move your brake levers away from your handlebar grips.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/3081787470_75f5066f1b.jpg
Move brake levers away from your grips.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/3080948039_ef8778093a.jpg
I literally can't 2 finger brake with the levers this far away so it's forced me to 1 finger brake and kill the 2 finger brake habit.

Instructions:

1) Simply loosen your brake levers on your handlebars and move them in towards your stem until your index finger grabs the very end of your brake lever. Some people move their shifters to the outside, and levers to the inside (inbound). It's all personal preference.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2423696745_8163234d1d.jpg
And a photo of Peaty cause he's cool.

[evil]

I reckon your gap is a bit wide Justin, i have mine maybe an inch apart - i use 1 finger but want the lever out a bit further in case I never need to use 2 fingers... I also rather not have my hands hanging over the edges of the grips....

(lock on grips help this too)

[Jing]

either that or he has pretty long fingers. I was actually eyeing his setup the other day at loftus and with my hand the bars are shortened by 20mm either side. I actually thought he ended up getting a wider bar but he wanted to move the levers inbound to make it less wide

[Justin Fox]

I find them perfect like this but my shifters could be outbound (outside of the levers). I'm digging the setup though, was great last ride.

[ADAM7935]

i have slipped a finger many times trying this leaving me with no brakes but i have not moved my brakes inwards as per the pic.. time to get out the allen keys..


ps you are right peaty is cool!

[singletrack]

I see the point of the lever position on the brake- but shifting must be bloody tricky being that far away? You have long fingers!

[Justin Fox]

I do have very long fingers actually.

I might play with putting the brakes inbound.

The great thing about XTR shifters is that there's adjustment built in which allows you to move the shifter pod closer or further away from the stem by about an inch without having to move the shifter clamp on the bars. That's enough to set your brakes where you like them, then adjust the shifter pod itself to come in closer or further away from your thumbs.

[singletrack]

I do have very long fingers actually.

I might play with putting the brakes inbound.

The great thing about XTR shifters is that there's adjustment built in which allows you to move the shifter pod closer or further away from the stem by about an inch without having to move the shifter clamp on the bars. That's enough to set your brakes where you like them, then adjust the shifter pod itself to come in closer or further away from your thumbs.

oh yeah- i remember seeing that on teh XTR's. Very noice!

[Simmo]

One finger braking ftw. I feel so weird when I'm riding my mates bikes when they have mech brakes, as I need to use almost all my fingers just to stop. >,<

[TOU93]

One finger braking ftw. I feel so weird when I'm riding my mates bikes when they have mech brakes, as I need to use almost all my fingers just to stop. >,<

My old bike had mech discs and took at lot of pressure to stop, I'm still not use to my hydraulics yet i keep on going to grab them as hard as i can. :)

[ley]

hmmm interesting.... i've always been using two but now that you've made these points, maybe i should try one one day (when it is safe to *hehe)

[taibo]

hmmm interesting.... i've always been using two but now that you've made these points, maybe i should try one one day (when it is safe to *hehe)

im another convert two finger person. its certainly safe. cos now u have 3fingers and one thumb to hold the bars, even if u cant brake in time with one finger you have more control of the bike, so all u gotta do when coming into that berm at mach10 is to lean her over and do what sam hill does! brakes are over rated!

[Jazzle]

oh no wonder i just can't get used to 1 finger braking cause i dont have hydraulic brakes :(...
fingers feel like they're going to break before the bike brakes. :(

[De_Cruelz]

Not sure if this is the best way but I always 1 finger brake with my middle finger instead. I do this whenever i'm on the bike and the only time I don't is during a steep climb. This was on the good old V-brakes btw :)

With the middle finger brake I think you won't have to move the levers in. Looks nicer too that way!

[Lorday]

Did you run the brake inboard the shifter, if not, do it.

[Justin Fox]

Did you run the brake inboard the shifter, if not, do it.
Sure did.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/3083469136_0ba70d83b4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/3082632675_e8b64f13e9_o.jpg
Perfect!

[supertight]

I do have very long fingers actually.

I might play with putting the brakes inbound.

The great thing about XTR shifters is that there's adjustment built in which allows you to move the shifter pod closer or further away from the stem by about an inch without having to move the shifter clamp on the bars. That's enough to set your brakes where you like them, then adjust the shifter pod itself to come in closer or further away from your thumbs.


I wanna run the brakes inbound on my bike but you do need quite wide bars in order to push the controls in further as the bend in most risers will restrict you creating enough space between the brake and grip. Have you ridden it like that yet, i would imagine the ability to feather the brake on loose corners whilst having a good hold of the bars would be handy!

[rhys]

I have really narrow bars and I run my brakes inboard. So far inboard, that I think I need to trim the hoses :(
I think people need to bite the bullet and attend the school of no finger braking. Its not very safe, but you'll get there quicker.

[Justin Fox]

I've had it set up like this for a few trail rides now, love it. If anything I might still want to try a shorter stem, or a higher rise stem... but that's another story!

[Lorday]

How much for the thompson? I'm keen

[Justin Fox]

Keeping it dude, quality part which I got cheap when the dollar was good!

[elim]

I've tried the one finger but sometimes I gotta switch to two fingers as I feel more in control like that. Maybe my single finger is weak and I require more practice.

My brake levers are in original position so maybe that's not helping and I might have to relocate them away from the grips.

[Justin Fox]

Yup try repositioning them to force yourself to 1 finger brake elim.

[SluttyBikeWhore]

I've been training myself to do one finger braking on my Trials bike which has helped a lot in the mastering of certain moves. I recently had my first outing on my DH bike in months & found myself naturally using one finger on the brakes and my experience was so much better than with 2 finger braking. I find myself taking the fingers off the brakes when approaching a jump & holding onto the grips with all fingers then putting them back on the brakes again on landing. Good/bad?

[Justin Fox]

I'd say keep one finger floating over the brake at all times. I don't jump but I've seen many images of riders sky high with a finger on the brake and I've heard a lot about using the brakes mid air to control the bike too (!).

[Matt]

I'd say keep one finger floating over the brake at all times. I don't jump but I've seen many images of riders sky high with a finger on the brake and I've heard a lot about using the brakes mid air to control the bike too (!).

Yer its a good idea to keep one finger over them. e.g. you can put the back brakes on to lift the back of the bike.